XP user needs help

[Photon713]

Good Afternoon, all...first post
I am presently using Windows XP SP3 and the OS needs help. I am considering upgrading to Windows 7. I am totally unfamiliar with Windows 7, but, need to be able to salvage all of my XP data and programs. My XP system was an upgrade from Windows 98, so don't have a boot disk to clean up XP. I need advice as to whether I should consider a dual boot system with Windows 7 and XP or Windows 7 with XP option? It is imperative that I be able to continue to run my existing software as I am using a number of licensed (and paid for) packages that either no longer exist or have been upgraded to higher levels.

I am a retired software developer in the Unix world. I design and produce professional pitching horseshoes and use MOI for the design and 3D printing.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Regards

 

[seavixen32]

Welcome to Windows Seven Forums.

Please have a look at this tutorial, which explains how to dual boot Windows XP and Windows 7.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8057-dual-boot-installation-windows-7-xp.html

Before you go down this road, you first need to establish whether your computer will run Windows 7, so I advise you download and run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor first.

Download: Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details

If your computer won't run Windows 7 you may need to buy one that has Windows 7 installed. You could then use Virtual PC and XP Mode providing you have Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate.

Download Windows XP Mode

 

[Photon713]

Thank You, seavixen32...

My current desktop was built in 2001 running Windows 98. I upgraded it to Windows XP several years ago, so, I'm sure it will not handle Windows 7. I would like to be able to install the XP hard drive in a new Windows 7 desktop. The XP OS is faulty, but, functional. So, I need guidance as to whether all of my licensed software will function properly if being used under the Windows 7 Virtual XP or trying to continue to use the XP software as a dual boot system with the XP hard drive installed on the Windows 7 desktop. Suggestions would be appreciated. I guess I need to know if I can find a choice that will eliminate the need to purchase new licenses (if they exist). At least one company is out of business.

 

[seavixen32]

Providing you have the discs to install your legacy software then they will install and run under XP Mode, albeit with a performance hit depending on how much RAM you allocate to the virtual machine.

By all means run the Windows Upgrade Advisor, but I don't think a 10-year-old computer is going to run Windows 7.

You say your Windows XP operating system is faulty, so if you decided to buy a Windows 7 computer you can always beg, steal or borrow a Windows XP disc and install it using the product key you already have.

From a personal viewpoint, and in view of your production needs, I think your best bet is to dual boot boot rather than virtualize.

However, only you can decide whether the extra expense is justified.

 

[AddRAM]

What do you mean by "Needs Help" ?

 

[Photon713]

Good Evening, AddRAM...

I need help trying to decide the best course of action. I need a solution that will salvage what I currently have installed on my XP desktop. I do not have a boot disk for XP as it was an upgrade to my Windows 98 original OS. It was upgraded from 98 to XP and was not a full implementation. I purchased Windows Vista and tried to install it, but, would not properly install. It did, however, manage to destroy the index sector on an external hard drive that contained all of my backups. So, Microsoft reinstalled XP over the internet. I paid a service to recover all that was on the external disk. So, in a nutshell I do not have an XP boot disk. As I see it, I have two choices, purchase a new system with Windows 7 with Virtual XP or try to use a dual boot implementation and salvage all that I can. The main problem is that I am running older versions of software that licenses were purchased for that are CAD/CAM and 3D nurbs products as well as old genealogy software. So, if you were in this situation, which option would you choose and why? I have been running some of this software for 10 years. Thanks

 

[seavixen32]

In all honesty, I think the dual-boot scenario on a new computer will be best.

As I mentioned before, you have a Windows XP product key so you could use that if you have access to a Windows XP DVD that is the same version as your current system.

I remain convinced that this method will be preferable to using XP Mode on a virtual PC - if only from a performance standpoint.

 

[AddRAM]

Could you elaborate more on , The XP OS is faulty, but, functional. ( do you mean slow )
I agree with Seavixen as there is only so much you can do with a virtual machine. For example, you can not use the full extent of your video card or cards. At least in the dozen or so VMs I have installed on different systems.

 

[Photon713]

Good Evening, AddRAM...

No, not a slow machine. I keep bumping into little XP problems. Everytime I need to install programs I must run msiexec /unregister and msiexec /regserver. Another, my camera and scanner hardware entries don't show in the Control Panel under "Cameras and Scanners". Another, I cannot run Windows XP options to implement a network for sharing printers and files. For some reason, Plug and Play and Autorun do not work. I've been able to work around some of these issues, but, really was looking forward to networking my laptop with my desktop. However, the setup programs are not functioning. It is obvious that something has corrupted the OS and since I don't have a Boot disk for XP, I can't reboot the system. So, I've decided it's time to go to a more current OS and Windows 7 seems to be the best choice. However, it's the licensing of prior packages that concerns me most. A number of my graphics packages were turned on by the creator after a 30 day evaluation period and the companies have long since failed or gone to later releases. Basically, I am trying to salvage as much as possible through a knowledgeable implementation of Windows 7. Hope that better explains my situation... Based on recommendations I will look into the process of installing a dual boot system. I wanted to see what the recommendations were here before I discussed a new machine with Windows 7 and the proper approach to salvage what I could...Thanks for everyones help...Best Regards

 

[seavixen32]

You're very welcome.

Please do keep us informed of your progress and if you need further help, don't hesitate to ask.

 

[gregrocker]

You'll likely need to run an XP Repair Install to move it's HD to another machine. This could solve your performance problems at the same time. You can use an retail Upgrade version XP disk found on the internet to do this.

I'd back up a System image and your files first, so you can start over if it fails. If you have any WD or Seagate HD in the mix there, you can use their free premium Acronis imaging/cloning suite. Otherwise I'd use Macrium - Image your syste.

Unplug the Win7 HD if/when you swap the XP HD in to try to start it or then Repair Install it.

I would run the Win7 Upgrade advisor as suggested on your existing machine to see if it might run Win7. I run it on several 10 year old PC's and it runs as fast or faster than new ones. It's all about getting a perfect install: Clean Install Windows 7.

 

[Photon713]

Thank You, gregrocker...

I'm presently getting quotes for a dual boot system from my local repair shop. They are indicating I can't place my old XP hard drive in another Windows 7 machine, but, I don't think they are correct. I'll shop around here in the Balt/Wash area for a shop that's a bit more knowledgeable. Frankly, I think it's a new concept they are not familiar with. They're pushing Lenovo desktops. I back up my C drive on a WD external once or twice weekly. Thank you for your response. Regards

 

[DeaconFrost]

I would also recommend a new computer, because something that was around 11 years ago, even if it had been upgraded somewhat, probably isn't going to give you the true Windows 7 experience.

On that note, how sure are you that your programs don't work with Windows 7? You could run the Upgrade Advisor, but that is far fromthe final word. I would research each one directly and individually. I despise dual boot systems, and would much rather virtualize, if another OS is needed....and "if" is the key word.

 

[AddRAM]

He needs to keep all is programs and data that is on the XP drive. You stated you do not have the install disc etc. as they were installed by someone else, correct ?