OEM Versions?

This is actually a three part post. First some background:

I build my own systems...for myself and for fun, not for profit. I have three machines: the current/newest, a five year old XP Pro build, and a Linux box.

I've been putting the 64-bit version of the RC through stress and endurance on the new system I built over the weekend (a beast). It looks good so far. I put a lot of work in and I'm wondering...I used an OEM version of XP Pro from Newegg on the older Windows box. Will Newegg, or anyone, be offering OEM disks for home builders? That would really reduce the cost of the OS...or at least make it more palatable.

The next thing is, with all this work I've put in, it would be a real pain to have to start completely from scratch again (configure RAID, install all apps, setup network and network shares etc). Is all that work wasted? Or is there a way to save the configuration? Maybe install on top of the RC?

Thanks

pop pop said:

This is actually a three part post. First some background:

I build my own systems...for myself and for fun, not for profit. I have three machines: the current/newest, a five year old XP Pro build, and a Linux box.

I've been putting the 64-bit version of the RC through stress and endurance on the new system I built over the weekend (a beast). It looks good so far. I put a lot of work in and I'm wondering...I used an OEM version of XP Pro from Newegg on the older Windows box. Will Newegg, or anyone, be offering OEM disks for home builders? That would really reduce the cost of the OS...or at least make it more palatable.

The next thing is, with all this work I've put in, it would be a real pain to have to start completely from scratch again (configure RAID, install all apps, setup network and network shares etc). Is all that work wasted? Or is there a way to save the configuration? Maybe install on top of the RC?

Thanks

Im assuming your saying OEM discs - 'for Win7'...

that hasen't officially been decided yet, Im pretty sure their just going to incorperate it into one of M$'s 8-12 SKU's their coming out with, (make one an OEM-like grade of install)

I haven't done it, but yeah, im pretty sure you will have to do the whole RAID thing over again with a new install (sorry).

thanks,
Ant

pop pop said:

Is all that work wasted? Or is there a way to save the configuration? Maybe install on top of the RC?

Even if Seven will final allow it (wathever the way, official or not), you really better have to reinstall from scratch.

You can use MS Easy transfert tool to move somes configuration from old version to new one.

Description of Windows Easy Transfer for Windows Vista

LePoilu said:

Even if Seven will final allow it (wathever the way, official or not), you really better have to reinstall from scratch.

You can use MS Easy transfert tool to move somes configuration from old version to new one.

Description of Windows Easy Transfer for Windows Vista

Very true for DL' OS's, (going TO XP/Vista and before) but you might be quite surprised at Win7's reliability with upgrading.

LePoilu, give an upgrade a shot, and let us know if you can come across any downturns.

Thanks,
Ant

MS has always had the 3 main levels of their OS: Retail, Upgrade and OEM. We will probably see the OEM discs hit the online shops like Newegg somewhere around November... or possibly later of Ms decides to hold off until after the new year...

antalgebra said:

Very true for DL' OS's, (going TO XP/Vista and before) but you might be quite surprised at Win7's reliability with upgrading.

LePoilu, give an upgrade a shot, and let us know if you can come across any downturns.

Thanks,
Ant

The upgrade process for Seven is the same as with Vista (and wathever is the OS you upgrade):

Copying users files/datas, parameters, Drivers & Cie
Wipeout all data on the system drive
Copying new system files
Restore Users data.

But only one wrong software or driver and all the process can have trouble.

And this process take much more time than a clean install.

Clean install + easytransfert is faster and you are sur to have no trouble cause of a software or driver which didn't like the upgrade.

I'm not talking about final reliability of the system while the upgrade process is over (because it's the same as a clean install thanks to the new process). But talking about the issue you may have during the process and the longest time it take.

LePoilu said:

The upgrade process for Seven is the same as with Vista (and wathever is the OS you upgrade):

Copying users files/datas, parameters, Drivers & Cie
Wipeout all data on the system drive
Copying new system files
Restore Users data.

But only one wrong software or driver and all the process can have trouble.

And this process take much more time than a clean install.

Clean install + easytransfert is faster and you are sur to have no trouble cause of a software or driver which didn't like the upgrade.

I'm not talking about final reliability of the system while the upgrade process is over (because it's the same as a clean install thanks to the new process). But talking about the issue you may have during the process and the longest time it take.

I think you will be pleasently surprised when (if) you try it. while your theory does make sense, and was true; that norm is no longer. I am actively looking for downturns, and please do not discourage it without some backing.