Upgrading from Windows XP to 8.1 ?????????

[TURBOPOWERED68]

I have a dinosaur that i LOVE (Dell 8200) running Windows xp and the hardware is not compatible with 8.1.

What is the best way to keep my programs, settings and personal info?

 

[Chuck Leeper]

I'm in the same boat... A 10+ yr old pc/XP unit.
Needing to move to 8.1.
I don't know how, so I may just hire it done.
I did a quik Google. DAMN!, scary stuff!
https://www.google.com/search?q=How to change over from XP to 8.1??&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-USfficial&client=firefox-a&channel=sb

 

[S10xGN]

Some of those old programs won't run. As for any data files, if the old 'puter has a working ethernet port, you can direct-connect the two with a "twisted pair" ethernet cable or just use a thumb-drive in a USB port. Once you have a connection, you can transfer any files between the two. But you'll still need to "install" the old programs on the Win8 box and not just drag the folders....

 

[TURBOPOWERED68]

Some of those old programs won't run. As for any data files, if the old 'puter has a working ethernet port, you can direct-connect the two with a "twisted pair" ethernet cable or just use a thumb-drive in a USB port. Once you have a connection, you can transfer any files between the two. But you'll still need to "install" the old programs on the Win8 box and not just drag the folders....

i tried to install some of the old software on my laptop (windows 8.1) and it started bugging out so i removed it and now the laptop beeps on certain key strokes.

 

[S10xGN]

Strange timing, but this came today in my e-mail. I use a VM (freeware from Oracle) to run XP from within my Win7 laptop, it'll run damn near anything. I even loaded DOS 6.22 in a VM just to see if it could be done...

 

[GSTOY]

Stay away from Win 8.1 at all costs. Unfortunately my trusty old Dell crashed and I had to get another laptop. Hate is not even a strong enough word to describe this POS software. If you must upgrade, go to Win7 My.02

 

[S10xGN]

A lot of the big box stores will sell 'puters with the option to "downgrade" to the previous major version OS, in this case Win7...

 

[TURBOPOWERED68]

my laptop is windows 8.1 and i am sortta getting use to it.
my big problem is my old business software.

 

[BigReade]

This may be a dumb question, and I don't mean to thread jack at all, so my apologies
if it seems as such. But, why are you upgrading? Is it because this is a multi use computer, and you need to keep up with modern times? I ask because I just bought an older notebook (still runs on Windows XP), but my sole purpose for this comp is just to use for datalogging in my car. And I'm hoping I didn't make a bad decision here.

 

[TURBOPOWERED68]

This may be a dumb question, and I don't mean to thread jack at all, so my apologies
if it seems as such. But, why are you upgrading? Is it because this is a multi use computer, and you need to keep up with modern times? I ask because I just bought an older notebook (still runs on Windows XP), but my sole purpose for this comp is just to use for datalogging in my car. And I'm hoping I didn't make a bad decision here.

From what I have read you can keep using the old systems as long as you stay off of the web.
The computer in question is my main use desktop (web and work)
I am considering getting an "old" laptop just for the work software.
I am also going to contact the software manufacturer to see if they have an 8.1 compatible version

 

[TURBOPOWERED68]

ok they do have a 8.1 version but its redesigned, time to learn this crap all over again arrrrrrggggggg

 

[TurboDave]

I can't imagine why anyone would want to run that piece of crap software (win8). I've talked to a LOT of computer techs and haven't been able to find a single one that thinks win8 is nothing more than a useless piece of garbage.
Besides it's shortfalls, it's designed for touch screen monitors. Unless you have a touch screen monitor, why bother???? I would have to demand a down grade to win7 if I were buying a new puter now days.

 

[TURBOPOWERED68]

I can't imagine why anyone would want to run that piece of crap software (win8). I've talked to a LOT of computer techs and haven't been able to find a single one that thinks win8 is nothing more than a useless piece of garbage.
Besides it's shortfalls, it's designed for touch screen monitors. Unless you have a touch screen monitor, why bother???? I would have to demand a down grade to win7 if I were buying a new puter now days.

I am far from being computer savvy,
I have been using 8.1 on my laptop (right now) and haven't had any problems.
The only issue sortta was/is not finding stuff. To be fair YouTube tutorials have been a life saver.

 

[TurboDave]

I am far from being computer savvy,
I have been using 8.1 on my laptop (right now) and haven't had any problems.
The only issue sortta was/is not finding stuff. To be fair YouTube tutorials have been a life saver.

Well, if you're happy with it then I guess that's all that's important. Personally, if the day ever comes that I'm forced to have to buy a win8 machine will be the day I switch over to Apple.

 

[Undercover87T]

Best suggestion I can offer is to download the Win 7 classic shell. You will still have access to the Win 8 tile menu if you wish but if you click on desktop it will look and function just like Win 7 with a traditional start menu, control panel, etc.

 

[O SO LO]

I'm looking into the same thing, planning on putting Windows 7 on my computer.
Doesn't require as much software as Windows 8.1- and if you look thru the steps there are programs you
can run that will tell you what will transfer and what won't... maybe a little time consuming
and cost $100 for the program , but cheaper than buying a new computer... my .02

check this link out- outline of what I'm doing- I had the external drive already...

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/help/upgrading-from-windows-xp-to-windows-7#T1=tab01

 

[TR Custom Parts]

Freaking Bill Gates, with support being pulled for XP on the 8th, not sure what to do at this point. Got 5 computers in the house to convert! Will probably do the Win 7 Professional, have some antique programs I want to keep though.

 

[John Larkin]

It was time for me to get a new puter so I got a Lenovo home laptop. 17" screen and it saves so much room. You can copy all your files onto a flash drive along with your favorites from your browser and your saved emails and just copy them onto a new machine. If you don't feel like tackling it, GeekSquad can do it for you.

 

[S10xGN]

WTF? I got a red "X" on my post (#7) about version downgrading from some joker named STGMAN who never even posted in this thread. How is this possible? Somebody can just sit back and leave a negative "remark" w/o even posting ? ? ? At least have the sack to jump in and explain you're negativity!

 

[BigReade]

WTF? I got a red "X" on my post (#7) about version downgrading from some joker named STGMAN who never even posted in this thread. How is this possible? Somebody can just sit back and leave a negative "remark" w/o even posting ? ? ? At least have the sack to jump in and explain you're negativity!

Hahahaha, maybe he owns a small electronics store and doesn't like you giving trade secrets, lol