Resolved Upgrade Win XP to Windows 7

I am looking for an inexpensive way to upgrade my Win XP 32-bit desktop before the end of Microsoft support in few short months. There was an add on the top of this forum a few days ago that advertised Windows 7 pro full version 32-bit (Dell) CD, with activation code, for a good price.
I have run the Microsoft upgrade tool and it looks like my worst problem is the fact that I will not be able to find a driver for my old flatbed scanner. I can live with that.

What does the Dell stand for?
Will this run only on a Dell brand pc?
Is it limited in any way?
Is it legal?

Gordon

 

HI Gordon, I purchased a Dell 64bit Windows 7 Professional SP1 DVD and installed it on a SATA Hard Drive which had been Formatted.
If it comes with the COA Sticker - there is no problem with installation.
You will require your Motherboard chipset drivers. After installing the OS you need to install your chipset drivers and you may have to Update other drivers to suit W7.
I was up and running after about 3 or 4 hours of setting everything up. Works sweet as.
You will get the Dell Logo show up when you go into Control Panel > System.
I can live with that. Neil.
P.s. It pays to go to Windows Update and .1make sure you get ALL the updates (something in excess of 120) and I use MSE as the Anti-Virus program (Defender in W8/8.1)

 

Thank you Neil.
I think I can live with a Dell logo also. And thanks for reminding me to get the chipset drivers, I had forgot about them.
Gordon

 

I also ran the XP to Win 7 evaluator. The only program that was a defined problem is Quicken. The version I have is not compatible. I'm beginning to get incomopaibility isseus with programs that offer automatic updates that don't seem to check the Windows version. I lost Google Earth a few months ago and recently, Print.net went ****-up after an update.

I guess I'll be switching to Win 7 soon, since other demands on family funds don't permit a replacement computer. DW got an iPad for her birthday, and I'm thinking that, since Apple already has it's nose in the tent, maybe I'll drop MS and switch to Apple. It would be a big learning curve, as I've been using MS since Windows 3.0. Before that, I was programming scientific/engineering stuff on ALGOL and Fortran 1.0 and then flight simulator programs in Honeywell DDP and Singer-Link GP4 assembly language.

Decisions, decisions!

 

Frank, I totally agree. Decisions, decisions!
I started with plan A; Buy a laptop with win 7 or 8. Retire the XP desktop by April 2014.

Then I started thinking, why retire this old desktop with Win XP, which we like. So now I have to decide if I want to disconnect it from the router and use it for photo editing, quicken, any thing else that does not have to be online. Or spend some more money, install Win 7, and add memory if I can find it. The cheapest option is to disconnect it from the router and use it until it dies.

We did buy a laptop with Windows 8 installed. I did the free upgrade to 8.1 so I can use the built in miracast to get the display on the larger screen TV. I hate windows 8/8.1 so I installed Start8, which gives me a Win 7 look. The laptop can handle our email and other online needs.

Now what to do with this XP desktop. Decisions, decisions!
Gordon

 

Gordon:

I'm coming around to the possibility of buying an HP machine, since they are selling them with Win 7. Whether a desk-top or a lap-top is still being considered.

 

Don't forget Dell, they still have some Windows 7 machines for sale.

Makes one wonder if they will follow HP's decision and promote Windows 7 over Windows 8.