Switching from XP to Windows 7

ardichokeardichoke Icrontian
edited August 2009 in Science & Tech
As most of you have probably gathered, the motherboard in my desktop bit it earlier this week. I now have the replacement (as well as a shiny new OCZ modular power supply) and the beast is back up and running again. As part of this switch I obviously had to reinstall my OS (I'm running on a RAID array, no way to salvage it since I moved from an nvidia 570 SLi chipset to an AMD 770 chipset). I decided instead of XP that I would move ahead and install Windows 7 RC. I haven't really used Vista so I'm not super familiar with the new file structure Windows is using. I have backups of my old XP user directory. Assuming that I want to restore my application data and whatnot, does everything go in the same place relative to my user folder in Windows 7 or is there a new layout to things?

My backups basically consist of an archive of all files... I used Cobian backup to make incremental backups every 2-3 days.

Comments

  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited July 2009
    See image.
  • ardichokeardichoke Icrontian
    edited July 2009
    Thanks Thrax, much appreciated.
  • DocFrazierDocFrazier Gladbrook, IA Icrontian
    edited August 2009
    What chipset drivers should i use? for windows 7 Gigabyte offers an audio driver only. should i use the vista 64 bit drivers?

    MB model #: GA-MA770-DS3 (would be rev 1 cause it doesn't say a rev on the card, right.)
    was looking around and found this site:
    http://www.opendrivers.com/categorycompany/1364/11250/mainboard-drivers-and-utilities-gigabyte-free-driver-download-page1.html

    wondering should i see something in there i need, its mostly gibberish for me.

    the main reason i'm switching to 7 is all the minor issues i'm having with my computer right now.
  • SnarkasmSnarkasm Madison, WI Icrontian
    edited August 2009
    I haven't installed 7 and needed to find drivers yet. Only worry about drivers if something doesn't work with the defaults, really.
  • ardichokeardichoke Icrontian
    edited August 2009
    Thrax, slight modification to your image from my experience so far with Win7...

    WindXP -> Win7
    Documents and Settings\"User"<user>\Application Data\ -> Users\</user>"User"<user><user>\AppData\Roaming
    Documents and Settings\<user></user></user></user>"User"<user><user><user>\Local Settings\Application Data -> Users\</user></user></user>"User"<user><user><user><user>\AppData\Local

    At least that has worked for me so far. It makes so much sense it's hard to believe Microsoft came up with it.</user></user></user></user>
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited August 2009
    The topic of Windows 7 and drivers:

    If your audio driver works, don't install new ones.
    If your network driver works, don't install new ones.
    If your chipset has Windows 7-ready drivers, install them, otherwise don't use Vista 64 drivers.
    If your AHCI/SATA controller has Windows 7-ready drivers, install them, otherwise don't use Vista 64 drivers.

    For peripherals like webcams, keyboards and other such devices, Vista 64 drivers are fine.

    This will make for the best, most stable experience.
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited August 2009
    Caveat: Vista 64 drivers do not work well with Logitech Quickcam Pro or G15 yet; not fully. For now, if you use either product, just go with the drivers that MS provides and deal with reduced functionality, because installing the Vista 64 software package will bitch up your win7 install. I've confirmed this with Logitech themselves, and my own bitter experience.
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited August 2009
    I have a Logitech G15 that works swimmingly with the Vista x64 drivers. All of the compatible apps register with the LCD, the program has never hung, and the PC doesn't BSOD/lag/freeze.

    It's probably just the camera.
  • SnarkasmSnarkasm Madison, WI Icrontian
    edited August 2009
    G15 works for me as well, but I have the later revision.
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited August 2009
    I have the first revision.
Sign In or Register to comment.