You don't NEED an upgrade or new version of W7 if your copy of XP works just
dandy.
If you buy an upgrade version of W7 it will take XP off and do a new install
anyway.. there really
is no upgrade path as such. You will need to back stuff up.
With a new retail version of W7 you don't need XP in any way shape or form.
You would de a fresh new install and then reinstall all of your programs.
And if in the future you decide to get a new system you just delete it of
the old and install
on the new without spending hours looking for that copy of XP.
I noticed both versions cost the same.
peter