Actually spoke with a nice person in the MS Store today. He told me that it will overlay Vista, removing unnecessary files and repairing any needing repair....so it's kinda like a new install.

Defragging, cleaning up and a Backup should be done before upgrading.

Just thank your lucky stars it's not Gusty Gibbon.... on curried cabbage.

The way I read it is that Win 7 upgrade installations do not write over the top of previous OS but it repackages them into a "Windows Old" folder prior to writing new the files to the drive/partition... that it is in fact a clean install of the new OS, which 'should' mean that users can upgrade from 32 to 64 bit if they wish.

I may be wrong, but that's the way I understand it.   According to a magazine article I read somewhere, MS requires an installed OS to prove a user qualifies for the cheaper upgrade of Win 7, unlike XP, where users could merely insert a borrowed 95, 98, ME or 2000 disc (when requested) to continue the installation.

Your PC must have 64-bit hardware. Why are you running a 32-bit OS now if your PC is 64-bit? That;s like a Ferrari with a lawn mower engine.

Um, probably for the same or similar reasons as I described above... many stores do not actively support the sales of 64 bit editions because they simply do not stock/won't get them in.  It's a case of what's most popular and feeding the market with it.

Also, pre-builts have predominantly come with 32 bit OSes in the past, though hopefully that will change to encourages devs to support and develop for x64.

It's a sony Vaio note book and that's what it came with.....

Just never got round to changing it....

BUT next week i'm putting in....

OCZ 4GB (2 x 2GB) 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Laptop Memory Model OCZ2M8004GK - Retail

And Two of thease in raid...

Western Digital Scorpio Black WD3200BEKT 320GB 7200 RPM 2.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Notebook Hard Drive - OEM

So i'm ready for some 64 bit computing....

Referring my previous post(s). That is true with non-Windows 7E-versions - as well, but i am not sure, can you upgrade 32-bit to 64-bit in any cases. After all, 64-bit  WILL allow 32-bit programs, but i am not sure, does installer create this famous "Windows.old" folder, when you change from 32 to 64-bit.<br>

64-bit is very secure... but 32-bit aka x86 is much more popular, because [insert linux/mac user comment here] it will allow almost millions different programs. Even unsigned...and yeah, viruses as well... hence my comment about 970.000.000 users... based MS press release... That's why i suggest UAC always, because same architecture is available in Ubuntu, MAC OS's, but Vista abd 7 version still sucks. I use UAC (with non-dim tweak), because there is a lot's of reasons to use UAC, but most people hate it, and when i got Vista on 2007 - March, i also hate it and disable then. But now i get it. No more TweakUAC-program, because even Stardock programs will require permissions in some cases. Not sure, was that WB 7, who require UAC prompt, to transfer files to another place (public folder). <br>

like DEP, UAC, etc will make your system very secure. And when i know Linux-distro's and Mac systems, Windows is resource hog, but also allow millions programs, unlike competitors. Hence the monopoly, etc. But MS fault, no and yes... but mostly you can blame, (even MAC, Linux, etc users) the programmers. Most don't still get it, what is UAC, so how on earth they will understand e.g. Ubuntu or any MAC system. Hence, i have couple programs, who will suggest to turn DEP and UAC off. And got reply, how UAC is useless, and DEP... after my statment, they were surprised, they actually didn't know... but they "afraid" losing their customers, so nothing changed, and gladly my trial period is over. I still use Vista Manager by Yamicsoft, even they abused my help - i can proof that. They gave 7 license keys, but disable all, after latest release + no replies. Gladly i found their own systems. So some useful tweaks are available. But do i suggest to buy their product - NO! Like Yamicsoft, thousands others will not understand new systems, and most likely, you may harm your system, if you believe their suggestion "useful, but use resources - recommend: disable"<br>

I like Ubuntu, i Love Mac systems.... but to execute many great programs, you need Windows. Or even if you use Virtual mode... you still need it. darn, why i pay to MS, ....ok, ok... in "theory", they gave some programs for free... and so on... and i may get Windows 7 Ultimate for free... but who asked to use it or help them anymore... BUT.... ok.... The End.

Give Jafo Karma

"Oh Bother. You were unable to give Jafo karma. An error occurred. Please try again later"

Give Island Dog Karma

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ok. lol. *sigh*

Eek....I need a beer.

I have a feeling that typed better than it read....;)

Jafo - you say you can't dig a OS named as Ubuntu is named. I can't believe how brainwashed you are to keep paying out to use Windows.

Yup.... it reads 'pisspot'

LOL, or maybe he just made a joke.

Probably. You know how Jafo is.

Ok.... i get it

I was hype.... nah... whatever. Take care....

pffft $200?

I refuse to pay more than $50 for a game...which entertains me, i'll be damned if i'm going to pay $200 for an OS that will (without fail) cause me grief time and time again.

Most PC's in the world are old, they are old because people either don't enjoy spending hundreds on constant upgrades or simply can't. The majority of sane people arn't going to want to pay that sort of money for an OS and will just pirate instead. You'd think MS would cotton on that their constant loss of ground to linux et al isn't because their products are inferior (though they are!), its because they charge extortionate amounts. They need to start doing digital downloads for $25-50 and realize they'll make a hell of a lot more money that way.

Strange, I even use the beta and have no problems whatsoever. Windows is not always the faulty one...

If you don't want to update constantly then don't. If you pirate you DO want to update, but then you should also pay for it.

I disagree. But I prefer Windows because contrary to all Linux distributions they actually can make a user friendly OS. Sure, not everything is perfect, and if you know just a bit more about PCs then you'll undoubtedly see some odd design decisions, but at the end of the day everyone can use it. My grandpa can send a mail on Windows, millions of people can use computers for their work and we can play games. Wanna try that on a Linux PC? You might succeed in the end but it'll be a pain to get there. And yes, I've tried on multiple distributions. I'm not saying Linux is useless, but they need to get out of their "We're so smart and pwn Windows" ivory tower and start thinking about the users, because with most current distributions they are not exactly very appealing for the 'normal' user to learn. I guess Ubuntu is a step in the right direction, but they are nowhere near where they should be.

Agree, they overcharge a lot on Windows. It's their cash cow. I buy my Windows installations, saying they are too expensive is hypocritical because you use it pretty much every second that your PC is turned on. But it can be a lot cheaper and license terms are pretty strict imo.

That's true, Linux needs to get rid of the "You have to be this nerd to use me" reputation. Besides , if you play games, windows is the only choice because of DirectX, there not many OpenGL games on the market nowadays..

well actually yes you can because of ...

The only thing the upgrade version does is look for a previous windows installation.  When it find the code it looks for it will validate your current installation and proceed with an upgrade and essentially do a clean install by doing exactly what Starkers stated.  It will leave intact some files and references but will create a new windows folder and rewrite a registry.

Though you may be right about the attitude, but there is a reason for this...  Linux is the way it is because it allows for customization beyond appearance.  With this kind of functionality you lose compatibility and usability.  Windows is the way it is because it has to accommodate so many different types of users and generalizes everything so that it loses it security and stability.  Windows serves its purpose and so does Linux.  When linux usage increases i am sure someone will make it easier to use and market it and capitalize on it.  But then they will turn themselves into a miniature Microsoft.

How is someone "brainwashed" to use Windows? 

Dunno about brainwashed, but those ultra-smug Mac ads would've tipped many towards going with Windows. 

Hmmm, would that be considered reverse-brainwashing?

Lets see the Title/Subject of this thread is 'Windows 7 Pre-orders at 50% Off'. 

Damn those Microsoft folks duped and brainwashed me again.

Never thought of it like that... but yeah!  Add to that the ultra-smug Mac ads and you don't really have a choice, do yer!

Reverse brain washing....intriguing. Either one's brain gets soiled or cleansed....depending on your viewpoint.

Isn't anything simple anymore?

Hey Doc, there are still simple things in life, unfortunatly us humans just don't except anything as being simple.  In our minds it's much to complicated to think that way.

EDIT:  Well I just pre-ordered my Windows 7 Home Premium update, and no it was not simple.  Can't believe what happen, I tried online ordering from Best Buy with a Debit Card, they wouldn't take it because the card expires 09/09.  Went to Amazon and ordered it with no problem.  See, simple is too complicated for some people.

Well I read confirmation from Microsoft that we ARE allowed to order 'foreign' copies op Windows for the reduced price, just as long as you have it delivered at a 'local' address (read: an address in the country that has the reduced pre-order price). All you need is a friend in one of those countries you can send the Windows copy to and he can then send it to you and/or just give you the key and you can install it yourself (with any provided copy of the DVD). Just make sure you trust that person, or you're screwed

That's not a 'reputation' it's a prerequisite.... JAFOCHECK