Windows 7 anyone?

[tchariya]

i know there are boys and girls out there who are into their computer toys or want to be on the cutting edge of things (even though it might be crappy ol' Microsoft), so anyone put 7 to the test yet?

I've got the iso downloaded...and I'm thinking of taking my rarely used laptops and converting.

So...lets talk about it?! Problems? Ideas? Questions?? Troubleshooting help??

I don't have my MacPro, but if I did, i'd install it on Bootcamp to play.

Pics? maybe of you surfing CA with it?

[bvilchez]

I have the ISO as well aand was going to put it on my wife's laptop.

It's just something about Microsoft products Beta version that always bites my ass so I'ld rather not chance it really. I was thinking when I get home to try it on my MBP but still unsure.

Let me know what you think of it.

[Mark]

http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/windows_7.png

[tchariya]

I have the ISO as well and was going to put it on my wife's laptop.

It's just something about Microsoft products Beta version that always bites my ass so I'ld rather not chance it really. I was thinking when I get home to try it on my MBP but still unsure.

Let me know what you think of it.


HAHAHA put it on the wife's laptop....some famous last words!


Bootcamp r0x! Go and try it...it won't kill your MBP, just creates another boot partition that you can later re-absorb if you are fed up with Windows *. :)

[bvilchez]

Why not put it on the wife's laptop!?!?!? I'll just tell her it's one of the updates Windows always sends and if it jacks something up then its jacked up.

DAMN MICROSOFT AND THEIR UPDATES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dunng]

I got the ISO too... might burn it and use it for a coaster... :D

[tchariya]

So...I woke up this morning forgetting that it was a bank holiday and that means a day off in the trading world!

I decided to give the windows 7 install a whirl on my Lenovo T61 laptop. The DVD installed in about 30 minutes, finding all my drivers except 2 bios looking ones. I'll worry about those later.

Its pretty. It is still Aero-ish, but it NAGS THE CRAP out of you. Updates went through fine. Then it started to ***** about not having anti-virus software on there. You can't install a current one, you have a choice (from Windows 7 website) to install beta AVG, Kapersky, or Norton. I'm not a big fan of the bloated Norton software, so I installed Kapersky.

Big mistake....if you hate nagging like me, do not install the anti-hacker crap. After about 5 minutes of allow this port and allow that port and allow windows to write to this and that...I had to get rid of the anti-hacker portion.

I'm not a big fan of Windows Media...so I downloaded my favorite GOM Player and it seems to install and work well.

I'll do Firefox now.

Boot times are fast (I'm running crippled with 1GB of ram). More impressions as I play with this.

Install is very friendly...so I imagine Bootcamp will be easy with a MBP, just hope that Apple is doing testing with their Driver install on Windows side.

i'll take a few screen shots and post shortly.

[AD720]

Its pretty. It is still Aero-ish, but it NAGS THE CRAP out of you .

Wow, this really sounds like the huge improvement over Vista that was promised. :rolleyes:


For what it's worth I have vista on my work laptop and after disabling all the nag-ware I think it is fine.

The problem with the "Vista wants to this, do you want to allow it" is that to the regular end user the "Yes" button becomes the "let me get back to work button" and those warnings become completely meaningless.

[tchariya]

purdy picture!

http://i42.tinypic.com/33kar60.jpg

[BORIStheBLADE]

I downloaded the .ISO and gave it a try, but I ran it in virtualization so I didn't have to erase a hard drive. Its pretty slick, but its in beta so I don't know how its going to end up. I just installed Ubuntu on my desktop and laptop because I'm so fed up with windows. I can't wait to see 7 when it comes out though. I've been wanting to get a new desktop pc, but I'm going to wait till 7 is bundled with them.

With all the articles I've read about it so far it looks promising.

[tchariya]

FYI...I never switched to vista. I thought it was very hokey and unstable at the time. I just didn't think it was made for an IT driven environment like XP was.

Ubuntu is a great start for non-Windows users.
So is Mac OSX Tiger....but there is a nice price tag that comes with that.

[AD720]

FYI...I never switched to vista. I thought it was very hokey and unstable at the time. I just didn't think it was made for an IT driven environment like XP was.

Ubuntu is a great start for non-Windows users.
So is Mac OSX Tiger....but there is a nice price tag that comes with that.

Agreed. It seems pretty clear to me that Vista was a stab at grabbing some of the OSX hype/money.

Ubuntu is great if you can get the drivers you need. The whole driver/wrapper thing is over some people's heads though.

[BORIStheBLADE]

Agreed. It seems pretty clear to me that Vista was a stab at grabbing some of the OSX hype/money.

Ubuntu is great if you can get the drivers you need. The whole driver/wrapper thing is over some people's heads though.


Agreed, Right out of the box the new Ubuntu got everything running right and the drivers for my printer.WTF!!! Can't get any better than that.

[Genetic Defect]

although early is 7 looking promising?

[King James]

meh, I'll stil with snow leopard when it comes out :tu

May put 7 on my imac just to play around with it though

[tchariya]

although early is 7 looking promising?

I'm really impressed with the boot times and the quickness it loads applications.
I'm running a Centrino Pro, which is a dual-core 2.0GHZ processor and only 1GB of ram (my other laptop needed more ram so instead of buying more....).

[The Professor]

http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/windows_7.png
OMG. ROFLMAO. :r:r:r

Seriously. I laughed so hard at that.

Yes ... I am a nerd.

OS X 4 EVAH!!!!!

:D

[Ace$nyper]

played with 7 on a friends comp.

It's riddled with fail stolen ideas from linux and osx plus good old crashing for no good reason. So many drivers don't work on a lot of programs either.

It's like the down sides of all 3
nothing works
pain in the butt
and crashes for no reason
slick.

After I was done I was asked my thoughts. I did a James T. Kirk Impression and yelled "GAAAAAAAAAAAAATEEEESSSS"

F- 7 and Vista. XP was pretty crappy but windows has gone down hill since that XP can be run well but sweet lord stepping backwards for sure.

A lot of the gimmicks will amuse untrained end users, but I promise it's all been around and better done for 5+ years ground breaking my butt.

Do your self a favor, don't bother.

[Kreth]

I work for local gov't, and we've had Vista and now Windows 7 installed on a few test machines, but all of our production workstations are still running XP. Those extensions that Microsoft keeps pushing out for "upgrades" to XP? You can blame that on us. :r

[Ace$nyper]

I work for local gov't, and we've had Vista and now Windows 7 installed on a few test machines, but all of our production workstations are still running XP. Those extensions that Microsoft keeps pushing out for "upgrades" to XP? You can blame that on us. :r

That reminds me like all gov comps are XP and going to vista.

The idea of a nuke being watched over by vista is scary.

[Genetic Defect]

so many fanboys in here:rolleyes:

[King James]

so many fanboys in here:rolleyes:

I know right.... damn Windows fanboys :D

[Genetic Defect]

I know right.... damn Windows fanboys :D

blaw blaw blaw :dance:

[Sr Mike]

Remember Windows ME? It is like Vista, too many problems on a new system, hopefully 7 will be a worthwhile operating system.

[Kreth]

Vista was like the iPhone, too much emphasis on eye candy and not enough on functionality...

[tchariya]

Vista was like the iPhone, too much emphasis on eye candy and not enough on functionality...

Unfortunately 7 is eye candy also...transitions are actually clean and not awkward.

The 7 gui is very frankensteined and not original. Applets from Vista stolen from unix desktop/Mac OS X. The Taskbar/Quick Launch is now combined to add a bit more than the Taskbar OSX had provided.

The Alt-Tab feel/functionality is almost a duplicate of the OS X multi-app selector.

Boot-up is quick, task switching is quick, transitions are more refined/cleaner.

I only use Windows because I have to. Ask any IT department trying to run a business with all their mainstream business apps, no IT department will spend the extra $$ and hours and man power to support non-Windows in the desktop/laptop arena.

Hey..most of the time, I'm ssh'd or VNC'd into a unix box doing most of my work. Not being able to get support for a virtual unix instance on my desktop sucks, so I do what I can to not rock the boat in the IT world.

[Kreth]

The 7 gui is very frankensteined and not original. Applets from Vista stolen from unix desktop/Mac OS X.
And MacOS was stolen from Xerox... :ss

[tchariya]

And MacOS was stolen from Xerox... :ss

Imitation is the greatest form of flattery!

[bigloo]

I use and hate vista (been a user since the 1st week of its release), it trully is a turd. What kills me is how often it decides to freeze, it can take 5 minutes to unfreeze itself... worst part, vista does not seem to be fully compatable with the new office which kills me, how could that happen! MS almost owes everyone stupid enough to have bought vista (me included) a free windows 7... I will switch to being a late adopter this time round and let other people do the beta testing (known at MS as final release).

[tchariya]

let me just add some more 'improvements' I have noticed in this Beta version.

Going from active to sleep or active to hibernate and back is tons faster.
That might be attributed to not having much installed.

I just found it alarming that I don't have to wait for much of a countdown to hibernate or restore.

[tchariya]

Well finally a big ding for W7.

I know it is beta but still, you figure from XP to W7, you would get an improvement on battery life.

But on XP, I was getting over 3 hours on my extended battery of my Lenovo T61. With W7 the the system reads only 2:10h of battery life.

What a let down. Battery consumption is not suppose to get worse!

[Rabidsquirrel]

XP will always be my go-to Windows OS.

I've been living in the Linux world for two years now, and love it.

[Smokin Gator]

I am just glad I have been a Mac user since 1989 when I bought my first Mac Plus. I have had to use Windows based machines at work at points, but I love my Macs. At work now I use a Mac and have to hide it on the "guest" side of the network. It beats being frustrated all of the time!!!

[bvilchez]

purdy picture!

http://i42.tinypic.com/33kar60.jpg

What add-on did you use to put your links on the left? That looks pretty cool.

[piperman]

Instead of creating a new OS maybe they ought to perfect at least one of there OSs.....:2 Winblows :bh

[tchariya]

What add-on did you use to put your links on the left? That looks pretty cool.

If you are talking about Firefox add-on, the ones I always use are as follows:

Tree Stlye Tab (puts tab where you want)
FoxTab
Download StatusBar
Stock Ticker
Tab Mix Plus

[Rabidsquirrel]

What add-on did you use to put your links on the left? That looks pretty cool.

View > Sidebar > Bookmarks

[bvilchez]

Thanks Rabidsquirrel and tchariya. I'm new again to FF and I'm loving it this time around.

Heard a few good things about 7 on Mac. My brother has it running and he swears by the beta version of it on his MBP but not too fond of it on PC.

[Chris.]

How does the current version hold up? I've been thinking about upgrading from Vista for the reduced price they are offering.

[WildBlueSooner]

I have heard good things...thank goodness! I am curious to see how people are gonna like it.

[Poe]

How does the current version hold up? I've been thinking about upgrading from Vista for the reduced price they are offering.

I've been running the final version (64 bit Ultimate) for a few days and so far its its rock solid. Seems a alot more peppy than a fresh vista install runs on this same machine. No issues out of it other than a few minor issues with IE 8. Has ran everything I've tried to run on it with no problems other than a few old DOS games that wouldn't launch (won't work in Vista either but i figured it was worth a shot). I'm running a ATI HD3870 video card in this machine and under vista it always seems to have issues when using dual monitors (to the point i just unhooked one monitor most of the time), no issues so far with windows 7 and the same drivers.

:tu

[Chris.]

Nice!

[King James]

Thinking bout getting it and running it w/ bootcamp while it still has a version out that is free

[Silound]

Overall, I'm impressed by W7. They took Vista's gimpy architecture and cleaned it up to provide a smoother interface and runtime. Programs load and work faster, there are no massive browser slowups (Firefox works far faster than in Vista and uses far less memory), and the interface works smoother and have more useful features. Yes, they're practically knockoffs from other software, but then what isn't?

I installed W7 on a home-built machine. All but two of my drivers were instantly installed, and the last two were related to my Hauppage TV card. The Vista drivers for the Hauppage worked fine. In most cases, the drivers W7 installed were versions not far removed from the current beta/final release versions from nVidia, Creative, and Intel. The current release versions for Vista also seemed to work well, although I lost some video mode support using the Vista driver.

I stress tested the video card and processor in W7 for an extended period (read: > 12 hours) and I never got a BSOD.

The Vista install for Avast antivirus seemed to work fine. Booted CD scans detect no viruses have managed to squeeze past.

I don't get many nagging pop-ups, although I changed a setting somewhere to ensure minor stuff would either be done automatically, or not at all. I think the most common pop-up I see is asking if I want to install something.

Games such as Crysis, Farcry, World of Warcraft, and even old DOS based games like Warcraft and Master of Magic run like a champ. I didn't even need a program to allow me to run old DOS games, the comparability modes handled it like a champ. Oblivion encountered a video glitch, however that was resolved by reverting from the current nVidia beta driver back to the W7 provided drivers.

The media center functionality is greatly improved over XP and Vista. My box currently takes the place of my media PC for the apartment, and I haven't had any complaints about people being unable to stream decent quality video or audio.

Overall, I would say W7 is a major step in the right direction. Hopefully, they will hit another winner with this one.

[BORIStheBLADE]

Overall, I would say W7 is a major step in the right direction. Hopefully, they will hit another winner with this one.

I agree. The only thing I would wish M$ would do is get it to run on less ram. OSX seems to run on half the ram.

[JE3146]

Im downloading the Windows 7 Professional x86 & x64 RTM DVD ISO's right now.

Might give it a whirl after I finish some work. Don't want to do a format mid-job, but odds are I'll start the school year with Windows 7 at least on one machine. Might just install it on a Macbook for S&G :D

[Chris.]

where are you guys downloading the ISO's?

[JE3146]

where are you guys downloading the ISO's?

MSDN AA through my school. One of the few 'free' perks of college.

[G G]

I preordered two copies, will let you know when I get it.

[Silound]

I agree. The only thing I would wish M$ would do is get it to run on less ram. OSX seems to run on half the ram.

I could successfully run W7 on 1GB of RAM, I'm sure it could function on less if you disabled a lot of features. It wouldn't be snappy fast, but it would work.


RAM's fairly cheap now anyway :)

[Chris.]

yea but with 32 bit you can only get up to what? 2.5 usable gigs?

[JE3146]

yea but with 32 bit you can only get up to what? 2.5 usable gigs?

3.33GB utilized.

[BORIStheBLADE]

I could successfully run W7 on 1GB of RAM, I'm sure it could function on less if you disabled a lot of features. It wouldn't be snappy fast, but it would work.


RAM's fairly cheap now anyway :)


Very true, but my netbook only has 1 gig of ram and you can't upgrade. Either way, it runs very good on my netbook. I just wish sometimes M$ would take a page from Apple when it comes to making a OS.

[JE3146]

Very true, but my netbook only has 1 gig of ram and you can't upgrade. Either way, it runs very good on my netbook. I just wish sometimes M$ would take a page from Apple when it comes to making a OS.

You will see pigs fly before Microsoft switches to a UNIX kernel.

And really to get the RAM usage of OS X, you're gonna need UNIX.

But Microsoft values legacy support too much. Apple started from scratch essentially casting away all previous customers. But really back then they didn't have many so it wasn't that big of a deal. And the gamble worked out well...

Microsoft casting away millions of enterprise licenses for a 'rewrite' would be suicide.

[longknocker]

I Have a very Old Computer (More Than 5 Years) Running on Windows XP. Main Problem is occasional freezeups ("Not Responding". Would a new PC running on Windows7 Remedy this and be a big improvement?

Thanks!:)

[Chris.]

Not responding has more to do with how fast your processor it than anything else. Ask anyone...windows XP is one of the best OS's MS has ever created.

[longknocker]

Not responding has more to do with how fast your processor it than anything else. Ask anyone...windows XP is one of the best OS's MS has ever created.

So If I Buy a new Processor, would you go with XP or 7?

[Chris.]

Depends....what do you use your computer for? Gaming, photo/video processing, simple Office tasks, just internet. It really depends on how much of a load you are putting on it. I'd use XP 90% of the time. It doesnt rape your system of it's resources just to run, and it runs quickly with todays computers that have 3 gigs of ram out of the box. 7 is just a slightly more refined version of Vista. It still uses a lot of resources (not as much as vista). I am running vista on my machine. I never had a problem with it other than some program compatibility issues that still havent been fixed. I also have gig of ram and an intel 2 core duo e4300 processor. I would like a better one, but it gets the job done for most things. What are the specs of your computer? Really, a brand new computer can be had for under $700 nowadays. It's almost not worth it to upgrade the motherboard/processor.

[Sauer Grapes]

I'd recommend you buy a whole new computer. You can get a pretty decent brand new one for $400-500 if you are patient. Heck, if you like your monitor you can keep it and maybe even get a desktop cheaper.

[longknocker]

Depends....what do you use your computer for? Gaming, photo/video processing, simple Office tasks, just internet. It really depends on how much of a load you are putting on it. I'd use XP 90% of the time. It doesnt rape your system of it's resources just to run, and it runs quickly with todays computers that have 3 gigs of ram out of the box. 7 is just a slightly more refined version of Vista. It still uses a lot of resources (not as much as vista). I am running vista on my machine. I never had a problem with it other than some program compatibility issues that still havent been fixed. I also have gig of ram and an intel 2 core duo e4300 processor. I would like a better one, but it gets the job done for most things. What are the specs of your computer? Really, a brand new computer can be had for under $700 nowadays. It's almost not worth it to upgrade the motherboard/processor. :

My Computer:

Compaq 686 P2 V. 3.08 8/07/2001. (512KB)/ 65K Memory Application/ Physical 511MB/ Virtual Total 2,047 MB. I mostly e-mail & Surf The Web, use Office Occasionally. Thanks For The Advice!:)

Greg

[VirtualSmitty]

:

My Computer:

Compaq 686 P2 V. 3.08 8/07/2001. (512KB)/ 65K Memory Application/ Physical 511MB/ Virtual Total 2,047 MB. I mostly e-mail & Surf The Web, use Office Occasionally. Thanks For The Advice!:)

Greg

Prob be easier to just get a new machine at this point. If you just email, surf, and use office you can can get a new desktop on the cheap these days.

[BORIStheBLADE]

:

My Computer:

Compaq 686 P2 V. 3.08 8/07/2001. (512KB)/ 65K Memory Application/ Physical 511MB/ Virtual Total 2,047 MB. I mostly e-mail & Surf The Web, use Office Occasionally. Thanks For The Advice!:)

Greg

I agree on buying a new one. Most likely the new OS will be $100.00+ alone.
You buy a new computer it will have Windows 7 installed, a hell of a lot faster and would be more power efficient. You might save a couple of $ on your electrical bill.

Quick comparison..

My old P4 windows machine idled at 70 watts.
I have a three year old Mac mini that has twice the power and idles at 24-27 watts.

Yes its a smaller computer.... but it has better performance than my old P4.

[longknocker]

I agree on buying a new one. Most likely the new OS will be $100.00+ alone.
You buy a new computer it will have Windows 7 installed, a hell of a lot faster and would be more power efficient. You might save a couple of $ on your electrical bill.

Quick comparison..

My old P4 windows machine idled at 70 watts.
I have a three year old Mac mini that has twice the power and idles at 24-27 watts.

Yes its a smaller computer.... but it has better performance than my old P4.
Thanks For The Advice, Guys! Mac or PC? I already know the PC system & wonder about learning MAC?

[VirtualSmitty]

Thanks For The Advice, Guys! Mac or PC? I already know the PC system & wonder about learning MAC?

Hard to say. Depends how much money you want to spend, macs aren't cheap.

[longknocker]

Hard to say. Depends how much money you want to spend, macs aren't cheap.

Probably Stay With The PC, Then, to save money. Thanks For All the Good Advice, All!:tu

[BORIStheBLADE]

With Windows 7 coming out I wouldn't mind getting a PC. My netbook is running Windows 7 right now and its day and night difference on this little bugger.

[poriggity]

Great thread. Being a student, I can get W7 Home Premium for $30. Thinking I'll go ahead and do that, and ditch Vista. Doing a backup now, as to not lose any of my stuff.
Scott

[mariogolbee]

Great thread. Being a student, I can get W7 Home Premium for $30. Thinking I'll go ahead and do that, and ditch Vista. Doing a backup now, as to not lose any of my stuff.
Scott

I'm a student too so how do I get this deal?

[Sauer Grapes]

How have those that upgraded liked 7 so far? I'm still sitting on my unopened upgrade, partially to let you all be the final beta testers and partially out of laziness since my wife wants me to organize all of our photos and music between our two computers before upgrading.

[Sauer Grapes]

I'm a student too so how do I get this deal?

http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1562761

[68TriShield]

I Have a very Old Computer (More Than 5 Years) Running on Windows XP. Main Problem is occasional freezeups ("Not Responding". Would a new PC running on Windows7 Remedy this and be a big improvement?

Thanks!:)

I just replaced my work laptop,similar age and configuration.
Dell for a new Dell.It has Windows 7 and the speed difference is almost awe inspiring.
The start up and shut down speed alone is a huge improvement.

[poriggity]

I'm a student too so how do I get this deal?

Here's the windows page for it..

http://windows7.digitalriver.com/store/mswpus/en_US/DisplayHomePage?resid=d2wgLQoBAkgAAFCoLIEAAAAu&rests=1259522570614

Scott

[mariogolbee]

Here's the windows page for it..

http://windows7.digitalriver.com/store/mswpus/en_US/DisplayHomePage?resid=d2wgLQoBAkgAAFCoLIEAAAAu&rests=1259522570614

Scott
Oh... I need a college email address. That sucks for me, I've been in college for over two years now without one.

[poriggity]

Most colleges give you one by default... Do you perhaps know someone in college with one? Maybe they will allow you to use theirs to get to the site you need.. :)

[mariogolbee]

It looks like I can scan documentation and what not to get verification. You guys have been helpful! Is Windows 7 worth it though?

[poriggity]

From what I can tell, the upgrade to window's 7 is well worth it... Especially if you can get it for the $30 price given to students.
Scott

[Chris.]

Good luck to anyone trying to go from vista to 7. I've been trying my damndest to upgrade and it gets to the point for me to set the time zone and name the computer and acts like it's gonna strt up, then shuts down and goes into the recovery console and will not boot up. Pisses me off so much! I have a hacked copy though. Maybe I'll buy the student edition and see how that goes...

[ashtonlady]

I am running it, but I have a full version. And I put it on a new harddrive. Not ready for complete change over.

[G G]

I have it on my desktop and my laptop. Love it on the desktop, but am having issues with the laptop. Older Intel chipset and no new driver for windows 7 so will prolly go backwards on the laptop, unless Intel updates the drivers.

[VirtualSmitty]

I got the 30 dollar student upgrade for th3 64 bit ultra edition. Well worth it, just did the upgrade option and after a few minutes was rolling without a hitch.

[G G]

Yeah my desktop upgraded like a charm, but the laptop hung and had to a clean install.