So I have the RC installed right now (build 7100) and its going to start shutting down every two hours come Monday. I'd like to get a full (non-upgrade) version of Windows 7 (meaning I'd like to do a clean install without upgrading from a WinXP Pro or Vista partition). For that, I assume I need the non-upgrade version, right?
My questions/concerns:
1) Version. Basically I'm looking at Professional. Is there any good reason to go for Ultimate? Is BitLocker worth the 20 more dollars? How much would it be to upgrade to Ultimate from Professional, if I wanted to do that after the fact?
2) Price. Microsoft lists Professional full at $299.99 for either download or boxed. Amazon has the boxed version for thirty dollars less. Am I missing any better discounts anywhere, or anywhere I can buy it for download at a cheaper price than what Microsoft offers?
3) XP Mode/Virtualization. I admit I don't know much about this. Can anyone shed some light on what this is? From what I understand, I don't need XP for this. You can download the XP-related stuff for free from Microsoft.
4) My motherboard. I had heard that there were compatibility issues between XP Mode/Virtualization and EVGA motherboards. I have an EVGA motherboard. Is that still a problem?
5) Activations. How many activations, total, does a full-version get me? And what would cause me to need a new activation? I don't upgrade my PC *that* often but I might get a new motherboard/chip in the near future.
Thanks in advance.
Posts
As to XP Mode, personally I think it is useless. You can't run 3D accelerated graphics with it, so if you're hoping to run old games on that you are SOL.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116758&cm_re=windows_7-_-32-116-758-_-Product
If you are a student you can get student discounts through microsoft or your college bookstore.
Regarding the system-builder/OEM versions: What worries me is that you really only get one activation from it, from what I understand, don't you?
I may upgrade my computer in the future. While the OEM version is cheaper, I don't want any hassle, or even to feel uncomfortable, asking for my activations to be replenished. From what I understand, you are really locked into one activation with the OEM installation.
Also, if you buy the full retail (non-OEM) version, it comes with both 32-bit and 64-bit, right?
Alsoer, I'm not a student.
Alsoest, I have a 50 dollar credit for Amazon from Christmas. So if I can get it signifantly cheaper somewhere else I will get it somewhere else, but that's why I've been sniffing around Amazon as opposed to Newegg or other sites.
Which I would be. I would be installing the 64-bit version here.
edit: But I don't think "Compatibility Mode" is the same as "XP Mode." I'm pretty sure Home Premium still has Compatibility Modes, does it not?
Yeah the whole thing is a free download if you have 7 Pro. I use it for testing web apps on IE6. I think it's mainly for running old business software that doesn't work in Vista/7 -- although I have yet to encounter any.
Activations are basically unlimited. Worst case, if you get a bunch of new gear, you might have to call a toll-free number and read some numbers to a machine which will then generate a new activation code.
It doesn't run >10 year old computer games therefore it has no use whatsoever? o_O
XP mode is running applications under virtualization software which is what I was talking about.
And yes, Home Premium has compatibility modes, I think all versions of Windows 7 has them.
Thanks all for the help!
Wait, why aren't you just buying the upgrade version again?
That's $60 you could spend in much more fun ways.
You can still do a clean install. It's actually pretty easy. I've heard some people claim they were just able to "do it," and otherwise there are some REALLY easy workarounds. It just looks for a Windows installation on any of your hard drives. It does not care if that installation is even on a bootable hard drive. Got more than one drive? Just install Windows XP on that secondary drive, and you're golden. You lose a little bit of space, but no biggie. Don't have a second drive? Just install XP on a small second partition.
As long as you own a copy of any Windows since (IIRC) 95/98, you are wasting money by buying the full version.
Fuck, for the $60 extra you're spending, you could buy an entire (sizeable) second hard drive to do that XP install to.
If you don't need the three checked, you don't need pro. The largest useful difference for a home user is that you have to download an app for 360 connectivity in pro, and you have to use virtual pc (free iirc) with an existing license on home premium if you want xp virtualization.
edit: It's possible they have locked vp2k7 from running on Windows 7 - I've never tried.
I see. Thanks for that information.
If you could find those links, I would appreciate it. If I recall correctly, you have to change a line in some file and extract some other files to the installation directory? I actually did an upgrade from Win 7 beta (build 7000) to Win 7 RC1 (build 7100). I assume it's a similar trick?
Actually, Chip's Challenge is one of my all-time favorite PC games.
Yeah I don't see myself needing it. Plus, I always have the option of upgrading to Professional. I don't have the option of downgrading FROM professional while getting 80 bucks back in the process. :P
If you've got a valid copy of a previous version that's eligible for upgrade, it's pretty darn close.
I appreciate all the advice. I realized I could always upgrade to the Professional version later with little to no lost moolah. And I contemplated getting the upgrade but I had an XP upgrade and to be honest I just wanted a standalone, non-upgrade OS for a change.
*shrug*
My only other question is regarding my current setup. I am dual-booting WinXP SP3 and Win 7 RC right now, with two 500GB partitions on the same 1TB HDD. I would prefer to do a clean install of Win 7 RC on the Win 7 partition, but I don't want to touch the WinXP SP3 partition at all. Is this possible? I cannot recall how I installed this in the first place. I think I installed Win 7 RC first and then WinXP after but I really can't remember.
Also: I'm guessing the answer is no, but I can't install this on my netbook as well, can I? Right now I also have Win 7 RC installed on a second HDD on my netbook. Assuming I cannot, is there a good way to clean that partition/HDD without effecting my main partition? Truth be told, I rarely use Win 7 on my netbook anyway. I mostly use it for browsing or playing older games, which WinXP does handily.
I thought that was MSDN, and cost a lot more.
Basically:
MSDN vs Technet benefits.
Technet first time subscription is $349, but they currently have a code up on the page for 28% off, so it comes to $251 before tax. The subscription is only for 1 year, but any software and licenses you get in that year are good forever.
Here are the license terms for Technet subscriptions, note:
Actually there seems to be a typo in that version of the terms, as in the FAQ it says "live operating environment."
This is a subscription. No where do I see the granting of a permanent license. I'm not sure what your recourse would be if you permitted your subscription to lapse and then an update/upgrade caused your software to kick back into the pre-activated state.
I find it unlikely that theywould sell you Win 7 Ultimate and Office 2007/2010 Ultimate for $250. If you go this route read the terms carefully.
Can I get all my new features of Pro having had Home Premium set up for a while and not kill all my settings? How difficult is it to do?
Nintendo Network ID: AzraelRose
DropBox invite link - get 500MB extra free.
It's even easier than that. You can just install Windows 7 using the upgrade media by choosing "Custom: Full Install" and choosing to activate later. After you install it, run the same upgrade disc again and choose upgrade this time, and this time your key will be accepted just fine.
This double install method worked for Vista as well, and apparently it's officially supported so you don't have to worry about getting in trouble down the road (as long as you do own an earlier copy of Windows.)
I know I'm planning on grabbing one so I can bone up on my server and AD stuff.
So my copy should be coming today. Regarding my earlier question. Let's say I want to do a clean install of Win 7 by wiping that partition. Can I do that while leaving the WinXP partition alone? They are two partitions on the same HDD and I am dual booting.
Once you done that you can use this free tool from Microsoft to transfer your old profile to the new install.
Though on second thought I don't know how well that works when the XP install is on a second partition. If you just do a 7 install over the XP, 7 will create a folder called Windows.old which has all the stuff from the previous, and this tool just creates hardlinks to your old files in your new profile, which is substantially faster than copying gigs of files.
Thanks!
Q: What's the benefit of that, besides data backup? To be honest I have most of my data on the WinXP partition. I have some stuff here in my documents, but most of the drive was used up with Steam-installed games.
Like I said, I don't know how well that'd play across a partition.
You have to have an MSN, or Hotmail or Live or what-have-you account to view I think.