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Question for the Computer Geeks in FC

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DBY

Thu Jan 14 2010, 02:44PM

Registered Member #630
Joined Tue Apr 03 2007, 01:47PM
posts 34

Is it difficult to partition a drive in a Windows Vista Computer and add Windows XP Pro to the new partition. The reason I ask is that the Architectural software I run works best on XP and is worthless on Vista. I have an extra computer, recently purchased for a family member that I would like to run this software on but it won't run in Vista and probably won't run in Windows 7 if we upgrade Vista to 7.

The software I use is called Chief Architect 9.54. It will not run on Vista (I have tried) and the newer versions of Chief Architect are not worth the significant money they want to upgrade. They put out a new version almost every year (it seems).

Is it easy or am I just opening up a can of worms?

Lemming__Motorhead

Thu Jan 14 2010, 03:30PM

Registered Member #496
Joined: Mon Sep 04 2006, 05:47PM
Location: Cleveland, Ohio USA
posts 508

For what it's worth, Windows 7 has a built-in virtualized Windows XP (called Windows XP Mode) that is supposed to run completely seamless to Win7.

Win 7 also has a new version of Microsoft Virtual PC that enables the above... so rather than dual booting, you could just boot into 7, and then fire up your XP environment whenever you needed it to run Chief Architect.

p.s. Win7 Rocks.

Lemming__Motorhead

Thu Jan 14 2010, 03:31PM

Registered Member #496
Joined: Mon Sep 04 2006, 05:47PM
Location: Cleveland, Ohio USA
posts 508

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx

Lemming__Motorhead

Thu Jan 14 2010, 03:35PM

Registered Member #496
Joined: Mon Sep 04 2006, 05:47PM
Location: Cleveland, Ohio USA
posts 508

If you wanted to attempt to dual-boot Vista & XP, here are some instructions: http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_vista_and_xp_with_vista_installed_first__the_stepbystep_guide.htm

I can't say that I would do it, but it is an option for absolutely preserving that backwards compatibility.

Thor

Thu Jan 14 2010, 03:46PM

Location: Granite Falls, North Carolina
posts 2209

There's a geek for ya!

The Hammer of Thor!!

DBY

Thu Jan 14 2010, 05:54PM

Registered Member #630
Joined: Tue Apr 03 2007, 01:47PM
posts 34

Okay Lemming, that is great to know. Now what version of Windows 7 should I buy. Right now, the computer has Windows Vista Home Premium Version. The person who will be using this computer does not play computer games, uses email, uses the net and will be using Chief Architect, probably the heaviest program he will use. He has basic computer skills.

Now, here are the specs to the computer:
Asus Aspire M1100
AMD Athlon X2 Dual Core
2.10 GHZ
2 GB Ram
32 Bit Operating System
ATI Radeon X1250
300 Gig Hard drive

Lemming__Motorhead

Thu Jan 14 2010, 06:17PM

Registered Member #496
Joined: Mon Sep 04 2006, 05:47PM
Location: Cleveland, Ohio USA
posts 508

Windows 7 Home Premium should be all you need.

Should you decide to upgrade at a later time, 7 provides an easy, built-in way to do it called "Windows Anytime Upgrade"... so you can start with Home Premium, and if you wanted to, you could just upgrade to Professional or Ultimate at any time.

The real question, however, is whether to go 32-bit or 64-bit.

The processor specs should be perfectly fine for 64-bit (I don't recall any non 64-bit Athlon X2's), but you may want to increase the memory to 4GB as 2GB is the recommended minimum for 64-bit, and you'll want a little extra for running Windows XP Mode.

If you get a full retail copy of the OS, however, it will contain both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions, so you can try them both.

One thing you will want to take into account however, is that there is no direct upgrade path from XP to Win7 - it has to be a clean install. You can upgrade from Vista, however. If you are moving from XP.. make sure you back things up accordingly.

Also, before you spend the money to buy the OS, run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor: [www.microsoft.com]

It will give you the best possible idea on whether or not you can expect other issues (aside from the Architect program).

A couple of notes on buying the OS:

1. If you have a student (or teacher) in the family that has a ".edu" email address, see if they can buy it for you. There was, at one time, Student deals out there that could get you Home Premium for $30.

2. If you have more than one machine that you may upgrade, Microsoft now sells a "Family Pack" that will allow you to install your copy on up to three machines. It was only $150 for a while, but I believe it is now up to $250.

3. If you are looking at spending $250 or more, consider just getting a TechNet Subscription. It is an annual expense, but it give you access to EVERY OS AND APPLICATION that Microsoft makes, all with VALID KEYS. So, you can get the OS, Office 2007, Server OS's, etc...
Normal price on it is $350 for the first year ($250 every year after that), but there are codes readily found on the web that will drop that initial $350 down to $250 - that is how I got mine last year.

DBY

Wed Feb 03 2010, 03:08PM

Registered Member #630
Joined: Tue Apr 03 2007, 01:47PM
posts 34

I have a question about the install process for Windows 7. I have read a little bit but I am not sure if this info is correct. We are going to buy Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade to upgrade a Windows Vista Home premium version.

I read that there is an option to install as "upgrade" or as a "clean" install. Is this true. I heard that if you dont do a clean install, that you could have issues with bugs, etc.

What is your experience in this and how should I install this, upgrade or clean or does it really matter.