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Post by buzzy on Jun 30, 2010 10:29:09 GMT
Gents I would appreciate your help!! My main desktop PC running XP home is beginning to show it's age and I am considering purchasing a new custom built machine running Windows 7. There are some things that I need to know before I take the plunge. Will the following items of hardware be compatible with Win 7? - Epson Stylus Photo R340 printer
- Epson Perfection 1660 Scanner
- Logitech Cordless Desktop LX700 keyboard and mouse
- Samsung SyncMaster 913n monitor
I appreciate some of these items are 'elderley' but all still work brilliantly. My supplier has said they can transfer my XP licence if I wish, but I feel a complete new start is the best option with the future in mind, I don't want to put a new engine on an old chassis.I don't do a lot of "intensive work" but I am undecided what size HDD to go for, my current one is 180GB and has proved adequate but I am considering a 320GB or 500GB bearing in mind I have a backup USB External HDD also? Regarding Windows 7, I have one or two 'paid for' programs such as 'SAS Professional and 'Snagit' . Will I need to re-purchase these? Finally, I am worried about 'Learning' Windows 7 after years of XP, how steep is the learning curve, I am told it is quite easy? PS - Ken, I will have this machine 'custom built' by a very reliable and attentive outfit with whom I have done business with for years, I will entrust this new machine to them as previously. They will of course advise me on the hardware nitty gritty, but I would like to go prepared with some sensible options to chew over etc:
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Post by merchant42 on Jun 30, 2010 13:09:53 GMT
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Post by mikkh on Jun 30, 2010 14:33:10 GMT
The monitor, keyboard and mouse should be no problem. The printer should also be OK, just plug it in and find out how good Windows 7 is at picking up drivers. I like how it just installs the driver only, not all the bloat from the CD/DVD. The scanner could be hit and miss, but again just plug it in and see what occurs. Hard drive size? yes 320 GB is sufficient, but... a 500 GB is only likely to be a couple of quid dearer so get one of them Just looking at my local shops prices and 320 GB = £31, 500 GB = £35, 1 TB = £55 and 2 TB = £99. There's probably a case for having a 1 TB drive for another £20, but as you said, you have external storage anyway. As you're moving straight from XP, it will be a bit of a culture shock moving to '7' especially as you're likely to be experiencing the joys of 64 bit for the first time too (assuming you're going for 4 GB of RAM that is) Don't get pushed into it though, I'm running a 32 bit version with 2 GB and finding it more than ample, even for gaming, which is about the only time I use it because I prefer Linux for everything else. 4 GB and 64 bit is probably more sensible though for future proofing it a bit more. it's pretty easy to get used to but if you yearn for the XP days, you can always use something like 'classic shell' to get a more familiar looking start menu classicshell.sourceforge.net/
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Post by buzzy on Jun 30, 2010 18:36:49 GMT
Mikkh, many thanks for your help with my query you have been most helpful and re-assuring. I am pleased that my keyboard setup and monitor will be ok, that will keep the price down. I will give the scanner a check as and when.
With future in mind, what are your thoughts on going for USB3 or is this overkill? Currently I have 10 USB Ports on this machine with two of them being at the front of the case which proves to be very useful, I shall endeavour to replicate this.
I am a little surprised you suggested only 2GB of RAM but if that is adequate then so be it.
Merchant Thanks for the forum on W7, I will study that in due course.
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Post by mikkh on Jul 1, 2010 6:42:21 GMT
I didn't really recommend 2 GB, I was trying to say it is enough for normal use if you want to cut the costs a bit. The problem is the 32 bit or 64 bit thing. If you opt for 32 bit (Windows) it can't "see" the whole 4 GB, whereas 64 bit can. If you start with 32 bit, but then decide later more RAM would be good, your options are limited. If you start with 64 bit and only 2 GB, you'll be covered for future upgrades but will have a small performance hit.
You could always use 3 GB, especially if it's an Intel i7 rig which mostly use triple channel instead of the more normal dual channel - which is why you see some PC's with 3, 6 and 12 GB of RAM instead of the normal 2, 4 and 8 GB.
USB3 overkill? Yes it is really, because there's very little hardware that can use it's full speed yet. On the other hand, a board that supports USB3 probably supports SATA III and other new features too
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Post by buzzy on Jul 1, 2010 7:50:36 GMT
Mikkh, thanks again for your advice. I will pop into the builder early next week and discuss the options you have outlined. I don't want to 'spoil the ship for hapeth of tar' as they say so I'll see what the bottom line is going to be.
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Post by ken on Jul 1, 2010 12:58:30 GMT
If you buy a quality motherboard, it will probably have a couple of USB3 ports and SATA3 Buzz. As Mikk says, there doesn't seem to be any peripharals that are USB3. They are backward compatible anyway, so you can still use them.
Buy good quality memory, but dont buy overclock memory unless you plan to use it. Its way overpriced and wasted if your not an overclocker. The same goes for the motherboard as well, buy quality but stay clear of Gaming boards. I've got one of the best gaming boards that money can buy, but I'm still useless at jigsaws. Its always best to buy quality in all things, but its horses for courses and dont buy what you dont need.
You wont find Win7 hard to use, but you will have to look round to find some of the settings. Computer is always a good place to look, a lot comes under that and not Control Panel like XP. Add & Remove Programs to name just one.
I agree with Mikk, the scanner might be the only thing that might give you bother. Epson might have some drivers for it even if Windows dont make it work. Windows will also check Epson website for drivers, as long as it can identify the scanner.
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Post by buzzy on Jul 1, 2010 13:58:27 GMT
Ken - thanks for your comments. I have always believed one only gets what one pays for and as I said above, I don't believe in 'spoiling the ship for haporth of tar'
My present XP machine which is 5 years old and has caused me basically no problems was built by the same company that will build the new one. I have already spoken briefly to them, prior to posting on CIT and they are always willing to discuss a build and advise where necessary if they feel some aspect of ones choice of components can be improved on without banging up the price to silly levels. They are a family business and definitely not a cheapskate company.
I appreciate all the help from Mikkh and yourself and feel I will start the ball rolling early next week.
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Post by ken on Jul 1, 2010 20:31:01 GMT
Always willing to help if I can Buzz. I wasn't really worried about them ripping you off, as long as they know what you want. Some of the good stuff now, is a little bit high tech for the average user. It depends on whether you want a good automatic or a stick shift.
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Post by computing50yrs on Jul 2, 2010 13:11:10 GMT
If you have Win 7 Pro then you will be able to put a virtual machine in and run XP if you find that some of your peripherals or software don't work under Win 7.
That is my current setup and the two co exist very happily, you can access all your harsd drives and USB poprts from the XP virtual machine. Itsw just a download from MS so they giving you XP for nothing.
Shutting XP down causes it to hibernate so its very quick to reload. You have to put an anti virus program into it as you still connect to Internet via the virtual PC
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Post by ken on Jul 2, 2010 13:35:41 GMT
I have found that XP works quite good on M$ Virtual Machine, so you could scan with VM if by chance the scanner doesn't work under Win7. The only snag, it takes up a lot of room if you only want it for a scanner. If thats the only reason to use VM, I'd be inclined to buy another scanner.
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Post by buzzy on Jul 2, 2010 18:33:14 GMT
M$ Virtual Machine looks like a good idea, I will look into that.
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Post by mikkh on Jul 2, 2010 22:02:26 GMT
You're probably better off using 'virtualbox' if you're going down that route. The Microsoft one is at least three years old now and there's no sign of a newer version coming out. Virtualbox is an ongoing project with regular updates and I think it's easier to use too.
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Post by buzzy on Jul 10, 2010 19:39:50 GMT
Well I have got my New Machine up and running with Win 7 (64 bit) and by and large everything is OK. As previously mentioned the Epson scanner does not work but the printer is fine.
What is a little worrying is that my Microsoft Lifecam VX3000 is not recognised and even trying the supplied setup CD I get a message stating that there are known incompatibilities with this software (Lifecam 1.4).
Can I assume this is a write off?
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