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General discussion (archive)Windows XP or Windows 7?(38 posts)solved(38 posts)solved
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This is my favourite topic
Posted March 14, 2012
I'm preparing to get a new PC that can run The Witcher 2, but i'm a bit squeamish about switching from Windows XP Pro 32-bit to Windows 7 64-bit as i've heard on the forums that some of the older GOG games may have trouble running or even starting on Win 7 64-bit.
Would it be possible to use my Win XP install disc I got with my old Dell PC on a new PC or would Microsoft's DRM get in the way? I've read something about having to re-authenticate Windows XP if installing on a new PC, but that Micorsoft doesn't always allow that or something.
Another question I have is, if Microsoft is supposed to end support for WIndows XP in 2014 (I think), would it even be worth the hassle of trying to keep XP?
Finally, are there ways of getting around any compatibility issues with older games on Win 7 64-bit?
I guess I should also ask if I need the extra RAM that a 64-bit OS can "see" to run The Witcher 2 smoothly.
This question / problem has been solved by dr.zliimage
Posted March 14, 2012
I would definitely recommend going with Windows 7. There really isn't any point in hanging on to XP anymore, other than possibly in a virtual machine for those few games that flat-out won't run on Win7.
Posted March 14, 2012
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haydenaurion: I'm preparing to get a new PC that can run The Witcher 2, but i'm a bit squeamish about switching from Windows XP Pro 32-bit to Windows 7 64-bit as i've heard on the forums that some of the older GOG games may have trouble running or even starting on Win 7 64-bit.
Would it be possible to use my Win XP install disc I got with my old Dell PC on a new PC or would Microsoft's DRM get in the way? I've read something about having to re-authenticate Windows XP if installing on a new PC, but that Micorsoft doesn't always allow that or something.
Another question I have is, if Microsoft is supposed to end support for WIndows XP in 2014 (I think), would it even be worth the hassle of trying to keep XP?
Finally, are there ways of getting around any compatibility issues with older games on Win 7 64-bit?
I guess I should also ask if I need the extra RAM that a 64-bit OS can "see" to run The Witcher 2 smoothly.
Support ends for WinXP in 2014.Means no more patches or security updates etc.
But there is a large userbase still (i think they actually extended the deadline a while back), so heaps still use WinXP. Lots are moving to Win7 because its easy to use, compatible with many/most hardware devices and backward compatible with much of the older software in use. Cant comment on the game issues except everything ive tried (most GOG and other retail/steam games) work fine .
Posted March 14, 2012
Windows 7 Ultimate comes with a Virtual Machine capability AND XP Mode. I can't see a reason to not switch unless you have software that only works on XP.
Posted March 14, 2012
I have yet to see an old game I can't run on windows 7 64 bit. I have 2 work desktops and company laptop, all three run win 7 pro x64 and I can run gogs and old games without problems on every one of them :)
Posted March 14, 2012
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DaveO-MM: Windows 7 Ultimate comes with a Virtual Machine capability AND XP Mode. I can't see a reason to not switch unless you have software that only works on XP.
Well, i've heard kind of mixed things on Win 7's VM and XP Mode. Can you personally vouch for those features?
Posted March 14, 2012
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DaveO-MM: Windows 7 Ultimate comes with a Virtual Machine capability AND XP Mode. I can't see a reason to not switch unless you have software that only works on XP.
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haydenaurion: Well, i've heard kind of mixed things on Win 7's VM and XP Mode. Can you personally vouch for those features?
I can. YOu can run any old software that runs on XP on your win7 in a virtual box. But many programs run with just little tweaking and in compatibility mode. Note that you don't have advanced direct x features in a virtual box so it can't fully support 3d games but then there are other means of running them like dosbox and compatibility mode.
Posted March 14, 2012
Note. Although u can use Xp mode for games, its really built for application compatability.Not games...
Posted March 14, 2012
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haydenaurion: Well, i've heard kind of mixed things on Win 7's VM and XP Mode. Can you personally vouch for those features?
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dr.zli: I can. YOu can run any old software that runs on XP on your win7 in a virtual box. But many programs run with just little tweaking and in compatibility mode. Note that you don't have advanced direct x features in a virtual box so it can't fully support 3d games but then there are other means of running them like dosbox and compatibility mode.
What about games that don't use dosbox, would the advanced direct x issue be a problem there?
Posted March 14, 2012
How about something else?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/download

The license lasts until the first three months of 2013, and the OS is very stable, no crashes so far (a few in IE10 when playing Flash videos, but that's not a problem since only the tab crashes).

It will save you money, and if you don't like it or doesn't work properly, you always have the option of buying Windows 7.
Posted March 14, 2012
can you list the games you'd like to play so I can give you a specific answer?

EDIT: for the love of god, no windows8 please! :P
Post edited March 14, 2012 by dr.zli
Posted March 14, 2012
There are a limited number of older games that won't run on Windows 7. But opting for Windows XP means that a growing number of newer games won't run on your computer as well.

Moreover, hardware evolution means that opting for 7 is a safer bet ( SSDs for instance are best suited for 7 and up, the same for AMD APUs ).

You will always have the option of running xp in a virtual machine. The generic virtual machine provided with 7 pro and ultimate is probably not the most appropriate solution, but doesn't require you to have a separate XP disc. It will only partially offset the issue as it's not really fit for xp games requiring GPU power. VMware might be a better solution.
Posted March 14, 2012
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kavazovangel: How about something else?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/download

The license lasts until the first three months of 2013, and the OS is very stable, no crashes so far (a few in IE10 when playing Flash videos, but that's not a problem since only the tab crashes).

It will save you money, and if you don't like it or doesn't work properly, you always have the option of buying Windows 7.
if your happy with using a BETA OS by all means. Sorry K had to point that bit out. :)

Thanks for how long the beta license lasts for. Wasnt sure myself :)
Post edited March 14, 2012 by nijuu
Posted March 14, 2012
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dr.zli: can you list the games you'd like to play so I can give you a specific answer?

EDIT: for the love of god, no windows8 please! :P
The Witcher
The Witcher 2
Ultima 1, 2, 3 ,4 ,5 ,6 & 7
Baldur's Gate 1 & 2
Planescape: Torment
Fallout 1 & 2
Wing Commander 1, 2, 3 & Privateer
Sim City 2000
Heroes of Might & Magic III Complete
Crusade No Remorse and No Regret
Real Myst
Riven
The Longest Journey
Alone in the Dark 1, 2 & 3
Star Control 1 & 2
Master of Orion 1 & 2
The Zork Anthology
Deus Ex GotY Edition
Syndicate
Starflight 1 & 2
Populous 2
Outcast
Hitman 1 & 2
Jagged Alliance 2
Total Annihilation
Descent 1 & 2
Guilty Gear X2 Reload
Neverwinter Nights Diamond
Rayman 2
Psychonauts
Freedom Force vs The 3rd Reich
Flatout
Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers
Duke Nukem 3D
Blood

Phew, sorry for the wall of text. Those are all GOG versions by the way. There are some of those titles that if I couldn't play them on Windows 7 wouldn't bother me.
Post edited March 14, 2012 by haydenaurion
Posted March 14, 2012
I will put !! symbol after the name of each game I own and which works on win7 and -- if I own it and had problems with it. I'll put - sign if I don't own the game or didn't test it

The Witcher !!
The Witcher 2 !!
Ultima 1, 2, 3 ,4 ,5 ,6 & 7 !!
Baldur's Gate 1 & 2 -
Planescape: Torment !!
Fallout 1 & 2 !!
Wing Commander 1, 2, 3 & Privateer !!
Sim City 2000 -
Heroes of Might & Magic III Complete -
Crusade No Remorse and No Regret !!
Real Myst -
Riven -
The Longest Journey !!
Alone in the Dark 1, 2 & 3 -
Star Control 1 & 2 !!
Master of Orion 1 & 2 !!
The Zork Anthology -
Deus Ex GotY Edition !!
Syndicate -
Starflight 1 & 2 !!
Populous 2 -
Outcast !!
Hitman 1 & 2 !!
Jagged Alliance 2 !!
Total Annihilation -
Descent 1 & 2 -
Guilty Gear X2 Reload !!
Neverwinter Nights Diamond !!
Rayman 2 -
Psychonauts !!
Freedom Force vs The 3rd Reich -
Flatout -
Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers !!
Duke Nukem 3D -
Blood -
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This is my favourite topic
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General discussion (archive)Windows XP or Windows 7?(38 posts)solved(38 posts)solved
(38 posts)solved