Windows 7
I have now been using Windows 7 since virtually launch day.
I have never been unhappy with Vista, but it has to be said my PC came loaded with Vista from new. My laptop purchased not long afterward was loaded with XP, because Sage said their small business account package wasn't compatible without a £100 upgrade, (it tuned out it was compatible) so I upgraded the laptop with Vista, and had a few problems. I then clean installed Vista and experienced no further issues. My net-book has XP and quite frankly it feels clunky in comparison.
So was I going to be just has happy with Windows 7, well to date yes, yes & yes. I have had a few problems, but they were self inflicted and not the OS fault.
At first I upgraded the PC with bit 32, and liked the way the machine ran that bit quicker. I read something about 64 bit and decided as they give you two disk one each for 32 bit and 64 bit, to make a small partition and see it in action. Also to see if my software was happy under the 64 bit. The machine has to support 64 bit but it is easily checked in performace information within Vista. Everything I wanted on the PC ran fine, a few driver downloads which can in the main be done automatically. So I formatted the Vista partition, that was the first of my self inflicted problems. There must be some shared files on a duel boot machine and it wouldn't boot, so I re-installed from scratch again. The machine is now even quicker, and is smooth and responsive, making those lingering lusts for a Mac a little less tempting, but not entirely
.
Next I thought lets go for it and I have upgraded the Laptop with 32 bit, the machine does not support 64. It has been upgraded rather than a clean install, the laptop is a busier machine than the PC and I didn't fancy re-loading all my programs again.
I did as my posts on the forum asking for help indicate have some more self inflicted problems, but now the Laptop is running as sweet as a nut. I can't make my mind up if or not to do the net-book as well, I may. Perhaps try it on a separate partition first.
My conclusion if you are thinking of going for Widows 7 think no more and go for it, you will not regret. First bearing in mind if you are using XP you will have to clean install, it doesn't upgrade. You can still purchase an upgrade copy for a clean install, as long as you have your XP serial number. Back everything up, and just to be sure also a full system backup.
You will love it.
Patrick
I have never been unhappy with Vista, but it has to be said my PC came loaded with Vista from new. My laptop purchased not long afterward was loaded with XP, because Sage said their small business account package wasn't compatible without a £100 upgrade, (it tuned out it was compatible) so I upgraded the laptop with Vista, and had a few problems. I then clean installed Vista and experienced no further issues. My net-book has XP and quite frankly it feels clunky in comparison.
So was I going to be just has happy with Windows 7, well to date yes, yes & yes. I have had a few problems, but they were self inflicted and not the OS fault.
At first I upgraded the PC with bit 32, and liked the way the machine ran that bit quicker. I read something about 64 bit and decided as they give you two disk one each for 32 bit and 64 bit, to make a small partition and see it in action. Also to see if my software was happy under the 64 bit. The machine has to support 64 bit but it is easily checked in performace information within Vista. Everything I wanted on the PC ran fine, a few driver downloads which can in the main be done automatically. So I formatted the Vista partition, that was the first of my self inflicted problems. There must be some shared files on a duel boot machine and it wouldn't boot, so I re-installed from scratch again. The machine is now even quicker, and is smooth and responsive, making those lingering lusts for a Mac a little less tempting, but not entirely
.Next I thought lets go for it and I have upgraded the Laptop with 32 bit, the machine does not support 64. It has been upgraded rather than a clean install, the laptop is a busier machine than the PC and I didn't fancy re-loading all my programs again.
I did as my posts on the forum asking for help indicate have some more self inflicted problems, but now the Laptop is running as sweet as a nut. I can't make my mind up if or not to do the net-book as well, I may. Perhaps try it on a separate partition first.
My conclusion if you are thinking of going for Widows 7 think no more and go for it, you will not regret. First bearing in mind if you are using XP you will have to clean install, it doesn't upgrade. You can still purchase an upgrade copy for a clean install, as long as you have your XP serial number. Back everything up, and just to be sure also a full system backup.
You will love it.
Patrick
Total Comments 4
Comments
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Wholeheartedly agree, Patrick. My only warning would be not to try to install Win 7 on a PC older then 2-3 years. This is because drivers forl older hardware may not be available or may not be optimal for Win 7. Also, don't be the standard edition, get Home Premium.
IanPosted 19-11-09 at 10:23 AM by Ian 
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I think trying to load Vista on old machines when it was launched plus trying to upgrade from XP helped Vista get its poor reputation.
MS have with the launch of 7 have made it clear not to upgrade from XP but clean install, they are however claiming old machines could run the system, personally I think it should be avoided.
PatrickPosted 19-11-09 at 12:06 PM by Patrick
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How to clean install over XP
Can anyone please explain how to clean install V7 on a computer at present using XP. I have my hard drive set up with three partitions with the operating system on the C drive. Would I only need to backup this partition. Also I have a network of three computers, would I need to set up the network again after installing windows 7.?Posted 21-11-09 at 10:24 AM by DennisP
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I backed up backed up everything, but in fact you need only back up the C drive as the installation will only effect that drive. But it better safe than sorry. After loosing images some years ago I am paranoid about backups. Only yesterday I did the most silly thing I wanted to format my laptops external drive, one of those small ones that run and take power from a USB. I formatted the wrong disk, everything was retrieved from my backup. I use Seagate DiskWizard for compressed backups, its free. I also use Goodsync for uncompressed backup, that's brilliant, it simply modifies backed up files if there as been changes. Also free unless used extensively, then its only a small charge.
As to your network Windows 7 found mine on its own without any trouble. PatrickPosted 21-11-09 at 11:16 AM by Patrick
