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Should I Upgrade or Clean Install of Vista (or neither)?

http://tinyurl.com/yoha2m

Definitions

        Upgrade: over a previous edition of Windows XP or Windows 2000

        Clean: in a new folder or new PC without applications, settings, user preferences, etc.

Which should I do?

Neither i.e. “sit tight” for now?

                Another OS e.g. Linux or buy a Mac?

Eventually you will have to make the decision

Langa: “Therefore, I think it's just plain bad advice — downright silly, in fact — to say "forget about Vista." But it's also silly to say, "You're doomed unless you upgrade to Vista immediately." Both extremes are wrong”

MS plans to stop full support for XP on 4/2009

Many will wait “awhile” re bugs, etc.

                Home edition reported to have fewer advantages then Window XP

        Go to the Web and search for the pros and cons

http://tinyurl.com/3328z6:

Windows Vista: more than five years in the making, more than 50 million lines of code. The result? A vista slightly more inspiring than the one over the town dump. The new slogan is: "The 'Wow' Starts Now," and Microsoft touts new features, many filched shamelessly from Apple's Macintosh. But as with every previous version, there's no wow here, not even in ironic quotes. Vista is at best mildly annoying and at worst makes you want to rush to Redmond, Wash. and rip somebody's liver out.

“Good and Bad” Smart Computing April 2007:

The Good:

                1. A breath of fresh

                2. Social security e.g. User Account Control

                3. Performance perks e.g. SuperFetch, Disk Fragmenter and ReadyBoost

4. Digital media party e.g. WMP, Windows Media Movie Maker, Windows Media Center, DVD Maker and Windows Photo Gallery

                5. Lots of options i.e. 4-6 editions

                6. Windows Flip i.e. better way to ALT-TAB.

                7. Live Taskbar Thumbnails

                8. Explorer windows i.e. expansion of Windows Explorer

                9. Instant Search.

10. Family Safety Settings

The Bad

1. Different, but not better

2. Back away from Basic

3. System “requirements” i.e. underestimated

4. Limited upgrade options e.g. Users cannot upgrade from WinXP Media Center to Vista Business, or from WinXP Professional to Vista Home Premium. Such users can upgrade only by wiping their old version of Windows off the hard drive and starting over with the new version. Upgrade Advisor not accurate.

5. The cost of new windows

6. Backup i.e. weak; only Business and Ultimate have “full functionality”. User cannot cherry pick files and folders to back up

7. Internet Explorer 7 not really bad but not great. Antiphishing filter is weak.

8. Windows Sidebar i.e. Gadgets are nice but fortunately can be disabled.

9. Speech recognition is flawed.

10. It’s still Microsoft with its flaws

Clean?

                More expensive then Upgrade edition

                        Using an upgrade edition to do a clean install? http://tinyurl.com/2cwx3v

(originally reported by Brian Livingston in his "Windows Secrets" newsletter, as well as by various other sources at ZD-Net and InfoWorld)

Generally preferable IF you have the time and willingness to back up your hard drive, format it then re-establish all of your settings

                Must do with a new machine and no OS

                Must do in PC with OS previous to WinXP

                Must do if present PC is inadequate e.g. space, RAM

In PC with greater than one partition and dual boot

                To get rid of problems e.g. corruption, “bloated” Registry, slow PC; you get a “fresh” system

My personal preference!

Steps in doing a clean install

        If not a new PC, format it prior to installation

Much of the preparation same as with upgrade e.g. backup (full or “cherry pick”) that is fully restorable by checking it

Is the machine adequate (as with upgrade)?

Have available all your program installation disks

Data transfer methods: http://tinyurl.com/3yupab

• USB cable that connecting both PCs

• Network connection between both PCs

• Removable media e.g. USB flash, external hard disk.

• CD burner or a DVD burner (Windows-based PC) and blank media; burn the files and settings to a disc; transfer the files and settings to Windows Vista

User State Migration tool http://tinyurl.com/ghkrj

                Allows saving and restoration of user’s settings and files e.g. Desktop color schemes, Wallpaper, network connection settings such as email servers and proxy servers, etc

                Can be customized

Be patient as the procedure may take lots of time!

Upgrade?

To avoid reinstalling programs, data, preferences, email settings, network connections, etc BUT preserves the “ugly” e.g. corrupted files, outdated drivers, unwanted Registry entries with slow PC (MS claims to have improved this situation)

Less expensive than Full version, You can start with less expensive edition then later do a further “more powerful” upgrade (Start> Control Panel> Click "System and Maintenance," > Windows Anytime Upgrade).

                If you have Windows XP Home: Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, or Ultimate versions of Vista.

If you have Windows XP Professional: only to Business or Ultimate.

If you have Windows XP Media Center: to either Home Premium or Ultimate.

Steps in doing an Upgrade

        Make sure that your machine will accommodate Vista i.e. download Windows Vista Upgrade in your Windows XP PC.  http://tinyurl.com/27pekc (Be sure to plug in any USB devices or other devices such as printers, external hard drives, or scanners that are regularly used with the PC you're evaluating.)

        Back up data e.g. external HD, thumb dives(s), optical drive,

        Have installation disks available e.g. MS Office,

Update Window XP prior to installation of Vista

        Windows file transfer utility http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928635

        Uninstall or disable security software antivirus program prior to installing Vista as they may cause problems

Kim Komando:

Feature	Home Basic	Home Premium	Business	Ultimate
Windows Defender Anti-spyware	X	X	X	X
Windows Firewall	X	X	X	X
Instant Search	X	X	X	X
Internet Explorer 7	X	X	X	X
Aero experience with Windows 3D Flip		X	X	X
Windows Mobility Center and Tablet PC support		X	X	X
Windows Meeting Space		X	X	X
Windows Media Center		X		X
Connect to Xbox 360 and other gadgets with Windows Media Center Extenders		X		X
Windows DVD Maker		X		X
Windows Movie Maker in High Definition			X	X
Advanced Business backup features			X	X
Scheduled Backup		X	X	X
Complete PC Backup and Restore			X	X
Business Networking and Remote Desktop			X	X
Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption				X
How much does it cost (upgrade/full)	$100/ $200	$160/ $240	$200/ $300	$260/ $400*

* Windows Vista Ultimate qualifies for the Windows Vista Family Discount. Buy a retail version of Ultimate (upgrade or full version). Then, you can purchase two copies of Vista Home Premium for $50. The offer lasts through June 30, 2007.