Many people are rushing to upgrade to Windows 7. However many are not aware what awaits them  if they  upgrading from Windows XP and not Windows Vista. The first thing you should do is check whether your PC meets the minimum requirements to run Windows 7. You can do that here. I would recommend having at least 2GB of RAM if not more. Make sure that you do any hardware upgrades BEFORE you install Windows 7.

The upgrade path is not simple. Windows 7 cannot be installed over Windows XP.  Instead, you have two options:

1. Do a CLEAN INSTALL. Using this method, you BACKUP your data. The next step is to wipe your hard drive clean and install Windows 7. You will then need to reinstall all your software and copy your data back to your new installation.
2. You can do a CUSTOM INSTALL. With this method your old Win XP setup is stored in a folder named WINDOWS.OLD. This will include your program files, however, you won’t be able to run your software from there. It will also include data files. It is not advisable to rely on this as your sole back up strategy. You should back up your data prior to upgrading as you would if you were doing a CLEAN INSTALL.

• Although Windows 7 cannot be installed over XP, there are some steps you can take before you install it to make the process easier.
• Download, install and run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor at www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/upgrade-advisor.aspx. It will scan your PC and notify you of any compatibility issues with hardware and software. If you do have software that is not compatible with Windows 7, you will need to upgrade it or download a patch from the manufacturer. The Upgrade Advisor will also
• Make an inventory of the software that you will need to reinstall.  Think about the ones that are really needed and note them down.  Use this time to get rid of unwanted or unused programmes. The ones that are not needed should not be reinstalled. All they do is take up much needed space on your machine.
• Download any software patches or upgrades that  you will need. The same should be done for any drivers that are available for your key hardware — video and audio adapters, printers, mice, keyboards, scanners, etc. I might add that the Windows 7 driver database is very good so you could skip this bit but, I’d still do it anyway as a precaution.
• Make sure that you check whether or not your current antivirus, firewall and antispyware software is compatible with Windows 7. Download the version that is or switch to another provider.
• Ensure  that all your documents, music, videos and photos are backed up to an external drive. Make sure you back up your email client data files too.  As an added precaution make a disk image of your entire system.  You can use software such as Acronis True Image 2010, or Perfect Image 12 Backup. This will allow  you to recover your Windows XP setup in case something goes horribly wrong.

Once you have completed your installation, do remember to manually run the Windows Update to check for any patches and fixes. Then make sure you update your antivirus, antispyware and firewall software too.

If none of the above has put you off, then I wish you all the best. Let me know how you get on!

I can highly recommend the Siemens Gigaset S685 IP Eco Dect Phone as it is something I use in my own home office. This phone allows me to make and receive landline calls as well as VOIP or SIP calls. It can support up to 6 VOIP or Sip Accounts. I have teamed mine up with two Sipgate telephone numbers.

The phone supports HSDP (High Definition Sound Performance), so the call quality is superb when making voip calls. You can assign different lines to different handsets, and set the hardware voicemail to act as the default mailbox, for all lines using the phone. The phone can also sync, via bluetooth, with Outlook or any other PIM application. In my opinion, the sync software still needs some refining but it is adequate and not the worst I have used.

If you type and talk a lot, then you will be pleased to know that you can pair a bluetooth headset with the phone too.

Skype users will be disappointed to know that it doesn’t support Skype but this is because Skype doesn’t use the SIP protocol. Who knows, in the future either Skype will make the sip protocol available to consumers, or Siemens will upgrade their firmware and allow for Skype calls to be made using this device. Until that time comes, Skype users like myself, will have to make do with using a proprietary Skype DECT phone, PC software and headset, or mobile phone application.

So to conclude, this is an essential product for any serious home office. Get one as soon as you can possibly afford it!