Win 7 - a few questions?

Visitor101 · 19 Sep 2009 at 15:23

Hi All

Its been a while since I had to look into such 'upgrade/new build questions' so would welcome your insight?

1) If I went for the 64 bit version will software intended for 32bit OS run AOK & trouble free ~ or have I completely lost the plot :confused:

For the record I have Photoshop CS2 and would intend to add LightRoom. Having said that I also have various softwares (mostly realted to Image & Video editing) that I would like to transfer to the new system.

2) I have read various remarks that Win7 plays well with older kit ~ P4 I surmise would be OK ~ so I am wondering whether and interim is to throw another drive for OS into this box and use Win7 (32 or 64 bit best?) until I can justify the expense of a new build but can you shift the OS license to the new build?

3) I keep seeing the pre order prices (especially of Pro & Ulimate very close in price) but when it hits the streets will the price go up? If so by how much???

TIA for any feedback & insight.

PS Taliking about new builds - With the advent of the i5 and the i7 is it still (depending the price point) worth getting a Core 2 Quad unit???

Broken Hope · 19 Sep 2009 at 15:52

Visitor101 said:
Hi All

Its been a while since I had to look into such 'upgrade/new build questions' so would welcome your insight?

1) If I went for the 64 bit version will software intended for 32bit OS run AOK & trouble free ~ or have I completely lost the plot For the record I have Photoshop CS2 and would intend to add LightRoom. Having said that I also have various softwares (mostly realted to Image & Video editing) that I would like to transfer to the new system.

2) I have read various remarks that Win7 plays well with older kit ~ P4 I surmise would be OK ~ so I am wondering whether and interim is to throw another drive for OS into this box and use Win7 (32 or 64 bit best?) until I can justify the expense of a new build but can you shift the OS license to the new build?

3) I keep seeing the pre order prices (especially of Pro & Ulimate very close in price) but when it hits the streets will the price go up? If so by how much???

TIA for any feedback & insight.

PS Taliking about new builds - With the advent of the i5 and the i7 is it still (depending the price point) worth getting a Core 2 Quad unit???

1) 32 bit software will run fine.

2) Should be fine on a P4 set up and if you get a retail version you can move it to a new build and stay licence legal.

3) the price will go up when it's launched and by quite a lot at that. You really should pre order if you're at all considering getting Windows 7.

Visitor101 · 19 Sep 2009 at 16:24

Hi

Many thanks for the insight especially on the using the 64 bit version "now" to cover the future. Incidently I run (only) 2GB of RAM now under Win2K Pro SP4

Just a thought? What about the choice between Pro & Ulimate and in respect of drivers for older motherboards and peripherals if for example my motherboard (a Gigabyte GA-8IXP v1.2) maker does not have Win7 drivers are the Windows default ones going to be AOK???

Lastly, yes the retail version pre order would be the best choice. Does it offer the option of 32 or 64 bit at installation time? Indeed if for any reason it could make sense to install on older kit as 32bit then in future on a new build install as 64bit is that possible???

Thansk again in advance for the feedback

Broken Hope · 19 Sep 2009 at 19:14

I'd give http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...90-7659-4BD9-9E51-2497C146AF15&displaylang=en a run to see if your older hardware is okay, it should be.

If it is, then you may as well run 64 bit.

Retail version includes both 32 and 64 bit disks.

Ultimate really doesn't offer much over profressional, personally I don't think it's worth it. If you don't use remote desktop or need to join a domain professional might not even be worthwhile for you, so you could get the home edition.

Visitor101 · 19 Sep 2009 at 19:23

Thanks for the pointer to the MS 'checker' I have downloaded but the daft thing is tat its says

System Requirements
Supported Operating Systems: Windows 7; Windows Vista; Windows XP Service Pack 2

So I wonder if it will run under Win2K Pro.....if it is anything like some recent iterations of the .msi installer it will tell me I am running the wrong OS to use it ???

Edit - yup! That just what it tells me!!!! Now Vista or XP SP2 I can understand but if you already have W7 installed why would you want to "check" if it will be OK to install???