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General discussion

STILL TOO SOON TO SWITCH FROM XP?

Sep 27, 2009 10:46PM PDT

When I get back from my current assignment in Tanzania, I intend to reformat and spring-clean my Toshiba Portege M700 notebook (bought April 2008, has 3 Gb RAM, 160 Gb HDD, Intel Core Duo CPU T8300 2.40 GHz, Mobile Intel 965 Chipset Family, allegedly ok for Windows 7 according to Microsoft).

Before now, I have usually waited some months before upgrading the OS, but as the majority of reports are favourable, I wondered about going for Windows 7 Professional next month.

Any naysayers, apart from the usual caveats about drivers etc?

Regards, Kibo Kid

Discussion is locked

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I'm there.
Sep 27, 2009 10:52PM PDT

I ran the Windows 7 RC. This answered the questions for me. I don't have any problems making this move.

However, if your machine is working, why not stick with what you got?
Bob

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XP to 7
Sep 27, 2009 11:02PM PDT

Thanks, Bob, my Toshiba is a bit bloated which is why I want to reformat and start afresh, but I'm encouraged by reports about W7 interface, speed etc. I'm 62 and still looking for new stuff!

KK

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I've installed Windows 7 RTM
Sep 28, 2009 1:37AM PDT

as an upgrade on a new machine. I went from Vista Home Premium to Windows 7 Ultimate. I had 0 driver issues. If I was you I would research if you want to go 32 or 64 bit. Most likely you will want to stay 32 bit.

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Hi, "Kid"
Sep 28, 2009 8:09AM PDT

First feller to tell story doesn't have a chance, I'm 76. I like to experiment with different programs and apps. I'm running W7 RC build 7100 on older hardware. I have already ordered my copy. WARNING: some older hardware and some software is incompatible with W7. I have a Canon flatbed scanner - 4200F, that will not run on W7. It is something to do with the scanner will do film and it interacts with something inside the OS. But I really like W7, Go for it!

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hi
Sep 30, 2009 1:15PM PDT

The learning curve is somewhat steep to an XP user. The interface is very visual and actually IMO over-relies on visual effects. Hopefully at 62, you still have a good eyesight to use it!

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Is your PC Ready?
Sep 30, 2009 7:14AM PDT
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UPDATE FROM KIBO KID
Nov 1, 2009 8:57PM PST

Well, I DID upgrade my UK Toshiba Portege M700 (April 2008 purchase) to Windows 7 last month!

I had an official Toshiba service centre here in the UK install a new HDD (250 Gb to replace the 160 Gb which I now have in a USB enclosure). They used the Toshiba XP Recovery CD (yes, I had already backed up my data onto another external HDD!).

I then did a clean install of W7 Ultimate 32. I've been impressed, no real regrets. QuickBooks UK 2006 would not run, but I downloaded XP Mode and Virtual PC (?) which solved that problem.

However, although W7 reports my Portege as being Pen (but not Touch, understandable) Enabled, it is not possible to do calibration etc. I guess that's because all the original drivers were wiped out when I installed W7.

I've been round the park on Toshiba sites to see how I can get updated drivers, but they only seem to be catering for the very recent ones eg M800.

Any ideas? Download Vista drivers? Could doing so cause problems with W7?

Regards,

Kibo Kid