Windows 7 support ending soon

[wuench]

For the record it was the April Creators update, something changed for it to sneak through, I am not sure what.   But two of my systems were forced  to update on the same day.   if I could just take security/antivirus patches at my discretion I would but a forced 1 hour update on the server running my security cameras?   I mean maybe we should just wait until  the next big MS Win10 update and stage a bank heist...
 
Security-wise IT is upside down.  The security fight will never be won with patching, and the development world is moving in the wrong direction if security is their concern.   It really is going to be like Star Wars, where any droid can bypass any door with 30 seconds of free time.  I am looking forward to it...

 

[tmbrown97]

I'm one of those to block Windows Updates - only because I want to control when they happen.  I often leave things half-finished and unsaved - and nothing pisses me off more than to see that my system rebooted on its own for an update and I lost everything.  A power outage I can deal with - those are so rare...

 

[mikefamig]

So the question I have is: what about hardware that is still in use but will not run on any version of Windows beyond XP? I depend on Windows XP mode in Win7 to talk to my Stargate and my Panasonic phone system. Neither of those will ever get a software update but the hardware could easily remain relevant through 2025 or longer.

But will the hardware parts be available for replacement when a failure occurs. I have an XP laptop that I keep running to print to an old Kodak dye-sub printer. It uses a pcmcia scsi adapter to the printer. These pcmcia devices are not going to be available much longer and Scsi is obsolete. I am not confident that I will be able to keep this running much longer.
 
I haven't looked but I wonder if any SCSI adapter is supported by Win10. This is a commercial printer that was used in the printer kiosks that you used to see in drug stores and it makes good (not great)  quality glossy prints. I don't want to lose it.
 
Mike.

 

[pete_c]

I am curious what folks are using their Windows 10 laptops or desktops for these days?
 
I am currently typing this forum post using Firefox on my Lenova Laptop running Ubuntu 18.10.

Optionally to type here can utilize a tablet or phone but I cannot really type fast on a touchscreen (joke really).

I kept my Homeseer touchscreens in a windows world because I didn't want them to look like smartphones all over the house and in the beginning of Android rooting and baking OS's I could never get rid of the built in telephone pieces built in to the kernal.
 
Over the years here of running Homeseer still utilize Homeseer Touch designer written for Windows.
 
Initially here would do Oracle Virtual boxes of Windows XP, 7 or W10.  Then went to dual booting to Windows 10.
 
Just a day or so ago wanted to work on the Samsung hub via the Android application.  Difficult for me to use a tablet or phone to edit android application stuff (PITA) built an Android virtual box which was fast and worked well on my laptop.
 
I don't use Windows 10 that much any more having "discovered" it is easier for my to RDP to a Windows 2016 server.
 
I like to keep my stuff at home rather than the cloud such that remotely I can VPN to my home and log in to the WIndows 2016 just fine and easy.  Many many years ago while working in the UK and EU would VPN to my home network and play with my automation stuff running on Windows 2003 with no issues.

Years ago put the old Homeseer 2 boxes on a tight and small build of Windows 2003 which had no XP fluff and worked for years this way.
 
The Windows 2016 server is running headless unseen in the basement.  I have installed PCA, Upstart, Homeseer Designer, Switch manager, MS Office suite with Visio, et al.  It gives me everything I want from any Ubuntu computer on the network here. 

 

[upstatemike]

I use Windows mostly because I am too lazy and time constrained to chase alternatives. I don't have the eyesight or physical dexterity to work from a phone or tablet so I will always need a full keyboard and mouse. Anything I use that can be accessed from a desktop versus an app (Elk M1, ISY, Stargate, Panasonic PBX, Homeseer, Nest, Blue Iris, etc.) works on PC apps or from a PC browser. Not sure if I move to a Mac how much I would lose access to but the point is probably moot since I could never afford the high cost and short lifecycle of Apple gear. Linux might be OK but steep learning curve plus porting everything over... who has that kind of time?
 
I am always curious when I hear about folks who either do not own any kind of laptop or desktop or have one but haven't turned it on for years. How do you do anything productive on a phone or tablet? I can't see editing a Word document, creating a slide show, or setting up a spreadsheet on my phone and even typing replies in an online forum would be a pain. I also hate browsing on mobile devices because the way things render in order to fit the screen is usually confusing and counterintuitive. So how do people who never use laptops or desktops manage to get anything useful done? 

 

[Waynedb]

But will the hardware parts be available for replacement when a failure occurs. I have an XP laptop that I keep running to print to an old Kodak dye-sub printer. It uses a pcmcia scsi adapter to the printer. These pcmcia devices are not going to be available much longer and Scsi is obsolete. I am not confident that I will be able to keep this running much longer.
 
I haven't looked but I wonder if any SCSI adapter is supported by Win10. This is a commercial printer that was used in the printer kiosks that you used to see in drug stores and it makes good (not great)  quality glossy prints. I don't want to lose it.
 
Mike.

 
 There are 64 bit drivers for SCSI adapters that will work in Windows 10, I did a quick search and found this link. http://www.savagetaylor.com/2018/02/11/scsi-on-windows-10-adaptec-aha-2940-adaptec-29xx-ultra-or-aic-7870-adaptec-78xx/  
 
 I am using an old Adaptec AHA-2940U SCSI adapter in one of my Windows 7 computers to run a medium format film scanner, I had to hunt for a solution when I set it up in Windows 7. I Keep a spare SCSI adapter on hand in case one fails. I am not a fan of Windows 10, I can use Linux for most anything I do, I do need Windows still for Photoshop, and some CNC software. Good hardware last a long time, I imagine my HP Z workstations will still work after I am gone. I have computers that are over 30 years old that still work fine. 

 

[pete_c]

Here many years ago (touch screen playing) purchased Kodak computers (4) that were used for their Kiosk stuff.  I purchased them for their touch screens and used them for Homeseer in the early 2000's. 
 
It is a custom motherboard in a custom metal case the size of the touch screen (~14" or so).  The old Kodak kiosk had a scanner and printer built in. 
 
I would like to find the Kodak software that was running back then.  It used touch and the keyboard at the time.

 

[tmbrown97]

I imagine my HP Z workstations will still work after I am gone. I have computers that are over 30 years old that still work fine. 

I thought this was funny since I'm literally working on two HP Z Workstations now - one is remoted into the other... but I can tell you I've managed to use one of these WAY past what should've been its useful life... I think I bought it in ~2010, and the only reason it's still tolerable is the Samsung 950 Pro SSD I upgraded to about 5 years ago.

 

[wkearney99]

Dye-sub printers, ugh, I remember those (Mitsubishi-Shinko, iirc).  Can you even still find the color ribbons for them? 
 
And PCMCIA to SCSI, yow, that was some fun driver/IRQ dancing going on there!  But at least it wasn't the old  IEEE-488 stuff.  Trying to make one of those connect to a laptop was an adventure in connector fragility and adapter dongles.

 

[Waynedb]

I thought this was funny since I'm literally working on two HP Z Workstations now - one is remoted into the other... but I can tell you I've managed to use one of these WAY past what should've been its useful life... I think I bought it in ~2010, and the only reason it's still tolerable is the Samsung 950 Pro SSD I upgraded to about 5 years ago.

 
 
Mine are pretty fast still compared to most computers, one boots off a dual SSD card and I have an M.2 adapter for the other one.

 

[Waynedb]

Dye-sub printers, ugh, I remember those (Mitsubishi-Shinko, iirc).  Can you even still find the color ribbons for them? 
 
And PCMCIA to SCSI, yow, that was some fun driver/IRQ dancing going on there!  But at least it wasn't the old  IEEE-488 stuff.  Trying to make one of those connect to a laptop was an adventure in connector fragility and adapter dongles.

You can still buy new Dye-sub printers, they are popular for on location photo printing. B&H Photo has many available on their website.

 

[mikefamig]

Lack of supplies is probably what will eventually be the end of my Kodak printer because it is built like a tank. I bought ribbon and paper when I see it cheap on ebay and probably have a lifetime supply now.. The ink ribbon should be refrigerated but it's too bulky for that so only time will tell how long they last. The printers weigh about 75 pounds and sound a little like R2D2 when they run.
 
The set up is simple with scsi. Once the scsi adapter is installed you just connect the cable and go. The printer came with what they call an export module that allows printing directly from photoshop with little effort. The prints are much like old photo lab prints and I love them.

 

[LarrylLix]

I'm one of those to block Windows Updates - only because I want to control when they happen.  I often leave things half-finished and unsaved - and nothing pisses me off more than to see that my system rebooted on its own for an update and I lost everything.  A power outage I can deal with - those are so rare...

I guess it is time to stop updating Win 7 now. The updates seemed to be happening more and more frequently  as they install the future obsolescence wares. I see this every new version  and suddenly the old version  isn't capable of anything any more.
 
Since MS started into the hardware field, even hardware ceases to function due to drivers not being compatible.
 
The last few Win versions not only the software won't run with anything, your hardware needs to be replaced despite working just fine for decades.
 
SilverLight needs to be updated continuously and MS has never been consistent with exactly what it does.

 

[mikefamig]

 There are 64 bit drivers for SCSI adapters that will work in Windows 10, I did a quick search and found this link. http://www.savagetaylor.com/2018/02/11/scsi-on-windows-10-adaptec-aha-2940-adaptec-29xx-ultra-or-aic-7870-adaptec-78xx/  
 
 I am using an old Adaptec AHA-2940U SCSI adapter in one of my Windows 7 computers to run a medium format film scanner, I had to hunt for a solution when I set it up in Windows 7. I Keep a spare SCSI adapter on hand in case one fails. I am not a fan of Windows 10, I can use Linux for most anything I do, I do need Windows still for Photoshop, and some CNC software. Good hardware last a long time, I imagine my HP Z workstations will still work after I am gone. I have computers that are over 30 years old that still work fine. 

 
Thanks for the tip on the scsi drivers.
 
I'm just as interested in the old computers that you are still using, I have a PC here that still boots Windows 98 but haven't used it in years. It has a 500mhz AMD processor and little memory and I don't know what it could be used for. You couldn't run a modern browser on it. I'm thinking of upgrading the OS and using it as a file server but I'm not sure that it is even up to that task.
 
What do you use 30 year old computers for?
 
Mike.

 

[tmbrown97]

What do you use 30 year old computers for?

Running up your power bill?  I think that's all their good for.  Anything you'd consider doing on a 10yr old computer could run on a Raspberry Pi now and use a fraction of the power.  It's kinda silly to keep repurposing old hardware just because it's around - it's usually big, loud, and expensive to run compared to some *very* cheap modern alternatives.