Windows 7, anyone have an opinion yet.?

[TEB]

There is a joke, about as old as home-computing "there are only 2 types of computer, prototypes and obsolete". I like my computer slightly obsolete, but would prefer it not QUITE as obsolete as at present.......<G>
Cost IS relevant. Can't afford the extra to get someone messing about moving my data, and while OH is capable of such things as fitting a CD drive, putting in 'cards' and such, I don't think he is up to anything fancy in data-shifting. I REALLy don't want to lose the things that are awkward to move (like stored passwords, records of achievement in the few games I use etc.....)
No kids, just me uses this one (OH has his own, a bit more RAM, a year or so newer, got a DVD RW, otherwise not so different. Uses it for business, mine is all my own!)

Moving data is easier than putting in hardware (in my opinion) just get a flash drive or external hard drive and your good to go, peeps on here will guide you through or PM me and I will talk you through over the blower.

[sarraceniac]

You don't even need a flash or external drive. Tell OH to configure the old HDD as a 'slave' (jumper settings will be on the label) and then just put in the new machine. The data will go with it to transfer or leave where it is as you choose.

[grannymem]

I'm getting worried! I needed to replace my laptop and have boughht a shiny new Acer running on Windows 7.

So far, so good EXCEPT that my old printer isn't compatible with it and I can't find a driver to sort it out (it's an Epson but not listed on the Epson site for downloadable drivers)

OK - the printer is getting on and probably needed replacing as well but it seems impossible to get a list of printers that are compatible. Trawling on the web hasn't helped me - probably because I'm not sure what I'm ylooking for - so if any of you experts can offer advice, I'll gladly take it. I don't want anything fancy - just something relatively cheap to run - so not too expensive on the inks!

[TEB]

You don't even need a flash or external drive. Tell OH to configure the old HDD as a 'slave' (jumper settings will be on the label) and then just put in the new machine. The data will go with it to transfer or leave where it is as you choose.

Thought of that but wasn't sure that there would be any issues because the old hard drive is probably IDE and the new drive will probably be SATA, it should work out of the box so to speak but worst case scenario may mean going into the BIOS and I didn't like suggesting that route unless no other option exists.

PS Most systems these days dont require you to set the second or subsequent drives up as slaves or secondary masters as they get automatically recognised.

[TEB]

I'm getting worried! I needed to replace my laptop and have boughht a shiny new Acer running on Windows 7.

So far, so good EXCEPT that my old printer isn't compatible with it and I can't find a driver to sort it out (it's an Epson but not listed on the Epson site for downloadable drivers)

OK - the printer is getting on and probably needed replacing as well but it seems impossible to get a list of printers that are compatible. Trawling on the web hasn't helped me - probably because I'm not sure what I'm ylooking for - so if any of you experts can offer advice, I'll gladly take it. I don't want anything fancy - just something relatively cheap to run - so not too expensive on the inks!

THis is the URL for Win 7 compatibility centre http://www.microsoft.com/windows/com...s/default.aspx

[grannymem]

Thanks for the URL but I've spent ages on it already and can't get anywhere with it - all I want is a list of printers that are compatible with WINDOWS 7...

[Glutton4...]

Cheapest option Grannymen is to send me the lovely shiney new Lappy and go back to your old one - I'll even pay the courier costs - how 'bout that!?



Nah - didn't think you'd go for it! No harm in askin' tho!

[TEB]

Thanks for the URL but I've spent ages on it already and can't get anywhere with it - all I want is a list of printers that are compatible with WINDOWS 7...

I put Samsung in the search and it came back with 39 pages of samsung printers , you need to specify what sort of printer you want, whether its laser, inkjet, colour or mono, networked, USB or Wireless, 32 or 64 bit, and how much you want to spend

[sarraceniac]

Thought of that but wasn't sure that there would be any issues because the old hard drive is probably IDE and the new drive will probably be SATA, it should work out of the box so to speak but worst case scenario may mean going into the BIOS and I didn't like suggesting that route unless no other option exists.

PS Most systems these days dont require you to set the second or subsequent drives up as slaves or secondary masters as they get automatically recognised.

In which case the old drive needn't even be put in as slave, unless there is only one IDE socket with a DVD on it, in which case it can be slaved to that. Otherwise it just goes in as a master on IDE 1. The problem when telling somebody who can't spend a few quid, how to do things is that you know it's easy (and I certainly am no computer genius) and would only take 10 minutes at the most to do. But it isn't easy to describe. That is why I suggested finding a friendly computer shop who actually would probebly put the old hard disk into a new system case for nothing whilst building the new if OH removed it.

And it's only the SATA that is auto-recognised. IDE must always be set.

[grannymem]

I put Samsung in the search and it came back with 39 pages of samsung printers , you need to specify what sort of printer you want, whether its laser, inkjet, colour or mono, networked, USB or Wireless, 32 or 64 bit, and how much you want to spend

The problem is I'm not sure what sort of printer I do want - I think USB, colour, not networked, and probably inkjet (basically pretty basic!)

Can I ask if whether you went on the SAMSUNG site it actually indicated whether the different p[rineters were compatible with W 7? I looked on the Epson site and didn't get very far?

I'm really sorry - I know I sound wet (probably am) - but although I use my laptop a lot for work, I've never professed to any degree of expertise, especially on the technical side.

Very many thanks for trying to help!

[sarraceniac]

I put Samsung in the search and it came back with 39 pages of samsung printers , you need to specify what sort of printer you want, whether its laser, inkjet, colour or mono, networked, USB or Wireless, 32 or 64 bit, and how much you want to spend

And why would Granny want a network or a laser printer? Eeee you geeks. And it's the drivers that are 64 bit, not the printers, ain't it?

This is getting too complex for me. The problem is the cost of ink, so inkjet. Epsons are notoriously expensive on ink though. I used to have one but now have a DCP-135C from Brother running on my network (even though it is not actually a network printer) that works fine from all four machines including the Linux one. I buy clone ink from a firm on eBay. The printer is a printer/scanner/copier. It cost £35 on special and the ink costs are negligible. Perfick.

[TEB]

In which case the old drive needn't even be put in as slave, unless there is only one IDE socket with a DVD on it, in which case it can be slaved to that. Otherwise it just goes in as a master on IDE 1. The problem when telling somebody who can't spend a few quid, how to do things is that you know it's easy (and I certainly am no computer genius) and would only take 10 minutes at the most to do. But it isn't easy to describe. That is why I suggested finding a friendly computer shop who actually would probebly put the old hard disk into a new system case for nothing whilst building the new if OH removed it.

And it's only the SATA that is auto-recognised. IDE must always be set.

I agree if you was going down the route of having a whitebox built for you then the shop may well transfer the data, however if going for a branded or pre built unit then I would still recommend to a user to get an external drive and backup to that, a matter of preference I suppose .

IF an IDE was set to cable select intially then there should be no need to change the jumpers settings

[TEB]

And why would Granny want a network or a laser printer? Eeee you geeks. And it's the drivers that are 64 bit, not the printers, ain't it?

This is getting too complex for me. The problem is the cost of ink, so inkjet. Epsons are notoriously expensive on ink though. I used to have one but now have a DCP-135C from Brother running on my network (even though it is not actually a network printer) that works fine from all four machines including the Linux one. I buy clone ink from a firm on eBay. The printer is a printer/scanner/copier. It cost £35 on special and the ink costs are negligible. Perfick.

Yeah but Granny didn't say whether she had Win 7 64 or 32 bit and some printers dont have 64 bit drivers available and while companies like HP offer generic drivers I have found they dont work very well. Laser printers aren't that much more expensive than inkjets these days and if you only wanted mono then a laser may work out cheaper.
I have seen too many printers thrown away because of using cheaper ink more so with HP printers, and your right Granny probably doesn't want a network (10/100baset) or perhaps even wireless.

[TEB]

The problem is I'm not sure what sort of printer I do want - I think USB, colour, not networked, and probably inkjet (basically pretty basic!)

Can I ask if whether you went on the SAMSUNG site it actually indicated whether the different p[rineters were compatible with W 7? I looked on the Epson site and didn't get very far?

I'm really sorry - I know I sound wet (probably am) - but although I use my laptop a lot for work, I've never professed to any degree of expertise, especially on the technical side.

Very many thanks for trying to help!

I entered Samsung on the compatibility centre search field, if you tell us the model number of the old Epsom you have, we can take a look. As to printing, what is it mainly going to be used for, i.e mainly mono documents or photo's and how much use will it get ( approx pages per month) and lastly budget

[grannymem]

Yeah but Granny didn't say whether she had Win 7 64 or 32 bit and some printers dont have 64 bit drivers available and while companies like HP offer generic drivers I have found they dont work very well. Laser printers aren't that much more expensive than inkjets these days and if you only wanted mono then a laser may work out cheaper.
I have seen too many printers thrown away because of using cheaper ink more so with HP printers, and your right Granny probably doesn't want a network (10/100baset) or perhaps even wireless.

Hey Folks!

"Does he take sugar"? Granny isn't quite in her dotage yet!