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DIY-Computer-Repair can help!For a more extensive descriptions and operation of Windows 7 see the Windows 7 Ultimate Guide.An Introduction to the workings of Window 7 - 32 Bit Version.
Windows 7 Theme by Microsoft,. The new Operating System is a big step away from Vista. As with any new Operating System (OS) there will be bugs, compatibility
issues, and the occasional crash.
And of course you can hear the critics and nay sayers - Another piece of Junk from M$. Sure thing but if ya don't try it ya can't be a critic! My $0.02 Ok so I tried it. Some things I like, something's are like Vista I don't like. So I won't be giving up my XP any time soon.
As a long time computer tech and Systems Engineer I find that if I can't make it work the how in the heck is the every day user supposed to use it? And Vista in my opinion is in that category. Here are some comments I read or hear on a daily basis:
If you decide to upgrade to Windows 7 let someone else take the time and pain to figure out how to make it work for you not against you. Normally I buy the latest and greatest OS. Why? Because I need to know what makes it tick and what makes it crash. But with Vista I would not part with my hard eared money for it. It was that bad! I am self employed now and have to keep an eye on those pennies so the dollars will take care of me! So lets have a look at the process from a new user's point of view.
Windows 7 has now been released by Microsoft and is for sale in stores and will be the Operating System of choice for computer manufactures. Most computers sold in the last few months offer an upgrade option from the current OS to Windows 7. If you bought a computer and have the upgrade option I strongly suggest you research your options before going through the upgrade from Vista to Windows 7. There have been reports of problems with the computer after the upgrade. (There are more extensive tips and techniques in the Windows 7 Ultimate Guide.) Well I have been doing this Beta test thing for a long time, saw XP before anyone knew there was even going to be a new OS. Most Beta testers have a separate computer just for testing a new OS, those of us than don't have corporate backing or the funds to run two or more high end computers use what is called Dual Boot. This is where there are two or more Operating Systems on one hard drive for the computer. Another thing that I have read was that to install XP or Vista on a SSD (Solid State Drive) takes hours. I don't know what SSD or interface the writers of these reports were using but my SSD installed Windows 7 in 21 minutes from the time I pressed the key to get the DVD to boot to putting my name in the logon box.
So here are the steps I took to get XP and Windows 7 to coexist on one SSD. (Yes it did puke a couple of times, but persistence pays off in the end). My XP installation was using all of the 64 Gig SSD, so I needed to make a backup image of the XP install. This took about thirty minutes, make the image and then check it. Next I used ERD Commander to delete the XP partition and make two smaller partitions. (There is more to the story but that will come later). Next I put my good 'ol XP image back on the first partition. (From doing this a lot, it is better to put the oldest OS on the drive first, then the newer OS second). Once I was satisfied that the XP was back I proceeded to install the Window 7 OS. As I said the actual install was very fast, I like that. After Windows 7 is all installed I made a tactical error - I installed VistaBootPro. And modified the boot sequence BEFORE backing up the registry! Opps. I had to go back and re-image the XP partition and then do the Windows 7 install again. And before I modified the boot sequence I DID backup the registry - and Vola' no problems! Now I have both XP and Windows 7 on the SSD. Would you take my
survey on Windows 7? So far I have left the default back ground up but have done some minor customization of the desktop. Particularly I don't like the way the folders open and have to find the correct settings where only the items in the folder are listed and with out the navigation bar on the left, little things. (There are more tips and techniques in the Windows 7 Ultimate Guide.) As for the hardware in my computer it is fairly new so I need to find drivers for the older sound card, the SCSI controller, one of the network controllers, and the fax/scanner. I have to go to some web sites and get updated programs, I get the 'compatibility' error when I try to install them. A couple are paid programs and some are free. Two programs that surprised me were the Set Affinity II and Desktops. Both installed and ran smoothly. My Trojan Remover installed but the AVG wouldn't, it may be that the AVG is almost a year old and I need a new package. (After upgrading to the latest AVG package it installed as advertised). As for my high end programs I have installed two with out problems, still have four to install in the next day or two. This installation will not get the 'tweaking' that I normally do to make the
OS work my way, the main reason is that I tried to make an image of the
partition and it did not work, it may be that my image software is too old
(2002) will have to see how much the newest version costs before I go any
further. I have installed Windows 7 in a VM but that too is to old, there aren't any drivers for the network, video, or sound. What I have been doing with the VM is finding out what happens when I change things. When it blows up I just make another copy. (After checking with VM Ware the version 6.5.2 has drivers that Win 7 will work with, I now have a fully functional Win 7 running in a VM). The memory usage before any modification, customization or tweaking for Win 7 -
One thing I have found with Windows 7 is that the Superfetch function will cache a lot of background programs and it takes a good five minutes for the OS to stabilize. That is if you do a snap shot of the memory usage when you start the computer and then another one five minutes later you will see a large drop in memory usage. So if you are going to tweak or optimize your computer to get a true measurement of how much memory your pre optimized OS is using wait the time it takes for the Superfetch to empty out the startup delayed programs. Then do you optimization, then restart, check the memory usage after waiting until the memory usage stabilizes. As the modifications, customization, and tweaking will bring the memory used by the OS will drop, it will fluctuate somewhat but it will drop. This will not bother those computers that have over 2 Gig of ram but those with less this is important information. The less ram that is used by the OS the more for your programs. While I am experimenting and learning, what the new OS will and will not do, this page will be the gateway/index to those articles I am writing. (There are new tips and techniques in the Windows 7 Ultimate Guide.) Windows 7 tutorials -
Installation of Windows 7 Group Policy Settings for Windows 7 Applications Tested with Windows 7
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From the Desert South West ~ Arizona, USA |
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