Author Topic: Windows 7 thread (Read 7863 times)

Himu · « **on:** October 20, 2009, 09:55:16 PM »

2 more days!

Who's getting Windows 7? I get it for free with my laptop.

Question about installation, though. The computer came with Vista 64 bit installed, but I dled the Windows 7 evaluation the day after I got my laptop and never looked back.

Will I be given the option to wipe Vista and this version of 7 off my hd without having to format? How can I get past this issue? I don't want Vista and Windows 7 Evaluation taking up my hd space.

recursivelyenumerable · « **Reply #1 on:** October 20, 2009, 09:58:23 PM »

IIRC you have to do a clean install (you can do an upgrade from Vista -> 7, but not 7RC -> 7RTM or XP -> 7) and it just dumps all your old stuff into a windows.old folder. then you can copy over whatever you like, but you'll have to reinstall programs.

Himu · « **Reply #2 on:** October 20, 2009, 10:00:01 PM »

So I'm going to have to go back to Vista in order to install?

Don Flamenco · « **Reply #3 on:** October 20, 2009, 10:05:29 PM »

fuck this shit OSX is so much bettar

(getting it for dual boot at some point)

will the $30 student upgrade version allow for a fresh install? i know, seems like a dumb question, but I've seen conflicting info about this.

recursivelyenumerable · « **Reply #4 on:** October 20, 2009, 10:09:29 PM »

If you want to do an in-place upgrade (one that keeps all your settings, installed programs, etc.) then yes. If you're willing to do a clean install (one that doesn't actually carry over any of your old stuff, but just dumps it in a folder like I mentioned) then no. IIRC there's some way to do a clean install with an "upgrade" package by giving it your Vista/XP key or something, I don't think you actually have to have Vista installed.

Himu · « **Reply #5 on:** October 20, 2009, 10:23:14 PM »

Shiiiit. I don't have my boot cd with me so how the hell can I uninstall Windows 7 RC and go back to Vista?

demi · « **Reply #6 on:** October 20, 2009, 10:24:11 PM »

I just went from XP -> 7

I wish I had an XP partition so I can play older games. Apparently Win7 has some emulator but I dont know how it works or if it will even let me run these older games.

Bildi · « **Reply #7 on:** October 20, 2009, 10:27:47 PM »

I'll probably get a new computer at work with 7 on it. I'm not looking forward to changing from XP and Office 2003, but I am glad I managed to bypass Vista entirely.

Arbys Roast Beef Sandwich · « **Reply #8 on:** October 20, 2009, 10:30:17 PM »

Already been using it since the Betas.

Sweet OS.

recursivelyenumerable · « **Reply #9 on:** October 20, 2009, 10:39:25 PM »

"Apparently Win7 has some emulator but I dont know how it works or if it will even let me run these older games."

xp mode isn't for games, it's for broken business apps.

demi · « **Reply #10 on:** October 20, 2009, 10:40:12 PM »

Wow, PC gaming is crap.

pilonv1 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 20, 2009, 10:49:03 PM »

getting Win 7 with my new PC next week

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #12 on:** October 21, 2009, 12:21:44 AM »

Yeah I'm getting my 30 dollar upgrade on Thursday. I wish I could do a clean install with it, but it's no big problem I guess. I'll just dig around for my old Vista CD and "clean install" from there.

MCD · « **Reply #13 on:** October 21, 2009, 12:30:07 AM »

broke right now and retail copy is only for one pc, my laptop needs one too.

Smooth Groove · « **Reply #14 on:** October 21, 2009, 12:30:37 AM »

Quote from: demi on October 20, 2009, 10:24:11 PM

I just went from XP -> 7

I wish I had an XP partition so I can play older games. Apparently Win7 has some emulator but I dont know how it works or if it will even let me run these older games.

Quick solution:

Get a cheap HD. Format it and set it as #1 in the Bios HD priority list. Then just boot up with the Windows XP CD and install XP on that HD.

Remove your current HD if you're worried about overwriting stuff on it.

After you're done, just reset the HD priority list when trying to boot into a different OS.

GilloD · « **Reply #15 on:** October 21, 2009, 01:04:50 AM »

Wish I'd nabbed the 30$ upgrade or whatever. 200$ is steep bizz. May have to wait for them to cut me a deal.

Bocsius · « **Reply #16 on:** October 21, 2009, 01:12:22 AM »

I'm getting it whenever Dell ships it out. Same deal, free upgrade with the laptop.

Our office is actually hosting a Microsoft-sponsored launch party for it. No idea what that entails beyond a chance for some Microsoft people to do some PowerPoint presentation. They say we're one of 10 communities to have such an event, don't know exactly how reliable that information is, but whatever.

chronovore · « **Reply #17 on:** October 22, 2009, 03:30:48 AM »

Apparently this is a lot lighter OS than Vista, or even XP. They made it with the realization that users generally want their computers to do specific stuff, like email and browsing. It sounds like of like the philosophy behind PowerPC and RISC chips: make the core stuff simple and fast, but be able to do the other stuff /if/ it's needed. Or am I on der crack again?

As for S/N on upgrades, they've historically offered clean installs as long as you can provide a disc/CD key for the previous version of the OS. But I have never dealt with a Vista or Win7 install, so...

Rman · « **Reply #18 on:** October 22, 2009, 03:34:13 AM »

I'll get it for free from work.

cool breeze · « **Reply #19 on:** October 22, 2009, 03:34:48 AM »

Is it really much better to do a clean install rather than an upgrade? I'm pretty lazy and don't feel like re-downloading all the problems and things I use.

GilloD · « **Reply #20 on:** October 22, 2009, 04:31:10 AM »

How can I get this cheaply? Any deals around?

recursivelyenumerable · « **Reply #21 on:** October 22, 2009, 04:33:54 AM »

should've sprung for the preorder

Kestastrophe · « **Reply #22 on:** October 22, 2009, 12:28:53 PM »

Quote from: recursivelyenumerable on October 20, 2009, 09:58:23 PM

IIRC you have to do a clean install (you can do an upgrade from Vista -> 7, but not 7RC -> 7RTM or XP -> 7) and it just dumps all your old stuff into a windows.old folder.

That's not so bad. Would you recommend upgrading from XP > Vista > 7, or is a clean install to 7 alright?

MCD · « **Reply #23 on:** October 22, 2009, 12:33:40 PM »

Upgrades

fresh installan all the way.

Kestastrophe · « **Reply #24 on:** October 22, 2009, 12:39:06 PM »

does the "old stuff" dumped into the windows.old folder include .exe's?

Bocsius · « **Reply #25 on:** October 22, 2009, 12:54:18 PM »

Quote from: Bocsius on October 21, 2009, 01:12:22 AM

Our office is actually hosting a Microsoft-sponsored launch party for it. No idea what that entails beyond a chance for some Microsoft people to do some PowerPoint presentation. They say we're one of 10 communities to have such an event, don't know exactly how reliable that information is, but whatever.

This party/presentation is going on right now. Since we're hosting it, naturally most of us did not get invited.

But I walked past the conference room and for now it's just a dude in a suit making a speech to a bunch of people in various states of disinterest. And he pronounced the name of our company wrong.

Brehvolution · « **Reply #26 on:** October 22, 2009, 12:58:34 PM »

Quote from: Kestastrophe on October 22, 2009, 12:39:06 PM

does the "old stuff" dumped into the windows.old folder include .exe's?

windows.old is just where your old windows installation was. Delete it.

Himu · « **Reply #27 on:** October 22, 2009, 04:18:02 PM »

Did anyone buy a new computer from Best Buy in recent months to get a free copy of Windows 7? I go to www.bestbuy.com/windows7upgrade which is shown on my pamphlet which was given to me when I bought my new laptop a few months ago and apparently the upgrade ISN'T free? I have to pay money? But it says on the pamphlet I get it for free.

Oh, you have to go to your computer's manufacturer site and register your pc in order to get it.

cool breeze · « **Reply #28 on:** October 22, 2009, 06:44:05 PM »

so far this seems pretty nice

WMP is also pretty awesome now. I'm replacing winamp finally.

Himu · « **Reply #29 on:** October 22, 2009, 06:48:33 PM »

WMP? WMP 12? WMP 12 sucks. =/ Or at least, the one that's in Wndows 7 RC.

cool breeze · « **Reply #30 on:** October 22, 2009, 07:00:38 PM »

it's whatever the one that's quick and I can control from the little hover window in the taskbar.

uh, it says version 12.0.7 and then a bunch of numbers.

Himu · « **Reply #31 on:** October 22, 2009, 07:13:29 PM »

Maybe WMP 12 in actual W7 is good.

Van Cruncheon · « **Reply #32 on:** October 22, 2009, 07:21:12 PM »

wmp12 rocks faces, especially compared to wmp11

Himu · « **Reply #33 on:** October 22, 2009, 07:26:59 PM »

Would rather use Zune software.

cool breeze · « **Reply #34 on:** October 22, 2009, 07:30:24 PM »

the new download progress thing for internet explorer is freaking great.

the only things I don't like are that the icons on the bottom bar turn extreme bright gray when using that window or even just idle. I have my theme set to pure black and it stands out way too much. That's just a weird aesthetic problem. My other problems have to do with right clicking files in that bar. They moved the button to close them higher up and right under the stupid pin it one.

oh, and

content view in folders

It combines what I like about music organizing software with my preference for just having everything in folders I make myself.

Zune software looks nice but it is too heavy. WMP12 has a fairly light load and does what I need.

ugh, the moving of the close button is going to take some getting used to. between making this post and making this edit, I've made the mistake of clicking the window instead of the x based on old habits.

Bocsius · « **Reply #35 on:** October 22, 2009, 08:54:32 PM »

Well, I've "ordered" my free upgrade off Dell.com, so I guess it will be here in the next few days.

In community launch event news, I got a t-shirt. It's too big.

demi · « **Reply #36 on:** October 22, 2009, 08:55:01 PM »

Use it as a nutrag

M3wThr33 · « **Reply #37 on:** October 22, 2009, 08:58:02 PM »

Quote from: Himuro on October 22, 2009, 07:26:59 PM

Would rather use Zune software.

I think it's sad Microsoft is so big they actually have two radically different media players. Thankfully Zune is the easily superior one.

Himu · « **Reply #38 on:** October 22, 2009, 10:28:53 PM »

http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/22/apple-welcomes-windows-7-the-only-way-it-knows-how-with-a-new-c/#continued

I'm glad I've never owned a mac

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #39 on:** October 22, 2009, 10:35:21 PM »

Because of their advertising? smh himumu

Bocsius · « **Reply #40 on:** October 22, 2009, 11:34:59 PM »

The Mac ads are funny, but that's about it. I'll never switch... at least not as long as (a) I'm a Windows-based programmer and (b) PCs are much more economical.

I have a friend who's sort of in the same boat with his career, being an IT professional dealing mostly in Windows-based support. Yet he keeps having a crazy notion of wanting to get a Mac. It comes up every so often. I'm like, "dude.... you support Windows." I put it down as irrationality.

Don Flamenco · « **Reply #41 on:** October 22, 2009, 11:50:09 PM »

Quote from: Himuro on October 22, 2009, 10:28:53 PM

http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/22/apple-welcomes-windows-7-the-only-way-it-knows-how-with-a-new-c/#continued

I'm glad I've never owned a mac

that commercial was funny, stop being a drama queen

drew · « **Reply #42 on:** October 22, 2009, 11:53:14 PM »

im using windows xp on a mac right now

not only that, but with a classic theme as well

Bocsius · « **Reply #43 on:** October 22, 2009, 11:58:41 PM »

The MacBook Pro closest to my laptop build costs $2499.99 on bestbuy.com.

My laptop cost me about $1100 this summer.

I'm a Mac

And I'm affordable.

Himu · « **Reply #44 on:** October 22, 2009, 11:59:34 PM »

Quote from: BrandNew on October 22, 2009, 10:35:21 PM

Because of their advertising? smh himumu

No, I actually like the pc vs mac ads.

I'm just fine with pc.

Don Flamenco · « **Reply #45 on:** October 23, 2009, 12:18:40 AM »

Whatever, I'm glad I use a mac because it makes me look cool and sophisticated and hipster and being hipster is cool and I'm gonna go download whatever's number 1 on itunes see you pcfags later

but really, anyone got any W7 impressions?

recursivelyenumerable · « **Reply #46 on:** October 23, 2009, 08:11:32 AM »

I've been using the RC at work (not my idea) since May, no complaints here.

Don Flamenco · « **Reply #47 on:** October 23, 2009, 10:07:37 AM »

Quote from: a slime appears on October 23, 2009, 09:48:57 AM

Well, at least they fixed the shitpile that was the original Vista with this new iteration. I hope Vista round two makes it's way to netbooks sometime soon.

Isn't 7 basically Vista with a couple upgrades? I thought the whole thing was that they needed to rebrand vista.

Eel O'Brian · « **Reply #48 on:** October 23, 2009, 10:10:01 AM »

the funniest thing about those mac ads is imagining the shock on people's faces when they go to the store to check them out and realize HOLY FUCKING CHRIST THIS THING IS FIFTEEN HUNDRED DOLLARS, then leave with a $500 dell or hp

fistfulofmetal · « **Reply #49 on:** October 23, 2009, 10:51:53 AM »

I just did a clean install of 7. finally ditched that buggy XP64 partition.

Thankfully the glitch in the 7100 RC is not present in the retail. It's reading all my hardware at the correct potential and games running like shit. Tested a few games, Crysis, Fallout 3, Riddick, L4D... all run excellently. And it's rating my video card as a 7.8. woot.

recursivelyenumerable · « **Reply #50 on:** October 23, 2009, 11:08:01 AM »

Honestly, I think most of the hate for Vista and love for W7 comes from stuff that's been fixed in Vista anyway (and even there, most of that comes from hardware drivers and software compatibility being fixed, common hardware getting more powerful, and people getting used to the UI changes, rather than any actual fixes to the OS itself in SP1 or SP2). That's not to say that 7 isn't significantly better than Vista -- it is, and definitely worth the $50 upgrade for me, though $100 or $200 would've been iffier -- but I don't think the actual improvements are where the difference in reception is coming from. (some of it is probably coming from smarter MSFT PR, for that matter).

lordmaji · « **Reply #51 on:** October 23, 2009, 11:10:16 AM »

....so gaming on Win7 is suck?

fistfulofmetal · « **Reply #52 on:** October 23, 2009, 11:16:32 AM »

Quote from: lordmaji on October 23, 2009, 11:10:16 AM

....so gaming on Win7 is suck?

nope. it did for me on the 7100 RC. but on retail, everything is running great.

recursivelyenumerable · « **Reply #53 on:** October 23, 2009, 11:38:12 AM »

Quote

Isn't 7 basically Vista with a couple upgrades? I thought the whole thing was that they needed to rebrand vista.

Sorta, but you could say every version of an OS is basically the previous one with some upgrades. It's very rare someone makes a production-grade OS from scratch. Microsoft's only ever started over once, when they moved from Windows "classic" to NT (and even then, IIRC it was only the kernel that was brand new, the userspace stuff was ported). Apple's only made one big transition and even OS X was derived from NeXT (which was derived from BSD and Mach).

It's true that the changes from Vista -> 7 were less ambitious than the ones from XP -> Vista, and they were stricter about breaking compatibility. They're not less ambitious than say 2000 -> XP or 95 -> 98, though.

Bocsius · « **Reply #54 on:** October 23, 2009, 11:47:15 AM »

Windows 3.1, those were the days.

It's not much more than 10 years ago when my family had a computer running 3.1 with 165 MB of hard drive space. Yes, we were behind the times.
Moved from there to a Hewlett Packard. 333MHz AMD processor (K6-2? something like that?) with 32 MB of RAM and I think a 8 GB hard drive (could have been less). It had Windows 98.
Then I bought a Compaq Presario, 800Mhz PIII, 128 MB RAM and 30 GB hard drive. Windows Me. This was late 2000. Upgraded the OS to XP later on.
Spring 2004, Dell, 3GHz P4, gig of RAM, 120 GB hard drive. Still have it, still running XP.
August 2009, Dell Studio 17 notebook, dual core 2.53Ghz Intel, 64 bit, 4 gigs of RAM, 500 GB hard drive, Vista, soon to be upgraded to 7 when I receive the software from Dell.

recursivelyenumerable · « **Reply #55 on:** October 23, 2009, 11:50:12 AM »

Actually I'd say prior to 7, 3.1 was probably the best consumer version of Windows evar for what it was (i.e. a single-user OS with low system requirements, only light multitasking and no Internet connectivity).

Bocsius · « **Reply #56 on:** October 23, 2009, 11:54:19 AM »

AOL for 3.1 was fun.

The HP computer with the AMD processor and Windows 98 was the worst. Always crashing. You'd see streaks run across the monitor and then BSOD moments later. Tragic.

The Compaq with Millennium was better, though. Putting XP on it might have been a mistake in retrospect, it just didn't have the RAM for it. I took that one out to my parents when I got my first Dell. (I eventually bought them a new computer entirely. Truly, the RAM deficiency grew to be horrendous.)

And, of course, my Dells have been excellent.

Tauntaun · « **Reply #57 on:** October 23, 2009, 01:06:24 PM »

Quote from: Bocsius on October 22, 2009, 11:58:41 PM

The MacBook Pro closest to my laptop build costs $2499.99 on bestbuy.com.

My laptop cost me about $1100 this summer.

I'm a Mac
And I'm affordable.

I'll hopefully be getting my brother in law to get that student win7 deal for me.

He's distinguished mac fellow.

recursivelyenumerable · « **Reply #58 on:** October 23, 2009, 01:17:10 PM »

Last I checked a Mac comparable to the barely-used-but-in-perfect-condition laptop I bought from Eel for $360 sold for something like $1200. Not a fair comparison, I know.

FlameOfCallandor · « **Reply #59 on:** October 23, 2009, 01:18:16 PM »

I bought a powerbook in 2004 for $3000 and sold it in 2007 for $2000.

News:

Author Topic: Windows 7 thread (Read 7863 times)