Which of These Should I Choose?

[TalonStrike]

I want to download Windows 7, and my school offers the following versions of Windows 7 for free. Which one should I choose?

Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Debugging Symbols (x64) - (English)
Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Debugging Symbols Checked Build (x64) - (English)
Windows 7 Debugging Symbols (x86) - (English)
Windows 7 Debugging Symbols Checked Build (x86) - (English)
Windows 7 Language Pack (x64) - DVD (Multilanguage)
Windows 7 Language Pack (x86) - DVD (Multilanguage)
Windows 7 Professional (x64) - DVD (English)
Windows 7 Professional (x86) - DVD (English)

 

[lxskllr]

One of the last 2. Those are the only O/Ss listed. The rest are addons to an O/S.

 

[VirtualLarry]

^ What he said. Btw, "x64" is the 64-bit version, and "x86" is the 32-bit version.

 

[super_sinbad]

Windows 7 Professional (x64) - DVD (English)

 

[TalonStrike]

Windows 7 Professional (x64) - DVD (English)

ok, I started downloading this. So, how will this work? I currently have Vista. will I have the option of choosing Vista or Windows 7 when I start up my computer? Or will it overwrite Vista, and then I'll only have Windows 7? Will I have to move all my files, software, etc. over to Windows 7, or will my stuff still be there when I start up Windows 7?

 

[super_sinbad]

You have the option to upgrade your current windows, however, I'd go with a fresh clean install, backup all your data to an external HDD or network drive because the clean installation will wipe out everything, then boot the machine from Windows 7 CD and choose custom installation, you'll have the option to format the destination HDD, go ahead and format then proceed with the installation, after everything is done, you can restore your data.

How much memory does your system have?

ok, I started downloading this. So, how will this work? I currently have Vista. will I have the option of choosing Vista or Windows 7 when I start up my computer? Or will it overwrite Vista, and then I'll only have Windows 7? Will I have to move all my files, software, etc. over to Windows 7, or will my stuff still be there when I start up Windows 7?

 

[TalonStrike]

So if I choose to upgrade my current windows, I will retain all of my data?

 

[super_sinbad]

So if I choose to upgrade my current windows, I will retain all of my data?

Yes, if you choose the upgrade option, your files will be kept in place.

I'd still backup everything before proceeding with either option.

 

[TalonStrike]

wow wtf. I downloaded it, then tried installing it and it gave me an error and stopped installing.

This is where the error occurred:


Extracting efi\microsoft\boot\fonts\chs_boot.ttf Unable to create file

 

[Cogman]

Its possible your download was corrupted. You might have to try again. CRCs and MD5s are your friends.

 

[TalonStrike]

I don't see how it would have been corrupted. I downloaded the whole thing without stopping the downloading process even once.

 

[Billb2]

There's billions and billions of bits in that download and only one has to get corrupted for a failure.

 

[Cogman]

I don't see how it would have been corrupted. I downloaded the whole thing without stopping the downloading process even once.

I've had large downloads corrupted (even after downloading them straight). In fact, the larger your file, the more likely it will be corrupted.

If you burnt a CD, there is a chance that corruption entered there as well.

Any process of data transfer from one media to the next runs the risk of corruption entering.

 

[TalonStrike]

Well, that makes it sound like it will be impossible to download this without some type of corruption. My school also offers the disc version of Windows 7, but it costs $23. It's not free like the downloaded version is.

Oh well, it might be better going with the disc version. That way, I could lend my brother the disc and he could install it too. Also, if I do recall correctly, one of my professors says that he downloaded Windows 7 from the school, and he found it was an illegal copy. I don't think the disc version would be...

 

[Cogman]

Well, that makes it sound like it will be impossible to download this without some type of corruption. My school also offers the disc version of Windows 7, but it costs $23. It's not free like the downloaded version is.

Oh well, it might be better going with the disc version. That way, I could lend my brother the disc and he could install it too. Also, if I do recall correctly, one of my professors says that he downloaded Windows 7 from the school, and he found it was an illegal copy. I don't think the disc version would be...

It isn't impossible, it is just harder than you might expect. Just pulling a number out of experience, I would estimate that probably 75% of the time you'll get a bit perfect copy of a 700mb file off the internet.

This is one of the places where torrenting really shines. It has much better error catching mechanisms than regular the standard TCP/IP protocol has.

 

[lxskllr]

There's nothing wrong with downloaded copies, but you have to check the md5 on it. You can do that now, and the correct sum should be posted on the download page. If that checks out, reburn the disc. I very seldom burn at full speed. Slower is better for accuracy, and quality of burn. Burn at half your burners rated speed, or even less. If you start it before you go to bed, it'll be ready in the morning.