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Installing Windows 7 RC1
Having found a spare notebook with a suitable spec, I’ve decided to give Windows 7 RC1 a go as the main operating system.
I’ve kept Windows XP as a backup just in case I come across some software that won’t play nicely.
So far installation has been very quick and painless with only one minor hitch. Unfortunately the installer won’t let me shrink partitions on the hard disk so I couldn’t make room for Windows 7. Just as well I had a Linux LiveCD to hand. Mandriva Linux as it happens. Hopefully that will be sorted out in the final release. I’m sure Vista could do this.
It’s now installed and the internet is connected but I’ve still got to sort out the graphics drivers.
You used a "spare" notebook, to give it a go as a "main operating system?" Squashed in amongst XP and Linux? And you "think" Vista "might" be able to shrink partitions? Nice to see that you can write a "balanced" article these days. You're not a part-time Labour MP are you...???
posted-by David Elliott | June 12, 2009 9:20 AM
Windows 7 is the main operating system on that notebook, and just sitting comfortably with Windows XP. Thankfully there is no need to install Mandriva to use the partition manager utility, I was able to shrink the Windows XP partition from the LiveCD operating system.
I have to admit my mistake on the Vista installer. Disk Management can shrink partitions once Vista in installed but the installer cannot. Bit of a disappointment that.
And no, I'm not an MP....
Kind regards
Tim
posted-by Tim Smith | June 12, 2009 11:45 AM
Win XP sitting comfortably with Win 7 RC will remove all of your restore points in 7 RC each time you start up. Bit surprised you haven't tried Win 7 before tho' Tim..?? Thought you would have been "leading" the way, so to speak..?? For us punters:-)
posted-by David Elliott | June 12, 2009 2:12 PM
It's not so much that I haven't already tried Windows 7, more the opportunity to use it more; I'm afraid I wasn't willing to make significant changes to my main work notebook (hence the spare bit) and even with the performance improvements, virtualisation wasn't really an option.
Shame about those restore points though. I'll have to be extra careful what I get up to!
Tim
posted-by Tim Smith | June 12, 2009 2:22 PM
Yes, I understand the reluctance to use it on works main pc, risking losing a lot of time and money. Thought you might have been more cutting edge at home tho'. I've found it to be pretty stable. Even tho' I've deliberately loaded it with bloatware, it makes me restart far less than my XP did. And I'm nearly there in getting all my hardware working. Just the webcam left - but that's pretty hopeless I think:-)
posted-by David Elliott | June 12, 2009 4:18 PM
Thanks for the heads up!You can use Disk Management or Diskpart command for it, if an operating system is already installed.
posted-by Dave Sentra | June 18, 2009 6:19 AM
Interested about restore points going. I'm just an ordinary user (not a boffin like you lot) and since I've had Vista (64 bit) I've had so many problems! My desktop lurches from crisis to crisis and nobody else seems to able to do anything with it. One of the strange things it does is :- every time it has a 'hissyfit' I find it has deleted all of my restore points. Mind you, it also deletes the long list of problem history that it accumulates. There is something very strange that works and I don't understand why. If, when I've finally got it to turn off, I switch the power off at the back and then disconnect the hard drive leads, then reconnect, switch back on and then start it up normally, it works like a dream - for a while. I have no idea why.
posted-by Ruth Holt | June 21, 2009 11:39 PM
"So far installation has been very quick and painless with only one minor hitch."
Well, a minor hitch for someone without technical skills, is a major hitch, so I'm disapointed at that report.
posted-by Leadership | July 3, 2009 11:22 AM
You have a point, and with the news that there won't be upgrade versions of Windows 7 (in Europe at least) I'm not sure whether the partition tool will be improved. A shame really
posted-by Tim Smith | July 3, 2009 11:32 AM
I tried to install Windows 7 RC1 and it has been smooth. No hitches, thank god.
posted-by paul legrand | July 11, 2009 1:08 PM
Windows 7 is supposed to be vastly improved, some of us still use Windows-only applications, and some of us are curious to see how the competition is doing. Personally, I hope Windows 7 is as great as many people say it is. Better competition will keep Apple sharp, and more options are always better than fewer.
posted-by Bill | October 24, 2009 8:32 AM