Looking for WIN 7 PRO Discs for new computer. Is this a good buy?

[uberman]

I just got a new Toshiba Laptop ($599) for $299. Thank you FatWallet Hot Deals Forum. It's got WIN 7 Home Premium. I want to run XP software on it. It is my belief that the only way to use WIN 7 compatability mode is use WIN 7 PRO 64 Bit. So I'm looking for a good disc to do this.

So I found these CDs on Amazon. Should I buy this or should I go somewhere else? Any and all suggestions are appreciated. Thank you in advance for any mentoring.

http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Profes...3056401&sr=1-2

 

[Nothinman]

You can run XP inside of any VM software as long as you have a valid XP key, the only thing XP Mode really gets you is a preactivated version from MS.

 

[uberman]

You can run XP inside of any VM software as long as you have a valid XP key, the only thing XP Mode really gets you is a preactivated version from MS.

I've been advised here in these forums several times that Windows compatability mode really only works in the WIN 7 PRO version of WIN 7. I've also had that confirmed by a tech at a computer shop. I don't know how educated the tech was.

Thank you, but I really didn't understand your answer unless you meant as follows: Any version of Windows 7 has a compatability mode that will allow the user to use programs for all versions of Windows without problems. Personally I'd like to run XP software and a couple programs from Windows 98 Second Edition.

Nothinman, I just keep reading your response and I can't understand it. Could you please expand on it? Thanks. Or could someone else clarify it.

 

[Nothinman]

If you're talking about normal executable compatibility mode, e.g. right click on an executable and hit the compatibility tab, then I believe that's available in every SKU. If you're talking about XP Mode, which is just a prepackaged version of VPC with an XP VM already setup, that has SKU restrictions on it.

If you're talking about the latter, then you don't really need it if you have an XP key handy. You can just download VirtualBox, VMware Player, etc and install XP like you would on a PC and see if your elderly apps run in it.

 

[hdfxst]

can you use this http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Wind.../dp/B002JYU5WI ?

 

[imagoon]

If you mean "XP Mode" (IE the integrated XP VM from MS that is "free") then yes you need PRO or above. However Home edition will run Virtual PC just fine (free download from MS), and if you have a legal XP CD and key, you can simply install it in the VM and use it.

If you mean the 'right click > run in XP compatibility mode' then that works on all editions.

--edit--
The link above is how you would upgrade Win 7 to PRO. Paying for DVD is worthless since all editions exist on all the DVD's and only the code unlocks the features. You don't even need to insert the DVD as the image is stashed on the HDD.

 

[uberman]

Thank you hdfxst and iamgoon. Although I hate upgrade discs such as "Microsoft Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade [Home Premium to Professional]," for $69.99 might solve my problem. I know we all prefer original full version WIN CDs for a clean install, but the price is right and I'd simply have to lay it on top of this WIN 7 Home Premium.

I recieved no backup CDs whatsoever with this unit. Toshiba did not even give me blank DVDs. I must buy some DVDs and make my own recovery discs. UPDATE: I just flipped this laptop over and the key # for WIN 7 is on the bottom.

I have 5 WIN XP PRO machines but the key for those have all been activated and are in use on the machines. No extra WIN XP key codes.

 

[imagoon]

Thank you hdfxst and iamgoon. Although I hate upgrade discs such as "Microsoft Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade [Home Premium to Professional]," for $69.99 might solve my problem. I know we all prefer original full version WIN CDs for a clean install, but the price is right and I'd simply have to lay it on top of this WIN 7 Home Premium.

I recieved no backup CDs whatsoever with this unit. Toshiba did not even give me blank DVDs. I must buy some DVDs and make my own recovery discs. UPDATE: I just flipped this laptop over and the key # for WIN 7 is on the bottom.

I have 5 WIN XP PRO machines but the key for those have all been activated and are in use on the machines. No extra WIN XP key codes.

Like I said all you get is a code, you don't get a physical media when you upgrade.

 

[uberman]

Like I said all you get is a code, you don't get a physical media when you upgrade.

I've finally figured out what your saying regarding upgrading to WIN 7 PRO. You no longer buy upgrade discs like I've done in the past. The marketing has changed to simply provide a key code to upgrade. That explains the "Anytime Upgrade" advertising.

 

[Nothinman]

I've finally figured out what your saying regarding upgrading to WIN 7 PRO. You no longer buy upgrade discs like I've done in the past. The marketing has changed to simply provide a key code to upgrade. That explains the "Anytime Upgrade" advertising.

Because it's just a SKU upgrade within Win7, I wouldn't expect them to offer the same for Win8.

 

[uberman]

Thank you, hdfxst, Imagoon and Nothinman.

I got the WIN 7 Pro upgrade for $69.99 and it upgraded easy. Now I have to try software. I'm wondering if it will accept Unreal Tounament. I'll find out.

Thanks for your help, the link and advice. I'm not a big gamer. Most of my progs are utilities and business apps. I was ignorant of the new upgrade keys, but you guys explained it well. Thanks again.

 

[Nothinman]

UT was OpenGL-based, right? If so, I would think its ability to run would be based upon the driver's OpenGL ICD, since MS doesn't seem to care about standards like that in favor of their own API.

 

[lxskllr]

UT runs in Vista. I'd expect it would run fine in Win7.