Upgrading laptop. Will this work?
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 15135 posts since 7 Sep, 2008
I'm currently using an ancient Core2Duo Sony Vaio with:
- Cubase 4.5
- XP
- 4GB RAM
- 32 bit (obviously)
- 200 GB HDD
While it runs flawlessly I have for a while now been considering giving it a fresh Windows install. It is 7 years old after all.
However, if I was to do this it seems a bit silly to go with XP (even though I much prefer it) and instead I'd go for Windows 7 and a newer Cubase version.
So my plan of attack is to buy a new 512GB SSD and another 4 GB RAM, then install Windows 7 on it along with Cubase 6.5 (I'm still wary of 7.5 from what I've been reading).
Even the thought of this makes me shudder though, as I firmly believe in not modifying a working system.
Therefore, I'd like to keep the old system on a separate external HDD so if it doesn't work or I'm ironing out teething issues I can simply plug in the USB and I'd have my old system back. This would mean no down time in the studio while allowing me to iron out various bugs on the install.
Essentially I guess what I'm asking is can a USB drive be set to priority, but if there's nothing plugged in it will switch to the internal SSD.
EDIT: I'm sure a few of you will encourage me to get a new PC, but I'm quite attached to this one and there simply isn't room for another let alone a desktop.
- Cubase 4.5
- XP
- 4GB RAM
- 32 bit (obviously)
- 200 GB HDD
While it runs flawlessly I have for a while now been considering giving it a fresh Windows install. It is 7 years old after all.
However, if I was to do this it seems a bit silly to go with XP (even though I much prefer it) and instead I'd go for Windows 7 and a newer Cubase version.
So my plan of attack is to buy a new 512GB SSD and another 4 GB RAM, then install Windows 7 on it along with Cubase 6.5 (I'm still wary of 7.5 from what I've been reading).
Even the thought of this makes me shudder though, as I firmly believe in not modifying a working system.
Therefore, I'd like to keep the old system on a separate external HDD so if it doesn't work or I'm ironing out teething issues I can simply plug in the USB and I'd have my old system back. This would mean no down time in the studio while allowing me to iron out various bugs on the install.
Essentially I guess what I'm asking is can a USB drive be set to priority, but if there's nothing plugged in it will switch to the internal SSD.
EDIT: I'm sure a few of you will encourage me to get a new PC, but I'm quite attached to this one and there simply isn't room for another let alone a desktop.
"I was wondering if you'd like to try Magic Mushrooms"
"Oooh I dont know. Sounds a bit scary"
"It's not scary. You just lose a sense of who you are and all that sh!t"
"Oooh I dont know. Sounds a bit scary"
"It's not scary. You just lose a sense of who you are and all that sh!t"
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- KVRAF
- 3071 posts since 29 Sep, 2005
I recommend first running the MS upgrade advisor to be sure your machine will be able to handle W7. It likely will but better safe than sorry.
EDIT (forgot to give the address: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download ... aspx?id=20 )
Of course also be sure your MOBO will except the upgrades you plan.
You set the boot to device in BIOS. Normally it will default to the next in the chain if a priority device is not located. I'm not sure though if XP will boot from USB. I know at one time it would not but not sure today not having kept up with all the changes of this.
There are however some boot from USB XP OS's. An internet search may be prudent.
But I think these are bootleg and not sure how much I would trust them.
I have to agree with your final assessment of a new machine
Nothing quite like all components matched for the purpose at hand and [hopefully] the latest in design.
Best of luck Mushy Mushy
Happy Musiking!
dsan
EDIT (forgot to give the address: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download ... aspx?id=20 )
Of course also be sure your MOBO will except the upgrades you plan.
You set the boot to device in BIOS. Normally it will default to the next in the chain if a priority device is not located. I'm not sure though if XP will boot from USB. I know at one time it would not but not sure today not having kept up with all the changes of this.
There are however some boot from USB XP OS's. An internet search may be prudent.
But I think these are bootleg and not sure how much I would trust them.
I have to agree with your final assessment of a new machine
Nothing quite like all components matched for the purpose at hand and [hopefully] the latest in design.
Best of luck Mushy Mushy
Happy Musiking!
dsan
My DAW System:
W7, i5, x64, 8Gb Ram, Edirol FA-101
W7, i5, x64, 8Gb Ram, Edirol FA-101
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 15135 posts since 7 Sep, 2008
Interesting. Great tip. Didn't know about that. Thanks.dsan@mail.com wrote:I recommend first running the MS upgrade advisor to be sure your machine will be able to handle W7. It likely will but better safe than sorry.
EDIT (forgot to give the address: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download ... aspx?id=20 )
You're right, I do have a strong aversion to things like bootleg OS's so these aren't really options.dsan@mail.com wrote:You set the boot to device in BIOS. Normally it will default to the next in the chain if a priority device is not located. I'm not sure though if XP will boot from USB. I know at one time it would not but not sure today not having kept up with all the changes of this.
There are however some boot from USB XP OS's. An internet search may be prudent.
But I think these are bootleg and not sure how much I would trust them.
However, I do feel a lengthy Google research session is in order to understand XP boot priority. Will do this tonight.
Yeah yeah I knowdsan@mail.com wrote:I have to agree with your final assessment of a new machine
Nothing quite like all components matched for the purpose at hand and [hopefully] the latest in design.
It's coming... Need to move into a bigger house first though.
"I was wondering if you'd like to try Magic Mushrooms"
"Oooh I dont know. Sounds a bit scary"
"It's not scary. You just lose a sense of who you are and all that sh!t"
"Oooh I dont know. Sounds a bit scary"
"It's not scary. You just lose a sense of who you are and all that sh!t"
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- KVRAF
- 3071 posts since 29 Sep, 2005
Not sure why. The current crop of laptops won't take up any more room than the one you haveMushy Mushy wrote:Yeah yeah I know
It's coming... Need to move into a bigger house first though.
Happy Musiking!
dsan
My DAW System:
W7, i5, x64, 8Gb Ram, Edirol FA-101
W7, i5, x64, 8Gb Ram, Edirol FA-101
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 15135 posts since 7 Sep, 2008
Money really.dsan@mail.com wrote:Not sure why. The current crop of laptops won't take up any more room than the one you have
If I was to buy another one it would be a desktop and two massive screens.
There's no real room for a desktop where I am at the moment.
An interim laptop seems a bit of a waste of money really.
Besides my current one is carbon fibre
(just in case I wish to ever race it )
"I was wondering if you'd like to try Magic Mushrooms"
"Oooh I dont know. Sounds a bit scary"
"It's not scary. You just lose a sense of who you are and all that sh!t"
"Oooh I dont know. Sounds a bit scary"
"It's not scary. You just lose a sense of who you are and all that sh!t"
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- KVRAF
- 6323 posts since 30 Dec, 2004 from London uk
No version of Windows will boot from USB easily. It may be possible with a lot of work but for all intents and purposes its not practical
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- KVRAF
- 1929 posts since 4 Nov, 2004 from Manchester
Win 8 Enterprise has it as a feature!UltraJv wrote:No version of Windows will boot from USB easily.
http://lifehacker.com/how-to-run-a-port ... 1565509124
Admittedly not a version of Windows I'd expect anyone on here to have to hand however.
You can Google up the process for win7 easy enough, getting a decent quality USB stick with no drop outs and solid performance is possibly a greater challenge.
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- KVRAF
- 6323 posts since 30 Dec, 2004 from London uk
I tried win2usb on external USB HDD with W7. It installed but wouldn't boot. I read up that it wont work on USB3 maybe that was it. Ive not found a method thats straightforward and works yet.Kaine wrote:Win 8 Enterprise has it as a feature!UltraJv wrote:No version of Windows will boot from USB easily.
http://lifehacker.com/how-to-run-a-port ... 1565509124
Admittedly not a version of Windows I'd expect anyone on here to have to hand however.
You can Google up the process for win7 easy enough, getting a decent quality USB stick with no drop outs and solid performance is possibly a greater challenge.