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Windows 7 / 8 / 10, do you know how to install them, tweak the settings for maximum security
and performance? |
An Introduction to the workings of Windows 7 - 32 Bit Version.
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Win 7 Beta Theme by Microsoft, this Operating System is a
big step away from Vista.
As with any new Operating System (OS) there will be bugs, compatibility
issues, and the occasional crash.
And of course you can hear the critics and nay sayers -
Another piece of Junk from M$.
Sure thing but if ya don't try it ya can't be a critic! My $0.02
Ok so I tried it. Some things I like, something's are like Vista I don't
like. So I won't be giving up my XP any time soon.
Of course, if you have
questions or experience with the Windows 7 / 8 / 10 OS feel free to share them it the Q and A
of DIY Computer Repairs.
Learn what others think about this new operating system..
As a long time computer tech and Systems Engineer I find that if I can't make
it work the how in the heck is the every day user supposed to use it? And
Vista in my opinion is in that category.
Here are some comments I read or hear on a daily basis:
"I am not going to upgrade to Windows Seven ! Vista was a nightmare and I am
not going through that again!" Now a Mac user.
"Vista caused me so much trouble that I lost work, I lost income! I am
not willing to let MS tell me what I am going to do! They can stick Windows 7 where the sun ....." Now an avid Linux fan.
If you decide to upgrade to
Windows 7
let someone else take the time and pain
to figure out how to make it work for you not against you.
Normally I buy the latest and greatest OS. Why? Because I need to know what
makes it tick and what makes it crash. But with Vista I would not part with my
hard eared money for it. It was that bad! I am self employed now and have to
keep an eye on those pennies so the dollars will take care of me!
So lets have a look at the process from a new user's point of view.
Windows 7 has now been released by Microsoft is the Operating System of choice for computer manufactures. Most computers
sold in the last few months offer an upgrade option from the current OS to
Win7. If you bought a computer and have the upgrade option I
strongly suggest you research your options before going through the upgrade from
Vista to Win7. There have been reports of problems with a computer after the
upgrade.
Well I have been doing this Beta test thing for a long time, saw XP before
anyone knew there was even going to be a new OS.
Most Beta testers have a separate computer just for testing a new OS, those
of us than don't have corporate backing or the funds to run two or more high end
computers use what is called Dual Boot. This is where there are two or more
Operating Systems on one hard drive for the computer.
Hint: If you decide on going the dual boot or multi boot configuration
on your computer load the older operating system first be it Windows XP, Vista,
or even a Linux distro then load Windows 7. The older operating systems can
not see the Win7 file system.
Another thing that I have read was that to install XP or Vista on a SSD
(Solid State Drive) takes hours. I don't know what SSD or interface the writers
of these reports were using but my SSD installed Win7 in 21 minutes from
the time I pressed the key to get the DVD to boot to putting my name in the
logon box.
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So here are the steps I took to get XP and Win7 to coexist on one SSD.
(Yes it did puke a couple of times, but persistence pays off in the end).
My XP installation was using all of the 64 Gig SSD, so I needed to make a backup image of the XP install. This took about thirty minutes, make the image
and then check it.
Next I used ERD Commander to delete the XP partition and make two smaller
partitions. (There is more to the story but that will come later).
Next I put my good 'ol XP image back on the first partition. (From doing this
a lot, it is better to put the oldest OS on the drive first, then the newer OS
second).
Once I was satisfied that the XP was back I proceeded to install the Window 7
OS. As I said the actual install was very fast, I like that.
After Win7 is all installed I made a tactical error - I installed
VistaBootPro.
And modified the boot sequence BEFORE backing up the registry! Opps.
I had to go back and re-image the XP partition and then do the Win7
install again. And before I modified the boot sequence I DID backup the
registry - and Vola' no problems!
Now I have both XP and Win7 on the SSD.
So far I have left the default back ground up but have done some minor
customization of the desktop. Particularly I don't like the way the folders open
and have to find the correct settings where only the items in the folder are
listed and with out the navigation bar on the left, little things. (There
are more tips and techniques in
the Windows Seven Ultimate Guide.)
As for the hardware in my computer it is fairly new so I need to find drivers
for the older sound card, the SCSI controller, one of the network controllers,
and the fax/scanner.
I have to go to some web sites and get updated programs, I get the
'compatibility' error when I try to install them. A couple are paid programs and
some are free.
Two programs that surprised me were the Set Affinity II and Desktops. Both
installed and ran smoothly.
My Trojan Remover installed but the AVG wouldn't, it may be that the AVG is
almost a year old and I need a new package. (After upgrading to the latest AVG
package it installed as advertised).
As for my high end programs I have installed two with out problems, still
have four to install in the next day or two.
This installation will not get the 'tweaking' that I normally do to make the
OS work my way, the main reason is that I tried to make an image of the
partition and it did not work, it may be that my image software is too old
(2002) will have to see how much the newest version costs before I go any
further.
I have installed
Win7 in a VM (VMWare Virtual Machine) but that too is to old, there aren't any
drivers for the network, video, or sound. What I have been doing with the VM is
finding out what happens when I change things. When it blows up I just make
another copy. (After checking with VM Ware the version 6.5.2 has drivers that
Windows 7 will work with, I now have a fully functional Windows 7 running in a VM).
The memory usage before any modification, customization, or tweaking for
Windows 7 -
- 32 Bit - 579 Meg
- 64 Bit - 800 Meg
One thing I have found with Win7 is that the Superfetch function will
cache a lot of background programs and it takes a good five minutes for the OS
to stabilize. That is if you do a snap shot of the memory usage when you start
the computer and then another one five minutes later you will see a large drop
in memory usage. So if you are going to tweak or optimize your computer to get a
true measurement of how much memory your pre optimized OS is using wait the time
it takes for the Superfetch to empty out the startup delayed programs. Then do
you optimization, then restart, check the memory usage after waiting until the
memory usage stabilizes.
As the modifications, customization, and tweaking will bring the memory used
by the OS will drop, it will fluctuate somewhat but it will drop. This will not
bother those computers that have over 2 Gig or more ram but those with less this is
important information. The less ram that is used by the OS the more for your
programs.
While I am experimenting and learning more, what the new OS will and will not do,
this page will be the gateway/index to those articles I am writing. (There
are new tips and techniques in
the Windows Seven Ultimate Guide.)
Resources:
Having more than one operating system will cut down on your frustrations, check
it out:
Dual Boot
Have a SSD? Want to know more about a
Solid State Drive?
What is a
backup image
and how will help you?
Don't have your Dual Boot setup yet? Then you may want to see this: Check this out.
Did you make one or two
partitions?
Want to control what program is running on what processor? You will want to look
at this:
Set Affinity II
Rather experiment with this Operating System before installing it on your only
computer? Use this then:
Virtual Machine
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