DoubleClutcher wrote: ... One of the problems is that Vista (and I'm guessing Win 7) got rid of the XP's My Documents naming. While I don't miss that many programs have it hard coded. If you try to create a My Documents on a Vista machine it will do everything it can to stop you and if you are successful it hides it. ...
Maybe I'm missing something in your post or it may be that I don't remember how it used to be in XP but under Vista and now under Win 7 I have a "My Document" folder which was automatically created for each username -- C:\Users\username\My Documents
I goofed, I should have included the whole path.
XP is c:\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\
Vista is c:users\username\documents\
The problem is that the whole path is different. Does this fit?
One important thing that hasn't been covered about upgrading...
If you have a newer machine who's processor supports "virtualization", and you get Windows 7 Business or Ultimate, you have "XP mode" available to you.
Just about any old application that won't run on Windows 7, can be run in "XP mode" and it's virtually (pun intended) seamless. Runs just like it was running in Windows 7 directly.
And "XP mode" is not just a compatibility setting that you set in the shortcut, it REALLY IS running under Windows XP. It is a totally awesome feature of Windows 7 (it's a seperate download, not included with default installation).
Deus Ex Machina wrote: One important thing that hasn't been covered about upgrading...
If you have a newer machine who's processor supports "virtualization", and you get Windows 7 Business or Ultimate, you have "XP mode" available to you.
Just about any old application that won't run on Windows 7, can be run in "XP mode" and it's virtually (pun intended) seamless. Runs just like it was running in Windows 7 directly.
And "XP mode" is not just a compatibility setting that you set in the shortcut, it REALLY IS running under Windows XP. It is a totally awesome feature of Windows 7 (it's a seperate download, not included with default installation).
Not only that but XP mode INCLUDES a fully licensed copy of XP so you don't even need an XP install disk to install XP in the virtual machine.
This may not seem like a big deal to some but typically when you create a VM (Virtual Machine) which is what XP Mode is, you need to have a copy of the OS with a valid license key to install on that machine just as if it was a physical machine. Not only that but you are not restricted to having only an XP VM, you can create VMs to run Linux or other Windows versions such as Win 2000 or Vista (as long as you have the install disks and a valid license key).
VM software has been around for years but XP Mode is more tightly integrated into Win 7 to make it more seamless with better performance.
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DoubleClutcher wrote: ... One of the problems is that Vista (and I'm guessing Win 7) got rid of the XP's My Documents naming. While I don't miss that many programs have it hard coded. If you try to create a My Documents on a Vista machine it will do everything it can to stop you and if you are successful it hides it. ...
Maybe I'm missing something in your post or it may be that I don't remember how it used to be in XP but under Vista and now under Win 7 I have a "My Document" folder which was automatically created for each username -- C:\Users\username\My Documents
I goofed, I should have included the whole path.
XP is c:\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\
Vista is c:users\username\documents\
The problem is that the whole path is different. Does this fit?
Win 7 uses the same path as Vista however Win 7 throws in a new wrinkle called Libraries. In a "Picture" Library, for instance, you can place all your pictures but the cool thing is that they do not need to physically be in the same folder or even the same drive but will look and act as if they are. If you setup a Win 7 exclusive Homegroup network, the files can be on different folders on different machines scattered across your network. It's a powerful new feature of Win 7 that many aren't even aware of yet.
Deus Ex Machina wrote: One important thing that hasn't been covered about upgrading...
If you have a newer machine who's processor supports "virtualization", and you get Windows 7 Business or Ultimate, you have "XP mode" available to you.
Just about any old application that won't run on Windows 7, can be run in "XP mode" and it's virtually (pun intended) seamless. Runs just like it was running in Windows 7 directly.
And "XP mode" is not just a compatibility setting that you set in the shortcut, it REALLY IS running under Windows XP. It is a totally awesome feature of Windows 7 (it's a seperate download, not included with default installation).
Not only that but XP mode INCLUDES a fully licensed copy of XP so you don't even need an XP install disk to install XP in the virtual machine.
That helps. I bought the Professional Version hoping to do use it that way. My computer doesn't have the virtualization technology, but I don't mind either upgrading or building up a replacement. I've been trying to find information on what processors/bios supports it without much luck. Even new retail computers don't specify it.
Your info is different than what I had seen somewhere else about XP Mode including a licensed version of XP. That would be a lot better if I build a new system. I would still have this XP machine.
DoubleClutcher wrote: ... One of the problems is that Vista (and I'm guessing Win 7) got rid of the XP's My Documents naming. While I don't miss that many programs have it hard coded. If you try to create a My Documents on a Vista machine it will do everything it can to stop you and if you are successful it hides it. ...
Maybe I'm missing something in your post or it may be that I don't remember how it used to be in XP but under Vista and now under Win 7 I have a "My Document" folder which was automatically created for each username -- C:\Users\username\My Documents
I goofed, I should have included the whole path.
XP is c:\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\
Vista is c:users\username\documents\
The problem is that the whole path is different. Does this fit?
Win 7 uses the same path as Vista however Win 7 throws in a new wrinkle called Libraries. In a "Picture" Library, for instance, you can place all your pictures but the cool thing is that they do not need to physically be in the same folder or even the same drive but will look and act as if they are. If you setup a Win 7 exclusive Homegroup network, the files can be on different folders on different machines scattered across your network. It's a powerful new feature of Win 7 that many aren't even aware of yet.
The problem with Elements is that it won't let you change the folder structure one you have created it. So it would seem that using the Libraries would still be a problem, or am I missing something?
That helps. I bought the Professional Version hoping to do use it that way. My computer doesn't have the virtualization technology, but I don't mind either upgrading or building up a replacement. I've been trying to find information on what processors/bios supports it without much luck. Even new retail computers don't specify it.
Your info is different than what I had seen somewhere else about XP Mode including a licensed version of XP. That would be a lot better if I build a new system. I would still have this XP machine.
I can't help you with determining which processors/bios support virtualization from the mfr specs, maybe a call to the mfr to ask before you buy is in order. I think most current machines do support it, my 3 yr old machine with an Intel Dual Core processor supports it, as does my 2 yr old laptop with Intel Core 2 Duo processor.
Here's a link to a little utility that will tell you if a given machine supports it or not and whether it is enabled in the BIOS: Gibson Research Securable
I think a lot of "upgrade" confusion is the relationship between "licenses" and installations. You can "upgrade" an XP license to Vista or 7, but it doesn't mean you can install Vista or 7 overtop of XP and retain your installed programs etc. Also note that if you want to go from 32 bit to 64 bit, you must always do a clean install, (or dual boot etc.).
I also agree with previous post that a clean install is a good idea anyway. No better time to get rid of all the accumulated garbage.
Another note about "Upgrading" if you use an upgrade version of Win7, and you ever have to re-install Win7, you must install and activate your previous qualifying version first, and then re-install Win 7. It used to be that you merely had to enter the old license number for a re-install, but not now, must re-install and activate online your old OS first.
Me, the DW, 2 dogs and more.
1998 Overland Larado, 41', one slide, 325 Cummins, '02 Jeep Liberty Upgrades we've done: SMI-Air Force 1 towed brake system, replaced all 3 TVs with new hiDef LCDs, inst. Xantrex 2Kw Inverter, Prog. Ind. HW50 surge protector
MH4Two wrote: I think a lot of "upgrade" confusion is the relationship between "licenses" and installations. You can "upgrade" an XP license to Vista or 7, but it doesn't mean you can install Vista or 7 overtop of XP and retain your installed programs etc. Also note that if you want to go from 32 bit to 64 bit, you must always do a clean install, (or dual boot etc.).
I also agree with previous post that a clean install is a good idea anyway. No better time to get rid of all the accumulated garbage.
Another note about "Upgrading" if you use an upgrade version of Win7, and you ever have to re-install Win7, you must install and activate your previous qualifying version first, and then re-install Win 7. It used to be that you merely had to enter the old license number for a re-install, but not now, must re-install and activate online your old OS first.
I agree that getting rid of the garbage is a good idea, unless the "garbage" is stuff I need to support legacy equipment for my customers. If I could reach a point where I didn't need the old stuff, I would likely change to Linux and get out of all this licensing nuisance.
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