I have an 8 year old Dell XPS computer with XP on it. Now that I am seeing the end of the road for XP, I have been thinking about my options. This computer, when it was purchased, was a very high end computer that listed for almost $3000. I know that I could buy a new Dell with Windows 8 or Windows 7. I have already helped a friend change from and old XP computer to a new one with Windows 8. I am pretty sure I don't want Windows 8. It might be great on a touch screen computer, but on a computer with a mouse and keyboard it's a piece of crap. I could buy a new Dell with Windows 7. This is not a bad option except I just hate to buy a new computer with one generation old operating system. That brings me to a third option, upgrade the Dell that I have. So far, I have installed and run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. The result from that look pretty good. I have taking the Advisor print out to a local computer repair store and was told the computer would probably do OK with the upgrade. I would have to install some new drivers, reinstall most all of my software, and maybe buy a newer version of some software. It is also possible that there might have to be a hardware upgrade to the video card.Has anyone done an upgrade to Windows 7? If so, how did it go? What problems? How did the system perform after the upgrade? Did you have to buy any new software because the old version wouldn't run on 7? Did you have to install any new hardware?

Upgrading to Windows 7 is certainly an option...but, an 8 year old computer is probably getting close to end of life..with a major hard drive crash around the corner.It's hard to pay $3000 today for a brand new computer unless you are building a very high end gaming system.I'd start fresh.

I bought a new laptop loaded with Window 7. Some of my programs would not run on it, that I used on the XP. I was using a older version on Quicken had to replace with newer version. I have all my electrical wiring diagrams and other drawing for the MH on AutoCAD LT. It will not run on 7. I was lucky that I still have another XP computer to run my AutoCAD. Check you programs and data files to make sure they will work on Windows 7.

Win 7 does not have the drivers for certain hardware and you cannot get the drivers.That is a problem.Specifically, in my case, my portable sheetfed scanner won't work and the manufacturer did not upgrade the drivers for Win7.So I had to buy a new scanner.That there is the problem with using obsolete hardware.

I had to discard my XP computer because of motherboard issues otherwise I would still be using it. I have one with ME, 3 with vista and 1 with 7.You don't say why you need to do an upgrade, only that you can. What's the point of your change? Even though Microsoft says they are not going to support XP soon, the system you have working now will still work tomorrow and then some. Everything that works on 7 works on XP. I wouldn't bother with a change.

rctour wrote:I had to discard my XP computer because of motherboard issues otherwise I would still be using it. I have one with ME, 3 with vista and 1 with 7.You don't say why you need to do an upgrade, only that you can. What's the point of your change? Even though Microsoft says they are not going to support XP soon, the system you have working now will still work tomorrow and then some. Everything that works on 7 works on XP. I wouldn't bother with a change.I'm already having problems. My worst problem was earlier this year installing a new version of Norton Internet Security. That took me 2-3 weeks and 6-8 reinstalls to get it to work OK. Currently, my Windows Explorer version 8 is giving me problems and can't be upgraded on XP. I have installed Chrome. It work good for now. Yes, I think I could push XP another year or more but I think problems with XP will just get worse.I would like to do something before the oxen gets completely in the ditch. I also have Microsoft Outlook version 2007. I have been having problems with it because of it running on XP.

Upgrade Windows XP to Windows 7? | Good Sam Community

56 Replies

Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Sep 10, 2013
What would it cost to update to Win7 (a full operating system behind) and what would you lose by buying new? Unless you have done major updates over the years to your existing computer, you have little memory and small drives compared to today's power houses. For not a lot of money you could update to Win7 (still available), more memory, more storage, better resolution monitors and speedier accessory ports. Sounds like a win, win.
Like2Travel
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
rctour wrote:
I had to discard my XP computer because of motherboard issues otherwise I would still be using it. I have one with ME, 3 with vista and 1 with 7.

You don't say why you need to do an upgrade, only that you can. What's the point of your change? Even though Microsoft says they are not going to support XP soon, the system you have working now will still work tomorrow and then some. Everything that works on 7 works on XP. I wouldn't bother with a change.

I'm already having problems. My worst problem was earlier this year installing a new version of Norton Internet Security. That took me 2-3 weeks and 6-8 reinstalls to get it to work OK. Currently, my Windows Explorer version 8 is giving me problems and can't be upgraded on XP. I have installed Chrome. It work good for now. Yes, I think I could push XP another year or more but I think problems with XP will just get worse.I would like to do something before the oxen gets completely in the ditch. I also have Microsoft Outlook version 2007. I have been having problems with it because of it running on XP.
rctour
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
I had to discard my XP computer because of motherboard issues otherwise I would still be using it. I have one with ME, 3 with vista and 1 with 7.

You don't say why you need to do an upgrade, only that you can. What's the point of your change? Even though Microsoft says they are not going to support XP soon, the system you have working now will still work tomorrow and then some. Everything that works on 7 works on XP. I wouldn't bother with a change.
bighatnohorse
Explorer II
Sep 10, 2013
Win 7 does not have the drivers for certain hardware and you cannot get the drivers.
That is a problem.

Specifically, in my case, my portable sheetfed scanner won't work and the manufacturer did not upgrade the drivers for Win7.
So I had to buy a new scanner.

That there is the problem with using obsolete hardware.
CT_WANDERER
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
I bought a new laptop loaded with Window 7. Some of my programs would not run on it, that I used on the XP. I was using a older version on Quicken had to replace with newer version. I have all my electrical wiring diagrams and other drawing for the MH on AutoCAD LT. It will not run on 7. I was lucky that I still have another XP computer to run my AutoCAD. Check you programs and data files to make sure they will work on Windows 7.
downtheroad
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
Upgrading to Windows 7 is certainly an option...but, an 8 year old computer is probably getting close to end of life..with a major hard drive crash around the corner.

It's hard to pay $3000 today for a brand new computer unless you are building a very high end gaming system.
I'd start fresh.

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Upgrade Windows XP to Windows 7?

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