Rave

To Windows 7 or not to Windows 7

Posted 31 months ago|11 comments|868 views

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microsoft , apple , windows 7 , vista , XP

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markbyrn

Moderator

Almost 24 years after the release of Windows 1.0 (see Steve Ballmer hawking it in the video), the time for Windows 7 is upon us and now I must decide whether to upgrade from Windows Vista to the latest and greatest in Micro$oft OS technology.

I can almost remember the time when I was a dedicated user of DOS and thinking that Windows was for pansies needing a ridiculous graphical interface to muck up the efficiency of typing arcane text commands that made one feel technically superior and full of geek pride.

After converting to Windows 3.1 in the earlier nineties, I became a faithful minion of all things Windows and Emperor Gates was my virtual God. But alas, after the bloody massacre of Windows Vista, my faith was shaken to the core and now doubts plague me. What shall I do?

1. Remain faithful to the bitter end and buy Windows 7 Ultimate.

2. Turn my back on the Redmond empire and join the cult of Steve Jobs. After all, I've already showed my disloyalty by buying an iPhone; why shouldn't I pay hundreds of dollars extra for an iMac and feel that smugness that comes with every Apple purchase.

3. Return to my roots of nerd superiority and download a free Linux OS Distro. Once again, I could revel in opening a Unix command window and typing in arcane text commands while figuring out how to install the few useful applications.

4. Continue using Windows Vista since it's already Windows 7 minus the cosmetics.

What do you recommend my fellow Rant Ravers?

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markbyrn

Moderator

31 months ago: Thanks for the input Scot. Considering I only have 2 GB of RAM on my Dell E1705, the Win 7 memory management features might do me some wonders but the SP1 rule of thumb is also a consideration. Considering how long Win 7 had been in RC status, I was hoping they might of already worked out the usual bugs found in the .0 releases. Decisions, decisions.

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TheLegendTomWing

Administrator
Philadelphia, PA

31 months ago: I remember my first computer, It ran windows 3.1, an amazing system. Windows 95, 98, ME, and XP have been on computers i've owned. I just bought my first mac last year. I love it.

I'd suggest just go for the mac. Very easy to use, very usable. Jump for the extra 100 bucks or whatever for the mac, seriously.

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Altruist
Eugene, OR

31 months ago: I've heard good things about Windows 7 (I also have Vista). It is supposed to boot and do everything else faster and use less power, but my current system has not caused me problems so I will probably wait till my laptop dies and then get a new one with 7 on it, and make sure the bugs have been worked out.

The news reported that businesses have been waiting to buy new hardware till 7 came out. Now that it has, there may be enough new purchases of computers to give the entire country an economic boost. HP has come out with new cheap yet powerful machines that may tempt people that have been holding out.

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redstateguy

31 months ago: Mark:

Go out and buy Windows 7, replace Windows Vista, immediately, then do a rant or rave about is so I can figure out how I'm going to dump my Windows Vista.

Alas, a day may come where I no longer have Windows Vista, and you can help me do that Mark.

Scot, how much was Windows 7.

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markbyrn

Moderator

31 months ago: Normally, RSG prognostications cause my eyes to roll, but this time I was convinced to run out & plunk down the cash for Win 7 Ultimate upgrade. Here's the scoop:

- Spent about 2 hours backing up files & drivers; the most complicated aspect of the backup was Apple iTunes and the need to copy the folders where my iPhone carrier settings and backups are located. Also deactivated the registration on Acrobat 9.0 and collected all the serial number keys for my existing apps using a handy utility called Recover Keys.

- Popped the Win 7 32 Bit DVD in and rebooted from the DVD to get into setup; formatted the hard drive in order to do a clean install and ensure there was no Vista contamination.

- Amazingly after the usual sequence of install restarts, Win 7 booted up and all devices were correctly recognized and functioned properly with the one exception of the graphics adapter. A simple reinstall of the nVidia graphics adapter fixed that up.

- As I started reinstalling programs, I experienced a momentary Vista flashback because the UAC security dialogs were popping up with abandon, but in Win 7 it's much easier to change the UAC behavior although if you change it to never notify, you might have issues with needing an administrator password to install certain programs.

- Pluged in my old HP PSC 2400 (all in one printer, fax, scanner) and while it recognized the correct model, the driver wasn't installed properly. A simple unplug/replug fixed it and I was off and running as a new Win 7 warrior on a Dell E1705 laptop. So far so good.

RSG, go henceforth and multiply with Windows 7 - goodbye and good riddance to Vista.

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redstateguy

31 months ago: Thankyou Mark.

Very, very much.

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