[xmf]

I'm gearing up for a new system and I'm not sure whether to buy 7 or stick with XP.

I'm not a gamer (though I may occasionally install an old game or venture out for a new one), nor am I obsessed with syncing smart devices and the like (I hear 7 is good for that).

The system will be used primarily for basic tasks such as internet, word proc., playing music, movies, etc.

I quite enjoy my XP installs (currently using XP Pro) - they feel very streamlined and fairly no-nonsense for a Windows install.

I'm committed to sticking with Windows for now.

Would I be missing out on performance or the maximizing of some great new hardware if I stick with XP?

Flashy looks, etc. I don't really care about (although I've seen some really nice custom desktops running 7).

TIA

[dencorso]

If you can afford 7 Ultimate and XP Pro, I'd say you should create a double boot machine, especially in case you go with the hardware CoffeeFiend suggested you. Why not have the best of both worlds?

[xmf]

dencorso, on 30 May 2011 - 10:36 PM, said:

If you can afford 7 Ultimate and XP Pro, I'd say you should create a double boot machine, especially in case you go with the hardware CoffeeFiend suggested you. Why not have the best of both worlds?

Interesting. Poking around online I found that XP won't support more than 3.xx gb of RAM. That's pretty much a deal killer right there (I think).

Also, why go 7 ultimate (vs 7 Pro) when the only differences are language support and bitlocker (which I won't use)? Am I missing something?

This post has been edited by xmf: 30 May 2011 - 10:45 PM

[dencorso]

Neither 7 Ultimate x86 will.
For that you need a x64 OS. Both 7 Ultimate and XP have x64 versions, which do support >> 3 GiB

[xmf]

dencorso, on 30 May 2011 - 10:41 PM, said:

Neither 7 Ultimate x86 will.
For that you need a x64 OS. Both 7 Ultimate and XP have x64 versions, which do support >> 3 GiB

Thanks for the explanation. So I'll definitely be buying a new OS then. Now, which to choose...

[5eraph]

dencorso is correct on the memory support issue.

If you want XP Mode in Windows 7, you'll need at least at least the Professional edition. Wikipedia has a general breakdown of features and target demographics.

[xmf]

5eraph, on 30 May 2011 - 10:50 PM, said:

dencorso is correct on the memory support issue.

If you want XP Mode in Windows 7, you'll need at least at least the Professional edition. Wikipedia has a general breakdown of features and target demographics.

Thanks, I can't (for me) see any reasons to go for 7 Ult. - so it's going to be either XP Pro 64 or 7 Pro 64.

[MagicAndre1981]

if you don't need MUIs, Bitllocker, DirectAccess or VHD boot and other things you can buy the Win7 x64 Prof edition.

[5eraph]

If you don't need XP Mode then you can settle for Home Premium—there's always VirtualBox if you want to use XP (provided you have a spare XP CD)..

And if you don't want the eye candy or Media Center then Home Basic should suffice.

[xmf]

Do you all use the VHD feature? I could see myself potentially using that alot. It's like a sandbox, isn't it?

[MagicAndre1981]

VHD is not a sandbox. Here is a topic about it:

http://www.msfn.org/...mazing-concept/

Instead of installing Windows to a partition on your HDD you install it into a VHD and boot from it. This feature is only part of Enterprise/Ultimate and all Server Editions.

[jaclaz]

Just for the record, booting from a VHD (or from a dd like image) is also possible with third party tools.
Some freeware some shareware/commercial.

And it is possible for XP too.
http://reboot.pro/9830/
http://reboot.pro/13438/


jaclaz

[MagicAndre1981]

yes, but vboot doesn't really work. It crashes so often and damages the VHDs. I gave it up to use the tool.

[jaclaz]

MagicAndre1981, on 01 June 2011 - 09:46 AM, said:

yes, but vboot doesn't really work. It crashes so often and damages the VHDs. I gave it up to use the tool.

Sure, life is tough .
Though what would you expect from experimental things you can have for free?
As soon as vboot will work, it will become a Commercial program, anyway.

wimb's approach does work and is surprisingly stable - at least for me and using XP.

jaclaz

[Tarun]

Totally go with Windows 7.

Also, I added a poll for you too to help get some more ideas.

[xmf]

Tarun, on 01 June 2011 - 11:02 AM, said:

Totally go with Windows 7.

It's pretty much between 7 Pro 64 and 7 Ultimate 64 at this point. I'm just trying to figure out if you all use the VHD feature.

Thanks, Magic, for the link, but I still don't quite understand what Microsoft was aiming to accomplish with that feature. For home consumers who don't want to wipe their drives clean? Is it more for servers? Why do you all use it (if you do)?

[MagicAndre1981]

I use VHD boot to test several Windows versions (Server 2008 R2, Win8, Win Embedded) side by side. I don't have to care about partitions any longer. I've I don't need the Windows any longer, I delete the VHD and the BCD entry. I can also copy the VHD to a safe location and make an easy backup.

[xmf]

For someone like me, a home user who doesn't particularly know what to do with VHD, what might I use it for?

This post has been edited by xmf: 01 June 2011 - 06:32 PM

[MagicAndre1981]

If you never heard about VHD boot get the Home Premium or Prof. Check the chart which feature you need:

http://en.wikipedia....omparison_chart

[xmf]

MagicAndre1981, on 02 June 2011 - 05:18 AM, said:

If you never heard about VHD boot get the Home Premium or Prof. Check the chart which feature you need:

http://en.wikipedia....omparison_chart

Isn't that kind of like saying "If you've never heard of chocolate, then get vanilla"?