Ok, currently running WinXP SP3. I have several games loaded on my computer, such as Doom3, Lord of the Rings Online, several others. I also have a bunch of documents, etc. I'm backing up all my documents, photos, pics, etc. on DVDs. (yeah, I know, I need an external HDD for backup..but it is what it is).

Lord of the Rings has many patches...and I bought it online so it was d/led from Turbine.

Now, I know Windows 7 is "tweaked and tamed" Vista..and installs on top of Vista. But I'm guessing that Windows 7 will completely overwrite XP...so...

1. Will Windows 7 completely overwrite WinXP? If so, I'll lose all my installed apps, and have to reinstall..correct? Is there a workaround for this, such as possibly "ghosting" my harddrive image (probably answer my own question as no due to ghosting will copy the WinXP OS as well)


2. All my games will be gone...so I guess I need to d/l the whole freaking game and patches again from Turbine? If so, sucks...guess that will teach me to buy the game on CD/DVD to avoid this problem again...

3. As a full time student, we get Windows 7 for like $30.00. Anyone know if it's a stripped down version of Home Edition? Pros/Cons to purchase this way?

4.Does Windows 7 Home support full 4 gig ram? Or is the 3 gig ram issue still there?

5. Any benefit for me to get a 64 bit version when my games are still 32 bit? If running in 32 bit version, I guess the extra memory won't matter?

1: I'm positive you can't upgrade from XP to Win7. So your OS will be wiped out.
If you gad Vista, you'd be able to upgrade no problem.

2: If you downloaded your game electronically, then you can back them up to
CD/DVD/Hard-drive.

3: I don't know about student versions. Prob basic, Home version (labelled Student)

4: If you're on about 32Bit, only 3Gb will be supported. If you're on about 64Bit,
4Gb+ is supported.

5: All the hardware is 64Bit these days.There are no more 32Bit Hardware being
manufactured. 64Bit is more widely used. 64Bit supports all 32Bit apps.
Get 64Bit Win7 forget 32Bit. What have 32Bit OS when 64Bit supports both.


NOTE: I'm Assuming you have a 64Bit machine......? ? ?

This is where partitions come in handy. So you can keep programs that don't require reinstallation (like most games) and your music on it.

Yeah, I know..now..about partioning....

So, if I repartion the HDD...can i move my games, etc. to the new partion? Or will that cause issues in the directory and cause application issues?

1. Will Windows 7 completely overwrite WinXP? If so, I'll lose all my installed apps, and have to reinstall..correct? Is there a workaround for this, such as possibly "ghosting" my harddrive image (probably answer my own question as no due to ghosting will copy the WinXP OS as well)
It will completely overwrite all system files inclusing system folders (my documents, pictures, videos etc)

2. All my games will be gone...so I guess I need to d/l the whole freaking game and patches again from Turbine? If so, sucks...guess that will teach me to buy the game on CD/DVD to avoid this problem again...
All the files will still be there (assuming you don't format hd during install) but all your programs and games will have to be reinstalled.

3. As a full time student, we get Windows 7 for like $30.00. Anyone know if it's a stripped down version of Home Edition? Pros/Cons to purchase this way?
It's not stripped, it's the same as retail.

4.Does Windows 7 Home support full 4 gig ram? Or is the 3 gig ram issue still there?
It will still show 3 gigs unless you patch it http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/2009/08/19/make-windows-7-...gb-memory/

5. Any benefit for me to get a 64 bit version when my games are still 32 bit? If running in 32 bit version, I guess the extra memory won't matter?
If your cpu is 64-bit compatible and you get 64-bit W7 you have more room to expand in the future. No need to care for max ram amount, plus everything is heading the 64-bit way.


If you repartition the HDD with games/programs on it, everything will be erased.

I just did an inplace upgrade from XP to Win 7 Pro 32 bit. Three things to keep in mind:

1. Run the upgrade advisor from Microsoft to make sure that your HW can run Win 7 and what drivers you will need. Download the drivers to run on Win 7 and put them on a USB/CD so they are available to install after the upgrade.

2. Make sure that you have about 25 Gb of free space on the system HD.

3. Go to http://www.laplink.com and get the PCMover Windows 7 transition version for $20.00. Download the program and place on a USB or CD. Also download the instructions.

Following the instructions you shouldn't have an issue. I see a number of postings about issues with the Student download version from DR. Check any fixes, etc before doing.

I haven't had any issues with any games. The biggest key is to make sure you download the latest patches and drivers.

Note: It take a while, at one point you fire up PCMover and you may as well go to bed..

Cheers,

Norm Muelleman said:

In the past Microsoft has provided essentially the same software, but the license can be very different for the student versions. For example, a student edition may significantly limit whether you can transfer the OS to another machine. Or, the license may be rendered invalid the moment you graduate or leave the school, meaning you would be legally required to go out and buy a "retail" license version of the software (as has been the case in some Microsoft OS and application releases in the past). One thing to do is compare the licenses and see which set of restrictions/conditions best meets your situation both financially and for your intended use.

So, the "pro" in this case is the 'student' edition is cheaper...right now.
The possible "con" is that IF the 'student' license terminates when you graduate or leave the school, you'll legally have to pay again for another license if you continue to need it after you graduate or leave the school.

Norm Muelleman said:

If you backup your disk (I'm assuming you've currently got 1 disk and 1 partition?), you could then format and repartition your drive, and then restore all your data (making sure your primary partition has enough space) and then theoretically move the games, etc. to the now existing second partition (assuming it also has enough space). But as you noted, simply copying things may screw-up application-specific folder/registry dependencies. In some instances an experienced user can manually compensate for that, but it can be very tedious and very complicated. Definitely not the way I'd like to do it.

IF your game downloads simply sent you an installation package file, and patch files that you had to manually install yourself, and you still have those files, you should be able to copy those to CD/DVDs and simply re-install them after you've got Win7 loaded. However, IF an installation/patch was performed in real-time by a remote computer on the internet, then you'll likely need to of course re-perform that action. They may charge again for the service. However, you may also get updated games/patches that take advantage of the improved video capabilities of Win7 vs. XP.


edit-add 'making sure enough space' comments

Norm Muelleman said: I noticed you mentioned you had photos and other items on your system, so I thought that you could have some old peripherals that use proprietary 32bit drivers (scanner, camera, printer, etc.)

If you want to keep using that older hardware on Win7-64bit, you should determine that it is either supported by Win7-64bit or that you can obtain a 64bit driver for the device(s) that works in Win7-64. If you find the device is not specifically supported or you can't obtain a Win7-64bit driver, you may find it works fine or may work with some reduced functionality. When I couldn't find a new driver for an older 'all-in-one' printer/scanner/FAX I have, I just used the default drivers and lost a bit of functionality. If you don't know your peripheral will work in Win7 64bit, then you might try it out on someone's machine that is Win7-64bit...or you may just proceed with the understanding that you may need to buy a new peripheral.

Here's a page that has some helpful info.
http://www.w7forums.com/windows-7-64-bit-vs-32-bit-t484.html