Windows 7, compatibility & Virtual Machines
Some of you who have bought new computers may have either upgraded (for free? just guessing, since I did) to Windows 7 or had one already pre-loaded with it.
Windows 7 is pretty nice - faster, not as annoying as Vista - but it does have an issue:
Compatibility.
However, if you are lucky enough to get the "Ultimate" version, Microsoft provides you with Virtual Machine, a way to run XP and Visa inside a new window inside Windows 7 - allowing you to run older software.
If you have the "Home Premium" edition, though, you're out of luck.
....on the Microsoft side, anyway.
Sun Microsystems has released an Open-Source program called VirtualBox (open-source=free) that functions in largely the same way that Microsoft's Virtual Machine does.
I use it for my older programs that weren't updated by the software companies.
Hopefully this helps some of you who got new computers over Christmas.
You're better off with XP for now anyway. 7's compatibility issues aren't fixed yet, and they're still releasing updates.
Vista was good for me when 7 was not out yet, but now I've have to say skip it. Stick with XP or go XP.
XP mode is available as a download for Windows 7 Professional, but VirtualBox is much better as the environment it provides to the XP it runs. Also, VirtualBox can run every version of Windows back to 3.1 if that's your need.
Personally, I've only tested VirtualBox with Windows 3.1, 95, XP and Ubuntu Linux 8.04-9.10. All of them worked wonderfully :)
The only downside to Virtual Machine, VirtualBox, or other similar programs is that they can eat a laptop battery like a dog who's found the cat food.
Genisa, if you would like a copy of XP for your laptop Newegg has XP Home with SP3 on for $100. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116511
^That's not bad for XP; although I got a copy a different way that's not all that legit - but it works.
Unless you need 7 for something, stick to XP.
I've 7 and so far no problems with not working programs. I've a few XP games and programs and they're all working. (I've Home Premium 64 Bit)
My Dad is using Vista and he has problems over problems...LOL
I've XP still on my office pc and on my laptop 7.
What I like most is the speed of 7...that's really amazing.
^Do you have 64-bit 7? I've heard it's super fast, and you can upgrade your memory over 8 gig.
I think I have 32-bit 7, but I'm not sure. I also run Ubuntu - and installing 64-bit Ubuntu would be a lot easier than installing 64-bit 7.
Yeah, Vista's a pain.
Yeah, I've a 64Bit version. It's fast, but I don't know if it's super fast. (I've to try a 32 version, if I have the chance to.)
I believe I have the 64bit version. It's the Home Prenium, if that means anything, on an HP Pavilion Elite e9230f PC that I just bought a few days ago. I'm still getting used to it after using XP for so long. Some things, like the libraries, just kinda piss me off. Also, I really liked the way XP looked with the silver theme. All this glossy graphics stuff reminds me of Macs too much and all the frustrations I have with Macs.
But I will say this, it's definitely faster than my old computer. Maybe cause it's newer with more RAM and a bigger hard drive, but it's nice!
Thanks for the VirtualBox tip too! I have a lot of programs that I still need to run that I'm not sure are running properly on Win7.
^Awesome - let me know if you add more memory, and how it goes with VirtualBox. I haven't tried it with all my XP-compatible software, so I don't know if it works with all. I'm not a fan of glossy graphics either.
German_aspie: sounds cool. Let me know if you do.
I'll let you know ( I have to remind myself to do it still), I'm excited because the drivers for my printer, scanner and tablet don't seem to be working/installing right on Windows 7.
After trying Windows 98, XP and Vista, I would have to say that XP is the best of those 3.
[Prelude: If you ran Vista on old hardware, it's the hardware, not Vista.]
Running XP mode or XP in VirtualBox won't really solve the issues with the old hardware. If you can find a Vista driver for them, that would probably work in 7.
Don't use Vista drivers for graphics cards or motherboards in 7, that's just asking for trouble. If your graphics card has no 7 driver, it's too old anyway :P A decent new graphics card can be had for $50 or so.
XP is the staple OS right now due to the amount of software that is compatible with it. The problem is that Windows released Vista and 7 too fast, which left 3rd party software/hardware distributors in the lurch.
Running XP in virtualbox may or may not solve the problem; it's actually more of a toss up due to the hardware & how virtualbox interacts with it. I've been able to get virtualbox to work with my old software programs for XP, but not work for my digital pen due to the hardware USB - even though its a brand-new computer. I haven't tried the printer yet.
If you really like Vista or want to get 7, then go for it - otherwise reinstall XP. It's going to be a year or so before the market switches over to 7-compatible devices & software that's affordable.
I'm stuck with Vista on my laptop.(can't afford the upgrade) My home computer has XP. I have found that Vista is not compatable with many different applications and software.