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Windows 7 - User experiences?
Microsoft Windows 7 Beta has been officially released for public testing since 9th January.
Both 32bit and 64bit versions are available for free download from the Windows-7 website.
Microsoft are capping the downloads to 2.5 million.
You are able to use the software without any restrictions until August 2009.
So - have you downloaded and installed Windows-7 on your PC?
Tell us about your experiences here.
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Re: Windows 7 - User experiences?
So far testing Windows 7 has gone well.
A new feature is called Library. It is not a folder or file but is a way to group related files and folders. If you have documents and text files in serveral locations like different folders on the hard drive, removeable flash drive, network folder, etc. You can use a library to see all the files in those locations collectively in one Library. The files will remain in their respective location, the library contains an index to the file or folder.
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Re: Windows 7 - User experiences?
Hi Bill,
this Library feature sounds like a directory with symbolic links to the files (as you would do it in Linux/UNIX/Mac OS X).
Remi
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Re: Windows 7 - User experiences?
Hi Remi,
That does appear to be the way Libraries work. I will do a hex examination of a Library to see if the similarity is only skin deep or all the way to the core. :D
EDIT: The similarity is purely cosmetic. Windows 7 uses standard windows links and ini files to determine how the links are displayed.
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Re: Windows 7 - User experiences?
Bill, does it look like a better product than Vista. I am still using XP Pro and I hope Windows 7 is more "user friendly" than Vista.
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Re: Windows 7 - User experiences?
Hi Joe,
I think it is more user friendly than Vista. Probably because of a lot of feedback about Vista.
The User Account Control (UAC) defaults to a moderate level so it does not constantly pop up asking about everything. In Windows Vista I disabled UAC almost immediately because of the pop ups. UAC is still enabled on Windows 7 and I have not been tempted to disable it. :D
Personally I find Vista to be user friendly accept for UAC and more stable than XP.
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Re: Windows 7 - User experiences?
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Re: Windows 7 - User experiences?
Glad to help Joe.
I was testing to see if some of my old scripts for windows administration would work on Windows 7.
Windows 7 reports the version as 6.1.7000 rather than version 7 :rolleyes:
OS Name: Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate |C:\Windows|\Device\Harddisk0\Partition1
Version: 6.1.7000
Service Pack: 0.0
OS Manufacturer: Microsoft Corporation
Windows Directory: C:\Windows
Locale: 0409
Available Physical Memory: 572184
Total Virtual Memory: 2402796
Available Virtual Memory: 1815520
OS Name: 1354628
Last Boot Time: 20090116120938.500000-360
System Name: BILL-PC
System Manufacturer: HP Pavilion 04
System Model: P5269A-ABA 7955
Time Zone: -360
Total Physical Memory: 1022.87890625MB
System Type: 0
Processor: x86 Family 15 Model 0 Stepping 10
BIOS Version: ASUS - 42302e31
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Re: Windows 7 - User experiences?
Does anyone know if Windows 7 addresses FPS issues with games? I understand it's because that older games use previous versions of DirectX and Vista address them incorrectly and causes low FPS(Frames Per Second) in the games.
Sorry, I play a few games, so was interested if any has heard. :)
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Re: Windows 7 - User experiences?
Sorry Regular I don't recall hearing there was a problem with Vista and games.
My test system wouldn't be suitable for testing games, only a generic VGA graphics card.
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Re: Windows 7 - User experiences?
I'm no gamer, but my son and some friends are, they have never reported problems running older games on Vista (Quake for example runs perfectly)
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Hi,
Ok so now you have windows 7 (beta) and it is good what happens whould you not want to upgrade to Windows 7, and remove the beta? or Wait for Windows 7 to be out a while before upgraing can you roll-back to previous version?
Jim
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Re: Windows 7 - User experiences?
Jim the purpose of the beta is mostly for IT people to evaluate and familiarise, this prepares them ahead of the commercial release.
The general public are invited to try the Beta version also, and Microsoft encourages feedback from all Beta users so that any issues can be addressed before commercial release.
It isn't recommended for installing on your primary 'everyday' computer.
The beta expires in August, there will be no rolling back as you are advised not to go the upgrade path over your everyday OS.
Removing the 'For testing purposes only' notice which appears on the desktop will only happen once the commercial release is installed.
I'd assume that the commercial release could be used to upgrade the Beta version, (though I can't be certain of that yet), but personally I would advise against it.
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Re: Windows 7 - User experiences?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Regular
Sorry, I play a few games, so was interested if any has heard. :)
I don't have much time for games anymore... :( However, when I did -- finding appropriate patches on the game developer sites to speed things up, used to be quite painless. Vista has been the "default" installation on DELL, HP etc. systems for a long time now... Any "Vista" game related issues would have been long solved with patches by the developer. Unless of course, the developer no longer supports the game.
Poorly coded DirectX support in games is probably more a game developer/hardware issue than a V.V.I.A.N.E.B.A.A.D.I.A.M.C... :p. "vague-Vista-"issues"-as-non-explained-by-an-actor-dude-in-a-MAC-commercial." :)
If you are having problems -- your best bet: the game developer. Second, best, a designated (and friendly) gaming forum.
Sorry, Mods, slightly off-topic.
Back OT. I will be reading this thread with interest. I have been googling -- and I'm yet to find any real-life reasons to upgrade from Vista to 7? The only issues I ever had with Vista -- a Canon scanner driver than Canon couldn't bother to update, because it was a piece of junk in the first place. Any future (if not already in place) Vista problems, will be self-inflicted (doing stuff you really, really, really shouldn't do). Or it will be related to HP -- not knowing exactly what's in that shiny case, and not knowing where to start looking for a solution.
I'm sure, I will eventually need a local "Steve" -- but I will also know for sure, it will be a self-caused problem. Which are probably the most expensive to fix, eh? (Cue our Sledger... ;) )
Carry on. Will be reading with interest. Thanks.
Risto
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Re: Windows 7 - User experiences?
Jim when the release version of Vista came out I simply did a fresh install over the beta version.
So far my favorite update (other than a well behaved UAC) on Windows 7 over Vista is the Calculator. :D
The Programmer mode was the first thing that caught my eye then I found the built in conversions, Angles, Area, Power, Energy, Velocity (no Warp Factor though :(), Weight & Mass, Volume, and a few others. Did you know that a Chain is 66 feet and a Link is 9 inches? I didn't until I played with the Windows 7 calculator. :) I also found that I weigh 11 stone. :rolleyes:
So far I like what I have seen of Windows 7.
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Re: Windows 7 - User experiences?
Quote:
... /hardware issue than a V.V.I.A.N.E.B.A.A.D.I.A.M.C... . "vague-Vista-"issues"-as-non-explained-by-an-actor-dude-in-a-MAC-commercial."
You're really losing it now Risto, do you know that?
Your new assignment is "Sketch and describe a V.V.I.A.N.E.B.A.A.D.I.A.M.C." ... Oh okay just sketch one.
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Re: Windows 7 - User experiences?
Although I'm still waiting for the new HDD for the laptop before giving W7 a good run, I have installed it on an older P4 2.8GHZ system with 1GB DDR400.
I spent a brief hour('ish) looking through it and installing some basic software (sorry, not Xtreme - I'll wait for the Laptop test, hopefully Monday or Tuesday).
So far I am a bit underwhelmed. As they say, "First impressions last"
I'm undecided about the new look rather flat taskbar (or it's much altered functions)
Also, users accustomed to pressing Ctrl+E to open My Computer (Computer in Vista) will now find that the shortcut keys open "Libraries" in W7.
There are no default shortcut keys to open 'Computer' in W7 (though you can create a desktop shortcut and then assign shortcut keys to it).
I do like the enhanced UI of Paint and Wordpad though. These programs have changed little since the Windows 3.1 days - now they are more in line with Office 2007 appearance, sharing the 'ribbon' design toolbar.
MS Paint
Attachment 55355
Wordpad
Attachment 55356
Although W7 reports that all drivers are installed and working fine, the SoundMax audio does not work.
Incidentally, for those without a spare PC to try Windows 7, you can install Microsofts VirtualPC 2007 (SP1) software and then install Windows 7 to this.
Windows 7 can then be run in a 'window' from your regular Windows Vista or XP.
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Re: Windows 7 - User experiences?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Egg Bramhill
Your new assignment is "Sketch and describe a V.V.I.A.N.E.B.A.A.D.I.A.M.C." ... Oh okay just sketch one.
Sorry, no time to sketch or bathe... :p The kids are busy with a Ringette tournament this weekend, I'm just getting up early in the morning for games and playing catch-up at night.
To illustrate... Hmmm... Maybe the "Mac Dude" / "Windows Bumbling Fool" is only a North American thing?! Never occured to me... Curious now?! Mac Vs. PC on YouTube
Sorry, Egg, no time time to sketch -- just added a visual element here below.
Attachment deleted on my own accord (not sure if that is the proper definition) based on Sledger's point of OT in the next post. (I agree). I want to read about memeber W7 experiences myself.
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...........anyhoooo - getting back to Windows 7 :rolleyes:
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Re: Windows 7 - User experiences?
I've installed W7 32bit on my Toshiba Laptop (TURION 64 DualCore Mobile 2.20Ghz 3GB DDR2 250GB 7200rpm Black Scorpio drive) without any dramas at all.
Installation took less time than installing Vista, with minimal input required from the user.
W7 had no native support for the ATI Radeon X1200, Realtek Ethernet and Wireless or Richo SD Host adapter (card reader) therefore the drivers needed installing from the TOSHIBA utility CD I'd created from the Utilities folder supplied with the laptop when purchased. All drivers installed without any problems.
AVG8 (Free) works fine, XtremePro 4 installed without issue using Vista compatibility mode (the Unrecognised OS error appears when compat' mode isn't selected) Xtreme 4 works fine so far.
Office 2007 installed without a hitch and my preferred 'Object Dock' also went on without complaint.
UAC is quieter as mentioned by others, though you will still see it for program installations and any action which requires access to the Windows registry (which means quite often when setting up a new installation and installing your required applications).
One of the promised features of W7 is simplified networking and sharing.
While networking discovery is practically automatic, and the new Homegroup concept (when connecting to other Windows 7 machines) sharing with earlier OSes is no simpler that Vista.
Local and network folder access/logging is faster than Vista (even with SP1)
Boot time is no faster (that I can tell so far) than Vista when comparing new clean installs.
The 'show desktop' feature is kind of neat visually, but I can't see any practical purpose to it. (when the desktop or partially or fully covered by applications, hover the mouse over the small tile far right of task bar).
I'll continue to report for the duration.
Note: I plan to install the 64bit version after some time using the 32bit version.
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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.
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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.
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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:
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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. :)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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Re: Windows 7 - User experiences?
Thanks Steve. I have not installed any version of Office on W7, at least not yet. I'm currently playing around with IIS 7 on W7.
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Re: Windows 7 - User experiences?
Yesterday I got some new hardware to play around with. As I had to do a fresh OS install anyway I decided to try Windows 7 to see how brandnew stuff is supported there.
Installation was a breeze, everything detected and running. Even my new network printer was found on the network and installed. For some reasons you see in a screenshot later, I installed Windows 7 64bit.
As it is the fastest hardware I got I decided to install graphic apps and games on it, together with VMWare for hosting Virtual Machines.
First the summary: Everything worked fine. As mentioned before I had to set compatibility mode for Xara during installation.
As I use filters frequently, I installed them as well, but didnt test everything yet, just checked if they can be installed and used inside Xara.
While Xara mostly uses one processor core, for example the Alien Skin filters greatly profit from multi core cpu. If your images are not overly complex and large, they are applied that fast, that you can run through the various settings with your keyboard to see spikes on the taskmanager.
Below you see a screenshot I took while applying an effect from Alien Skin Nature:
Just a small spike on all the processor cores. The 2.37GM main memory are not used by just OS and Xara. The machine was running a movie on the 2nd display and a VM at the same time.
I must admit that so far I am quite happy. Only lots of DVD are not shown in Media Center for unknown reason. In that case I get no error message, just a black screen inside media center.
Juergen
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Re: Windows 7 - User experiences?
Thanks Juergen. It is good to hear that the Windows 7 64bit version works well. Too often we hear problems with the XP and Vista 64 bit OS.
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I tried installing the latest free version of sketchup on windows 7 (32 bit) and it keeps failing even when using run as administrator and compatible modes. Anyone have any luck with this one?
thanks,
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Hi Glenn,
Seems to be working fine here.
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it kept popping up a dialog box saying it didn't have permission on a Windows folder - I'll try again and screen capture the box.. (not in windows 7 yet)
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I know you said you'd run the program as admin, but did you run the setup (installer) as Admin initially?
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the file downloaded from google was called GoogleSketchUpWEN.exe - it's a self extracting/installing file - that's what I ran as admin.
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Yep same file.
GoogleSketchUpWEN.exe >> right-click 'Run as Admin'
>> Desktop Shortcut created after install >> right-click 'Run as Admin'
That's all I did Glenn. Runs perfectly :)
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Re: Windows 7 - User experiences?
here's the message I get when right clicking on app and running as admin.