Windows 7 Yes or No?

**Tracey Bakewell** · 11-03-2009, 11:42 AM

Just saw news coverage on Windows 7 this AM and did a quick search on this forum. Is anyone using it and having success or issues? I have a Universal Laser and CorelDraw x3. Very scary to upgrade, but they have a home upgrade package for 3 computers for $149 which is pretty cool and it will allow my kids to do other cool stuff between their PCs.

Thanks!
Tracey

**Brian Jacobs** · 11-03-2009, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by Tracey Bakewell

Just saw news coverage on Windows 7 this AM and did a quick search on this forum. Is anyone using it and having success or issues? I have a Universal Laser and CorelDraw x3. Very scary to upgrade, but they have a home upgrade package for 3 computers for $149 which is pretty cool and it will allow my kids to do other cool stuff between their PCs.

Thanks!
Tracey

Tracey,

In my opinion, it is definitely worth the upgrade. I helped with the beta versions and now have the retail on all my computers, including the one hooked to my Universal 2.30. In talking to tech (at Universal), as long as you are running any version 5.24.38 or newer of the ULS software, you are fine. If you have an earlier version, contact them and they will send you the latest.

Windows 7 takes a long time to install from scratch, so be prepared to spend some time with it. The installation is pretty fool proof. I think you will find that programs run significantly faster, especially when compared to Vista. If you're used to XP, a bit faster, but far more user friendly... and none of the XP bugs.

I am running X4 with no problem and there should not be any with X3. And specifically, I'm also running 5.27.48 Control Panel which I believe is the latest.

**Garrett Nors** · 11-03-2009, 12:51 PM

I absolutely LOVE windows 7!! I have it on 4 of my computers already!

They really did things right with this OS. All testing was done in beta where it belonged, it wasn't rushed like Vista was. Amazing OS for sure. Much snappier, robust, and it looks so clean and nice and pretty......did I say how much I loved Win 7?

**Lee DeRaud** · 11-03-2009, 1:21 PM

I know the conventional wisdom is "fresh install, not upgrade"...fine for this laptop, but that could get extremely ugly on my upstairs machine.
Anybody have any experience with an in-place upgrade from Vista Home Premium to the equivalent version of 7?

**Garrett Nors** · 11-03-2009, 1:24 PM

Originally Posted by Lee DeRaud

I know the conventional wisdom is "fresh install, not upgrade"...fine for the laptop, but that could get extremely ugly on my upstairs machine.
Anybody have any experience with an in-place upgrade from Vista Home Premium to the equivalent version of 7?

Unfortunately I was running Windows Vista Ultimate on my upstairs machine, so I had to do a custom install.

Download this:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

And it will tell you what you need for the upgrade.

As usual back up even if it is an upgrade!

When I did my installation I downloaded the entire OS (via MSDNAA, gotta love going to college) and it ran from my desktop! It was quite amazing if you ask me!

**Anthony Scira** · 11-03-2009, 1:34 PM

If your running Vista SP2 on the machines with no troubles I would not upgrade. Unless you just want to.

If your running XP use the compatibility checker to make sure you have the horsepower and drivers. Then upgrade to 7.

No matter what you do PLEASE backup your data.

**Tracey Bakewell** · 11-03-2009, 1:37 PM

Originally Posted by Lee DeRaud

I know the conventional wisdom is "fresh install, not upgrade"...fine for this laptop, but that could get extremely ugly on my upstairs machine.
Anybody have any experience with an in-place upgrade from Vista Home Premium to the equivalent version of 7?

I also would be wanting to do an in-place upgrade as I have a lot of things that were a bear to setup as it is. 1 Vista, and 2 XP PCs. Also! What about PhotoGrave the older version? So far though, I think I'm gonna go for it!

**Garrett Nors** · 11-03-2009, 1:39 PM

Originally Posted by Tracey Bakewell

I also would be wanting to do an in-place upgrade as I have a lot of things that were a bear to setup as it is. 1 Vista, and 2 XP PCs. Also! What about PhotoGrave the older version? So far though, I think I'm gonna go for it!

The link I posted above checks drivers, programs, hardware, and OS version for compatibility. Give it a whirl

**Dan Hintz** · 11-03-2009, 2:02 PM

Originally Posted by Garrett Nors

They really did things right with this OS. All testing was done in beta where it belonged, it wasn't rushed like Vista was.

Could it be because Vista was the beta for 7? Nothing like having a 2-year beta to shake out all of the bugs...

**James Jaragosky** · 11-03-2009, 2:20 PM

I did the upgrade from vista home sp2. it took some time but worked flawlessly.
I did do the compatibility check and resolved all issues before doing the up grade. I did backup everything to a external HD before starting.
It has been very stable I have no complaints.

**Brian Jacobs** · 11-03-2009, 2:21 PM

No need to 'fresh install' unless you are extremely anal (can I say that in this forum?) With the 'upgrade' install, it will take longer largely due to the re-indexing, changing registry entries and existing file moving that it needs to do.

The deciding factor on fresh vs. upgrade us usually centers around whether you've loaded your computer up with a bunch of programs that you don't need or no longer use. In that case, there will typically be a lot of 'registry trash' left over that didn't get deleted, when you may have deleted the program. This tends to slow everything down.

**Lee DeRaud** · 11-03-2009, 2:31 PM

Originally Posted by Anthony Scira

No matter what you do PLEASE backup your data.

Backing up the data is trivial, it's reinstalling all the programs that would kill me.

**Brian Jacobs** · 11-03-2009, 2:38 PM

Originally Posted by Lee DeRaud

Backing up the data is trivial, it's reinstalling all the programs that would kill me.

Excellent point, plus all the upgrades.

**Dan Hintz** · 11-03-2009, 2:47 PM

Prepare for a fresh install if you are moving from 32-bit to 64-bit... no upgrade option with that one.

Lee, starting with my next build, I will be using Acronis True Image. I'll install the base OS, download all patches, and tune it to my liking. This will be followed by installation and tuning of my favorite programs. Once the core system is set, ATI will back it up onto an external HD (which are starting to push $50/TB!!!). Should anything go wrong, I can have a workable system back up and running within an hour or so. Well worth the $74.

**Lee DeRaud** · 11-03-2009, 3:06 PM

Originally Posted by Dan Hintz

Lee, starting with my next build, I will be using Acronis True Image.

Huh. I used that with XP, but never managed to get it working under Vista, and it shows as 'incompatible' in the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor.

I've been using DriveImage XML (the free version), works very nicely with my 1TB WD external.

Thread: Windows 7 Yes or No?

Thread Tools

Rate This Thread

Display

Windows 7 Yes or No?

Posting Permissions