Making the move to 7.

Sukh

Sukh

Sukh

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So I haven't had the need to format the PC in a few year and recently got a new HD which allows me to move some stuff around and now have the need for a fresh install as things are starting to get a bit bloated.

My question is, should I stick with the tried and tested XP or make the move to 7 and 64 bit at the same time. Will programs made for 32bit run in 64bit operating system?

For example VLC media player is 32 bit or Microsoft office, will they need to be run in VM or something?
 
VLC and office should be fine. I'm running Win 7 x64 and I have VLC 32 bit installed and it works fine. Need to get round to installing office.

I believe it's just drivers that need to be x64 but I'm sure someone can confirm this or tell you it's rubbish
 
Everything should work, but you need 64bit drivers. These should be easy to find for most things.

Don't stick with XP unless you like living in the past :p
 
So it is just drivers that need to be 64bit? Programs that are native 32bit will work as normal?
If so when 7 comes out I will try to make the switch to 64 bit. I just don't like the first few weeks when I don't know where things are, like I do in XP, but I figure it is about time I make a move forward.
 
32bit apps will run perfectly fine under Win7 x64. Many, many people (inc me) are still using Win7 RC1 without a single issue. Just make sure you have 64bit drivers ready for your main bits of hardware.
 
Sukh said:
So it is just drivers that need to be 64bit? Programs that are native 32bit will work as normal?
Click to expand...

Yes. 64-bit Windows can run 32-bit programs just the same as 32-bit Windows can. Only exception is that some programs like iTunes have a 64-bit version. If a program doesn't have a 64-bit version available then the 32-bit version will usually work fine.
 
Cool, I will have a gander at drivers for all my main bits before making the jump.
I have a 8800gt and Q600 and IP35 based board so fairly newish (about 2 years old?) so hopefully it will be fine, hardest bit will be the sound card which is slightly older.

You don't still need a floppy disk for installation with SATA drives? I would have hoped things have moved on!

Edit: How much space is required for installation, currently have 25gb for my OS partition, and how can I make it bigger without having to empty the whole disk?


Thanks for the help people :)
 
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Anyone who has used a partition sizing app, does the loss data extend to all partitions on the disk or just the one you are resizing.

Further say you have 80gb of music, if you take a disc image as a backup, how much space would it take up?
 
keep os/programs to the C:, put documents/music etc on another partition/drive

an image of music would pretty much be the same size as the music as it's already compressed
 
Can you make the shortcuts (in XP on the left hand bar) for my documents go to a different path?
 
you right click 'documents' and choose the new path for it

so your 'my documents' can be 100% moved to D:\Docuemnts\ etc..

same goes for Music, Photos, Videos, Desktop
 
Sweet, so OS on 20gb partition and then all other stuff including my desktop on another partition means I don't have to mess about with paritions.
 
give it at least 40gb

I used to say 30gb, but my work one grew to about 27gb after a few months usage

the windows update compatability feature means your windows folder will grow pretty big
 
Oh right, might move my music to an external HD so that entire disk can be messed with.
In w7 does it give you the option to delete/create partitions like in the XP installation disc?
 
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