Comments on: No upgrades to Windows 7? Microsoft is doing us a favour

By: Eyes down for Windows 7 upgrade bingo | PC Pro blog

Eyes down for Windows 7 upgrade bingo | PC Pro blog — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:24:56 +0000

[...] though the upgrade path has now been opened, I’d still echo Jon Honeyball’s earlier advice and recommend that everyone undertakes a clean install. Not only does this give you the freedom to choose whichever version of Windows 7 you want [...]

By: Roger Watson

Roger Watson — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 07:45:00 +0000

I’m not rushing to change my engine. Last time I did, speaking metaphorically, I found the cigar lighter; windscreen wipers; washers and radio didn’t work. Not only that, but some of my old tapes wouldn’t play in the new cd system and I’ve got a lot of old tapes that I like to listen to.

By: Paul

Paul — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:22:09 +0000

Before you all rush in various directions to buy or not buy your software, let me relate a recent problem with the windows XP validation process.

Today my PC failed Vailidation report the version installed was not valid in the region I was in. Actually it turned out that the COA on my machine was from a PC manufacturers Corporate purchase batch.

How to tell:
Click Start, Right Click ‘My Computer’, Click Properties.

Look at the right hand side of the window under Registered to when you will see a string of numbers.
xxxxx-012-xxxxxxx-xxxxx
if it reads -OEM- it is OEM
& if it is -640- it is corporate or system builder.

This came from MS UK Tech support, and of course you can only tell once the software is installed
or you have a lengthy conversation with MS on a 0870 number whilst they run a check on the COA.

Before you ask it came from a large Component & PC retailer in the UK.

By: besb

besb — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:22:04 +0000

Pricing UK Rip off. Using preorder prices in the example
OK you get the full version (almost, -ie -mail -media player) 60% more $_£ conversion than US
Even if I accept that why is it 11% dearer in UK than Europe- is the UK in Europe?
You cant upgrade,( ignoring the goods and bads about that) but fresh install download and install firefox then reinstall some 20 apps/games and their custom settings /templates say 10 hours @ £15 per hour Total cost UK cost £200. (150+50)
Only one oem vista system involved. which could be happily upgraded for
US 50$- GPB £30
Therefore getting from vista to win7 UK is a factor 666%
Can Microsoft UK please address this – I am willing to download from MS US store and even give $50 in hard cash if they dont trust British banks or credit cards
I thought this was a global solution

By: big_D

big_D — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 09:52:26 +0000

The best thing is always to do a complete re-install. I’ve done that with Linux, OS X and Windows. A fresh start is always nice and brings fewer nasty surprises later!

It is a pain having to re-install all the apps under Windows – much easier under OS X and Linux – but it is generally worth it – just remember to deregister Adobe products and the machine, if it is registered with iTunes.

I’ve been using 64-bit for a while and haven’t had any driver problems.

As for the non-technical users, they either “upgrade” their OS when they buy a new machine or they get some tech-literate friend or service to come and do it for them… I’ve upgraded several machines in the last 12 months, from Windows 95/98 or 2000 to Windows Vista – all involved copying the old data onto a USB drive and then copying it onto the new Core 2 Quad Vista machine that replaced the old one.

The only real disappointment with Vista were the start-up times. The old Pentium 133 with Windows 98 would boot to the desktop in under 5 seconds, Vista needed about 30 seconds!

By: Colin

Colin — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 11:20:03 +0000

I agree with Jon Honeyball, the best thing to do is get rid of Vista completely. I’ve just installed Windows 7 RC1 on a new partition (thank you PCPRO) and everything works better.
All of the Sony Vaio software and drivers work perfectly. Even Quicken 98 which I couldn’t get to work on Vista, installed without a hiccup or hesitation.
Good riddance Vista.

By: David

David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:38:50 +0000

You’re saying it’s like medicine, you don’t like it but its good for you. Trouble is Microsoft aren’t doctors who are positions of power and respect, and people are gonna be angry. An upgrade thats not an upgrade? – who needs the EU when you have kamikaze PR men like that. I can’t wait to see this pile-up!

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:23:50 +0000

“You can buy the upgrade product but you will get full retail box instead.”

That read to me that Microsoft were not offering an upgrade until later. FUD.

By: David

David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:13:33 +0000

The problem I have is that my Sony laptop came with some useful stuff on it – particularly the ful version of Acrobat. Being Sony they don’t supply individual installation files, so if I want to put Windows 7 on I’m going to have to lose Acrobat – not exactly ideal given how much this costs if bought as a standalone package.

By: muck

muck — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:32:20 +0000

I would advise nobody to buy Win 7 in January then. You never know whether it’s just an old upgrade or a new upgrade. I’m confused. Why did I read this blog