Installing/upgrading Windows 7

Mach234 (or similar). · 5 Jul 2009 at 12:40

Hi all,

I'm building a pretty hi spec new PC at the mo (Nehalem i7 920 stepping oc'd to 3.8GHz, GA-EX58-UD5 mobo, 6GB Viper DDR3 RAM), and need to decide on an OS (note: my first build so take it easy)..

I'm hopefully going to try to install both a version of Linux and a version of Windows, so that I can use either depending on the applications I want to use...

I've heard lots of brilliant things about Windows 7 RC1 and its stability, despite only being a beta, and lots of nasty things about Vista (still).. So was thinking about going for W7?

What do people reckon?

Also, once up and running, I will be using PC for lots of things and using it quite heavily, so ideally won't want to have to do a complete clean & reinstall later..

So I guess if anyone could help, my questions are:

1) Is Windows 7 as good and stable as people say compared to Vista?
2) Does anyone know the best place to get it and how to install on a new build (would I download it and put on a CD/DVD/memory stick then install from there as normal through BIOS?)
3) If I was using Windows 7 RC1 beta, would I later be able to update/upgrade to official release later without a complete reinstall?
4) How about using older apps on 64-bit OSs? Where does this currently stand?

On an aside:

4) What versions of Linux would people recommend (will be doing software design on it - gcc & other compilations, Linux development tools etc), have used Redhat Fedora, which I quite like, and Ubuntu on laptop that I'm not too keen on..
5) Is it easy to install and use two OSs, as have never done it before (I guess you can choose which one you want to use at boot up through BIOS?). Do they interfere with each other at all (drivers?), can you access files centrally from either, is it better to do this through 2 seperate HDDs (one for each, or would this make no difference?)

Many thanks....

Mach234 (or similar). · 5 Jul 2009 at 19:43

soz to bump (pls...) need to choose and get up and running before end of week x x

Macky · 5 Jul 2009 at 20:24

Yes install windows 7, I just went from Vista to 7 64bit and am LOVING it.

Get it off Microsoft Technet, give them your email, etc, etc. Download the corresponding version 32 or 64.

Possibly I think that you can upgrade by just getting a key, not quite sure.

I'm using plenty of Vista/XP apps on it and they are running fine.

Burn to disc using ImgBurn, burn at around 4x and less for best results.

There are plenty of *cough* google tuts on how to dual boot os' mate.

I would reccomend Ubuntu for a Windows like Linux Distro. I don't have too much experience with Linux though, I am not the guy to ask. Ubuntu is the most popular though.

Hope I helped.

Daegan · 5 Jul 2009 at 20:53

1. Yes, but Vista is better supported (obviously).
2. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/download.aspx
3. Yes.
4. You shouldn't see any problems, but obviously depends on the app.

4. I like Mint (an Ubuntu derivative).
5. Assuming you're using an Ubuntu-like guided installation just leave some free space on the same drive as Windows and let the wizard install there. Grub handles the boot selection, nothing to do with the bios. They won't interfere, Windows from Linux (not the other way round), no.

theheyes · 5 Jul 2009 at 20:54

Firstly whoever said Vista is rubbish and/or unstable is just wrong. Vista SP2 will be more robust than Windows 7 RC.

As far as I know a reinstall is required, no option to upgrade. You'll have to specifically check compatability with older apps but in most cases you'll be fine.

Based on the sort of questions you're asking for Linux I think you'd be best off sticking with Ubuntu/Linux Mint or one of the other popular distros. Personally I would install Windows FIRST and then use the Linux bootloader. The Windows filesystem will be visible to Linux but not vice versa by default.

manic111 · 5 Jul 2009 at 21:18

Vista is a good operating system, but to be honest there's no point in paying for it now; you may as well get yourself on the Windows 7 RC for free, then buy that when it's released.

As for Linux, I'd say try Crunchbang; it's no harder than Ubuntu, and is quicker (although on your system that shouldn't matter). It's also considerably more stable, at least for me, as well as being built on top of Ubuntu, and therefore able to use all of its repositories etc.

As theheyes says, install Windows first, then Linux, otherwise you'll have to go fix Grub (the Linux bootloader), which is a bit of a pain.