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Thread ID: 136167	2014-01-28 19:02:00	Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7 - what to know?	Renmoo (66)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1366278	2014-01-28 19:02:00	Hi all, As some of you know, I work at a pharmacy. My boss is looking into upgrading the work computers from Windows XP to Windows 7. The computer guy is coming over tomorrow morning to have a chat with my boss about the minimum requirement etc. I have been tasked to compile a list of questions that he should ask the computer guy when he is here. Here's what I have got so far: 1) $$$ 2) Timeframe 3) Offsite/Onsite upgrade? ... Any other thoughts? Cheers :)	Renmoo (66)
1366279	2014-01-28 19:14:00	How about what are the specs of the existing computer. Will it be good enough for Win7? How old is the current PC? Is there more than one pc and if so will the one installation of W7 apply to all PCs? Will they be networked? Will the system be 32 or 64 bit. Is the present memory sufficient? Are the Hard drives big enough?	Bryan (147)
1366280	2014-01-28 19:21:00	Test the software you are using, to ensure it will run on Win7. Are drivers available for all your peripherals in Win7?	KarameaDave (15222)
1366281	2014-01-28 19:32:00	Clean install or upgrade over the top? If clean install, how are your files being backed up? Do you have the install files & registration keys for all your apps? Personally, I'd never install Windows over the top of another installation - always clean install.	autechre (266)
1366282	2014-01-28 19:35:00	Is there more than one pc and if so will the one installation of W7 apply to all PCs? Along those lines, its not a question, but some info -- You will need separate licences for each PC, unless you use a volume licence but you cant just go buy them from shops, Make sure you get the Licences as well (COA's), Example: 6 PC's = 6 Licences . Back up ALL data before hand . If they are all the same exact model and make of PC you could do a image of one ( W7) and drop that image back onto the others ( save several hours of installing one at a time), then change the product key on each . This of course depends on how many computers, if its only 2-3 generally may not be worth it to image . Last lot I did was 5 at once, all the exact same hardware same Version of OS, same programs ( volume licencing so it helped) :) chat with my boss about the minimum requirement Any one who knows what they are doing would have already know to check the specs and advise if anything needs upgrading hardware wise . You would have to be a real cowboy to just barge ahead without checking first . You wouldn't want "minimum requirement" that W7 has, they would run like a car with four flat tires and the handbrake on :yuck:	wainuitech (129)
1366283	2014-01-28 19:39:00	W7 is agnostic, it doesn't matter if the PCs are different or not...I would be asking the boss how old the PCs are and if older than 3, just buy new ones with W7 already installed. Any technician will be charging you 2 hours per PC, plus licence, you might as well get new ones.	SolMiester (139)
1366284	2014-01-28 20:01:00	W7 is agnostic, it doesn't matter if the PCs are different or not.... Wanna bet :) I have several here, that if you attach the wrong HDD they simply blue screen, the hardware is to different. If the hardware is close then yeah no problems, but not always the case. If you sysprep them first it works a treat. Agree, sometimes a New PC works out cheaper than upgrading, its still the same old hardware, and they can ( and do ) fail at any time.	wainuitech (129)
1366285	2014-01-28 20:31:00	Well if they are running Windows XP chances are they are 5 years old or more, so I would also be looking at new units with Windows 7 already installed. As SolMiester said you would be looking at a couple of hours for each PC, to do a full backup then install Windows 7, configure the hardware then restore the data and reconfigure any external devices. Plus a license for Windows 7 for an existing PC is more expensive than buying it pre-installed with a new computer.	CYaBro (73)
1366286	2014-01-28 21:17:00	. . . I would be asking the boss how old the PCs are and if older than 3, just buy new ones with W7 already installed . +1 Just replace them, they will be due for retirement Also , you need to ensure all software you run WILL run on Win7, & find out if that software will run 64bit Same for all hardware, printers etc Also ask about AV, versions of MS Office you have etc etc	1101 (13337)
1366287	2014-01-28 21:23:00	Wanna bet :) I have several here, that if you attach the wrong HDD they simply blue screen, the hardware is to different. If the hardware is close then yeah no problems, but not always the case. If you sysprep them first it works a treat. Agree, sometimes a New PC works out cheaper than upgrading, its still the same old hardware, and they can ( and do ) fail at any time. Any image should always be system prep'd first anyway so each PC gets its own SID, so yes, it is agnostic WT	SolMiester (139)
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