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Resolved Thinking of downgrading new laptop (win 7) to XP, any advice?

Discussion in 'Windows 7' started by Howattee, 2010/03/22.

  1. 2010/03/22
    Howattee Lifetime Subscription

    Howattee Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Hey all,

    I got a new laptop for Xmas, a Samsung X-520 with Windows 7 installed. My old laptop was running XP home sp3 - same as my PC.

    I really don't like the fact that I cannot use a lot of my legally purchased software with 7, but I find it really hard to do without Outlook Express, so am thinking about downgrading it to XP (I have a current spare licensed copy, so no legal issues).

    What issues do I need to consider, apart from:

    hardware drivers
    making a full installable win7 DVD just in case it all goes wrong
    full backup of current state of machine

    Any advise you can give me would be brilliant. TIA, Terri
     
  2. 2010/03/22
    Steve R Jones

    Steve R Jones SuperGeek Staff

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    Make certain you can get drivers. Often times - you can't.
     

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  4. 2010/03/22
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    Arie,
    #3
  5. 2010/04/01
    Howattee Lifetime Subscription

    Howattee Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Ok. many many thanks for that link to Samsung website. I am gonna do it, so I am.
     
  6. 2010/04/01
    garybeafl

    garybeafl Inactive

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    I wouldn't do that. You will like Windows 7 better than XP if you give it time.
    You can down load Windows Live Mail which is almost like OE except it is better.

    Just my two cents.
     
  7. 2010/04/01
    Jeri

    Jeri Inactive

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    XP to WIN7

    I was going to try to downgrade too but have been using WIN7 for a week now and find it very east to use.

    I did run into a problem with my scanner which isn't supported by WIN7.


    All of my software loaded OK except for Adobe Professional.
     
    Jeri,
    #6
  8. 2010/04/19
    Howattee Lifetime Subscription

    Howattee Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Ok, but I have been trying to use Win 7 since Xmas....... I am just getting more and more frustrated by it because it won't do what I want it to. Win XP does.

    Also, I know that my software WILL work with XP, so I am going to do it, (but with a .iso image of Win 7 just in case.).
    ;-))
     
  9. 2010/04/19
    denstoe

    denstoe Well-Known Member

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    Why not keep Win 7 and set up a virtual xp?
     
  10. 2010/04/19
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Win XP mode - on 7 pro and above only, is limited in it's capabilities., e.g. you have a virtual SIS graphics card - not the card installed under Win 7.

    Windows VM on lower versions will be the same.
     
  11. 2010/04/19
    richardmitnick

    richardmitnick Inactive

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    Don't do it.

    I have two Vista machines, trouble free.

    XP is done and doomed.


    I have two new Win 7 64 bit machines. I am not delighted. Microsoft advertises Win 7 and "simpler ". Well simpler translates to more like a Mac, take it or leave it, less configuration, too many hidden files, no Advanced Tag Editor in WMP12, but still many many pluses.

    If I was to "downgrade" it would be to Vista, which was never the awful system that the computer blogosphere painted.
     
  12. 2010/04/21
    Howattee Lifetime Subscription

    Howattee Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Still not convinced. The only advantages I have found in Win 7 are the automatic window resizing & 2 windows side by side.

    Am I alone in the fact that I want to be able to control my computer? I set up my own filing system years ago and I want to continue with it, not be dictated to by Microsoft that my photos have to go here, my documents there, etc. etc.

    I just find it so much easier to do in XP.

    Does anyone else want to add to this debate?
     
  13. 2010/04/21
    errodesistema

    errodesistema Inactive

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    If advice is what you need then do it the way you feel better. If you prefer XP, go for it.
    If you need help on that, just ask.

    If you want a debate on Win7 vs XP you just wasted my time.
     
  14. 2010/05/02
    pweegar

    pweegar Well-Known Member

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    Who says you have to use the libraries??? I don't. Set up your filing system any way you want. It's not a big deal. What else do you think you can not do with win 7?

    Sorry, but I think Windows 7 is so far ahead of xp.
     
  15. 2010/05/17
    inafix

    inafix Inactive

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    I've also just bought a new laptop with Windows 7 already installed, and was likewise thinking of downgrading back to XP. I'm finding 7 a little hard to get used to; mostly the cursor clicks not doing what I want. XP did have a lot of problems, but was more user friendly for me than 7 is.

    But the biggest problem I'm having with 7 is the new Windows Media Player. It is just incomprehensible to me. All my audio-books have downloaded themselves multiple times; e.g. into the music, pictures and photos folders. Songs or music I've downloaded just disappear into a black hole, which then entails going into 'Properties' and 'Show location of this file' before I can find anything. The Player instructions are just so much gobbledegook, and I just don't understand 'Library' at all, or the 'Choose where you want your folders installed' choice thingy. I really want to roll back to WMP10; so nice and simple.

    Sorry, guys - what were you saying?
     

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