TW> And MS by design went that route knowing that upgrading could cause   
    TW> problems.   
      
   Hold on with the judgement call, Tom.   
      
   Windows 7 is echelons above Windows XP in reliability and performance.    
   Trying to compare Windows XP to Windows 7 is like comparing apples and   
   oranges.  There -is- no comparison.  Think of it like this: you know you   
   have worn spark plugs in your car.  Instead of replacing them with a fresh   
   set, you instead use a jeweler's file to clean them up and put them back in.   
      
   You know eventually you're going to have to replace them, but it's foolish   
   to do that when it's easier to replace them with new plugs.   
      
   That's how it is with any MS operating system above XP.  You must replace XP   
   with a brand-new installation of Vista/7/8.  If you try to kludge it, you   
   will break it and waste your time fixing it again and again.   
      
    TW> Teh MS instructions were written for businesses running Win XP that   
    TW> most likely would have minimum problems because theri machines are   
    TW> typically not grundged up with every program that comes down the pike   
    TW> like a lot of home User machines.   
      
   Those instructions were written as a stop-gap measure.   
      
   Every business that I've installed Windows 7/8 on had me wipe the drive on   
   every computer and install the new OS fresh.   
      
   Yeah, you can do an upgrade, but sooner or later, you'll be breaking down to   
   fix it.   
      
   Also, a lot of older XP programs simply will not function correctly in   
   Windows 7 or 8, even using "compatibility mode".  I had a problem with a lot   
   of amateur radio software and older games.   
      
   (That's why I got tired of Windows and switched to Linux, but that's another   
   story entirely. :)   
      
   Later,   
   Sean   
      
   ... Ever notice how fast Windows runs?  Neither did I.   
   --- MultiMail/Linux   
    * Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN, USA (1:18/200)