Plans to upgrade to Win 7 64-bit from 32-bit Win XP

I bought a full 64-bit capable machine a couple of years ago, and the
Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor Beta seems to say that I won't have too many
problems if I install the 64-bit Win 7. I say "seems to say" because
in some instances it suggests I check the manufacturers web-site.
Have any of you ever tried to find any kind of technical answer on the
HP web-site (for example)?

I originally bought a copy of Win V-Ultimate but it's still sitting on
my bookshelf in it's container, unopened, since I continued to see so
much associated problems, even after Service Packs were available. I
certainly hope Microsoft does a better job with Win 7. I'm a retired
IT type, so I always knew to wait until after at least SP1 to install
a new O/S release, but, as I say, with all the bashing in the
technical journals (mainly) I've so far stayed away from installing V-
Ult. Now, I'm glad I did because I see that V-Ult can only be
upgraded to 7-Ult - what a rip-off.

I have a few problems, however. I realize that to go from XP to 7
requires a complete re-load, and Microsoft says they're supplying a
file save/restore capability pre/post. Will it work if I move from my
XP to 7-64-bit?

Will Win 7-64-bit allow older 32-bit apps to run under it? Including
DOS-based apps? Is Microsoft Office available in 64-bit form? Will
those files be properly converted?

As you can see I think I'll probably still be continuing to run Win XP
for sometime to come. Any comments/suggestions? Can any Microsoft
technical types answer any of these questions ahead of time (marketing
types please do not respond)?

 

Hi,
No current releases of Office are 64-bit native.
The upcoming Office 2010 will have both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.
In the meantime you can run Office 2007 or 2003 (32-bit) on top of Windows 7
64-bit with no issues.
Older 32-bit applicactions will work in Windows 7 unless:
1.- They have 16-bit installers
2.- They require 32-bit drivers to work

So, most of your older apps should work

DOS applications are 16-bit so they won't run.
You will need some third party application like a Virtual Machine or the
small and freeware DOSBox (http://www.dosbox.com/) to create an environment
where you can run DOS apps.

Windows XP has in its Accessories an utility for transferring files and
settings to newer installations. I have never used it though many in this
forum have.

Best of luck and welcome to the 64-bit world!
Carlos

 

The Win7 forum:
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/category/w7itpro

 

All 64 bit operating system questions are welcome here in this
newsgroup. Including Windows 7.

 

Jerry,
General consensus (i.e.: this NG regulars) is to accept Win 7 x64 posts.

Carlos

 

Yup. Even the "regulars" who disappear for two weeks at a time.

(back now - was on vacation and had far worse connectivity than I expected,
so had to pass on NGs for a bit. I was going through serious withdrawal, but
should be able to recover now that I can get my fix again.)

 

Far worse connectivity. Something your wife must have enjoyed during vacations!

Carlos

 

Charlie:
Welcome back.

--
Dennis Pack
Win-7 RC

__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 4261 (20090720) __________

The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

http://www.eset.com

 

Heck no, she was trying to get online too. (I married a geek. Didn't know it
at the time, but turns out she's online more than I am!) But two of the
hotels had abominable wireless, and then her aunt's place was hopeless. So I
managed to read a few emails a day, but that was it. Gave up trying to read
the NGs.

But it's good to be back.

 

thanks. feels good to be home.

 

What you say may be true but I've found many more answers to Win7 64-bit
questions in the forum I mentioned than I ever found here.

 

If you use MS Office Onenote, there is not Send to OneNote printer driver
for x64. and thus this function will not work on an x64 OS. This is fixed
for Office 2010.

 

I can't imagine I'll be upgrading to Office 2k10, since I'm still running
Office 2k3 here, except for OneNote.

 

Examples?

 

Go to the forum and check out for yourself; I am not going to post hundreds
of questions and answers just because you ask for an example.

 

I asked because I've never found one answer, let alone hundreds, on the
forums that wasn't available here.

 

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2009/...s-xp-to-windows-7-with-windows-easy-transfer/

 

Thank you for your answer Carlos - I guess it's time I convert that
one DOS app I have. I appreciate the fact that you didn't post a
bunch of childish garbage like so many responses on here have.