Is anyone running Windows 7?

[maginter]

Hi -

Has anyone changed over to Windows 7 Operating System for their bot?

Just curious.

TIA,

Mark

[andyb]

Mark,
Windows 7 has not been officially released yet. Oct 22th I think is the release date. They just released the RC version about a month ago. I ran the beta version on a spare PC for a couple months and it is a real improvement over Vista. But if someone is using it to run their bot they are braver than I am. I'd wait for the full release and then some before I'd use it to run by bot but even then I'll stick with XP until it fails me.

Andy B.

[dlcw]

RTM (release to manufacturing) this month with availability in the channels in October. This according to a friend of mine who works for Microsoft.

Don
www.diamondlakewoodworks.com (http://www.diamondlakewoodworks.com)

[maginter]

The reason I asked is because the Computer that came with my Bot has a suspect counterfeit copy of Windows. I finally got a card to get it on my network and after the first update; the big counterfeit warning comes up. So I need to get a new copy of Windows. I am running XP pro on all my other machines without issue. I really don’t want to spend the full amount through Microsoft to buy a new copy of XP Pro if they are not going to support it after Windows 7 comes out. Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE XP Pro, but I thought that if I had to do a conversion anyway……

I was just curious if anyone has experimented with a Beta copy. Sound like not really. I will probably set up a virtual PC on my main Home machine and do some playing around to see what errors I can generate…..

[rb99]

I have been using it one one of my PC's for about 4 months...it is a little buggy...I have not run SB though.

RIB

[jerry_stanek]

Is there an XP key on a sticker on the computer. If there is then you can call Microsoft and have it activated as a legal copy. The key is what you buy not the software.

[courtney2018]

Mark,
You can get Win XP Pro from newegg.com pretty cheap ($140 with free shipping).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116515

This is what I used to build my computer about a year ago, although it was $40 cheaper then. You might be able to find it somewhere online for around $100, but newegg is consistent with good pricing and quality customer service.

Are you sure that Microsoft is going to stop support for XP? It's hard to believe that they would do that considering how many users still have XP, refuse to switch to Vista and will wait a year or so before switching to 7.

[jerry_stanek]

They say support for xp will end in 2014

[cnc_works]

And even if Microsoft ends support, it does not mean XP will automatically shut off. And there will be plenty of non-Microsoft support available, both free and paid to help you through any glitches, not that I have had consistently wonderful experiences with Microsoft support anyway.

Personally, for your bot control machine I would stick with XP until Shopbot told me I had to upgrade because SHOPBOT no longer supported XP.

With a little digging, I have easily found copies of XP Pro (though, for bot control purposes, XP Home works equally as well) for as little as $50.

Donn

[maginter]

There is a Key sticker, but it is for XP home, not XP Pro. I guess I will have to look around a little more. When you get the warning you are taken to the Microsoft website where you can purchase a license for $250. I didn't realize that there were still places sell XP Pro.... That is what I get for listening to Microsoft. I am a littlw warry of the $50 price because I cannot alway be sure it is a trusted source and it won't put me right back where I am.

Thansk for the input....

Mark

[jerry_stanek]

For about $100 you can get a refurbished computer with XP Pro loaded from Micro Center. I have one that I run my bot with. Check out this page.

http://www.microcenter.com/specials/catalogs/broadsheet.html

[maginter]

That would be great, but I want the disc with the machine. I don't like having just the recovery disc. Thanks for the input though.....

[bob_s]

Mark
I am running a PRS on XP home edition with absolutely no system problems. SO if you can get that for $0 I would suggest it.
Now if XP pro will fix the need for a 27 hour day I will pay up for the upgrade as well.

[courtney2018]

Mark,
One of my other computers runs on a black copy of XP Pro. The only thing that you can't do on it is run Microsoft Media Player. Everything else is fine. I wouldn't let it bother you. If the only thing you're using it for is to run your Shopbot I'd just let it be.

[maginter]

Courtney -
My big concern is if there is a time limit on the Not Genuine warning and I shut down in a job and can't get back in, I am hosed.... Oherwise I have no issue runnign with the warning. I have disable the Microsoft nagging update so the only time i see anything related to this issue is on boot up. This machine is only used for the Bot.

[jerry_stanek]

I ran one of my computer for years with that warning. it just nags you. I had a legal copy but it said it was not a genuine copy.

[maginter]

Thanks for all the input!!!!