Microsoft Windows 7

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

My son started using it 3 weeks ago. Because he goes to a Computer engineering School they get it 3 months before the release. He Said it is the best OS that Microsoft has come up with. He showed me some features it has and it is nothing like the old windows, It is not a memory hug like the old.

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

When I bought my laptop, I got the certificate to be able to get it free. I haven't heard much about it other than 'it is what Vista was supposed to be'. If it is really a better working system, I guess I will download it when it is released.

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

Call me skeptical.....plus I really hate that OS get obsolete and require more $$$$ to keep up....I have Vista, am not totally unhappy, but I think in general am just sick of the whole computer thing.

[bnoble Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bnoble]

The students I have who got beta releases love it.

You don't have to upgrade---only if you think the benefits outweigh the costs. Your machine will probably die a horrible death before the OS it is running is truly "obsolete". In general, I *never* upgrade an operating system---I only buy new machines every so often. About half of my machines are still running XP, but those are getting to be due for a replacement.

[T. R. Oglodyte Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close T. R. Oglodyte]

Call me skeptical.....plus I really hate that OS get obsolete and require more $$$$ to keep up....I have Vista, am not totally unhappy, but I think in general am just sick of the whole computer thing.

Upgrading OS on an existing is usually a bad idea. Each new version of the OS is designed to take advantage of advances in processor capabilities, and when you install that new OS on a machine with an old processor the system often slows to a crawl and becomes unstable.

I've upgraded like that only once (went to XP), when there were specific features of the new OS that I needed to have, and the upgraded machine was not used frequently. I've since converted that machine to a general household machine, and the rest of the family members find that machine difficult to use because it is so slow.

[riverdees05 Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close riverdees05]

We purchased a new computer back in August - tax free day - and get a free upgrade to 7, so just waiting.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

I've still got 3 computers that work and I WOULD LIKE TO UPGRADE To 7, but don't see a rush and a system upgrade is not something I want to do. Next desktop has to be triple or quad core with windows 7----and on sale.

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

I will convert may main laptop to 7. The desktop will likely stay Vista, and by old laptop will stay XP so I can run some of my old programs.

I am sure the DW desktop will stay XP because if she tries to do anything to it, I will have to spend an evening fixing it.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

Depending on how much is stored on the computer, Gizmodo says an upgrade to windows 7 can take as little as 30 minutes or as much as 21 hours.

[SteveChapin Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close SteveChapin]

Upgrading OS on an existing is usually a bad idea. Each new version of the OS is designed to take advantage of advances in processor capabilities, and when you install that new OS on a machine with an old processor the system often slows to a crawl and becomes unstable.

While I agree in general, in this case, Windows 7 is more efficient than Vista. MS got a lot of flack about what a resource pig Vista was, and spent a lot of time and effort tuning Windows 7 to be better. So, if you're considering a Vista->Win7 upgrade, your machine will probably be more responsive in the end, not less.

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[SteveChapin Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close SteveChapin]

You don't have to upgrade---only if you think the benefits outweigh the costs. Your machine will probably die a horrible death before the OS it is running is truly "obsolete". In general, I *never* upgrade an operating system---I only buy new machines every so often. About half of my machines are still running XP, but those are getting to be due for a replacement.

I agree; when my parents were looking for a new machine in the Spring, I told them to wait a few months until they could either get Windows 7 or get a free upgrade coupon with the purchase of a Vista machine. The only upgrade scenario I can visualize being worth it is if you have a newish low-end machine that's struggling under Vista but that could run faster under Windows 7. Even then, economic considerations might suggest buying a new PC.

Windows 7 includes "XP Mode," which is a specialized combo of Virtual PC and XP SP3 for those of you who have legacy XP apps that just won't run on Windows 7.

I'm sure Brian and I are both distinguishing upgrading from keeping machines up-to-date with security patches. Anyone running XP should be running SP3 by now, with the latest patches.

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[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Unfortunately I had a very big need and had to quickly replace my laptop back in April. Not only did I have to go with Vista as I had no time for the downgrade to XP I had to go the consumer route as well.

The new Inspirion 15 died and went back to Dell once already this summer.....at about 3 months of age.

I'm wondering, as I don't have very much running on it as of yet, if it would be worth my while to change out the OS. I really hate Vista.

Is Windows 7 more like the old XP platform? Can I use MS Office Suite for XP with 7?

and can someone please tell me how to desensitize the cursor it is causing me horrible issues.

[T. R. Oglodyte Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close T. R. Oglodyte]

and can someone please tell me how to desensitize the cursor it is causing me horrible issues.

What do you mean by "desensitize"? Do you mean that it moves too quickly? That it clicks too easily? Registers double-clicks to easily?

Have you checked the mouse settings in your Control Panel?

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

What do you mean by "desensitize"? Do you mean that it moves too quickly? That it clicks too easily? Registers double-clicks to easily?

Have you checked the mouse settings in your Control Panel?

I have to be very careful about where I set the cursor when I'm typing or next thing I know I'm typing in the middle of my message or have sent an e-mail without finishing. Doesn't matter if I'm using a mouse or the touchpad.

It also changes dates and times on me. Although I have Eastern time in my settings.

No I haven't but I will now....

[T. R. Oglodyte Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close T. R. Oglodyte]

I have to be very careful about where I set the cursor when I'm typing or next thing I know I'm typing in the middle of my message or have sent an e-mail without finishing. Doesn't matter if I'm using a mouse or the touchpad.

It also changes dates and times on me. Although I have Eastern time in my settings.

No I haven't but I will now....

I've had similar issues with a computer in the past - the problem was a sticky CTL key on the keyboard. For example, I would type an "s", and the computer reacted as if I had entered Ctl-S. Or I hit the escape key, the computer would go into hibernation.