Windows 7

[Alphageek]

Don't forget, if you have the right version of Windows 7 you can get XP mode for it which is like a virtual PC version of XP running inside your Windows 7 installation (for those who don't like Mars speak)

[locutus]

Getting started with Windows 7 - Help & How-to - Microsoft Windows

 

This is a nice instructional link from Microsoft

[MATTYFEZ]

I will be staying with vista x64 for the time being, I would like to upgrade but from a gamers perspective, being a rebuilt version of vista, windows7 does not bring anthing to the table to justify me buying a new licence.

 

I do feel slightly ripped off though, what should have been a service pack for vista turned into a whole new OS, but due to the major overhaul it's had, a service pack is not possible.

 

Ive just built a new PC for my nan, which ive put XP home 32 on, and it runs like lightning, which is good - I was looking to put win7 on it but I think she will be better off with xp for now, at least until support for xp stops.

 

I can see business running XP/server2003 for a long time to come, as Vista/win7 does more to complicate the existing IT infrastructure than it does to simplify it, due to the cost of implimentation- licencing, rollout and re-training - but that is a little different from the home user market, home users do not have the protection offered by domain servers and hardware firewalls etc. and so cannot be running 'out of date' software to the extent that business can get away with.

[MATTYFEZ]

Don't forget, if you have the right version of Windows 7 you can get XP mode for it which is like a virtual PC version of XP running inside your Windows 7 installation (for those who don't like Mars speak)

 

I don't know much about the xp mode, but I understand it does not run in a true sandbox mode like you would expect a VM to, as in you have to keep the xp security patches up to date etc. so I guess is runs almost like a native OS, rather than as a self contained virtual environment which utterly defeats the object from a security point of view.

 

I too thought it was an awesome feature untill I dug a little deeper.

[locutus]

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/ seems you need the hardware that supports this as well.

 

(edit: My processor doesn't, Core2Quad Q8200)

Edited October 23, 2009 by locutus

[scousegeezer]

Hi All,

Some help required please , rather than just discussion re the new win7.

I have a 64bit machine, running Vista Ultimate. About three months ago I carried out a check with Microsoft to see if I could upgrade my machine to Win7. The checker stated I could, but I had to buy the 64 bit edition of Win7 home premium. Went onto Amazon and ordered it. It arrived on thursday. Tried to load it and was told when the disc carried out another check that I would have to back-up my computer, otherwise all my programmes would be lost. So this I did , on thursday. Made a disk image to DVD's . Reloaded the Win7 last night. , then reloaded my computer back-up. and B****R me, when it re-started ; it came up as Vista. Now I realise that because I made a disk image it would and should indeed revert to Vista. My problem is - how do I just save my programmes and all my info to DVD's without saving the OS. Please help otherwise I have wasted £70. I have re-visited the Microsoft site to find out that I should have bought Win7 Ultimate, but that is not what I was told on my first visit. Ultimate will cost £199, which I dont want to spend.

 

Cheers - Scousegeezer.

[andydd]

I've had various flavours of Windows 7 Ultimate for about 8 months now and I still think its great, certainly was a lot more compatible than Vista when that first came out. It isn't too different from Vista which I like but I guess some XP lovers may not like it.

 

I have the Beta 7100 RC version on 3 PC's and the 7600 RTM version on my Windows Media Centre PC, the best improvement over Vista is its ability to support similtanous Freeview/Cable TV, it makes one huge tv guide listing all the channels

 

It works fine in my home domain, run by Win 2008 server and Windows Home Server.

 

Andy

[locutus]

Hi All,

Some help required please , rather than just discussion re the new win7.

I have a 64bit machine, running Vista Ultimate. About three months ago I carried out a check with Microsoft to see if I could upgrade my machine to Win7. The checker stated I could, but I had to buy the 64 bit edition of Win7 home premium. Went onto Amazon and ordered it. It arrived on thursday. Tried to load it and was told when the disc carried out another check that I would have to back-up my computer, otherwise all my programmes would be lost. So this I did , on thursday. Made a disk image to DVD's . Reloaded the Win7 last night. , then reloaded my computer back-up. and B****R me, when it re-started ; it came up as Vista. Now I realise that because I made a disk image it would and should indeed revert to Vista. My problem is - how do I just save my programmes and all my info to DVD's without saving the OS. Please help otherwise I have wasted £70. I have re-visited the Microsoft site to find out that I should have bought Win7 Ultimate, but that is not what I was told on my first visit. Ultimate will cost £199, which I dont want to spend.

 

Cheers - Scousegeezer.

 

 

It should go like this :-

 

DVD in DVD drive

power on the computer, press DEL when prompted (takes a couple of seconds after you press the power button) to enter BIOS

Set the DVD drive as the 1st boot device

Save and exit BIOS (probably f10 will do this). Now it'll come to a screen asking you to press any key to boot from DVD, press a key here

That should take you to the install menu.

 

 

Hope you enjoy windows 7. Any more problems give a shout

[scousegeezer]

Locutus,

Thanks for the quick reply. Just a couple of questions - put which DVD in the drive and what will this process do . Install my programmes from the discs and not the OS - or what .

 

Cheers - Scousegeezer

[locutus]

Sorry, been out for the day Put the windows 7 DVD in the drive and boot off this (as per instructions above).

[andydd]

Don't forget, if you have the right version of Windows 7 you can get XP mode for it which is like a virtual PC version of XP running inside your Windows 7 installation (for those who don't like Mars speak)

 

Although this is dependant on your CPU. Mine doesnt work, although its easy enough to run XP on a virtual platform like Virtual PC/Server anyway.

 

Andy

[Renzokuken]

Just a quick one, if you work for a retailer in a sales or support role, you can get a NFR (not for resale) copy of windows 7 ultimate, plus a deligate pack for £10. You just have to complete their specialist training course which takes about an hour or so on their Expertzone website, you'll need a live ID to sign in.

[SOD'EM]

Just a quick one, if you work for a retailer in a sales or support role, you can get a NFR (not for resale) copy of windows 7 ultimate, plus a deligate pack for £10. You just have to complete their specialist training course which takes about an hour or so on their Expertzone website, you'll need a live ID to sign in.

 

Can you post (or pm me) a link please?

[natalie]

I think after Vista anything is an improvement.

[andydd]

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/ seems you need the hardware that supports this as well.

 

(edit: My processor doesn't, Core2Quad Q8200)

 

This is a bit confusing, the built in Virtual PC is hardware dependent but its possibe to install and run the older seperate version of Virtual PC (or Virtual Server) this isnt hardware dependent and you can install a 'virtual' version of XP on it.

 

I found it difficult to work out which version of virtual pc was which so I'd recommend using programs such as Sun's VirtualBox, MS Virtual Server or VMware instead.

 

Andy

[andydd]

Can you post (or pm me) a link please?

 

Whoops..MS didnt like this info. being posted on a public forum and they've discontinued this offer for the time being !Q

 

Andy