Re: Windows 7 - User experiences?
Just adding my experiences...
Clean install on a dual-boot (with Vista32) Dell E520, ATI X1300 video, Avermedia M779 TV PCIe card, Windows Media Center.
Everything went fine until I got to the Desktop stage and I let the Windows Update facility update some of the drivers. Unfortunately, one of the driver installs failed and it meant that I couldn't get a TV picture in WMC.
Eventually, I had to manually force a downgrade from the 1.4.0.31 drivers which Win7 wanted to install back down to the 1.4.0.30 version off the Dell website.
After that, everything went fine.
Like: Those virtual folder things. Networking
Dislike: I don't like the new Media Center. It's had some controls moved around/ removed and it's not as easy for day-to-day stuff (SkipForward/Back, RecordThisNow, ScreenZoom, etc)
So-so: The UAC in Vista never bothered me, so this is fine too.
A couple of buglets to do with Shake'n'Max and AlwaysOnTop but generally, everything's fine. Not really faster than Vista.
I'll probably migrate most of my day-to-day work across to Win7 and then upgrade when it hits the shops.
Re: Windows 7 - User experiences?
Thanks Brian,
I'm not finding much difference to Vista either at this stage, though I need to use it more still.
I've read there will be no upgrade path from the Beta evaluation to final release.
It is not recommended to use the Beta evaluation version for your primary PC usage.
Re: Windows 7 - User experiences?
I've had some issues with trying to install Xara Webstyle on Windows 7.
I've tried compatibility mode for several past versions of Windows and get the same message from Webstyle when it runs. "Your computer must be rebooted before...", that is after multiple reboots and total shutdowns/restarts.
I turned off the UAC and tried with and without compatibility modes.
Of course a complete uninstall was performed between each new install attempt.
The compatibility troubleshooter in Windows 7 crashed serveral times trying to determine the best mode for Webstyle. Fortunately Microsoft foresaw that eventually and the popup help gave instructions on how to remove and reinstall the troubleshooter. :rolleyes:
Re: Windows 7 - User experiences?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
sledger
I've read there will be no upgrade path from the Beta evaluation to final release.
Ah yes... "You won't be able to upgrade from the Beta to the final retail version of Windows 7."
Quote:
It is not recommended to use the Beta evaluation version for your primary PC usage.
True, but the best way to evaluate it is to use it a lot. ;) This one's on a separate drive and I'm linking to all my documents on the other drive. Come the day, I'll be able to wipe and install again.
As long as they've sorted the driver issues out. My printer (HP 2500N) took a bit of a struggle to get installed. As did my Canon scanner and its Twain driver. :(
Cameras are okay, though. :)
Re: Windows 7 - User experiences?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
brianlj
As long as they've sorted the driver issues out. My printer (HP 2500N) took a bit of a struggle to get installed. As did my Canon scanner and its Twain driver. :(
As with all new OSes, updating drivers that can operate under new conditions is for the hardware manufacturers to attend to.
Re: Windows 7 - User experiences?
I will wait until it is released and see how that goes. then I may upgrade. As for now Im content using XP.
Re: Windows 7 - User experiences?
Users of Windows live messenger (WLM) will find that it doesn't close to the notification area (system tray) in Windows 7 like it did with previous Operating Systems. Windows 7 has removed the notification area icon for Windows Live Messenger. Instead it now appears in Taskbar, along side all its conversation or chat windows. The Taskbar button icon won’t go away even when Messenger window is minimized.
The work-around it to run WLM in Vista 'compatibility mode'
You will also need to uncheck the option to 'Show Windows Live Today after I sign in to Messenger'
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Re: Windows 7 - User experiences?
Windows 7 downloaded and is currently installing 29 updates..
I'm sure the beta testing feedback since Jan 11th has been enormous.
Likely many of the updates are addressing some of these.
Re: Windows 7 - User experiences?
Thanks for the heads up about the updates Steve.
I just woke up and will start downloading. :)
BTW Xara3D6 installed on Windows 7 without any problems and without using any compatibility modes.
EDIT: Windows 7 reports it is up to date when trying to get new updates.
Re: Windows 7 - User experiences?
On checking the log, most were for Office 2007 (which I'd installed) and TOSHIBA hardware driver updates.
Also included was an update for Windows 7 Client Beta (a patch for WMP12 which can corrupt MP3 files: KB96137).