Some questions about different builds (VL, N)

[McDougal]

Hey all,

I know I haven't posted here much.....don't know why lol. But I'll most likely start posting here again, because I just got myself a Technet Standard subscription , and its truly amazing. I honestly don't see why anyone would ever buy retail anymore, its just not worth it. So, while browsing through the Windows 7 versions, I'm a little overwhelmed, there are so many. I realize that Enterprise isn't available to Standard, but that's no problem. I'm just curious about the different builds. I think I know what VL might be, Volume License? If so, then how does that compare to a regular version (advantages/disadvantages)? I also noticed the "N" version, I have never seen this before, and don't know what exactly it means, I thought I read somewhere that it didn't include WMP, if so, then that'd be great, because I avoid WMP like a plague.

This is also technically my first time installing Windows 7 from scratch (formatted HDD), my laptop came with Windows 7 Home Premium, and the restore discs are quite different from the regular ones, it already has some software/drivers installed for you. Is there a good tutorial on how to install Windows 7 the best way?

I'm also curious about which version of MS Office I should go for, after using OpenOffice.org for the past year, MS Office is quite new to me.

Thanks everyone for all the help, I really appreciate it!

 

[Brink]

Hello McDougal, and welcome back.

The "N" version is just the European version of Windows 7. It was create due to the different laws there about what features can be included versus what can be in the U.S.

Since you have a Technet subscription, I would recommend the Ultimate edition of Windows 7 unless you just needed the extra corporate features included in the Enterprise edition. Either way, the link below can help show the differences between all the editions.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/14422-compare-windows-7-editions.html

Since you'll be doing it from scratch, you could do a clean install with Windows 7. Afterwards, you will need to download and install all the Windows 7 drivers for your laptop.

You might as well go for Office Pro Plus 2010 since you have a Technet subscription. You can pick and choose what you want installed from the suite. It may take a bit to get use to it, but we'll be happy to help you with it in the Microsoft Office forum area though.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[mickey megabyte]

i would avoid the 'n' edition, like the proverbial plague.

i tried it out a while back and ran into all sorts of problems with games, media players and wei.

it doesn't just get rid of wmp, but also important codecs too, which other software assumes to be installed.

(i'm not quite sure about the grammar in my last sentence, but what the heck...)

 

[McDougal]

Great, thanks for the quick reply ! I guess the no WMP was just a misunderstanding....ah well, I can just remove it anyways. Windows 7 Ultimate is what I was going to go with, because I like testing all the features even if I don't need them (I'm quite curious about XP Mode).

Thanks for the link, looks like its exactly what I need, now I need download the drivers. Not sure about what Office programs I'll need and not, so I think I'll just install the full package. I'm still confused about the 64-bit 2010 though, is it compatible with the 32-bit? And can it run on a 32-bit OS?

Slightly off-topic but....I plan to upgrade the family laptop (Dell Inspiron 1525) from XP Pro SP3 to Windows 7 (32bit), except there's one problem. There's a crapload of stuff on there, GBs of documents/pictures/Google Chrome bookmarks. The laptop also has Office 2003 on it, and Outlook is used, and has a bunch of extra folders, contacts, and calendar additions (synced w/Google Calendar), gmail has all the e-mails, just not the personalized folders. Does anyone know a good way to backup all this crap?

Thanks again for the help !

 

[mickey megabyte]

i would advise not to get rid of wmp - keep it on, but just don't use it.

other software sometimes needs it..or bits of it anyway.

 

[McDougal]

Okay thanks for the suggestion......although I've had WMP off all this time (use MPC-HC for videos), and haven't run into any problems.

 

[GEWB]

Windows 7 Ultimate is what I was going to go with, because I like testing all the features even if I don't need them (I'm quite curious about XP Mode).

Go for Ultimate if you have more than 4GB of RAM, have a network or you need the other features. Otherwise the Home Premium is a good package (I use it on two laptops, one 32-bit, one 64-bit).

Not sure about what Office programs I'll need and not, so I think I'll just install the full package. I'm still confused about the 64-bit 2010 though, is it compatible with the 32-bit? And can it run on a 32-bit OS?

I have both - highly recommend you use the 32-bit version, even on the 64-bit OS, especially if you need to use 3rd party apps that tie into MS Word or 3rd party plugins.

Slightly off-topic but....I plan to upgrade the family laptop (Dell Inspiron 1525) from XP Pro SP3 to Windows 7 (32bit), except there's one problem. There's a crapload of stuff on there, GBs of documents/pictures/Google Chrome bookmarks. The laptop also has Office 2003 on it, and Outlook is used, and has a bunch of extra folders, contacts, and calendar additions (synced w/Google Calendar), gmail has all the e-mails, just not the personalized folders. Does anyone know a good way to backup all this crap?

Easiest is to buy an external hard drive and do a straight copy of all your files. Big drives (i.e., 500GB or more) are reasonably price and smaller drive are almost cheap.

Regards,
GEWB

 

[McDougal]

I found the Microsoft SyncToy program, which is working perfectly. I backed up all of the documents/pictures. Now all I need to figure out is how to backup outlook stuff. The e-mails aren't really important, since they're already on gmail. Its all the extra folders and organization that's important. Is there a way to backup that stuff? And I still need to backup all the iPod stuff too .....

 

[DeaconFrost]

I honestly don't see why anyone would ever buy retail anymore, its just not worth it.

If you don't see why, then you don't fully understand what TechNet is really about. Technet is not for families to purchase to get multiple licenses. It is for IT professionals to use in testing and lab environments. The fact that people have been abusing TechNet in addition to selling keys on eBay has already caused Microsoft to cut down what was available to subscribers, and how many keys we used to get. I can see the day coming when those os uf who are using TechNet properly will have to jump through many flaming hoops to prove our eligibility when we go to resubscribe each year.

 

[pparks1]

I just got myself a Technet Standard subscription , and its truly amazing. I honestly don't see why anyone would ever buy retail anymore, its just not worth it.

Number 1 because many people don't know that it even exists. Number 2 because they are concerned with the verbiage that it's for "testing purposes" only. It's a fine line between what's testing and what isn't. Personally Microsoft only seems to care that you bought something......they sell Technet to whomever....so as long as you keep the software for yourself, and you don't share your keys with anybody....you are free and clearl

Is there a good tutorial on how to install Windows 7 the best way?

Installing is quite simple, there aren't many choices. Once you get it installed, you will need drivers for any hardware which isn't working, and your video card (which I find is best to keep updated directly from ATI or Nvidia).

I'm also curious about which version of MS Office I should go for, after using OpenOffice.org for the past year, MS Office is quite new to me.

Probably 2010. Use whatever version has the most features. That's what I would do if I had Technet at home.

 

[McDougal]

Sorry for the misunderstanding....I do understand what TechNet is for. Now granted I did buy it to get Windows 7 + Office cheaper for the family, but I understand that its meant for testing purposes. I will not sell the information at all, or even let other friends/relatives use it. If I understand correctly, MS doesn't care if home users subscribe, all they care about is if you don't sell their information, right? If so, then I don't see any reason why I shouldn't have bought it.

 

[GEWB]

Now all I need to figure out is how to backup outlook stuff. The e-mails aren't really important, since they're already on gmail. Its all the extra folders and organization that's important. Is there a way to backup that stuff? And I still need to backup all the iPod stuff too .....

Your Outlook stuff is in a PST file - one PST file for each user. You can also have separate PST files for specific reasons. For my work, I have about 10 separate PST files based on the category of emails.

Close Outlook and copy that PST file where you wish. (Note: Outlook PST file can become unstable when it exceeds 2GB.)

As to your iPod stuff, be careful - purchased music is a "problem" so follow directions to the letter! (Google is your friend.)

Regards,
GEWB

 

[DeaconFrost]

I'm not pointing the finger directly at you. If Microsoft lets just anyone purchase it, then so be it. Using it at home for family is far less "wrong" than selling the extra keys on eBay. My thinking falls in line with most of the IT crowd, where we aren't happy that our total number of keys have been cut in half due to the misuse. What I see happening in the future is that we'll have to provide eligibility verification in order to subscribe, just like such sites as TechSoup need to verify my company's non-profit status each year.

The only tutorial you need to install Windows 7 is the guide here to make a bootable flash drive to install from. The rest is just answering simple questions. One tip I always give, is to never enter your key in during the install. No need to burn an activation until you know the system is up and running. If it is your first time using Windows 7, definitely don't use the key during the install. This gives you at least 30 days to play around with the system and break it, without activation.

 

[pparks1]

McDougal...Like I said, what you are doing is likely just fine and dandy. All Microsoft cares about is that they sold something to you and you didn't pirate it. However, some will interpret the program as only for testing by IT professionals and thus not intended for home use. These people would not feel comfortable buying Technet rather than buying a retail license for their Microsoft software.

Personally, I think that the retail prices are ludicrous considering the sheer amount of stuff you get with a lower priced subscription to Technet. I think that technet should cost a minimum of $1,000 for what you get. Either that, or copies of Windows should be like $29.95 at retail.

Microsoft clearly knows that "non IT professionals" are using Technet software. And they don't make any "real" effort to screen out normal retail users from purchasing it. This alone says to me, that using it for home use is likely just fine. But don't sell your keys, give to friends, etc. If they want in on the action, they should buy their own copy...it's dirt cheap.

Note: I do feel that if you use "technet" software on your personal computers, you should maintain the subscription year after year. I know many technet subscribers don't agree with me on that point....but considering the super low price, it seems reasonable to me. But hey, it's just my opinion.

 

[McDougal]

Now all I need to figure out is how to backup outlook stuff. The e-mails aren't really important, since they're already on gmail. Its all the extra folders and organization that's important. Is there a way to backup that stuff? And I still need to backup all the iPod stuff too .....

Your Outlook stuff is in a PST file - one PST file for each user. You can also have separate PST files for specific reasons. For my work, I have about 10 separate PST files based on the category of emails.

Close Outlook and copy that PST file where you wish. (Note: Outlook PST file can become unstable when it exceeds 2GB.)

As to your iPod stuff, be careful - purchased music is a "problem" so follow directions to the letter! (Google is your friend.)

Regards,
GEWB

Okay thanks, I thought I heard something about PST files....so I just backup those and I'm all set? I also think I just found something on the iPod stuff.....

I'm not pointing the finger directly at you. If Microsoft lets just anyone purchase it, then so be it. Using it at home for family is far less "wrong" than selling the extra keys on eBay. My thinking falls in line with most of the IT crowd, where we aren't happy that our total number of keys have been cut in half due to the misuse. What I see happening in the future is that we'll have to provide eligibility verification in order to subscribe, just like such sites as TechSoup need to verify my company's non-profit status each year.

The only tutorial you need to install Windows 7 is the guide here to make a bootable flash drive to install from. The rest is just answering simple questions. One tip I always give, is to never enter your key in during the install. No need to burn an activation until you know the system is up and running. If it is your first time using Windows 7, definitely don't use the key during the install. This gives you at least 30 days to play around with the system and break it, without activation.

No problem, that definitely makes sense, I'll try my best to remember to not activate right away....maybe I'll even print out the tutorial lol.....

McDougal...Like I said, what you are doing is likely just fine and dandy. All Microsoft cares about is that they sold something to you and you didn't pirate it. However, some will interpret the program as only for testing by IT professionals and thus not intended for home use. These people would not feel comfortable buying Technet rather than buying a retail license for their Microsoft software.

Personally, I think that the retail prices are ludicrous considering the sheer amount of stuff you get with a lower priced subscription to Technet. I think that technet should cost a minimum of $1,000 for what you get. Either that, or copies of Windows should be like $29.95 at retail.

Microsoft clearly knows that "non IT professionals" are using Technet software. And they don't make any "real" effort to screen out normal retail users from purchasing it. This alone says to me, that using it for home use is likely just fine. But don't sell your keys, give to friends, etc. If they want in on the action, they should buy their own copy...it's dirt cheap.

Note: I do feel that if you use "technet" software on your personal computers, you should maintain the subscription year after year. I know many technet subscribers don't agree with me on that point....but considering the super low price, it seems reasonable to me. But hey, it's just my opinion.

I agree, the subscription is surprisingly cheap, considering all you get, retail (especially office) price seems like a rip-off. I may re-subscribe after a year, depending on how good Windows 8 is, this was a pretty big chunk of money for me.

 

[McDougal]

Still can't install anything yet ......its very complicated. After I received a e-mail receipt, I also received an "Order Pending Processing" email. Then I found out that my credit card company's fraud department identified the purchase as "highly suspicious", and it was discharged. Now I have to wait for MS to reply and help me out, because the credit card company refuses to do anything without MS's input.

*sigh*.......

Good news....I finally got everything except outlook files backed up using SyncToy ! Still a little confused about the PST files, where do I find them?

 

[DeaconFrost]

You can usually find them by searching for *.pst or if you go into Outlook, to your Account properties, there should be a tab for data file with a path.

 

[McDougal]

okay, so i finally got my subscription working and now have windows 7 ultimate 64-bit along with office professional plus 2010 installed on my laptop . however, just for fun, i thought about dual-booting windows xp, except there's one problem. i need sata drivers, i plan on integrating them, but i can't find the correct drivers. my drive is a Hitachi HTS545025B9A300 if this helps at all, the hitachi site isn't useful (already checked, neither is the asus site), is there another way to find these drivers?