upgrade to win7 from computer with XP/vista option?

[susie margaret]

hello --

i bought a new computer (dell optiplex 330) in dec, 2008, with a
configuration called "vista premium downgrade relationship." basically, what
this means is that the computer came with XP/SP3 installed but that i have a
separate disk that will install vista instead if i decide i want to (i can't
remember if it uninstalls the XP or exactly what happens with the XP if i do
switch to vista).

what i haven't been able to figure out from the articles that i have read is
whether, with programs that will be available either now or when win7 is
formally released, i can upgrade to win7 --
(1) directly from my currently-installed XP, or
(2) by switching from XP to vista by means of the vista installation disk
that i have, and then upgrading to win7 from there, or
(3) either one, and if so which route is the least hassle and the least
likely to bollix up my computer.

or maybe i should start from scratch -- scrap both XP and vista from this
computer, and just install a clean win7?

does anyone know about this issue?

thanks -- susie margaret

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Vista will be a valid Upgrade path to Win7 but not WinXP. If you restore
the machine to Vista, you can purchase & use an Win7 Upgrade. If you're
still running WinXP, you'd have to purchase a retail version of Win7 and do
a clean install.

cf.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/159933/the_xp_to_windows_7_upgrade_path.html

 

[susie margaret]

hello, prof. bear --

thanks for your reply. do you recommend one path over the other, or does it
matter? i.e., going from XP to vista, then to win7 OR scratching XP
altogether and putting in a clean win7?

thanks very much -- susie margaret

 

[Don Phillipson]

i bought a new computer (dell optiplex 330) in dec, 2008, with a
configuration called "vista premium downgrade relationship." basically, what
this means is that the computer came with XP/SP3 installed but that i have a
separate disk that will install vista instead if i decide i want to . . .
or maybe i should start from scratch -- scrap both XP and vista from this
computer, and just install a clean win7?

Choice of a PC Operating System should be directed by:
1. Peripherals such as printers, hi-fi sound systems etc.:
which OS do these require?
2. Custom software i.e. the programs you choose to use
whether for accounting, genealogy, photo editing etc.:
which OS do these require?
If you now have a PC that runs all your hardware OK and
does all your tasks, there is no need to change the OS
until/unless something changes. (Your requirements may
change: or some new type of malware penetrates your
anti-virus protection or firewall. But there is no point fretting
about such possibilities before the threat actually appears.)

 

[R. McCarty]

A double-upgrade ( XP-Vista-Seven ) doesn't seem to be a very high
probability success migration. I've tested this scenario and Seven would
not upgrade the immediately upgraded XP-to-Vista. (Results vary).

Just to avoid issues, I'd use the Easy Transfer Wizard to capture your
settings/data from XP and do a fresh install of Seven. ( Average install
time of a fresh Seven is around 23 Minutes! )

 

[susie margaret]

hi --

well, then, do you have a sense of which would be "better" (easier/less
hassle/safer for the computer) --
(1) to upgrade from XP to vista, then upgrade again from vista to win7 --
does that require backing up or, or
(2) to scratch both XP and vista, and just install a clean win7?

-- susie margaret

 

[someone watching]

It really seems strange MS does not allow upgrading from XP. Do they REALLY
think their sales will be what's expected when MULTITUDES of people using XP
will have to disregard ALL the work they did setting up their PC with XP and
do a FORMAT, FRESH INSTALL of 7?

Would it seem sensible to the MULTITUDES of BUSINESSES and GOVERNMENTS
already setup with XP to have to FORMAT and do a fresh install of Win7? Has
MS lost their mind? Unless I'm missing something, seems to me they did!
___

 

[peter]

Option 2 would be better because you would have a "clean' installation with
no remnants of either XP or Vista.
However you would lose the programs that came with your computer purchase.
Everything would need to be reinstalled and most preconfigured systems have
those programs as part of their
Recovery set with no way to install them separately

peter

--
If you find a posting or message from me offensive,inappropriate
or disruptive,please ignore it.
If you dont know how to ignore a posting complain
to me and I will be only too happy to demonstrate

 

[JS]

In-Place Upgrade Windows XP to Windows 7
http://www.pagestart.com/upgradexptowindows7.html

The object of an "In-Place Upgrade" is to keep all your XP applications,
user accounts, data files and not be
forced to start with a clean install of Windows 7. Keep in mind a lot of XP
applications are not Vista compatible
and it will take time for patches or application upgrades become available
after the official release of Windows 7.

 

[susie margaret]

Choice of a PC Operating System should be directed by:
1. Peripherals such as printers, hi-fi sound systems etc.:
which OS do these require?

2. Custom software i.e. the programs you choose to use
whether for accounting, genealogy, photo editing etc.:
which OS do these require?

If you now have a PC that runs all your hardware OK and
does all your tasks, there is no need to change the OS
until/unless something changes. (Your requirements may
change: or some new type of malware penetrates your
anti-virus protection or firewall. But there is no point fretting
about such possibilities before the threat actually appears.)

Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

dear professor phillipson --

all things in the fullness of time, i guess. thanks for your reply.

-- susie margaret

 

[susie margaret]

dear professor mcCarty --

i appreciate your response, esp since you've actually done what i am
considering! i hope that all are well at your house.

-- susie margaret

 

[susie margaret]

hello, professor JS --

thank you for that info. i appreciate your taking the time to respond to my
(probably very ignorant) questions!

-- susie margaret

 

[susie margaret]

hello, professor peter --

thanks, this info is really helpful to me. i appreciate your responding to
my question.

-- susie margaret

 

[susie margaret]

dear professor JS --

thanks for this info. i appreciate your takiing the time to respond to my
inquiry.

-- susie margaret

 

[susie margaret]

dear professor peter --

thanks for this info, which is very helpful to me.

-- appreciatively -- susie margaret

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Do you understand what capitalism and for-profit corporations are?

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Contact the computer manufacturer about this. A Win7 Upgrade would be less
expensive, that's for sure.

PS: None of us are professors.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Note that the article would be more appropriately titled "In-Place Update
WinXP to Vista to Windows 7."

 

[susie margaret]

hi --

how about MR. bear? i only wanted to show my respect for people who are
clearly much more knowledgeable than i am about about all matters computer.
i've always felt funny about leaping into the use of someone's first name
immediately.

but i guess i should just -- chill out, susie!

thanks for the advice about contacting dell (my next stop) and about the
name Q.

-- susie margaret

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

hi --

how about MR. bear? i only wanted to show my respect for people who are
clearly much more knowledgeable than i am about about all matters computer.
i've always felt funny about leaping into the use of someone's first name
immediately.

but i guess i should just -- chill out, susie!

Here's my view:

1. I'm not a professor, and don't like being called something I'm not.

2. I am a "Mr.," but don't like the formality that goes with calling
me Mr. Blake.

4. I have no problem with you or anyone else calling me by my first
name, Ken. If I objected to being called Ken, I wouldn't provide the
name in my signature or the From line.