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greg_mitch
Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 5320
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| Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 10:12 pm Post subject: Upgrading to Win7 - What is the cheapest way? |
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I am not a student and I think that $30 deal is over anyway so that is out.
I have RC installed on my HTPC and it is alerting me to reinstall by March 1 or I lose it all so I am going to get a legit copy instead of finding my RTM disc and delaying the inevitable.
I see Newegg and Amazon have the OEM disc for $179 for the Ultimate version. For that kind of money I am wondering if anyone has found other alternatives to getting more for the money.
What I mean is potentially buying an entire PC for $300 with Win7 built-in and a restore disc that I could essentially rob for my HTPC and put the new hardware to work with Linux or an old copy of XP, etc.
Also, I suppose I could just get the Premium version for $104 but I am scared I will end up missing several of the features in Ultimate (xp compatibility, auto backups, etc.).
Any help out there?
http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Ultimate-Bit-OEM-1pk/dp/B002NGQLSY/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1266703842&sr=8-6
[mod fix with Curts tags plz]
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WayneB
Joined: 24 Dec 2008
Posts: 113
Location: Victoria, BC
TV/Projector: Marquee 9500LC Ultra
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| Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 11:00 pm Post subject: |
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Get Windows 7 Home Premium. (about $120 CDN).
It runs most XP programs, but if you need the XP virtual machine capability, then install VMWARE Player (free), or get Windows 7 Professional (about $150 CDN). It has all the features of Ultimate except multiple language support. See Microsoft's website for a comparison table.
Home Premium does not have backup to a network drive, but it does have backup to another partition or external USB drive.
A better backup package might be Acronis True Image Home 2010. (about $50).
The best deal is the Windows 7 Home Premium 3PC Family Pack for about $200. It has both 64bit and 32 bit DVDs to allow either a clean install (total re-install from scratch) or upgrade preserving everything from most systems (EXCEPT XP). I bought this and did a clean install from XP 32-bit to Windows 7 64 bit and used the Easy Migration tool to copy my personal stuff. I also did an upgrade of Windows Vista to 7 and it went very smoothly.
You can use an OEM version from Newegg or others to do a clean install. But you might need the full version (costs a lot more) to upgrade from the RC version. I don't know. Check before you buy.
See Microsoft's website for the comparison table and requirements before buying.
I love Windows 7 but my biggest gripe with it is the lack of a good email package. I had Office Outlook on my XP systems and love it. Windows 7 does not come with an email program. You have to download the free Windows Live Mail program. I hate the Windows Live Mail and Live everything else, especially it's total lack of a functional calendar / reminder program.
Does anyone care to suggest a good email and calendar program comparable to Outlook?
....Wayne
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emdawgz1
Joined: 14 Mar 2006
Posts: 7949
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| Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 11:12 pm Post subject: |
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| WayneB wrote: |
Does anyone care to suggest a good email and calendar program comparable to Outlook?
....Wayne |
1. I paid 109.00 us for win7 home premium. My only suggestion is to download drivers for all your components before you install it. and find out if they have fixed the issue w/ sata hard drives.
2. Google calendar w/ sync w/ outlook and other utilities. I've been using it and it's cool.
http://www.google.com/calendar
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brenwaterys
Joined: 26 Nov 2006
Posts: 70
Location: Spokane, WA
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| Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 11:23 pm Post subject: |
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I use Mozilla's Thunderbird email program with the addition of the Lightening calendar add-in. I sync this with a couple of Google calendars using the "Provider for Google Calendar" that allows bi-directional integration. It has worked very well for me for the last few years.
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WayneB
Joined: 24 Dec 2008
Posts: 113
Location: Victoria, BC
TV/Projector: Marquee 9500LC Ultra
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| Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 11:30 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the Google Calendar hint. I will look in to it. I see it has a Pop-Up reminder feature, which I could NOT find in Windows Live Mail/Calendar. I did not like the idea of getting reminders by email.
....Wayne
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WayneB
Joined: 24 Dec 2008
Posts: 113
Location: Victoria, BC
TV/Projector: Marquee 9500LC Ultra
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| Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 11:31 pm Post subject: |
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| brenwaterys wrote: | | I use Mozilla's Thunderbird email program with the addition of the Lightening calendar add-in. |
Thanks. I will look into that too.
...Wayne
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greg_mitch
Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 5320
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| Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 2:23 am Post subject: |
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Do they still sell the 3 packs for Premium??
It is $300 at Newegg which isn't that big of a savings and I don't need 3 of them right now...although I may later.
If I could get the 3pack for $200 it would be a no brainer! Where did you see this price??
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WayneB
Joined: 24 Dec 2008
Posts: 113
Location: Victoria, BC
TV/Projector: Marquee 9500LC Ultra
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| Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 2:56 am Post subject: |
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| greg_mitch wrote: | | Where did you see this price?? |
It is "Today's Deals at Newegg.ca (Canada)". Canada is usually higher than the USA because of the exchange rate. Maybe you can buy from Newegg.ca and have it shipped to the USA. I bought from Newegg.ca and the product was actually shipped from the USA to Canada. Go figure.
http://www.newegg.ca/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=368&name=Operating-Systems
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greg_mitch
Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 5320
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| Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 2:59 am Post subject: |
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| WayneB wrote: | | greg_mitch wrote: | | Where did you see this price?? |
It is "Today's Deals at Newegg.ca (Canada)". Canada is usually higher than the USA because of the exchange rate. Maybe you can buy from Newegg.ca and have it shipped to the USA. I bought from Newegg.ca and the product was actually shipped from the USA to Canada. Go figure.
http://www.newegg.ca/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=368&name=Operating-Systems |
Ah crap...upgrade versions. I didn't notice that. I want full versions only.
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AnalogRocks
Forum Moderator
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 26706
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
TV/Projector: Sony 1252Q, AMPRO 4000G
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| Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 3:06 am Post subject: |
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What's with the 68 different versions of Win7?
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greg_mitch
Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 5320
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| Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 3:23 am Post subject: |
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| AnalogRocks wrote: | | What's with the 68 different versions of Win7? |
They wouldn't do it if it didn't mean more money for them.
Is it really that confusing?
Upgrade is self explanatory.
Full version is self explanatory.
Starter - basic
Premium - 90% of users
Ultimate - Enthusiasts
Professional - Business
Each has upgrade of full and each has 32 or 64 bit.
Or you could just go to something that doesn't give you any choice at all...
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AnalogRocks
Forum Moderator
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 26706
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
TV/Projector: Sony 1252Q, AMPRO 4000G
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| Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 3:26 am Post subject: |
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Oh I just went to the page saw all the different version and closed the window. <---- ( HA! I made a funny!)
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WayneB
Joined: 24 Dec 2008
Posts: 113
Location: Victoria, BC
TV/Projector: Marquee 9500LC Ultra
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| Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 6:29 am Post subject: |
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| AnalogRocks wrote: | | window. <---- ( HA! I made a funny!) |
Yes, very funny.... 
Is that a 68 or 69 Dodge Charger? My first car was candy-apple red 483 4-barrel 69 Dodge Charger. I bought it shortly after seeing Bullitt. I just watched Bullitt again a few weeks ago. I still love that car chase. The bad guys should have won with a car like that.
....Wayne
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AnalogRocks
Forum Moderator
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 26706
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
TV/Projector: Sony 1252Q, AMPRO 4000G
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| Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 6:32 am Post subject: |
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| WayneB wrote: | | AnalogRocks wrote: | | window. <---- ( HA! I made a funny!) |
Yes, very funny....
Is that a 68 or 69 Dodge Charger? My first car was candy-apple red 483 4-barrel 69 Dodge Charger. I bought it shortly after seeing Bullitt. I just watched Bullitt again a few weeks ago. I still love that car chase. The bad guys should have won with a car like that.
....Wayne |
That's a 68 and your car would have been a 383 4bbl. I agree. That 68 Charger in Bullit that lost 6 hubcaps could have chewed up that 390 Mustang and made dog food out of it.
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WayneB
Joined: 24 Dec 2008
Posts: 113
Location: Victoria, BC
TV/Projector: Marquee 9500LC Ultra
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| Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 6:40 am Post subject: |
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Sorry, slip of finger and the memory is also fading. I do remember passing a dozen cars going uphill in the mountains at 110 pulling a tent trailer. The gas gauge was going in the opposite direction almost as fast. If I drove it easy, I got 8mpg. Those days are gone.
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WanMan
Joined: 19 Mar 2006
Posts: 10270
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| Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 11:45 am Post subject: |
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I thought Costco selling Home Premium for $107. Also, Microcenter, in their latest circular, was advertising Professional for $139.99.
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AnalogRocks
Forum Moderator
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 26706
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
TV/Projector: Sony 1252Q, AMPRO 4000G
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| Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 2:24 pm Post subject: |
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| WayneB wrote: | | Sorry, slip of finger and the memory is also fading. I do remember passing a dozen cars going uphill in the mountains at 110 pulling a tent trailer. The gas gauge was going in the opposite direction almost as fast. If I drove it easy, I got 8mpg. Those days are gone. |
You're right. Now we use overdrive transmissions and get 20+MPG with 500+ horsepower. 
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MikeEby
Joined: 24 Jun 2007
Posts: 5237
Location: Osceola, Indiana
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| Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 3:47 pm Post subject: |
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I use terminal services so I buy Win 7 Pro, for an HTPC use I would also stick with 32Bit. Newegg sells an OEM version for $139.99 shipped, that's pretty hard to beat. Unlike Vista Business, Pro includes Media Center.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116756
Mike
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greg_mitch
Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 5320
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| Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 10:14 pm Post subject: |
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Mike,
What else does Pro get me really? Above Premium that is.
Why do you say stay 32bit also?
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MikeEby
Joined: 24 Jun 2007
Posts: 5237
Location: Osceola, Indiana
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| Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 1:15 am Post subject: |
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| greg_mitch wrote: |
What else does Pro get me really? Above Premium that is. |
Terminal Services, for me is worth the extra $35.....Maybe not you, I guess you could run VNC, I just like the fact it's built in. Windows 7 Pro also has XP Mode...I have seen it fix a few programs that wouldn't work on Vista/Win 7.
| greg_mitch wrote: |
Why do you say stay 32bit also? |
IMO in general it’s easier to setup and has better compatibility for HTPC usage, in a year or two maybe not. Setting up filters and codex in 64 bit is more of a challenge, a battle I choose not to fight.
If your computer is for general PC usage 64 bit is fine.
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