Windows 7 Professional

Levi · « **on:** 28 Sep 2009, 12:29 pm »

I just installed a Windows 7 Professional (Final Release only available to MSDN Library subscriber) in my MacBook Pro and I only have positive things to say about it. Here are some of the keypoints that I think would be a great platform for a fun music server.

1. BootCamp disk works
2. FAST!
3. Excellent Audio Control panel
4. Compatible with Windows XP software (most of them)
5. User interface is much better... I like the new taskbar
6. Explorer enhancements
7. Internet Explorer 8 is great
8. DirectX11 (a Gamers delight)
9. Better UAC (User Account Control)
10 Finally, it is stable and I really like it! (most important thing)

There you have it.

--Levi

gary · « **Reply #1 on:** 28 Sep 2009, 01:41 pm »

I've been running the last release candidate on my unibody macbook pro for a couple months now and I love it (although to be honest since snow leopard came out and took away the annoying lag that used to occur with every click I've gone back to using the mac OS for most everything). MS is having lame as "launch parties", on a fluke I registered and I was selected as a host so I get a free copy of 7 ultimate. I'm pretty anxious to get it running, and I'm hoping there are some better drivers for the sound and fans.

Gary

Levi · « **Reply #2 on:** 28 Sep 2009, 01:45 pm »

Cool! Did I mentioned Windows 7 has support for high-resolution audio?!?

I can also download the Ultimate but don't need it.

richidoo · « **Reply #3 on:** 28 Sep 2009, 01:49 pm »

Thanks for the summary Levi. I'm running Vista on laptop, driving me nuts. Patiently waiting for my half price Win7 disk to show up after release.

Levi · « **Reply #4 on:** 28 Sep 2009, 02:00 pm »

Hey there,

Soon it will be out. If you are running Vista...It is worth the wait!

If you are migrating, I would suggest you run the Windows Easy Transfer wizard to copy all your settings into the new OS.

Here is your step-by-step Windows 7 upgrade: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd446674(WS.10).aspx

Thank me later...

--Levi

jaywills · « **Reply #5 on:** 28 Sep 2009, 02:26 pm »

From the MS web migration instructions:

"Upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7--The Upgrade option is not available in Windows 7 Setup when installing Windows 7 on a computer running Windows XP. However, you can use Windows Easy Transfer to migrate files and settings from Windows XP to Windows 7 on the same computer. To do this, you must first copy files to a removable media, such as an external hard drive or UFD, or to a network share. Next, you will install Windows 7 and then migrate your files back from the removable media onto your computer. When you are finished, you must install your software programs again, but your files and settings will have been copied from Windows XP."

Sounds like fun....

flintstone · « **Reply #6 on:** 28 Sep 2009, 02:55 pm »

I had to install Windows XP for someone a few weeks back. I have been using Windows 7 for months now on my computer....geez, what a dinosaur Windows XP is after not running it for a long time....I could never go back to that OS on my computer.

Dave

Levi · « **Reply #7 on:** 28 Sep 2009, 03:04 pm »

mgalusha · « **Reply #8 on:** 28 Sep 2009, 03:36 pm »

I've been running the release since it was RTM in August and it works really well. The only real problem I've had is with hibernate mode on my laptop (toshiba AMD proc), it locks up after it wakes up. XP is fine with that on the same box. I recently put it on my old Dell (p4 3.4ghz) desktop as well and while the video isn't up to snuff it still performs quite well and I've had no problems at all with it. I think MS did a pretty good job overall, certainly worlds better than the initial release of vista.

Levi · « **Reply #9 on:** 28 Sep 2009, 03:47 pm »

That's good to hear Mike. I have not upgraded my main rig yet. Soon!

I would definitely run the compatibility check for others that have lots of older applications like Nero, Antivirus and printers etc.

ArthurDent · « **Reply #10 on:** 28 Sep 2009, 04:12 pm »

Thanks for the info all, and transfer link Levi. Am looking forward to the improvements. Went from NT to XP Pro, and haven't had any problems to speak of. Avoided Vista, though sadly some of the features on this ASUS portable aren't supported in XP. Will have to check AutoDesk to see when they'll have a '7' supported AutoCad available. Am tied to them to keep paying the bills, so hopefully they are already working on it, or have tweaks to the existing that make it operable with the new OS.

GHM · « **Reply #11 on:** 29 Sep 2009, 03:07 am »

I agree with the positive feedback on Windows 7.

I'm running 32 bit RTM on one, 64 bit RC on one and 32 bit RC on two other PCs in the house. It's been all fun for me!

I can't see going back to Vista or XP...no way!!

I use one of my PC's as a Music and HTPC. I wonder if the new Archos 9 would allow me remote control of my movies and music? If so this would be nice!

GHM · « **Reply #12 on:** 29 Sep 2009, 03:12 am »

Double post

flintstone · « **Reply #13 on:** 29 Sep 2009, 07:46 am »

I bought a debranded HP media pc for $300....no drivers, no operating system....but, Dual core, 4 gigs of ram....and a TV card.....plus 500 gig hard drive.....great buy IMHO

I added 4 gigs of ram....windows 7 did the rest in no time at all

(XP would have taken me hours and hours because of all the missing drivers)

Levi · « **Reply #14 on:** 7 Oct 2009, 12:51 am »

Hi Gary,

Are you having problem with the sound on your MacBook Pro or you just need a new driver? I find the Realtek drivers in the Snow Leopard CD adequate. You simply double click the RealTekSetup.exe. If you don't have the Snow Leopard CD, you can use the Realtek drivers for Windows Vista. I tested them all and worked fine.

Cheers,
--Levi

Quote from: gary on 28 Sep 2009, 01:41 pm

I've been running the last release candidate on my unibody macbook pro for a couple months now and I love it (although to be honest since snow leopard came out and took away the annoying lag that used to occur with every click I've gone back to using the mac OS for... I'm pretty anxious to get it running, and I'm hoping there are some better drivers for the sound and fans.

Gary

ctviggen · « **Reply #15 on:** 7 Oct 2009, 03:02 pm »

Quote from: jaywills on 28 Sep 2009, 02:26 pm

From the MS web migration instructions:

"Upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7--The Upgrade option is not available in Windows 7 Setup when installing Windows 7 on a computer running Windows XP. However, you can use Windows Easy Transfer to migrate files and settings from Windows XP to Windows 7 on the same computer. To do this, you must first copy files to a removable media, such as an external hard drive or UFD, or to a network share. Next, you will install Windows 7 and then migrate your files back from the removable media onto your computer. When you are finished, you must install your software programs again, but your files and settings will have been copied from Windows XP."

Sounds like fun....

If the upgrade option isn't available, can you still buy the upgrade version (at a cheaper price than a full install)?

flintstone · « **Reply #16 on:** 7 Oct 2009, 04:51 pm »

Quote from: ctviggen on 7 Oct 2009, 03:02 pm

Quote from: jaywills on 28 Sep 2009, 02:26 pm
From the MS web migration instructions:

"Upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7--The Upgrade option is not available in Windows 7 Setup when installing Windows 7 on a computer running Windows XP. However, you can use Windows Easy Transfer to migrate files and settings from Windows XP to Windows 7 on the same computer. To do this, you must first copy files to a removable media, such as an external hard drive or UFD, or to a network share. Next, you will install Windows 7 and then migrate your files back from the removable media onto your computer. When you are finished, you must install your software programs again, but your files and settings will have been copied from Windows XP."

Sounds like fun....

If the upgrade option isn't available, can you still buy the upgrade version (at a cheaper price than a full install)?

He's just saying that the hard drive will get wiped out in an XP upgrade (you must do a clean install), and not in the Vista upgrade (Vista upgrade will migrate your files to the new operating system).

The cost is the same regardless.

Dave

cmryan21 · « **Reply #17 on:** 7 Oct 2009, 06:06 pm »

Levi, does the media center in Windows 7 have an option to properly display if connected to an hdtv? Specifically, I had heard that there is an easy way to correct overscan. If it has this feature I'm pre-ordering right now.

Levi · « **Reply #18 on:** 8 Oct 2009, 03:11 am »

Hi there, I have not tried connecting my Macbook Pro to HDTV. I will be testing the usb audio out soon!

cjr888 · « **Reply #19 on:** 8 Oct 2009, 04:11 am »

Very content with W7 and have been running it since the earliest betas. My only issue, which was to be expected, was in the very early stages when most AV was extremely buggy w/W7, but I've run many different vendors without issue since.

From an audio perspective, I was initially using Foobar2K -> WASAPI -> Card and was content, but I've since switched to www.usb-audio.com's USB ASIO v2.8.36 driver (paid)...I won't even bother to trying to try and compare technical merits, or if there are even supposed to be any, but to me it's a rediculously more transparent. (Not tied to anything Win7 -- I just never tried it prior)

I do have Win7 on one laptop that on power-off will always boot post login to an error and not save the previous session, but I haven't tried to look into it at all yet. Every other system in the house works without a hitch. Quirks in interface 9opinion) on some items, but all and all, where things should have been years ago. I see much more benefit to home users than business.