I am going to be installing a new computer. I already have all the hardware but I need to know a little about the new OS I am going to be installing. The current OS on the old machine is Windows XP, no longer available for purchase. So I am going to purchase a new copy of Win7. The new processor will be an AMD quad (Phenom II) with 4G and a brand new HD. MB is an ASUS. The question is which version of Win7 should I get? 64 or 32? Home or Pro? The price does not seem to be much different. I already set the old machine to NNT.

No rush on the answer since the current problems will not let me finish anyway.

Best regards

Bert

windows 7 comes with both 32 and 64 bit options. for a few bucks more than pro you can have ultimate. so you just need to install your preference. I prefer to use the 64 bit OS if I have a 64 bit Chip. you'll need to install.

when I installed 7 on a new HDD, I installed BOINC then turned it off then transferred all my data files from the Documents and Settings/your name here/app data/BOINC to my new folder in 7 called program data. I also moved my program files over and then restated boinc. BOINC took off where it had left off.

If you had run a 32 bit XP and upgrade to 64 bit 7 then you're better off doing the NNT and just doing a fresh install

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In a rich man's house there is no place to spit but his face.
Diogenes Of Sinope

for a few bucks more than pro you can have ultimate.

Which isn't of any interest if you do not need to install Windows in a different language, or aren't using it on a laptop. Windows 7 Pro is good enough for all other things.

Really, the only things Ultimate has extra is the ability to change your Windows language to any of 40 languages, and using the Bitlocker encryption on all files, if you're using a laptop or other portable computer.

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The question of 32bit vs 64bit depends on the software you use. 64bit OSes cannot run anything with old 16bit code in them (some old installers). If you are reasonably sure that you do not run anything made in the 90s, then you can probably use 64bit computing just fine. I've been using 64bit since Vista came out and I've had relatively few issues.

The question of which edition of Windows to get comes down to your needs. I'll try to sum them up as best I can for you.


Windows 7 Basic - Does not come with the new Aero "Glass" interface. Does not come with Windows Media Center nor multi-touch support for laptops. Cannot be added to a Windows Domain.

Windows 7 Home Premium - Same as Windows 7 Basic but includes Media Center and multi-touch support.

Windows 7 Professional - Same as Windows 7 Home Premium and Basic but can be added to a domain. Includes Remote Desktop support, Encrypting File System, Software Restriction Policies and a special virtualized Windows XP mode for older applications (not meant for gaming!). (As you can see, most of the features are for business use).

Windows 7 Ultimate/Enterprise - Same as Windows 7 Professional but includes Microsoft's own BitLocker drive encryption and a multilingual user interface (MUI) support.

As you can see, most of the features included in the higher end editions are unnecessary for most home users. The cost difference might be negligible, but why pay more for features you don't plan on using? A lot of power users buy Windows Ultimate just because they feel they have to have everything included with their OS and feel short-changed if it's missing anything. The "Pro" version has the same marketing to it, that it's somehow better than Home Premium (and it is to an extent), but it doesn't have features most people would use.

A lot of power users buy Windows Ultimate just because they feel they have to have everything included with their OS and feel short-changed if it's missing anything.

I got it because I could get it for a lot less, than had I gone for the Pro version I was originally eying. Plus as my version is Dutch, yet I like to have the OS run in English, it was an easier choice.

How can Ultimate be cheaper than Pro? Here we have so-called student versions available, for a mere 80 euros. A better price than having Pro for 299 euros, as you can tell. :)

The student version is still the same as the 'normal' Ultimate.

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My girlfriend has access to the same student discounts, and yes, they are all full versions.

I, myself, have Microsoft TechNet and get everything for a single, yearly fee.

The question of 32bit vs 64bit depends on the software you use. 64bit OSes cannot run anything with old 16bit code in them (some old installers). If you are reasonably sure that you do not run anything made in the 90s, then you can probably use 64bit computing just fine. I've been using 64bit since Vista came out and I've had relatively few issues.

The question of which edition of Windows to get comes down to your needs. I'll try to sum them up as best I can for you.


Windows 7 Basic - Does not come with the new Aero "Glass" interface. Does not come with Windows Media Center nor multi-touch support for laptops. Cannot be added to a Windows Domain.

Windows 7 Home Premium - Same as Windows 7 Basic but includes Media Center and multi-touch support.

Windows 7 Professional - Same as Windows 7 Home Premium and Basic but can be added to a domain. Includes Remote Desktop support, Encrypting File System, Software Restriction Policies and a special virtualized Windows XP mode for older applications (not meant for gaming!). (As you can see, most of the features are for business use).

Windows 7 Ultimate/Enterprise - Same as Windows 7 Professional but includes Microsoft's own BitLocker drive encryption and a multilingual user interface (MUI) support.

As you can see, most of the features included in the higher end editions are unnecessary for most home users. The cost difference might be negligible, but why pay more for features you don't plan on using? A lot of power users buy Windows Ultimate just because they feel they have to have everything included with their OS and feel short-changed if it's missing anything. The "Pro" version has the same marketing to it, that it's somehow better than Home Premium (and it is to an extent), but it doesn't have features most people would use.

Pro does not come with Media Center. Home does not come with remote desktop. Ultimate comes with both.

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BOINC WIKI

The question of 32bit vs 64bit depends on the software you use. 64bit OSes cannot run anything with old 16bit code in them (some old installers). If you are reasonably sure that you do not run anything made in the 90s, then you can probably use 64bit computing just fine. I've been using 64bit since Vista came out and I've had relatively few issues.

The question of which edition of Windows to get comes down to your needs. I'll try to sum them up as best I can for you.


Windows 7 Basic - Does not come with the new Aero "Glass" interface. Does not come with Windows Media Center nor multi-touch support for laptops. Cannot be added to a Windows Domain.

Windows 7 Home Premium - Same as Windows 7 Basic but includes Media Center and multi-touch support.

Windows 7 Professional - Same as Windows 7 Home Premium and Basic but can be added to a domain. Includes Remote Desktop support, Encrypting File System, Software Restriction Policies and a special virtualized Windows XP mode for older applications (not meant for gaming!). (As you can see, most of the features are for business use).

Windows 7 Ultimate/Enterprise - Same as Windows 7 Professional but includes Microsoft's own BitLocker drive encryption and a multilingual user interface (MUI) support.

As you can see, most of the features included in the higher end editions are unnecessary for most home users. The cost difference might be negligible, but why pay more for features you don't plan on using? A lot of power users buy Windows Ultimate just because they feel they have to have everything included with their OS and feel short-changed if it's missing anything. The "Pro" version has the same marketing to it, that it's somehow better than Home Premium (and it is to an extent), but it doesn't have features most people would use.

Pro does not come with Media Center. Home does not come with remote desktop. Ultimate comes with both.

Quite the contrary, Pro does come with Media Center. I never said Home comes with Remote Desktop. Yes, Ultimate comes with everything except the kitchen sink.

Pro does not come with Media Center. Home does not come with remote desktop. Ultimate comes with both.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/compare/default.aspx

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like I said for $20 ...

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In a rich man's house there is no place to spit but his face.
Diogenes Of Sinope

...and you save $100 going with Home Premium. That $100 saved can be donated to SETI@Home to ensure SETI remains open and you have work to crunch.

Pro does not come with Media Center. Home does not come with remote desktop. Ultimate comes with both.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/compare/default.aspx

OK, they changed what is in which version since they revamped the linup in late beta. I was remembering early beta.

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BOINC WIKI

I have decided, thanks to all the comments, to go with Win 7 Pro / 64. The price difference between Pro and Ultimate does not warrant the 35 languages and bitlocker. The thin edge of Pro over Home is the possibility I may have to have the machine join a domain. It is remote but it is a possibility.

The machine being replaced will probably end up at my daughter's for her and my grandchildren. They are now using a borrowed laptop that will need to be returned to its owner sometime in the future.

The old machine's hard drive started on Windows 98 and has gone through several generations of OS versions and hardware. I may consider reinstalling XP on it to give them a clean install.

Again, thanks to all who commented.

Bert

I now have a 2nd computer and would like to add it to my account but I can't find any instructions about how to do that.
Any assistance would be appreciated.

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The fastest way would be to copy the account_setiathome.berkeley.edu.xml file from your first to your new computer. You find that file in the BOINC data directory. Look for a line in your Messages tab like:

16-Oct-2010 19:01:09 [---] Data directory: C:\Programme\BOINC

Otherwise you could use the Attach wizzard (Tools menu?) of BOINC manager and tell it that you are a returning user, using the same email address as with the first computer.

Gruß,
Gundolf

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Computer sind nicht alles im Leben. (Kleiner Scherz)

SETI@home classic workunits 3,758
SETI@home classic CPU time 66,520 hours

I found C:\ProgramData\BOINC on my Windows VISTA laptop and I copied the account_milkyway.cs.rpi.edu_milkyway.xml and account_setiathome.berkeley.edu.xml files to my thumbdrive. However, I can not find a C:\ProgramData\BOINC folder on my desktop Windows XP Pro system. So I have not been able to activate these tasks on the desktop.
I have downloaded BONIC to my desktop a couple times and have not received any install error messages. BONIC opens successfully. I enter the desktop computer name when I "select computer". But when I "Attach to project or account manager..." nothing happens.
Once again, any suggestions or assistance will be greatly appreciated.

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I found C:\ProgramData\BOINC on my Windows VISTA laptop and I copied the account_milkyway.cs.rpi.edu_milkyway.xml and account_setiathome.berkeley.edu.xml files to my thumbdrive. However, I can not find a C:\ProgramData\BOINC folder on my desktop Windows XP Pro system. So I have not been able to activate these tasks on the desktop.
I have downloaded BONIC to my desktop a couple times and have not received any install error messages. BONIC opens successfully. I enter the desktop computer name when I "select computer". But when I "Attach to project or account manager..." nothing happens.
Once again, any suggestions or assistance will be greatly appreciated.

I believe it is in something like:

c:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\BOINC. The default locations are different on each version of Windows as MS has moved the data locations around each version.

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BOINC WIKI

Ah! I had to change the folders VIEW options to "show hidden files and folders".
I copied the account files into the c:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\BOINC folder.
But when I open BONIC and try to attach to project or account manager, nothing happens.
With your help, I'm "inching" my way to this problem resolution. THANKS
What would be your next suggestion?

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If you copied the account*.xml files, you don't need to attach separately. The next server contact should show that you are already attached.

Gruß,
Gundolf

Since my last post, I copied to entire BONIC folder on my laptop and replaced the BONIC folder on my desktop making both computers exactly the same. Doing this did not resolve the problem.
I have noticed that the BONIC screen on the desktop shows "connecting to localhost" and never shows the "connected to localhost (6.10.43)".
So now I suspect the desktop never makes contact with the SERVER? If so, what might be the root cause?
I have no problems accessing the internet with the desktop via IE8. I stay "up-to-date" with Windows updates. So I don't think I have a network problem.

TD

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