Q. I was thinking of getting a netbook but I noticed most of them come with windows starter. I've hear rumor the windows starter is like a trial and you can't change wallpapers and you have to buy windows home premium. If I already have a windows desktop pc with home premium on it can I somehow burn windows 7 onto disk and install it onto the netbook. The reason I ask is because my windows 7 desktop never came with a windows 7 disk. I don't want to pay extra for windows 7 when I already have it on my desktop pc.

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Q. I have a new home (1 yr old) with "energy efficient" windows rated well by Energy Star. I am having the same problem with these windows that I had with replacement windows in my last house. The glass itself radiates a great deal of cold air. There is more cold air than I had with my regular windows with storm windows. There are no air leaks around the windows, so weatherstripping is not the answer. How can these new windows be considered more energy efficient? Do all the newer energy-efficient windows have this same problem? Can I use storm windows with these windows?

A. Glass is a great transmitter of energy. That is why triple pain windows are better than single or double pain. Add an inert gas and they are even better. Still you need to cover them at night or in the hottest part of the day.

Q. I'm not a fan of the new windows live movie maker, and would like to use the old windows movie maker that was on windows vista, on windows 7. Where can I download the version of windows movie maker that was on vista, for use on windows 7?

A. WMM 2.6 (For Vista): http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=d6ba5972-328e-4df7-8f9d-068fc0f80cfc&displaylang=en Tah-dah! Enjoy **This download is safe and works great! I have a laptop with windows 7 and it works perfectly, better than windows live! :)**

Q. I live in metro-Detroit and I am considering windows for my home. I need glass block windows for the basement windows and I am still deciding what kind of windows to get for the ground level of my ranch-style home. I Have 3- 36"x24" windows, two smaller windows in each the bathroom and kitchen and a 60"x 36" Large window for my front room. I also need a front door. About how much will I be spending? What kind of windows do you suggest. Any tips or stories you want to share?

A. I would definitely go for double pane (insulated) windows for your climate. It looks like these are a standard size window and probably the door too. These shouldn't be hard to find at the local hardware super store. There are different quality windows but I would look for the kind that don't require painting. You need to shop around for the best price.

Q. I have a 87 year old house that has the original windows (not very efficient in PA) and the bathroom was redone about 30 years ago (it's pretty tacky but not horrible). The new windows would be energystar efficient. There are 22 windows in my house. For the bathroom, I would be replacing the tub, all tile work, put in a new counter, new sink, and of course, new paint on the walls. The new windows will cost around 7g, the bathroom about 10g. What do you think???

A. Definately the windows. However, you may need to have someone come and examine your frames before purchasing windows. Since the windows are 87 years old, and have never been replaced, there may be some unforseen issues that you're not aware of. Best of luck to you!

Q. I dont want wooden Anderson windows. I want the kind of windows that are you cant see into the house from the outside but when you are inside they are clear when you look out. Also want ones that are easiest to clean! Any info on types or styles of windows are appreciated

A. Pella are the best. They are double paned, you can have louvers installed between the panes (no dusting the blinds!) and they look really GOOD!

Q. I got a quote from Renewable By Andersen Windows for nearly $10,000 to replace 8 windows in my home. This seems like a really high price but I have no experience with buying new windows (I live in New York City). The RBA windows are guaranteed for 20 years. They do their own installation so that's not contracted out and the windows are double pane, energy efficient windows in a really durable incasement. What do you think?

A. $10K? That's really high. But perhaps that's the price of NYC vs STL, or perhaps that's representative of the size and type of the windows you're replacing. A single sliding glass door could eat up a third of that $10K price tag. I looked at replacement windows a few years ago. I didn't buy because the price was more than I wanted to spend at that time, but here's the thing. The term "Replacement Windows" was coined as a way to sell cheaper, often smaller windows to consumers than a home's original windows. It probably involves less modification to the existing structure around the windows so they're cheaper to install. I would suggest that you steer clear of any windows labelled "Replacement" windows. They may be cheaper and easiler to install, but they won't help your home's value as much as buying new windows that are not labelled as "Replacement" windows.

Q. I just bought a home built in 1917. It needs new windows. It currently has single pane wood windows. What, in your opinion, is the best material to buy replacement windows. Vinyl, wood, or aluminum? Why do you think it is the best? Cost is a consideration also.

A. Double pane vinyl windows are probably best for your situation. Wood windows would be way more expensive. Vinyl windows have better heat-loss qualities than aluminum frame windows.