Windows 7 and Garmin GPS

This may be a stupid question but what are the advantages to WHS?

I'll be upgrading my computer next year, so that's good to know. Thanks!

PCMover will move your data files and mail settings but not any software you have installed. You still have to reinstall all the software and that can be almost as big a pain as restoring data files from a backup.

PCMover Upgrade Assistant will move PROGRAMS as well as data files, mail settings etc. Here is the quote from the webpage http://www.laplink.com/pcmover/pcmoverupgradeassistant.html :

"If you want to upgrade your computer from XP to Windows 7 and not lose all your files and programs, you need PCmover.

No need to copy files to external media; no need to reinstall all your applications. PCmover does it all for you without any external storage, without copying files, and without having to find your old CDs and serial numbers!"

Now if you read the User Guide (linked on the page noted) you'll see there are a fair number of exceptions to their blanket statement but non the less it will copy your PROGRAMS.

The Windows 7 page at Microsoft leads one to believe it only does data files and settings for email.

Mossberg had an item in today's column that sent me back to the MS website. Bottom line is that you have to do a clean install when going directly from XP to 7, but you can use the cheaper "Upgrade" version of 7 to do it.

See http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/upgrade-consi...

True but as has been pointed out here you can use Laplinks PCmover software to install and setup your software programs instead of having to reinstall them after the XP to 7 upgrade.

Yes - I was just pleased to find out that you don't need the full version of Win 7 to upgrade from XP.

By the way, I bought a Dell with Vista back in August. Even though nothing was stated at that time, I have now found that I can get (actually have on order at no cost) a Win 7 upgrade "kit."

Do you have any actual experience with PCMover? I've looked at it and am sceptical about how well it does the job.

Do it now before someone changes their mind and adds charges for upgrading.

Although I've used Laplink products since the serial and parallel port days, I've not used PCmover. I must say I was a little underwhelmed when I read the User Guide that is available as a download from their website.

I will doing the clean install as I will be installing the 64 bit version of the OS. Does anyone know if there are any issues with the Garmin SW, such as Communicator and MapSource with the 64 bit OS? So far I have read all good things and just want to be sure.

Thanks!

I have 64 bit Vista Home Premium and haven't had any issues with the Garmin programs. So I don't expect any problems when I upgrade to Win 7 Pro 64 bit.

The XP Mode will not run on most laptops due to certain hardware processor minimum requirements.

There is a memory leak in MapSource 6.15.7 running under Win7 that will cause it to crash after a while of use. Roll back to 6.13.7 until this is fixed for Windows 7 users. Use MapReverseConverter, http://www.javawa.nl/cne2009_multilang.html to reformat your maps to be MapSource 6.13.7 compatible. It also can reinstall 6.13.7. The Garmin developers say they are looking into this and it will probably be fixed in 6.16.x.

Yeah..

But is it as good as Http://www.Ubuntu.com ?

Nuvi1300WTGPS

Nuvi1300WTGPS@Gmail.com

Thanks for the information about windows 7 and garmin compatibility! Can you tell us if the plug ins in Firefox are working like garmin up loader and communicator?

Thank you

For all the personal files I have on my computers, I wouldn't trust this program. Sorry, but I won't take that risk.

Not so fast gentlemen. For those of us who might still have some older Garmin GPSs...such as a Garmin Vista with serial NEMA in/out, the solution for XP was a Belkin serial/usb adapter. That worked fine for active realtime locations...in an XP machine with SeaClear II and Mapsource version 6.5 or lower. (Garmin pulled the active GPS interface from Mapsource after that version...now all you can do is d/l, u/l stuff to/from the program and the GPS).

It does not work on a Windows 7 Starter machine. I messaged Belkin and they do not yet have a driver for Windows 7 but suggested I try the Vista driver they have. That did NOT work and as a matter of fact, caused incontrolled movement of the cursor across the screen while the GPS was turned on. Once the GPS was turned off the cursor was steady.

Is your Windows 7 machine 64 bit? If so that may be your problem. Belkin's older USB adapter was not compatible with Vista 64 bit either.

For example This is Belkin's response to the question: "Is the F5U409 USB PDA Adapter compatible with vista 64 bit?"

Answer: "No, this product is not compatible with vista 64 bit. It is compatible with Vista 32 bit computers. We do however have a similar adapter which is compatible with Vista 64 bit, you can use part F5U257 (USB-to-Serial Adapter)."

RE: http://en-us-support.belkin.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/590/...

(Your Belkin may not be this exact one but the principle may still apply.)

Computer: Windows 7 64bit Home Premium Service Pack 1
Garmin GPSr: Etrex Software Version 3.30
Software: Mapsource 6.16.3
USB to RS232 serial converter cable: Very old SIIG (SIIG does not list it anymore so no drivers available from them.)

When I inserted the cable into a USB port on the computer, Windows 7 automatically loaded a driver and listed it as a "USB Serial Converter" under "Universal Serial Bus controllers" in the Device Manager.

I then attached my old Etrex to the cable and turned it on.

Then I opened Mapsource.

I was able to download way points and tracks from the Etrex with no problems. No jerky mouse or such.

Been using Win 7 Professional with no issues. Keep it updated and other device drivers that are in your system.