I’m finally confident enough in it that I’m thinking seriously of upgrading the workstation I use most frequently from Windows XP to Windows 7. Yes, yes, I know. Most of the software I use won’t run under Linux or Macs and there either are no alternatives or the alternatives aren’t ready for prime time.
Here’s what I plan to do:
- Remove unused programs.
- Apply all minor upgrades to the programs I’m using.
- Wait about a week to resolve any problems doing that may induce.
- Identify and replace unsupported hardware.
- Download drivers for supported hardware.
- Clone my hard drive.
- Upgrade from XP to Vista.
- Upgrade from Vista to Windows 7.
- Install device drivers.
- Work out the kinks.
Thoughts?
I wouldn’t be at all surprised if some of the programs I use on a regular basis will either need to have new major revisions installed or substitutes identified.
You may ask why go through all of this hassle? Why not just do as Microsoft suggests, do a clean install, and re-install all of the software? I’ve calculated that is likely to cost me something in the low five figures—basically, weeks of work. Finding the installation media or hundreds of meg in downloads. Finding the licenses. Replacing the things I can’t find or download. Doing the installations. A quick software inventory identified 15 or 20 programs with original costs ranging from $100 to over a $1,000. If that’s the only alternative it’s not worth it.
If I could I’d install a new motherboard while I’m at it but Microsoft typically doesn’t like that and it would add another layer of complexity to the process.
I’m about 99% certain you can upgrade right from XP to Windows 7 without the interim Vista step. That will probably save you some hassle, too.
Personally, I’d recommend a low-cost replacement PC with Win7 installed. Shift as many tasks, rather than programs, to it. In fact, you might find free or cloud alternatives to many of those old programs.
With this path you have zero chance of losing old functionality, it’s still there on the old PC.
I’d shoot for a ~$400 Intel Core i3 system (assuming you can reuse a monitor).
As an aside, I like Win7 just fine. I just got a killer deal on a quad core ($350) that came with Vista. Ubuntu versus Vista, Ubuntu wins easily.
Wow:
Dell Vostro 230 Mini Intel Core 2 Duo E7500 2.93GHz Desktop (3GB/320GB) w/ Viewsonic 24in LCD $449
http://www.techbargains.com/news_displayItem.cfm/246136
Alex,
You can upgrade directly, but you can’t keep your installed programs going from XP to Windows 7 unless you go through vista first.
Dave,
Well, that sounds pretty complicated. I realize that doing a clean install is expensive, but consider the expense if something bad happens going from xp-vista-7.
You may want to consider buying another computer with Windows 7 and begin installing your existing software on that machine during your off-time. Installing is mostly sitting around waiting anyway. Once that’s finished you can move your working files over from the XP machine and continue on the new machine without any interruptions at all.
Depending upon the software you use, there may not be any major problems in compatibility between Windows 7 and XP. I haven’t run into any issues with my software, including Adobe Photoshop (which tends to be “tetchy”).
I’d suggest you set up some kind of filing system for future software purchases and licenses. Clean installs of operating systems seems to usually result in a faster system than upgrades, and it is worth tracking the licenses and keeping up with the original installation media. A removable hard drive is good to use for downloaded applications, too.
Oh, also… I assume you were on 32 bit Windows XP. If your PC can handle the extra RAM, an upgrade to 64 bit Windows 7 and adding RAM may pay you back in terms of speed with respect to the time you would spend doing the clean install and reinstalling and downloading applications.
I should add a note that it takes real self-control not to over-buy hardware these days. I try to talk my family down from their $800-1000 price points, but they resist. Unless you run the numbers, it’s hard to understand how much of a performance jump a $400 pc can be over a 5-yo $800-1000 PC.
Just look up your old processor here:
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_list.php
And pick a replacement system with a score some multiple higher. I personally upgrade whenever a $400 pc has 4x the performance of my old box. If you like to stay closer to the edge, upgrade on 2x or 3x.
I’d get a set of Mizuno MP 68’s, a Taylor Made R11 and a couple Cleveland CG15’s the loft of your choice and skip the computer stuff……
I go to the Apple store. I buy a computer. I open the beautiful box and take out the beautiful laptop. And lo! It worketh! Just like it saith it will.
I know, Dave, you said no Mac cultists. But we are required by divine (Jobs) decree to let no opportunity pass to point out that we’re right and all you Windows people are sad shuffling dinosaurs. And also your computers are ugly. No offense.
“I go to the Apple store. I buy a computer.”
we have Apples and PCs. The Apples get used.
Steve
I was a Mac guy and Mac programmer from 1984 … well really until System 8 violated that “It worketh!” rule so blatantly, and for years.
In my opinion Win 7 has finally closed the gap. That says something good about Apple. It took MS a lotta years. But, on the other hand, it finally happened.
I took it as a point of pride that I could fly anything (I think I counted 14 OSes that I’d programmed for), but I did experience varying levels of frustration. Suddenly, Win 7 had that Mac-like glide.
I like Ubuntu for other reasons, and am willing to cuss and spit as I try to get envelopes to print.
Agree with John and Andy. If something happens along the way with your upgrade you will be down for weeks looking for all your media anyway. I’d get a new windows 7 box and map a section of one computer as a drive on the other to share data (or a router with a usb port for a network drive). Remote desktop into the xp machine until you’ve gotten your programs and hardware or suitable replacements up and running on windows 7.