Windows 7 Beta 1 Impressions

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2802 posts

Uber Geek

#190572 19-Jan-2009 17:42

I'm using it as my main OS for the moment via Bootcamp on a 2.4Ghz Macbook and if the beta is anything to go by I might end up putting the final RTM on a "regular" computer as I quite like it. Plugged in my cheap Pinaccle nano-USB tuner, and after a minute of searching, it found a driver and installed it, Media Center tuned into it and pulled in all the freeview channels fine, although the computer isn't really suitable for the job, but it works. All the other various hardware has been the same, plug it in, wait for a while, maybe reboot and off it goes, with the exception of the Vodem which it doesn't seem to like much, haven't really tried very hard though.

Running it into a 1920x1080 LCD TV over HDMI and it all looks very pretty, seems very stable and I like a lot of the "issues" that they've gotten rid of, or improved from Vista (folder/drive navigation makes a bit more sense now).

I'm operating on the principle that Vista was "hurried" to release to stop people whining about how long it was taking and Windows 7 is actually going to be the finished product.

It still has a few rough edges here and there, some of the networking options are still too buried in their ridiculous "Wizards", but overall, I'm very impressed, it should be interesting to see how the final product ends up. Vista isn't exactly a hard act to follow though.

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RickD

280 posts

Ultimate Geek

#191238 22-Jan-2009 10:45

Is Windows Update not working for anyone else? I check check for updates and get Error Code C80003F9.

Computer has an Internet Connection and I have been browsing using IE8, so it shouldn't be a connection problem?

And has anyone else noticed when in full screen mode the green media center icon in the top left looks a bit pixelated (as well as the other arrow and play icons etc but the green one is most noticeable? (sure if this is because of my GFX card or not.

trig42

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#191258 22-Jan-2009 12:08

Installed it on my work laptop (did fresh install on new HDD, previously running Vista Business).

Install took about 25 minutes, only had to find a driver for the media card reader - everything else Install and Windows update took care of.
Boots fast. Seems to run faster too - I haven't any empirical stats on that - just a feeling.
Everything I have thrown at it so far seem to be fine, haven't tried to reinstall DaemonTools yet, suspect there could be an issue there. Vodem installed fine. Networking is quick and it switches wireless networks really fast (compared to Vista).

Gonna be pretty gutted when Betas run out and I have to buy it - just can't see me going back to vista...

kiwikidd77

31 posts

Geek

#191838 24-Jan-2009 18:27

Just installed Windows 7 beta on my old P4 - 2.6Ghz machine. 1Gb RAM and an older video card Ti4400. No drivers loaded for the video, none for my GVC PCI modem - sadly I'm stuck on dialup, also the AC'97 sound doesn't work either. Whaaa. Love a challenge so will be hunting for possible solutions online.

trig42

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#191897 25-Jan-2009 06:42

Pity you're on Dial-up and the modem drivers aren't going - windows update would probably sort the missing drivers.

kiwikidd77

31 posts

Geek

#191904 25-Jan-2009 07:14

Well, I kinda thought that. Hard to update drivers you can't get at because the modem doesn't work. If I knew where to download from I could at least solve the dialup issue the rest would be easy as cake.

KellyP

1238 posts

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#192266 27-Jan-2009 14:15

There are several leaked shots of a 7025 build going around

http://i.gizmodo.com/5139306/evidence-of-five-windows-7-retail-versions-surprises-no-one

http://www.neowin.net/news/main/09/01/25/windows-7-build-7025-screenshots-leak-with-versions-info

Not sure what to make of it - take it with a grain of salt.

old3eyes

9111 posts

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#192358 27-Jan-2009 19:32

Better be quick.

"Microsoft To Kill Windows 7 Beta On Feb. 10"

Regards,

Old3eyes

Adamal

544 posts

Ultimate Geek

#194109 4-Feb-2009 20:30

RickD:
Is Windows Update not working for anyone else? I check check for updates and get Error Code C80003F9.

I was getting an issue with Windows Update not working. There was a registry key that needed to be deleted... Can't remember what it was...

EDIT: Found it.

Adamal

544 posts

Ultimate Geek

#194110 4-Feb-2009 20:37

old3eyes:
Better be quick.

"Microsoft To Kill Windows 7 Beta On Feb. 10"

I think that title is VERY misleading!

Upon further investigating through Microsoft, it appears what they will be doing is not making it available for download.

The way I read that was that they will kill all copies that are installed!

Damager

2125 posts

Uber Geek

#194135 4-Feb-2009 22:35

installed windows 7 on my hp dv5-1004ax lappy.

runs great, windows update worked fine with no problems. installed all usual programs fine with the exception of daemon tools which kept asking for a restart.. no biggie!

office 2007 works fine including updates.

freeview works fine in media centre out of the box.

very speedy all over the place, nice look and feel. i'd be very comfortable making this my main OS

- Telstra HTC Touch Pro2 - Energy ROM WM6.5.5 20 Oct/Cyanogen Mod Froyo 2.2 - R.I.P
- AT&T Galaxy S Captivate 16GB on XT (now with brother)
- Samsung Galaxy S2 on XT- Runs ICS 4.0.3 Resurrection Remix 9.2
- Business Hours - Work In The Electricity Industry, After Hours - DJ/Turntablist - Will Scratch Vinyl For Free'
- What's next??? S3?

Adamal

544 posts

Ultimate Geek

#194155 5-Feb-2009 01:01

Damager: installed windows 7 on my hp dv5-1004ax lappy.

runs great, windows update worked fine with no problems. installed all usual programs fine with the exception of daemon tools which kept asking for a restart.. no biggie!

office 2007 works fine including updates.

freeview works fine in media centre out of the box.

very speedy all over the place, nice look and feel. i'd be very comfortable making this my main OS

I've found Power ISO works fine with 7, and yea, I was impressed that Media Centre now works fine with Freeview with very little configuration required. Anyone with no technical know-how can set it up.

Damager

2125 posts

Uber Geek

#194356 5-Feb-2009 21:04

Adamal:
Damager: installed windows 7 on my hp dv5-1004ax lappy.

runs great, windows update worked fine with no problems. installed all usual programs fine with the exception of daemon tools which kept asking for a restart.. no biggie!

office 2007 works fine including updates.

freeview works fine in media centre out of the box.

very speedy all over the place, nice look and feel. i'd be very comfortable making this my main OS

I've found Power ISO works fine with 7, and yea, I was impressed that Media Centre now works fine with Freeview with very little configuration required. Anyone with no technical know-how can set it up.

Thanks Adamal!

Never tried Power Iso before so will have a go with it :)

kiwikidd77

31 posts

Geek

#194418 6-Feb-2009 07:32

I've given up on Windows7 for now. Even using cable internet I've been unable to get drivers for my internal dialup modem. Maybe Microsoft has decided that Windows 7 will only work on broadband. The 2 modems I tried were GVC and Speedcom 56k modems. Everything else I tried worked fine. Photoshop CS-2, Office 2007, VLC media player, Jet Audio and most of my games worked too. not that I'm big on games. As to my low spec videocard all I did was turn off the fancy-but-usless visual effects and all went well. Windows7 is now history for me.

freitasm

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#194427 6-Feb-2009 09:20

kiwikidd77: I've given up on Windows7 for now. Even using cable internet I've been unable to get drivers for my internal dialup modem. Maybe Microsoft has decided that Windows 7 will only work on broadband.

That's hardly a Microsoft decision to make. Windows 7 is a beta software so manufacturers are still testing compatibility. I suggest you contact the modem manufacturers directly and ask for beta versions of their drivers.

Manufacturers will only update their drivers if people ask for it. This is not Microsoft's or Windows 7 fault specifically.

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