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Should I Upgrade or Clean Install of Vista (or neither)
Definitions
Upgrade: over a previous edition of Windows XP or Windows 2000
Clean: in a new folder or new PC without applications, settings, user preferences, etc.
Which should I do
Neither i.e. sit tight for now
Another OS e.g. Linux or buy a Mac
Eventually you will have to make the decision
Langa: Therefore, I think it's just plain bad advice downright silly, in fact to say "forget about Vista." But it's also silly to say, "You're doomed unless you upgrade to Vista immediately." Both extremes are wrong
MS plans to stop full support for XP on 4/2009
Many will wait awhile re bugs, etc.
Home edition reported to have fewer advantages then Window XP
Go to the Web and search for the pros and cons
Windows Vista: more than five years in the making, more than 50 million lines of code. The result A vista slightly more inspiring than the one over the town dump. The new slogan is: "The 'Wow' Starts Now," and Microsoft touts new features, many filched shamelessly from Apple's Macintosh. But as with every previous version, there's no wow here, not even in ironic quotes. Vista is at best mildly annoying and at worst makes you want to rush to Redmond, Wash. and rip somebody's liver out.
Good and Bad Smart Computing April 2007:
The Good:
1. A breath of fresh
2. Social security e.g. User Account Control
3. Performance perks e.g. SuperFetch, Disk Fragmenter and ReadyBoost
4. Digital media party e.g. WMP, Windows Media Movie Maker, Windows Media Center, DVD Maker and Windows Photo Gallery
5. Lots of options i.e. 4-6 editions
6. Windows Flip i.e. better way to ALT-TAB.
7. Live Taskbar Thumbnails
8. Explorer windows i.e. expansion of Windows Explorer
9. Instant Search.
10. Family Safety Settings
The Bad
1. Different, but not better
2. Back away from Basic
3. System requirements i.e. underestimated
4. Limited upgrade options e.g. Users cannot upgrade from WinXP Media Center to Vista Business, or from WinXP Professional to Vista Home Premium. Such users can upgrade only by wiping their old version of Windows off the hard drive and starting over with the new version. Upgrade Advisor not accurate.
5. The cost of new windows
6. Backup i.e. weak; only Business and Ultimate have full functionality . User cannot cherry pick files and folders to back up
7. Internet Explorer 7 not really bad but not great. Antiphishing filter is weak.
8. Windows Sidebar i.e. Gadgets are nice but fortunately can be disabled.
9. Speech recognition is flawed.
10. It s still Microsoft with its flaws
Clean
More expensive then Upgrade edition
Using an upgrade edition to do a clean install http://tinyurl.com/2cwx3v
(originally reported by Brian Livingston in his "Windows Secrets" newsletter, as well as by various other sources at ZD-Net and InfoWorld)
Generally preferable IF you have the time and willingness to back up your hard drive, format it then re-establish all of your settings
Must do with a new machine and no OS
Must do in PC with OS previous to WinXP
Must do if present PC is inadequate e.g. space, RAM
In PC with greater than one partition and dual boot
To get rid of problems e.g. corruption, bloated Registry, slow PC; you get a fresh system
My personal preference!
Steps in doing a clean install
If not a new PC, format it prior to installation
Much of the preparation same as with upgrade e.g. backup (full or cherry pick ) that is fully restorable by checking it
Is the machine adequate (as with upgrade)
Have available all your program installation disks
Data transfer methods: http://tinyurl.com/3yupab
USB cable that connecting both PCs
Network connection between both PCs
Removable media e.g. USB flash, external hard disk.
CD burner or a DVD burner (Windows-based PC) and blank media; burn the files and settings to a disc; transfer the files and settings to Windows Vista
User State Migration tool http://tinyurl.com/ghkrj
Allows saving and restoration of user s settings and files e.g. Desktop color schemes, Wallpaper, network connection settings such as email servers and proxy servers, etc
Can be customized
Be patient as the procedure may take lots of time!
Upgrade
To avoid reinstalling programs, data, preferences, email settings, network connections, etc BUT preserves the ugly e.g. corrupted files, outdated drivers, unwanted Registry entries with slow PC (MS claims to have improved this situation)
Less expensive than Full version, You can start with less expensive edition then later do a further more powerful upgrade (Start> Control Panel> Click "System and Maintenance," > Windows Anytime Upgrade).
If you have Windows XP Home: Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, or Ultimate versions of Vista.
If you have Windows XP Professional: only to Business or Ultimate.
If you have Windows XP Media Center: to either Home Premium or Ultimate.
Steps in doing an Upgrade
Make sure that your machine will accommodate Vista i.e. download Windows Vista Upgrade in your Windows XP PC. http://tinyurl.com/27pekc (Be sure to plug in any USB devices or other devices such as printers, external hard drives, or scanners that are regularly used with the PC you're evaluating.)
Back up data e.g. external HD, thumb dives(s), optical drive,
Have installation disks available e.g. MS Office,
Update Window XP prior to installation of Vista
Windows file transfer utility http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928635
Uninstall or disable security software antivirus program prior to installing Vista as they may cause problems
Kim Komando:
|
Feature |
Home |
Home |
Business |
Ultimate |
|
Windows Defender |
X |
X |
X |
X |
|
Windows Firewall |
X |
X |
X |
X |
|
Instant Search |
X |
X |
X |
X |
|
Internet Explorer 7 |
X |
X |
X |
X |
|
Aero experience with |
|
X |
X |
X |
|
Windows Mobility Center |
|
X |
X |
X |
|
Windows Meeting Space |
|
X |
X |
X |
|
Windows Media Center |
|
X |
|
X |
|
Connect to Xbox 360 |
|
X |
|
X |
|
Windows DVD Maker |
|
X |
|
X |
|
Windows Movie Maker |
|
|
X |
X |
|
Advanced Business |
|
|
X |
X |
|
Scheduled Backup |
|
X |
X |
X |
|
Complete PC Backup |
|
|
X |
X |
|
Business Networking |
|
|
X |
X |
|
Windows BitLocker |
|
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
How much does it |
$100/ |
$160/ |
$200/ |
$260/ |
* Windows Vista Ultimate qualifies for the Windows Vista Family Discount. Buy a
retail version of Ultimate (upgrade or full version). Then, you can purchase
two copies of Vista Home Premium for $50. The offer lasts through June 30, 2007.