Altium vs. Windows version and other windows OS questions. -HELP - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Jester
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 11, 2022, 08:26:38 pm
content: I have (had) Altium I think it’s version 13? Installed with a private license server on a win 7 pro-64 based laptop. All was well working for the most part quite well.Last week I purchased a mains powered camera from Amazon, and when I plugged it into my laptop via the provided USB cable it instantaneously through a large arc, burnt the 120V busbar and smoked the laptop.This was an older but quite decent Dell M6600.I have ordered a replacement M6600, that has Win10. In a perfect world:1) my original SSD survived, no idea at this point.2) I can simply install it in the replacement M6600 and go back to where I was before this debacle occurred.My concerns assuming the SSD survived:A) rolling around in the back of my memory is the idea that OEM Windows installs, Windows links the PC ID to the OS and may not work if I simply transplant the SSD, is this correct?B) If I’m forced to “upgrade” to Win 10 by using the supplied OS on the replacement laptop, can I migrate Altium and office and all the other software that was on my original machine?If I have to migrate to Win 10, I would like to turn off as much telemetry as possible. If you had to choose between Win7 and 10 what would you do?Thanks in advance.

author: harerod
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2022, 05:37:50 pm
content: I have been preparing for a similar scenario with a Win7pro64 machine.I also have some permanent licenses locked to that machine. Some vendors may not honor those contracts and have/will shut down the activation servers.Examples:Microsoft Windows 7Microsoft Office 2013Adobe Photoshop Elements 11Adobe Premiere Elements 11Adobe Lightroom 6(Old Eagle 7 Pro licensing is a nice exception)I bought spare parts, i.e. CPU (i7-4770K), RAM, mainboard, PSU to prepare for the worst, but also as single spare items (most likely scenario).Copying the SSD is simple in the case of new Samsung SSD's, which come with a migration tool (I would recommend doing a backup of your SSD before further tests, using a spare PC with a couple of extra SATA-connectors.)If the migration tool is not an option, Linux' 'dd' may be.When I insert a clone of the system disk (Samsung EVO 860 pro), Windows will boot up. However it will detect the different Mobo or CPU. I haven't tried switching CPU's. The question that I can't answer atm is, which of those programs will work on the new board, without re-activation.It may be helpful to figure out if switching mainbords, while keeping the CPU, will keep your the licenses.At any rate, should I have to switch boards and CPU and run into license related problems, I wouldn't hesitate to procure unlocked specimens of the versions for which I have bought permanent licenses.Suggestion for the TO's concrete questions:- get a spare SSD and copy the original disk. This will give pointers regarding that item's state- plug the spare into the new laptop and try to boot, while disconnected from the internet. If the system boots, you will have a several days-long period of grace, where you can check out the actual situation- proceed from there, maybe all you need is a reactivation of Windows 7. Worst case would be the requirement to call Microsoft and explain the situation to an operatorAt any rate - good luck. Looking forward to your findings.

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2022, 05:49:07 pm
content: If I had to pick between 7 and 10, then it would definitely be 10, because it has active security updates. The danger of running an unpatched system is IMO much larger than Bill Gates finding out how much you like Altium.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2022, 05:51:45 pm
content: Quote from: tom66 on October 03, 2022, 05:49:07 pmPlease stop the fear mongering! What you need is an updated browser and updated anti virus / malware. Or put differently: do you really want to rely on Microsoft for security? Virus / malware definitions are released sooner than OS security patches and it is not uncommon for Windows updates to break stuff right before a deadline when you need your computer to just work.