What Should I Upgrade to?

[Ricky Jimenez]

I am on a new Dell XPS 8100 with Windows 7 64 bit Home Premium. On
this machine, a program that I use frequently, that works perfectly on
XP and Vista, has a video problem that causes the program's window to
sometimes blink every few seconds, a big annoyance. Dell technical
support says the problem will go away if I upgrade to Windows 7
Ultimate by buying a disc from them for $200. However, I see that
Microsoft has some download called Windows Anytime Upgrade, $89.95 for
Windows 7 Professional and $139.95 for Windows 7 Ultimate. Apparently,
after I install that, I will have to download Windows XP Mode and
Windows Virtual PC which I hope are free downloads. I don't think I
need to get more memory since I already have 8Gs.

Do I really need to buy the operating system disc or is the Anytime
Upgrade enough? If I an not interested in Bitlocker or working in
multiple languages, is there any reason to go with the Ultimate
instead of the Professional upgrade? Thanks in advance for advice.

 

[Bob Hatch]

I am on a new Dell XPS 8100 with Windows 7 64 bit Home Premium. On
this machine, a program that I use frequently, that works perfectly on
XP and Vista, has a video problem that causes the program's window to
sometimes blink every few seconds, a big annoyance. Dell technical
support says the problem will go away if I upgrade to Windows 7
Ultimate by buying a disc from them for $200. However, I see that
Microsoft has some download called Windows Anytime Upgrade, $89.95 for
Windows 7 Professional and $139.95 for Windows 7 Ultimate. Apparently,
after I install that, I will have to download Windows XP Mode and
Windows Virtual PC which I hope are free downloads. I don't think I
need to get more memory since I already have 8Gs.

Do I really need to buy the operating system disc or is the Anytime
Upgrade enough? If I an not interested in Bitlocker or working in
multiple languages, is there any reason to go with the Ultimate
instead of the Professional upgrade? Thanks in advance for advice.

IMO, use the anytime upgrade to Pro. It will give youthe same access to
VPC and XP Mode. Unless there is some need for the extras in Ultimate
you're just spending money you could use for other things.

--
"There are no jobs that Americans
will not do. There are jobs Americans
will not be hired for because an
illegal alien has taken it."

"Illegal Alien = Job Thief"

http://www.bobhatch.com
http://www.tdsrvresort.com

 

[Fishface]

I am on a new Dell XPS 8100 with Windows 7 64 bit Home Premium. On
this machine, a program that I use frequently, that works perfectly on
XP and Vista, has a video problem that causes the program's window to
sometimes blink every few seconds, a big annoyance.

The two programs I wanted to run still didn't work right in Virtual XP Mode.
Aldus Intellidraw 2 and Skip98. And I wanted to use my scanner, but I still
haven't even hooked it up. With which program are you having a problem?
DirectX?

 

[Ricky Jimenez]

The two programs I wanted to run still didn't work right in Virtual XP Mode.
Aldus Intellidraw 2 and Skip98. And I wanted to use my scanner, but I still
haven't even hooked it up. With which program are you having a problem?
DirectX?

It could be a DirectX problem that causes blinking in XP programs.
When I run dxdiag, I get an error message: "Problem getting extra
sound info". What is that all about?

 

[Dr. Tinto]

I am on a new Dell XPS 8100 with Windows 7 64 bit Home Premium. On
this machine, a program that I use frequently, that works perfectly on
XP and Vista, has a video problem that causes the program's window to
sometimes blink every few seconds, a big annoyance. Dell technical
support says the problem will go away if I upgrade to Windows 7
Ultimate by buying a disc from them for $200. However, I see that
Microsoft has some download called Windows Anytime Upgrade, $89.95 for
Windows 7 Professional and $139.95 for Windows 7 Ultimate. Apparently,
after I install that, I will have to download Windows XP Mode and
Windows Virtual PC which I hope are free downloads. I don't think I
need to get more memory since I already have 8Gs.

Do I really need to buy the operating system disc or is the Anytime
Upgrade enough? If I an not interested in Bitlocker or working in
multiple languages, is there any reason to go with the Ultimate
instead of the Professional upgrade? Thanks in advance for advice.

Did you try running in 32 bit?

 

[Ricky Jimenez]

Did you try running in 32 bit?

No. I haven't noticed that option. How does one do that? TIA.

 

[Guest]

END OF LIFE STATUS 4 WINDOWS 7 PROFESSIONAL EDITION IS 2020! SAME 4
ENTERPRISE EDITION!

END OF LIFE STATUS 4 WINDOWS 7 ULTIMATE EDITION IS 2015! SAME 4 STARTER,
HOME BASIC AND HOME PREMIUM EDITIONS!

END OF LIFE STATUS 4 VISTA BUSINESS EDITION IS 2017! SAME 4 ENTERPRISE
EDITION!

END OF LIFE STATUS 4 VISTA ULTIMATE EDITION IS 2012! SAME 4 STARTER, HOME
BASIC, AND HOME PREMIUM EDITIONS!

END OF LIFE 4 XP SERVICE PACK 3 (ALL EDITIONS) IS April 8TH, 2014! SERVICE
PACK 2 IS RETIRED ON JULY 13TH, 2010!

XP GOLD AND XP SERVICE PACK ONE HAVE ALREADY BEEN RETIRED!

WINDOWS 2000 (ALL VERSIONS AND ALL SERVICE PACK VERSIONS) IS GOING 2 BE
RETIRED ON JULY 13TH, 2010!

YOU DECIDE! JUST FYI! THREAD CLOSED!

 

[Dr. Tinto]

No. I haven't noticed that option. How does one do that? TIA.

Look on the programs list, it might be listed as both.

 

[Ricky Jimenez]

Look on the programs list, it might be listed as both.

I have not seen a single program that is listed as both 32 and 64 bit.

 

[Justin]

I am on a new Dell XPS 8100 with Windows 7 64 bit Home Premium. On
this machine, a program that I use frequently, that works perfectly on
XP and Vista, has a video problem that causes the program's window to
sometimes blink every few seconds, a big annoyance. Dell technical
support says the problem will go away if I upgrade to Windows 7
Ultimate by buying a disc from them for $200. However, I see that
Microsoft has some download called Windows Anytime Upgrade, $89.95 for
Windows 7 Professional and $139.95 for Windows 7 Ultimate. Apparently,
after I install that, I will have to download Windows XP Mode and
Windows Virtual PC which I hope are free downloads. I don't think I
need to get more memory since I already have 8Gs.

Do I really need to buy the operating system disc or is the Anytime
Upgrade enough? If I an not interested in Bitlocker or working in
multiple languages, is there any reason to go with the Ultimate
instead of the Professional upgrade? Thanks in advance for advice.

The Home Editions of all Windows versions were basically the
Professional versions with the useful stuff removed.
My suggestion to the OP is to go on eBay and buy a Windows 7
Professional key from somebody with lots of positive feedback and in the
USA.
Once that is done he/she can download the DVD in ISO form and install
the OS for a fraction of the cost.
Nothing illegal about that, the keys are legit.

 

[Ricky Jimenez]

The Home Editions of all Windows versions were basically the
Professional versions with the useful stuff removed.
My suggestion to the OP is to go on eBay and buy a Windows 7
Professional key from somebody with lots of positive feedback and in the
USA.
Once that is done he/she can download the DVD in ISO form and install
the OS for a fraction of the cost.
Nothing illegal about that, the keys are legit.

Is the key any more or less than a product called:
"Microsoft Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade [Home Premium to Professional]"?

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

I have not seen a single program that is listed as both 32 and 64 bit.

Internet Explorer is one.

 

[Ricky Jimenez]

Internet Explorer is one.

I think I was being asked to run some of the programs, that ran well
in XP but have video problems in Windows 7 64 bit, in Windows 7 32
bit. These are programs that reside in C:\Program Files (x86) and
were certainly written for 32 bit computers. So how do I run them in
Windows 7 32 bit? Does the question even make sense?

 

[CrackerJack]

I am on a new Dell XPS 8100 with Windows 7 64 bit Home Premium. On
this machine, a program that I use frequently, that works perfectly on
XP and Vista, has a video problem that causes the program's window to
sometimes blink every few seconds, a big annoyance. Dell technical
support says the problem will go away if I upgrade to Windows 7
Ultimate by buying a disc from them for $200. However, I see that
Microsoft has some download called Windows Anytime Upgrade, $89.95 for
Windows 7 Professional and $139.95 for Windows 7 Ultimate. Apparently,
after I install that, I will have to download Windows XP Mode and
Windows Virtual PC which I hope are free downloads. I don't think I
need to get more memory since I already have 8Gs.

Do I really need to buy the operating system disc or is the Anytime
Upgrade enough? If I an not interested in Bitlocker or working in
multiple languages, is there any reason to go with the Ultimate
instead of the Professional upgrade? Thanks in advance for advice.

Sounds like a lot of crap to me. Just what does Dell say is in Ultimate that will resolve your problem?

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

I think I was being asked to run some of the programs, that ran well
in XP but have video problems in Windows 7 64 bit, in Windows 7 32
bit. These are programs that reside in C:\Program Files (x86) and
were certainly written for 32 bit computers. So how do I run them in
Windows 7 32 bit? Does the question even make sense?

No. They run as 32-bit programs under Windows 7 64-bit.

I think from what you say that your video driver is not adequate for Win 7
64. The video card or controller manufacturer is responsible for that.

I don't know much in this area, so with any luck, another reader of this
NG can give you better advice about video drivers.

 

[Chuck]

Sounds like a lot of crap to me. Just what does Dell say is in Ultimate that will resolve your problem?

Win 7 Pro is more than adequate for most needs, including those you
mentioned. I have a multiple license for win7, including Ultimate, and I
chose to use Pro on my systems. I'd also suggest that you should try to
determine the cause of the apps failing that you are concerned about on
win 7 home before you spring for pro. I doubt that pro will help, unless
they are really unusual apps. Both the standard HD 4200 video card and
the power supply are less than optimum. Another issue may be the video
drivers. The minimum video card I'd recommend is the HD5770, and if the
power supply is marginal with the HD4200, (A distinct possibility) It
would need to be replaced. Do the windows diagnostics & logs show
anything unusual?

 

[Ricky Jimenez]

Win 7 Pro is more than adequate for most needs, including those you
mentioned. I have a multiple license for win7, including Ultimate, and I
chose to use Pro on my systems. I'd also suggest that you should try to
determine the cause of the apps failing that you are concerned about on
win 7 home before you spring for pro. I doubt that pro will help, unless
they are really unusual apps. Both the standard HD 4200 video card and
the power supply are less than optimum. Another issue may be the video
drivers. The minimum video card I'd recommend is the HD5770, and if the
power supply is marginal with the HD4200, (A distinct possibility) It
would need to be replaced. Do the windows diagnostics & logs show
anything unusual?

The video card I have is an AMD Radeon 5450 (1 GB). The Dell salesman
told me that it was state of the art. I have had various strange
error messages from time to time but I assume that is normal. I
reported here before on the fact that the DirectX diagnostic tool,
dxdiag, gives one "Error: Problem getting extra sound info". I have
DirectX 11 with DxDiag 6.01.7600.16385 in both 64-bit and 32-bit
unicode. The problem I am trying to fix is flickering of video in the
windows of two programs that didn't exhibit such behavior under XP.
Sometimes a portion of these windows behave as they are squinting at
me. But it doesn't happen all the time.

 

[Fishface]

It could be a DirectX problem that causes blinking in XP programs.
When I run dxdiag, I get an error message: "Problem getting extra
sound info". What is that all about?

Dunno. For the record, Skip98 uses DirectX 3 or later and it won't
even run in Virtual XP mode. I think you should make sure your
"upgrade" is going to work before you pays your money. Why don't
you try this 90 day trial first?

http://www.windowsitpro.com/article...oft-Extends-Windows-7-Trial-Through-2010.aspx

Still don't know which app's giving you trouble... !