Should I finally upgrade my OS?

[Ghost]

Yesterday I ran into a bit of a problem after trying to install a beta for Battlefield 3, only to find out that it doesn't support Windows XP. (Screams inside.)

It got me thinking of how I'm in the minority of Windows users.(Last time I checked, around 45% of Windows users still use XP. But that number most likely shrunk, or is shrinking.) I still use Windows XP (Media Center Edition) which is my preferred OS next to Linux. It's the OS I've always used since I got into computers and I know it like the back of my hand. When Vista came out, I was able to get my hands on it, and I didn't like it at all. I liked the overall "look" to it. But there were way to many problems and I decided to stick to XP.

I've used 7 before, and I thought it was a lot better then Vista. However I still preferred XP in the end. So I decided that I would stick to XP until Microsoft stopped supporting it. Now I'm kind of starting to see that happening. My school over the summer upgraded all of the school's computers to Windows 7. Now that I've worked with 7 more I'm starting to get a better feel with it.

As for other OS, I thought about Linux. I did like the OS but I haven't really used it that much. As for Macs...... There are two problems with this. My PC is a pretty good XP machine. It's a custom built rig that I got back in late 2009. The guy who built this PC said that he put XP on here since he wanted to wait until all the problems with Microsoft's new OS were fixed. Other then the OS it's a pretty good gaming rig.

Quad core processor, an ATI Radeon 5800 graphics card, about 3 and a half GB of RAM, and a hard drive that has about 750 GB of space. So overall, I love this computer, and I wouldn't dump this for a MAC and it's worth a lot of money. Even if I could easily jump to MAC, it would take me a long while to get use to the MAC OS.

I've also used their OS in the past and I thought it was pretty confusing. (At least to me anyway.) My theory is it's because they were made for simple minded people, but that's just my opinion. (No offense to MAC users.)

But there are issues with upgrading to 7 as well. It would set me back anywhere from 80$ to over 200$ to buy the installation disks. Two, I have a lot of stuff on here and I think I might need an external hard drive which I don't have ATM. And I would obviously have to re-install all of my programs.

Overall, upgrading my OS would just be a time consuming pain in my ass. The question is whether I should do it, and if it's worth it. But I'll have to upgrade eventually. Not to mention Windows 8 is on the horizon, and it's way too soon for that. But Microsoft just has to compete with Apple.

But anyways, I've heard a bunch of different things from different people. I've had a few people tell me that upgrading an XP computer to Windows 7 could be impossible, which could be true, but I doubt it. I fail to see how upgrading my computer to 7 would be impossible. One guy described Windows XP as a house, and Windows 7 as a mansion. And that if I install 7, I'll drop the mansion on top of the house so to speak. Then again, I've seen Microsoft's help page and they say you can. I've also had other people tell me that you can upgrade an XP machine to 7 easily.

I don't have an external hard drive in my possession to store all my files, since USB sticks can't hold that much. Half of the people I've brought this up to have either told me that Windows 7 will save your XP files in a folder after you finish installing it. Or they tell me that it can't do that and that you need an external device to store your files elsewhere, otherwise they won't be there.

So I don't know exactly what I should do. I need to hear from you guys. Do you think it's impossible for me to upgrade? Should I get an external hard drive? Should I simply stick to XP? Or even get Linux instead?

Let me know what you guys think. Keep in mind that I do use my PC for gaming.

[fafner]

With GNU/Linux you will obviously have troubles running your Windows games, even though wine allows to do that (but it is somewhat a matter of chance: some games work great, other don't even install or run). Same problem with Mac OS X (you have a port of wine for the x86 version of Mac OS X). Mac OS X is a Unix the same way as GNU/Linux, but Mac OS X has a lot of small differences, especially when it comes to administration. GUI is good, but as you said it's for non-experts. If you are going for the Unix branch, I would advise GNU/Linux: less expensive, but you may need more computer skills (if you're considering it, you probably have enough to try the easiest distributions such as Ubuntu).

If you want to keep your Windows games working, your best bet is Windows 7: Microsoft has always done a great job in compatibility (despite a few troubles here and there, I had games that worked on 95/98 that couldn't start anymore on XP even in compatible mode, but that curiously worked great on wine). If you have enough free space on your hard disk, you may repartition it so as to have some room where you can either install GNU/Linux to try it out (unless you already did it), or use the new partition as a backup for your files. Reinstallations/upgrades can usually target a single partition, leaving the other(s) one(s) untouched.

In my opinion, the incoherent informations you got about the possibility to upgrade or not to Windows 7 comes from the fact that it depends of the type of disks: some are purely upgrade disks and will transform your Windows XP into a working Windows 7 without a flaw, and others are purely install disks and will either wipe out your system configuration in the process, or your files as well if it is an OEM installation disk (I had one which simply formatted upon booting without asking, thanks a lot for the one who came with this great idea). In the later case, the sucker might even go after your backup partition if you have one, so please be careful Best thing to do is to ask an UPGRADE disk to your seller, telling him/her that an install disk isn't acceptable; this should be written somewhere on the box too, on top of being potentially less expensive.

[Ghost]

With GNU/Linux you will obviously have troubles running your Windows games, even though wine allows to do that (but it is somewhat a matter of chance: some games work great, other don't even install or run). Same problem with Mac OS X (you have a port of wine for the x86 version of Mac OS X). Mac OS X is a Unix the same way as GNU/Linux, but Mac OS X has a lot of small differences, especially when it comes to administration. GUI is good, but as you said it's for non-experts. If you are going for the Unix branch, I would advise GNU/Linux: less expensive, but you may need more computer skills (if you're considering it, you probably have enough to try the easiest distributions such as Ubuntu).

If you want to keep your Windows games working, your best bet is Windows 7: Microsoft has always done a great job in compatibility (despite a few troubles here and there, I had games that worked on 95/98 that couldn't start anymore on XP even in compatible mode, but that curiously worked great on wine). If you have enough free space on your hard disk, you may repartition it so as to have some room where you can either install GNU/Linux to try it out (unless you already did it), or use the new partition as a backup for your files. Reinstallations/upgrades can usually target a single partition, leaving the other(s) one(s) untouched.

In my opinion, the incoherent informations you got about the possibility to upgrade or not to Windows 7 comes from the fact that it depends of the type of disks: some are purely upgrade disks and will transform your Windows XP into a working Windows 7 without a flaw, and others are purely install disks and will either wipe out your system configuration in the process, or your files as well if it is an OEM installation disk (I had one which simply formatted upon booting without asking, thanks a lot for the one who came with this great idea). In the later case, the sucker might even go after your backup partition if you have one, so please be careful Best thing to do is to ask an UPGRADE disk to your seller, telling him/her that an install disk isn't acceptable; this should be written somewhere on the box too, on top of being potentially less expensive.

Thanks, I'll most likely go with Windows 7. So, I guess it depends on which version I buy? As in an edition? I think since I'm running the Media Center edition of XP it's 32-bit. I don't think Media Center has a 64-bit version.

I didn't think about the types of disks, I'll probably either go to a best buy or get in touch with the guy who built my computer. Only thing was he was the guy who gave me the "mansion on top of house" analogy. Then again there's always a possibility of running into an idiot at Best Buy who doesn't know anything.

Do you know if it has to do with what version of Windows 7 you buy? I'll have to pay attention to the box, and ask questions if I buy it in a store.

[fafner]

Thanks, I'll most likely go with Windows 7. So, I guess it depends on which version I buy? As in an edition? I think since I'm running the Media Center edition of XP it's 32-bit. I don't think Media Center has a 64-bit version.

32-bits version should be the safest, but I don't think switching to a 64-bits architecture should be a problem.

I have experienced the 64-bits version of Vista. I developped applications for Windows in my work on a 32-bits architecture (an antic Windows 2000 with an even more antic Visual Studio 6 from 98), tested them mostly on XP and Vista, and I discovered that one of the workstations someone used was a 64-bits architecture the day the user reported that one of my applications seemed to work only partially: the application needed to "see" the other applications, and only some of them were visible. In fact it had to install hooks in the system, and the hooks were installed only for 32-bits applications. The 32/64-bits architecture is relevant only for drivers and applications that install hooks in the system, that is few applications in practice. If you have gadgets that change the behavior of the system (such as a utility that sends an application below the other ones when you middle-click on their title bar), they may have troubles working on a 64-bits architecture if they aren't designed for it.

I didn't think about the types of disks, I'll probably either go to a best buy or get in touch with the guy who built my computer. Only thing was he was the guy who gave me the "mansion on top of house" analogy. Then again there's always a possibility of running into an idiot at Best Buy who doesn't know anything.

Do you know if it has to do with what version of Windows 7 you buy? I'll have to pay attention to the box, and ask questions if I buy it in a store.

The 32/64 bits architecture shouldn't have an impact on the will of your new system to blow up the old one

I went to the supermarket this morning, and while I was there I had a look on the Windows 7 packages. It was indeed marked on them that they were upgrades on the upper-left part of the box. However they were upgrades designed for Vista, they may not work to upgrade from XP, so pay attention to that too. I think that you can get away with it even with an incompetent seller, as it seems that all you need to know is read what is written on the package (although a competent seller wouldn't hurt of course).

[Ghost]

Okay thanks, whenever I upgrade I'll be sure to look at the boxes. I'll probably get an external hard drive just in case my files don't get saved in a "windows.old" folder or something like that.

[AprilSeven]

Nooo Nooo No! Wait . . . MY understanding is that your machine is either a 32 or 64 bit model, and switching to to Windows 7 can ONLY be successful on 64 bit computers - which is why almost everyone in our office is getting new workstations.

So question one is . . . do you have a 64 bit machine? If no, FORGET IT and save up to replace your existing computer.

Question two is . . . are your games going to be compatible with Windows 7? They most likely will be (especially if only a year old), but you frequently can't be sure.

It changes the "underpinnings" of the operating system, and it is a program by program crap shoot whether or not your existing software will run in Windows 7.

You see, the manufacturers started making 64 bit machines a few years ago (basically those running Vista, and I have one at work running XP Professional), so you might be alright to upgrade. Long story short - it's not so much about XP - to - Vista as it is whether you are starting out with 4 bits (you need that for Windows 7).

I'd also recommend seeing if you can back up your current content on an external drive just until you upgrade (maybe someone you know could lend you a drive temporarily).

Good luck, and I know what you mean about Mac's - that's what I use at home for noodling around - but my serious work is on a Windows computer. Windows 7 reminds me of Mac OS, and it can be VERY annoying.

I'm also hearing that what quad core processors once handled will require six core (or more) in the world of Windows 7. All this upgrade stuff is VERY frustrating. Makes me wanna go back to Aldus PageMaker and Adobe Illustrator 88 (Now I'm REALLY dating myself!)

[Ghost]

Nooo Nooo No! Wait . . . MY understanding is that your machine is either a 32 or 64 bit model, and switching to to Windows 7 can ONLY be successful on 64 bit computers - which is why almost everyone in our office is getting new workstations.

So question one is . . . do you have a 64 bit machine? If no, FORGET IT and save up to replace your existing computer.

Question two is . . . are your games going to be compatible with Windows 7? They most likely will be (especially if only a year old), but you frequently can't be sure.

It changes the "underpinnings" of the operating system, and it is a program by program crap shoot whether or not your existing software will run in Windows 7.

You see, the manufacturers started making 64 bit machines a few years ago (basically those running Vista, and I have one at work running XP Professional), so you might be alright to upgrade. Long story short - it's not so much about XP - to - Vista as it is whether you are starting out with 4 bits (you need that for Windows 7).

I'd also recommend seeing if you can back up your current content on an external drive just until you upgrade (maybe someone you know could lend you a drive temporarily).

Good luck, and I know what you mean about Mac's - that's what I use at home for noodling around - but my serious work is on a Windows computer. Windows 7 reminds me of Mac OS, and it can be VERY annoying.

I'm also hearing that what quad core processors once handled will require six core (or more) in the world of Windows 7. All this upgrade stuff is VERY frustrating. Makes me wanna go back to Aldus PageMaker and Adobe Illustrator 88 (Now I'm REALLY dating myself!)

Well, my computer is a custom built rig. Alone this computer is worth around 2,000$ and I don't want to replace this thing. I don't know for sure if this computer can handle a 64 bit OS, but I don't see why it wouldn't be able to. But again I don't know for sure. I guess I will need to get into contact with the guy who built my computer.

[fafner]

If your computer was built in 2009, it certainly has a 64-bits architecture; processors can handle it since years already.

From the AMD 64 Wikipedia article, AMD had their first 64-bits processor in April 2003; Intel wasn't long to follow, which means that since 2004-2005 all processors certainly supported this architecture.

[Bigdog]

Okay thanks, whenever I upgrade I'll be sure to look at the boxes. I'll probably get an external hard drive just in case my files don't get saved in a "windows.old" folder or something like that.

Go for a mac and dualboot it with Windows 7 Home Premium.

@Ghost, just upgrade the few parts in your old rig to optimize it for 64 bit computing instead of buying anything new.

Linux has not much going for it ,but Mac can basically use most of the files that Windows does on different programs, some of them free like OO , cheaper alternatives to bigger programs... but if you want both Mac and Windows, dualboot it for the best of both worlds.

[diehard67]

you can install win7 on a 32 bit box, I don't think you can upgrade from xp to 7, you will need to do a clean install, if I remember the instructions from my grandfathers upgrade set, btw the upgrade set has both the 32 and 64 bit disks.

you can go download a ubuntu amd64 live cd and boot it on your box, if it works then you have a 64 bit prosessor.

you may also beable to buy an oem windows 7 disk, the store may make you buy some hardware with it (a sata cable or somthing, it's hardware lol, microsoft said they can only be perchised with hardware they didn't say what that had to me or how much lol), if you can get this it will save you a small fortune.

going from xp to 7 I would recomend a clean install anyway, you can push your xp install up aganst the end of the harddrive and install 7 beside it, a line in the boot.ini file will almost certinaly have to be changed for xp to still work after this, not 100% sure though, been a long time scence I have multibooted windows xp with anything.

I can't beleve that I, me the anti microsoft linux geek is saying this, but win7 is not that bad, they sure learned from the disaster that was vista lol.