Upgrading to Windows 7

[SuperBowlNachos]

I get Windows 7 free from my CIS department and my computer has been bogging down lately just because of the crap I have downloaded over the past 2.5 years.

What do I do about the games I have? Some of them are on Steam, but others I physically bought and have the codes. Will I lose use of the ones that made me activate online?

I need to get 2 more GB of RAM. Not sure if I want to just add a 2GB stick or get 4 GB worth of brand new. Is it bad to mix ram even if the specs are equal? This is what is in there - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145589

CPU is a core 2 duo 3ghz.

Mobo - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813121100

VC - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130318

[KSUowls]

Re: Upgrading to Windows 7

What do I do about the games I have? Some of them are on Steam, but others I physically bought and have the codes. Will I lose use of the ones that made me activate online?

Any files on steam you should be able to re-download through your account. You can also find all the files I believe in your documents folder (I might be wrong about the exact location, I haven't checked in a while).

I need to get 2 more GB of RAM. Not sure if I want to just add a 2GB stick or get 4 GB worth of brand new. Is it bad to mix ram even if the specs are equal? This is what is in there - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145589

CPU is a core 2 duo 3ghz.

Mobo - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813121100

VC - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130318

The mobo is what it comes down to, but as far as I know there shouldn't be any issues mixing say a 2gb Kingston 800 with a 2gb Corsair 800 (or whatever the speeds are these days). As long as the specs match up you should be fine. Some mobo's will even let you mix different speeds, but you'll only get the advantage of the lower speed at that point.

[tktnuri]

Re: Upgrading to Windows 7

Are you planning on installing new or an inplace upgrade?

I've done both and had no problem in doing the upgrade, all programs worked the same and didn't have to reinstall any of them.

For the new install I wanted to start fresh since I was planning on using the computer for network storage but I just ended up installing a handful of programs.

I guess it comes down to preference. DO you want to start new and reinstall what you really need or do you want to keep what you have.

I suggest whatever you do decide what programs you use regularly and keep those and remove or don't install duplicate programs that another program already does.

As far as ram, before spending the money you may want to see how it runs first before investing in more ram. Maybe you won't need it. My brother upgraded to Win 7 on an old laptop with 1gb of ram and it works just fine.

[fishepa]

Re: Upgrading to Windows 7

I would get the RAM from www.crucial.com

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: Upgrading to Windows 7

I would get the RAM from www.crucial.com

Good product, but it's 20% cheaper on newegg.

--

I want to do a clean install just because there is a bunch of crap hidden away. Gonna preserve my music and pictures and wipe everything else and start new.