I don't like Win7

[yurka]

That's right: I don't like Win7. Am I alone?
Two years ago I bought hp PC with Vista. I hated it! Fortunately, the PC was dead in two weeks and HP replaced it. It was impossible to set time/region; when I clicked on hp help, nothing happened. I called the hp and they suggested some troubleshooting. I said that I paid for the PC with perfect money that did not need troubleshooting and I want the same with their PC. So, I sent the PC back and they sent me perfectly functioning money.
However, that's the side story. My real message is: I hated Vista and I just dislike Win7 (and eventually might live with it. I don't think that I'll ever fall in love with it, though). I thought of upgrading to Win7 Pro, install WinXP Pro and transfer as much as I could from my old WinXP Pro to the new one. So far I was unable to restore the backup made with COMODO, in the external HD, to Win7. The Restore Backup just nebulously mentions that "one error occured and the recovery cannot be completed". I suspect that whatever was created in 32-bit system will not run in 64-bit system. I know that switching from 64 to 32-bit is possible.
Will 32-bit Win7 be much slower than 64-bit Win7?

[SuperSparks]

You won't see any difference in performance between 32-bit and 64 bit, unless you are using software that doesn't require vast amounts of RAM, as 32-bit is limited to 3 gigs or so.

If you put a bit of effort into learning the new UI on Win7 you will find that it's vastly superior to XP. Personally, I think Win7 is by far and away the best version of Windows yet.

[yurka]

I have read somewhere that 64-bit software allows CPU work faster. I don't believe that I use some sophisticated SW, e.g. more complex than Hijack this (used once) or DVD burnibg programs. Once in a blue moon I might use Omnipage. I believe that Win7 is better, but my experiment/comparison is not kosher: I changed both OS and PC (and the monitor too) at the same time.
I believe that eventually I'll master Win7 but already I have problems: my two year old printer does not print; LightScribe does not work, etc. I have not checked much yet. It looks that having some programs to run in WinXP is easier than troubleshoot every one of them.
Can you suggest anything re: restoring the backup done in 32-bit system to 64-bit? I am going to just burn/send some files to a CD and then open them in 64-bit OS.
Oh, so many things to do!

[Midknyte]

I have read somewhere that 64-bit software allows CPU work faster.

The software has to be specifically written to use 64-bit.

Can you suggest anything re: restoring the backup done in 32-bit system to 64-bit? I am going to just burn/send some files to a CD and then open them in 64-bit OS.

It doesn't matter if you burn data to a CD in 32-bit or 64-bit. Heck, your burner program may still bee 32-bit even on a 64-bit OS.

[yurka]

It doesn't matter if you burn data to a CD in 32-bit or 64-bit. Heck, your burner program may still bee 32-bit even on a 64-bit OS.

I will learn soon. At the most, I'll waste one disc.

[foxy]

Yurka, I empathize with you about Win XP. These guys are geekier than thou. :P . Win 7 might be a superior system, but after living with the quirks, faults and interface of XP for 9 years, I don't feel a need to start over either. Or at least not until I have to. I've had it in 5 computers, made a science of installation and registry tweaks from a checklist. It's like an old car that you know down to every bolt (my car is 15 years old and much beloved, but not as buggy as XP) It would also mean dumping my old HP with the 42 ml cartridges), my scanner, and a bunch of programs.

Would you consider running XP in "XP Mode"?

[yurka]

I am not alone! Join the club, foxy!

Would you consider running XP in "XP Mode"?

Did you mean "...running 7 in XP Mode"? I think so. So far (after spending al least 30 hours with Win7) I don't see any advantages; my work became much slower, as I cannot find many familiar things, and I miss my personal files, created in 32-bit OS. Even some programs, e. g. LightScribe, don't work. The new PC or Win7 printed a couple of pages, yet when I wanted to print something yesterday, I saw "Printer cannot be found". The printer itself is working, either by itself (I mean when I am using its own buttons, or if connected to the old PC).
Yes, intangible things are important and I'd trade them for a minute or even two of saved start-up time (that is wasted later, when I search the computer, the Internet and spend hours on the phone with my friends familiar with Win7). Many (or most?) of new features just irritate me.
To switch to XP will cost me ~$100 (one needs to install Win7 Pro to be able to run XP). I still have to do research, e. g. will my old data will be recoverable, as they are still in 32-bit system.
Problems, problems, problems...

[foxy]

I am not alone! Join the club, foxy!
Did you mean "...running 7 in XP Mode"?
Problems, problems, problems...

Do you own an XP license? I meant running XP mode WITHIN Win 7 just for the programs that won't run on Win 7, till you find replacements, but I don't know the details of how it's done. It was demonstrated at my PC group, and it's a window that opens inside your Win 7 window. But it doesn't apply to hardware like printers.

The alternative is dual-booting with XP. And look for Win 7 drivers for the printer at the mfer's site.

There's a diagnostic utility here that might tell you why Light Scribe isn't working. http://www.lightscribe.com/downloads...ex.aspx?id=810

As MidKnyte said, data is not a problem. 32 and 64 bit refer to programs and systems, not data. Just copy everything over manually.

There are plenty of resources out there for learning 7. Start with pcworldmag.com and pcmag.com, which will probably explain better than your friends, and you can save the articles.

[Midknyte]

If you've used VMWare, Virtual PC, or Virtualbox, "XP Mode" is basically the same thing.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...e-in-windows-7

[yurka]

Thank you, guys.
Too much info - I have to digest it. Some answers first:

There's a diagnostic utility here that might tell you why Light Scribe isn't working.

I used it, it almost worthless. I found a better solution: I use LightScribe in my old, slow,etc., but still reliable PC.
As far as 32-bit vs. 64 bit OS you are right: I found a few CD's to which I'd copied (without using any backup SW) some of my important documents.They open Okay,and now they are being copied (extremely slow) to Works Word Processor. I, probably, will know the result only tomorrow. So far Word Processor looks similar to my old Microsoft Word; 60-day free Word looks very unfamiliar, I have no intention to study it (and pay for it as well). I write just an occasional letter and Word Processor appears to fit to do that.
Now it's time to research your suggestions... I'll let you know the outcome.

[foxy]

Thank you, guys.
I found a few CD's to which I'd copied (without using any backup SW) some of my important documents. They open Okay, and now they are being copied (extremely slow) to Works Word Processor.

You're my kind of user. Works, a stripped down Office, is fine for most simple docs, as is Wordpad. I currently using Word 2000, but Wordpad opens a lot faster. (I hear Sparks and Midknyte gnashing their teeth. "She's doing it again!!") The new Word is totally different animal, and if you don't need it for business, let it expire. You can also use the free open-source Open Office, compatible with every system (I think,) with Office formats, and forever free.

www.openoffice.org

And how about copying data to a flash drive, then to the new comp? The best hold 16 GB. I also use it for backing up less important stuff. Like a (rewritable, remember?) floppy, no burning software needed. Just can't copy any file over 6GB, though.

http://www.scroogle.org/cgi-bin/nbbw.cgi7e

[foxy]

Yurka, start off your new comp by having all your data on a second partition, if you haven't already done so. You won't regret it if you ever have to reinstall System+programs or restore an image.

And, oh, I never said I don't like 7, I said I don't like change.

[yurka]

You're my kind of user. Works, a stripped down Office, is fine for most simple docs, as is Wordpad.

We founds each other :-). Wordpad looks very similar to Word Processor; my WP is partially broken (Paste command closes it, Windows cannot repair it, I emailed to Gateway...I am not very hopeful...so, for now it's Wordpad. I badmouthed Win7, but it's very fast. If a program opens in a few seconds, it's good enough for me. Although, I don't know whether it's Win7 or CPU :-). You are right about this:

The new Word is totally different animal, and if you don't need it for business, let it expire.

. I'll, probably, uninstall it - it's very annoying. Every time I open it (out of habit) it asks me to enter its 25 character key, etc. Besides, it's full of crap only a publishing house may use once in a blue moon.

And how about copying data to a flash drive, then to the new comp? The best hold 16 GB. I also use it for backing up less important stuff. Like a (rewritable, remember?) floppy, no burning software needed. Just can't copy any file over 6GB, though.

I have two flash sticks, 1 and 4GB, and several WR DVDs, I guess it won't be a problem. Besides, I still have my old PC, so I do not have to transfer everything to the new machine.

Like a (rewritable, remember?) floppy, no burning software needed. Just can't copy any file over 6GB, though.

1. My new one doesn't even have a floppy drive.
2. Regardless of the medium (floppy, CD, flash drive, etc.) backing up or copying process can be repeated. And CDs are so cheap now, especially if bought in bulk, the volume is not a problem.
Now, if you don't mind, I'll check yours and Midknyte's links :-).

[foxy]

We founds each other :-). Wordpad looks very similar to Word Processor; my WP is partially broken (Paste command closes it, Windows cannot repair it, I emailed to Gateway...I am not very hopeful...so, for now it's Wordpad.
I have two flash sticks, 1 and 4GB, and several WR DVDs, I guess it won't be a problem. Besides, I still have my old PC, so I do not have to transfer everything to the new machine.

What's broken, Word or Wordpad? Wordpad is a component of Windows, and can be repaired. You remember it was also part of 98 and XP. Word 2010 is annoying because it's a trial and they want you to buy the full version. Just remove it. Emailing Gateway will not help with either.

But you'll get the most formatting for free in Open Office. You can't do columns, copy formatting from one paragraph to another, create headings or insert tables in Wordpad.

The difference in using flash sticks over CD's is you don't need burning software. Just drag n' drop the files or use a backup program like Karen's Replicator on a schedule.

[yurka]

Word Processor is broken. Actually, being SW, its malfunctioning. I didn't check everything, of coarse, but clicking Paste brings only a pop-up window informing me that "The program needs to close".
I never used Wordpad in XP, since I had Office. New Office just scares me, it's like being put in pilot's chair of Boeing after spending years in Pinto. I am seriously thinking of upgraiding to Win7 Pro, because I may need it; I just do not need the new Office. E. g., on one of my old PCs I had a lot of musical programs, so I could play virtual instruments, compose music, etc. The PC came with all programs. I knew that I'll never use them, and uninstall them all. What I am trying to say, I'll never buy the new Office - because I don't need it. There are tons of SW on the Net, yet I simply don't need it.
I have to check Karen's Replicator. My entire old PC is backed up to an external HD, with COMODO backup.