Video: A demo of XP Mode in Windows 7

TechRepublic ^ | October 16th, 2009 | Mark Kaelin

[discostu]

I’m sure money plays into it. We know it’s not technical because 2008R2 (Windows 7 server) CAN upgrade from 2003 (XP server). They simply chose not to, for internal reason which I’m sure seem perfectly valid from Redmond, but from down here in Tucson it’s exactly the kind of short sightedness I get paid to rail against.

[bcsco]

Per some version comparison charts, the XP Mode is NOT available in the Home edition of Win7.

Well, that's an interesting point. So Microsoft will ignore the needs of all those home XP users who can't/won't upgrade their software? Sheesh.

Thanks for the info.

[ErnBatavia]

Thank you....going there soon to continue my education!

[papasmurf]

Actually, you can upgrade XP to Win 7. I posted a “how to” a few months ago. If you’d like I can find it, and repost, or pm it to you and you can post it.

You can also upgrade Win 7 beta and RC almost the same way.

[discostu]

Unless they want to go to Ultimate, which is basically Pro for home. Good old MS. I was starting to worry, so much good news coming about 7, maybe MS was turning into a pleasant company to deal with.

[papasmurf]

They didn’t put it into Win 7, it’s an additional installed item.

Your idea to use an existing XP install is great. In most VM’s (virtual machines, which is what XP mode uses) you can do that, it’s called raw partition access, and let’s you use an existing install. But, like you said, though, it’s too bad MS didn’t.

[Defiant]

I've been running XP mode in Win 7 for a few months, ever since the RC beta version came out. It works really well. I would run it more, except there are very few applications that I need to run XP mode with--Win 7 runs great with just about everything.

If you know someone with an .edu email address, you can get Win 7 Professional for $30.

[Defiant]

Please repost how to upgrade XP and Win 7 RC, unless you are referring to a clean install (what MS calls a “Custom” install). I have done “clean installs” on two machines, and have a few more to do. It will be a lot easier if I can do an “in place” upgrade.

[bcsco]

I posted a “how to” a few months ago. If you’d like I can find it, and repost,

That would be appreciated. Also, does it include the ability in Windows 7 Home edition?

[papasmurf]

I really don’t know. I have only done it with the RC (Build 7100), which is Ultimate.

[bcsco]

An earlier poster mentioned that XP mode wasn’t available in Home Edition. That’s what made me wonder whether a path to upgrade would also exist.

[chris_bdba]

Mine is a little older but does run by direct link via usb. I can either save to memory or save to the PCMCIA card. Does she like her netbook because I was thinking that it would be nice to have one of those because of the XP and if I drop it it is only a $400 loss and not thousands!

[N. Theknow]

Can't wait to get rid of this Windows Vista 64 bit piece of crap on my machine.

Started work at 7 this morning and got the "Grey Screen of Death" with its Startup Repair program.

Every damn time an upgrade for ANY program calls for a restart this stupid crap pops up and disables my machine for 30-60 minutes, but not today. Not when I need to work from the get-go. No sir!

Today was a two hour FUBAR waiting for that crap to figure out it was an OS and not a permanent screensaver.

[bcsco]

She's only had it a little over a week, but so far, so good. She hasn't been a 'computer' person at all. The day it arrived was her day off. When I told her it would take some time to get it set up with Internet protection and recognized by our router she said "whatever". Not much excitement there...

But, I also mentioned that she could watch the previous night's NCIS episode online by going to the CBS website. After dinner, she sat down in her chair, booted up CBS, and spent an enjoyable hour watching the show. She then checked her email and remarked "Hey, this is fun".

I bought it because she's moved to a much larger store which she manages (a craft/fabric chain...), and thought she'd need the help of her own PC. I installed OpenOffice, and the conduits to an old Palm Tungsten E2 I gave her for her schedules and such. Now, she's getting into 'computing'.

Forget the $400 price tag. This is a Dell Mini Notebook and sells for $299. I bought it without any add-ons at all. It doesn't have a CD/DVD drive but that's nothing she needs. I have a USB backup drive so all the original CD software can be stored there. I make backups to a USB flash drive.

[bcsco]

I had an acquaintance ask my advice on buying a new laptop to link up with an old tower they had (I did the network setup for them). I advised them to buy one that still had XP installed; not Vista (This was shortly after Vista came out and the horror stories were just beginning). What did they do, they went to Best Buy and bought a Vista laptop because it looked like such a good deal.

Uh, huh. He’s still complaining about problems he’s having. I just kind of smile...

[papasmurf]

For upgrading XP to Windows 7... Here's the link to Laplink, which will migrate your XP to Win7, files, installed apps, and settings...everything.



Available by download here for $ 19.95 (Limited Time Pricing).

Remember, if you have a legal copy of XP, you can buy an Windows 7 Upgrade at a reduced price from the full version.

BTW, you do know that you can do a straight upgrade XP to Vista, and then upgrade Vista to Win 7 also, don't you?

I have the instructions to upgrade the beta or RC to OEM somewhere. I think I might have left the file on another pc, so, I'll have to find them again.

[papasmurf]

HOW TO UPGRADE WINDOWS 7 BETA OR RC TO WINDOWS 7 RTM (RETAIL VERSION)

The final version of Windows 7 was released yesterday for MS Technet subscribers, but you can’t upgrade directly from a pre-release version—at least, not without a quick and easy workaround, and we’ve got you covered.

The Problem

Windows 7 checks whether or not the current version you are running is a pre-release copy, and prevents you from upgrading further. For reference purposes, this is the error you’ll see when you try and upgrade.

The Solution

The solution is to edit a file inside the Windows 7 DVD—which you’ll have to extract to the hard drive to proceed.

• If you are using an ISO image for the installation progress, you can use the awesome 7-Zip utility to extract the ISO to a folder on the drive.
• If you are using an actual DVD, you can simply copy all of the files from the DVD to a folder on your hard drive.

Once you’ve extract the files, browse down into the “sources” folder to find the cversion.ini file.

Once you’ve opened up the cversion.ini file, you’ll notice that the MinClient line has a value of 7233.0, and since the Windows 7 RC release is build 7100, you can understand why it’s not working.

All you need to do is change the MinClient value to something less than the current build you are using. For the RC release, you can change it to 7000.

 

Now you can simply launch the setup.exe file from within the folder, and do the upgrade directly from the hard drive. Once you’ve started the setup, click Install now.

Once you get to the type of installation screen, choose to Upgrade the existing install.

Once you reach the Compatibility Report screen (if it doesn’t show up at all, be happy about it), you’ll see the list of applications that probably won’t work once you upgrade. Realistically most of these apps will work just fine, but the important thing is that you’ll be able to upgrade.

Note: You could always smooth the upgrade process by removing any apps that have compatibility problems, before you do the upgrade.

At this point, the upgrade should start working, and will take a rather long time.

 

Important Notes

There are a few important things to keep in mind when you are upgrading to the final version:

• The Windows 7 beta or RC releases were Ultimate edition, so you’ll only be able to upgrade to the RTM (final) if you are installing Ultimate Edition.
• Whenever possible, you should really backup your files and do a clean install. There are less headaches this way, and you get the benefit of a nice clean profile.

Happy upgrading!

originally from HowToGeek.com

[bcsco]

Thanks, papasmurf, that’s good stuff!

[papasmurf]

You’re welcome.

NOTE: The actual name of the XP to 7 product is PC Mover UPGRADE ASSISTANT. PC Mover itself, is an entirely different product.

My bad. ;(

[Defiant]

I know about the upgrade to vista then 7 path. I was hoping to avoid that.

I have a Windows 7 Ultimate Steve Ballmer autographed copy that I got about a week ago, for doing one of those lame Launch Parties. I was running the beta for the past 6 months. I also have Leopard running on the same machine. I ordered a copy of Win 7 Pro a few months back, and downloaded it last night. So I have two licenses to use.

Thanks for the link, I will check it out. I used Laplink around 1991, if I recall correctly. I think it cost like $150 back then, and let you use a 14 baud modem to transfer files over the phone or by direct connections. I'm amazed they are still around.