happy pilgrim
Registered user
is it easy to do? I want to load Windows 7 home edition on a pc that has been running windows xp pro? is it wise or more hassle then its worth? cheers
operating system upgrade
- Thread starter happy pilgrim
- Start date
AberdeenAngus
Registered user
Do not under any circumstances load a windows operating system before Service Pack 2 comes out.
XP is a good stable platform. I would leave alone if I were you.
XP is a good stable platform. I would leave alone if I were you.
happy pilgrim
Registered user
fancied using the windows 7 media features in my house for films/music etc.
can that ne done on xp pro the same?
can that ne done on xp pro the same?
Pondboy
Registered user
HP,
I did it in Jan. Piece of piss to do.
Use Microsoft Easy Transfer tool (free download) to copy all your data, links etc.
I do have a chunky PC and would not do it on a laptop, but Win 7 is loads nicer and easier to use than XP. PB
I did it in Jan. Piece of piss to do.
Use Microsoft Easy Transfer tool (free download) to copy all your data, links etc.
I do have a chunky PC and would not do it on a laptop, but Win 7 is loads nicer and easier to use than XP. PB
Canuck
Registered user
I installed win 7 a few months ago from XP on one and from vista on another. 7 runs much quicker (i.e. I can push the start button and in under a minute I'm surfing the web or opening documents. I am enjoying many of the changes made between xp/vista and 7. Would not change back.... but what do I know.
happy pilgrim
Registered user
i'll give it a go then
Windows 7 is better than XP and easy to install. If your upgrading from XP you have to do a clean install so back up or save anything dear to you. During the installation Win 7 will keep a folder on the c drive with all your docs, pics, etc. but you know with PCs you can't be too careful.
I've installed it onto my own laptop which did have vista and 3 netbooks all of which had XP and it's improved the performance on all them without exception
I've installed it onto my own laptop which did have vista and 3 netbooks all of which had XP and it's improved the performance on all them without exception
Windows 7 is better than XP in many ways, but it might be wise to run the hardware compatibility tool at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1B544E90-7659-4BD9-9E51-2497C146AF15&displaylang=en before you start. Just in case there is something in your PC that will not work with Windows 7, although there is an XP mode in Windows for incompatible stuff.
Basic machine spec. needs to be, according to Microsoft,
1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
Basic machine spec. needs to be, according to Microsoft,
1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
happy pilgrim
Registered user
should be said that MS minimum hardware requirements have historically been ludicrously optimistic.
happy pilgrim
Registered user
yes, fair point.
When I read that you were upgrading your operating system, I thought you were changing to Linux or Apple Snow Leopard......
When I read that you were upgrading your operating system, I thought you were changing to Linux or Apple Snow Leopard......
Linux would run, but not Apple, at least not on a pc. I'd argue that Windows 7 has enough strengths in terms of available software, driver compatibility and even reliability to be on a par with Linux. I don't know the Apple stuff well enough to make a valid comparision between Snow Leopard and Windows 7. My suspicion is that the gap is a lot less than it once was though.
Deleted account 190920001
Registered user
- Joined
- Oct 15, 2009
- Messages
- 3,368
- Reaction score
- 0
From someone who does this for a living which is me. Windows 7 is a good operating system, don't listen to anybody who says wait for the service packs. This is the service pack to Vista which was garbage. Plenty good advice above on how to upgrade but in all honesty I would save all your files somewhere and do a clean install. As to hardware, yes the minimum requirements have been posted above but they are no where near good enough. If you went with them you would end up with a very disappointing performing machine. To get it to run and look right you will need.
Core 2 processor duo would be better but pentium would work also but slower.
2GB of ram or more (this is a biggie anything less and the performance takes a big hit.
hard drive, well the bigger the better really and it needs to be SATA 2 or again performance takes a hit. The old PATA drives will work fine but it will take an age to boot.
256MB direct x 10 graphics card (you need this for the swish glass effects to work smoothly)
Nothing there that hasn't come standard on a PC from the last 2 years or so but older than that your going to have to check and if you cant match the specs then leave XP on and wait until you can afford a new machine.
Core 2 processor duo would be better but pentium would work also but slower.
2GB of ram or more (this is a biggie anything less and the performance takes a big hit.
hard drive, well the bigger the better really and it needs to be SATA 2 or again performance takes a hit. The old PATA drives will work fine but it will take an age to boot.
256MB direct x 10 graphics card (you need this for the swish glass effects to work smoothly)
Nothing there that hasn't come standard on a PC from the last 2 years or so but older than that your going to have to check and if you cant match the specs then leave XP on and wait until you can afford a new machine.
Deleted account 190920001
Registered user
- Joined
- Oct 15, 2009
- Messages
- 3,368
- Reaction score
- 0
OS X is a no go as it wont run on anything other than Apple hardware. If its so great then why are a lot of newer intel apple owners running windows on them?
As for Linux well there are so many distros out there your bound to get one that suits you from basic to all the bells and whistles. Trouble with Linux is its a very steep learning curve. Even the install can be a pain if your hardware is a little odd. With all the bells and whistles on it, it is every bit as hardware hungry as windows 7 and can run like a dog just as easily. Course the beauty is if you go for a minimal distro it will run on just about any low spec bit of kit and run well. That's why it was 1st choice as the OS for the little low powered netbooks. Trouble is the public as a whole didn't like it so most of them run XP or win7 starter now.
As for Linux well there are so many distros out there your bound to get one that suits you from basic to all the bells and whistles. Trouble with Linux is its a very steep learning curve. Even the install can be a pain if your hardware is a little odd. With all the bells and whistles on it, it is every bit as hardware hungry as windows 7 and can run like a dog just as easily. Course the beauty is if you go for a minimal distro it will run on just about any low spec bit of kit and run well. That's why it was 1st choice as the OS for the little low powered netbooks. Trouble is the public as a whole didn't like it so most of them run XP or win7 starter now.
Not quite true. But probably not worth the hassle either.
It is rumoured, and I must stress I've not infringed any Apple copyright to test this theory myself, that the Hackintosh will fall over in a heap first time it connects to Apple. Can't imagine why.
My tongue was in my cheek when I suggested Linux or Snow Leopard as an upgrade for Windows, but only just.............
You see, although I use XP Pro and Vista, I have dabbled with a few of the Linux distros over the past 7 years and the learning curve is certainly not as great as it used to be, indeed, Ubuntu and Mandriva are both excellent choices and Damn Small Linux will run on alost any old thing and IMHO is certainly worth a try and of course you have Open Office too, (yes, I know it runs on Windows too).
As for the Apple OS, most professional graphic designers and media professionals use Apple products and more people are switching to it. Yes Windows will run on Apple systems now and so will MS Office suite but that's the sprat to catch the mackerel
You see, although I use XP Pro and Vista, I have dabbled with a few of the Linux distros over the past 7 years and the learning curve is certainly not as great as it used to be, indeed, Ubuntu and Mandriva are both excellent choices and Damn Small Linux will run on alost any old thing and IMHO is certainly worth a try and of course you have Open Office too, (yes, I know it runs on Windows too).
As for the Apple OS, most professional graphic designers and media professionals use Apple products and more people are switching to it. Yes Windows will run on Apple systems now and so will MS Office suite but that's the sprat to catch the mackerel
Similar threads
