which computer o/s?

[gwilliums]

I am having a problem acdtivating  my copy of win xp sp3 and will have to buy a new o/s disk,
and wondered if I should stay with xp sp3 or try windows 7, is there any advantage to change or to use the old addage if it ain't broke don't fix it.
Any advice from win 7 users would be great.

I am using sbs1-er, plane plotter and active display which are all running fine.

[speedbird1960]

Hi Gordon.

I would stick with XP, i know lots of people who have had problems with Windows 7.

They have had problems with drivers/ software that won't run and map problems.

Also if you don't buy the 64bit Windows 7, you have to pay for XP mode. ( So it will run the drivers that don't work on Windows 7.)

Speedy

[Anmer]

Can you not resolve the XP3 "activate" issue?  What's changed?

[Starliner]

Hi
I have both XP and Win7, and I much prefer XP. Win7 has a more complex structure with both Programme Files and Programme Files(x86). In Win7 Basestation is in the latter, whereas in XP it is in the former. You will also find several files go into a virtual store where you can't always see them easily.
There is a problem however with XP. I believe that Microsoft no longer licence the use of XP in new computers & I don't know if you will be able to buy a new XP disc. MS will also cease to support XP before too long. You can run Win7 in XP mode, but only if you buy Win7 Professional rather than the Home Premium version. There are hacks to get XP to run on the cheaper versions of Win7 , but you will find after a while that MS require an activation code from them to keep it running.
I suggest you persevere with XP, and see  what the forthcoming Windows 8 offers in terms of compatibility.
Regards
Dave

[viking9]

Hi
I have both XP and Win7, and I much prefer XP. Win7 has a more complex structure with both Programme Files and Programme Files(x86). In Win7 Basestation is in the latter, whereas in XP it is in the former. You will also find several files go into a virtual store where you can't always see them easily.
There is a problem however with XP. I believe that Microsoft no longer licence the use of XP in new computers & I don't know if you will be able to buy a new XP disc. MS will also cease to support XP before too long. You can run Win7 in XP mode, but only if you buy Win7 Professional rather than the Home Premium version. There are hacks to get XP to run on the cheaper versions of Win7 , but you will find after a while that MS require an activation code from them to keep it running.
I suggest you persevere with XP, and see  what the forthcoming Windows 8 offers in terms of compatibility.
Regards
Dave

The names of the folders are Program Files and Program Files (x86). Programme is never used in computing.

Win 7 Home Premium 64 bit has the facility to run applications in XP mode - right click on the .exe file in Windows Explorer then click on the  'Compatibility' tab. You will then be presented with a choice of Windows operating system modes to run the application in.

Tom

[gwilliums]

Mike in reply to your question, I had formatted the computer 3 times since I got it about 2 years ago and can't remember the computer name that it was originally called and now I cannot reactivate the copy I have I have tried ringing MS and cant even get to a human being.
I went out and bought a cheap disk from a computer shop in london and can't activate that copy either.
so now I have about 30 days remaining before I have to buy a new o/s or formatt and reformat after the grace period.
regards G.

[Anmer]

So you had a computer that came with Windows XP pre-installed?  If you did, its an OEM versiion that's tied to the PC, usally the MAC address.  Do you have a recovery disk for XP?

When you say you went out and bought a cheap disk, do you mean hard disk or CD with Windows XP?

[gwilliums]

What happened Mike is, I had the computer built to my own spec at a computer fair and they installed xp and I had the windows disk.
No recovery disk as such.

[Anmer]

Thanks Gordon.  So you still have the XP disk from the computer fair?

What about the "cheap disk"?  Was that a new hard drive?

[gwilliums]

sorry Mike , no it was a windows disk that should have been handed out with a new computer, got it for 35 quid. that is the one I am currently using.

[Triple7]

If your PC / Laptop is still booting up OK, you could try WinKeyFinder:

http://www.winkeyfinder.com/component/remository/winkeyfinder/Win-Keyfinder-1.73-RC2/

This will tell you the product key and Product ID for the operating system loaded onto your system. It might help you obtain the No's you need to be able to activate your OS. 

Failing that £25 on eBay for a new disk:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Windows-XP-Professional-Pro-SP3-/220945548054?pt=UK_Computing_Software_Software_SR&hash=item3371618316

HTH

Tim

[gwilliums]

okies thanks for the advice Mike will let you know how I get on

[Starliner]

Tom
Re your reply #4
Extract from google search

Most importantly, Windows XP-mode lets you use Windows 7, while still providing a platform for you to use legacy hardware that is not compatible with Windows 7.

There is a catch though. Windows XP Mode is only available for the Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions of Windows 7. The millions of consumers who are still using Windows XP and are considering whether or not to switch to Windows 7 Home Premium do not have the benefit of leveraging XP Mode to connect older hardware or incompatible software.

The compatability tab on my Home Premium version does not give me the option to run XP

[viking9]

As I said in my post, Win 7 Home Premium 64 bit does. I'll post a screenshot if you want.

Tom

[gwilliums]

Thanks for all your replies gents, I am goint to tinker at the weekend and see if I can't get this disk validated using the ideas and good advice from you all, If that doesn't work It's Hammer time