Advice on Getting a Windows 7 computer

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  1. Posts : 15
    Windows xp sp3
       #1

    Advice on Getting a Windows 7 computer


    Didn't know where to post this.

    Should I get a preinstalled system with Vista and upgrade it or get a preinstalled system with windows 7.

    Forgive my ignorance
    On pre-installed system will it be 64 bit or 32 bit systems or both?

    I would like to install the operating system myself. I like systems with quit fans. I would like cdrw and dvd player (Combo is fine).

    I will need a pci or USB modem. (I am still on dial-up)

    Will an old crt monitor work (VGA input)?
    Last edited by gpatrick; 16 Oct 2009 at 18:21. Reason: Additions
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  2. Posts : 396
    Windows 7 Professional x64
       #2

    Usually preinstalled systems are 32bit or at least my laptop was Vista 32bit Home Premium.
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  3. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #3

    I would wait a few days (until after OCT.22). Then you can buy a Windows7 system. That way you don't have the hassle of upgrading.
    32 or 64bit is a question of the amount of RAM you'll get. Nowadays, many systems come with 4,6 or 8GBs of RAM. Then they also come with 64bit. But for less than 4GB of RAM, a 32bit will do.
    The CRT will work, but it is a nuisance. Get a nice package with a 22" monitor. The best is on black Friday. 2 years ago on black Friday I got an HP package with 3GB of RAM, 320GB HDD and the 22" monitor and and all the other bells and whistles for $480.
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  4.    #4

    Def wait til you can buy it with Win7 preinstalled. However you will be facing the bloatware monster with any pre-installed computer you buy, and I would worry about how much that will bite into Win7's snappy performance. Plus, you can never fully remove the biggest bloats like Symantec and Office trial pre-install without special tools which often leave System Files corrupted and unfixable with sfc /scannow.

    This issue was previously negotiable when companies like Gateway/eMachines provided a clean copy OEM disk of the OS and an apps disk to pluck your Works, drivers, adobe, etc. from. Now the profit margins are so slim that most manufacturers enforce the sponsored bloatware by refusing to supply or support clean OEM reinstalls. Most savvy users find an OEM disk of their version and do a clean install, getting drivers from the computer's product download web page, gettings Adobe reader/flash, Java runtime or free reader from the web or borrowing a Works disk.

    So while the idea of a new computer (like the great little Acer dually 3 gig Nv8200 slimline my friend got at Best Buy last week for $400) is exciting, the idea that the greatest invention since the computer - Windows 7 - would be compromised by manufacturer bloat is nauseating.
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  5. Posts : 63
    Windows 7 Ultimate 6.1.7600 Build 7600
       #5

    If it were me I would buy one with Vista installed and get the upgrade media. I did this with Vista and was able to do clean install on all my Vista computers to get rid of the bloatware with the Vista Upgrade disk.

    In my opinion, this is the best way to keep your computer running smoothly. When I did a clean install on my laptop I gained an extra 10GB of space that Dell has preloaded on the recovery CD.

    I have used the Vista Upgrade disk with 3 dells and a Toshiba with no issues.

    I am not sure if the Windows 7 upgrade disk will be similiar but I would think so. I doubt each OEM is going to have a special media disk for each system.
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  6. Posts : 15
    Windows xp sp3
    Thread Starter
       #6

    I read on a website. That Microsoft was going to issue special oem disk to places like Dell, emachine, HP etc. This new disk for windows 7 home/pro. It is just tied to the mainboard and it does not count hardware at all. As long as you don't replace the mainboard, you can reinstall as many times as you want. The product key and cd would be tied to the mainboard. I guess oems didn't want that.

    On the Symantec issue. I had an emachine with xp preinstalled. I was able to clean out all of symantec registry key. I did have to start xp in safe mode and take ownership of the keys, so I could delete them.

    I just hope W7 has the same custom features xp has. (I already this asked in another thread). I like windows classic desktop and classic start menu.
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  7. Lee
    Posts : 1,796
    Win 7 Pro x64, VM Win XP, Win7 Pro Sandbox, Kubuntu 11
       #7

    Gateway still provides a clean OEM disk (anyway it did for my FX-7026).

    All the information that has been departed to you is excellent, wait until Oct. 22, to buy a new system. Then if you do did help in getting the blot ware off come back to the "Seven Forum," and all of us will give you hand getting it cleaned up along with running smoothly.
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  8. Posts : 63
    Windows 7 Ultimate 6.1.7600 Build 7600
       #8

    I know this strays a little off topic but what about this scenario.

    He buys a computer whenever he feel like. Then if he has a friend that has the full retail version he can just install the retail version with no key. After the version is installed, he can activate the program with his OEM key.

    Anyone think that would work?
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  9. Posts : 11,840
    64-bit Windows 8.1 Pro
       #9

    No ... it wouldnt work ... there is a difference a retail key and an OEM key... the OEM key is a VLK ( volume license key )...
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  10.    #10

    Jacen said:
    If it were me I would buy one with Vista installed and get the upgrade media. I did this with Vista and was able to do clean install on all my Vista computers to get rid of the bloatware with the Vista Upgrade disk.

    In my opinion, this is the best way to keep your computer running smoothly. When I did a clean install on my laptop I gained an extra 10GB of space that Dell has preloaded on the recovery CD.

    I have used the Vista Upgrade disk with 3 dells and a Toshiba with no issues.

    I am not sure if the Windows 7 upgrade disk will be similiar but I would think so. I doubt each OEM is going to have a special media disk for each system.
    Jacen, I was thinking maybe the manufacturers would ship Windows 7 upgrade disks with their bloatware included, since they get a big part of their profit margin now from those sponsored bloats. But if it is a clean Win7 upgrade disk then that would be a much better situation and now would be the time to buy!
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