So I decided to get the RC for Windows 7 - which is available for download (FREE).
Here's what you should know though
- you're flying solo. Unless you've done OS installations before and can figure your way around software hitches (missing drivers, disk partitioning etc) then don't go for this.
- From the microsoft site - Starting on March 1, 2010, your PC will begin shutting down every two hours. Windows will notify you two weeks before the bi-hourly shutdowns start. To avoid interruption, you'll need to install a non-expired version of Windows before March 1, 2010. You'll also need to install the programs and data that you want to use
- Most of your software MAY not work, or work weirdly without OS support
- Make sure you get the right version of windows 7. If you're a 64bit, get the 64 bit version like I did.
Installing is pretty straight forward ONCE you get vista (!@#$#$*^&*) to allow a new partition. A lot of us unfortunate souls have Vista pre-installed on laptops from vendors like HP (the losers couldn't even give the Vista installation DVD, instead eat up 11GB of your hard disk as recovery).
When you have vista preinstalled, usually there's only one C: - which you now need to partition before installing 7 (unless you wanna clean sweep Vista out of C:\ and not do a dual boot). Vista being the wonderful OS that it is - has a disk partition tool that will usually refuse to partition C: - with errors like "no space available" or "space left to shrink = 0" etc.
Here's what you do (google these steps you'll find hundreds of guides)
- Disable System restore on C: . You can turn it back on after partitioning.
- Disable hibernation
- Use a 3rd party partition tool. After a lot of tries - the only one that worked (i love this tool) was EASEUS Partition Master 3.5 Home Edition. The nice people give out the home version for free. A lot of other "miracle partition managers" are 40$ or more.
Now let me warn u, the partition step IS a lil tricky. It could possibly create boot problems. Because vista (oh how wonderfully crafted it is) will recognize that someones gone around it. This is when you'd need the boot DVD/Install DVD/Restore partition on your Laptop. Usually manufacturers that are lame enough to not give you the install DVD have a restore partition - so you should be okay.
Now once you go past the "windows is f***ed, fix it" screen - it does some "restore" and get you back onto vista. Go to your "my computer" and verify that you see your new partition nice and snug there :). Once you see that, its smooth from then on.
Burn the Win7 ISO onto a DVD, write down the product key - and boot from the DVD and the install takes care of itself. All you need to watch out is to make sure win7 installs into your new partition - which is a simple, hard-to-miss step unless youre drunk...like REALLY drunk.
Happy installing - takes bout 30 minutes depending on your version and processor.
Disclaimer - if you screw up :) thats your problem. But there's a lot of help you can find on the internet in case you end up screwing up your computer - so take a chance. Get Vista out the door and into the garbage, where it really belonged to start with.
PS. If you have a NVidia driver that shipped with the Laptop, you might not find an equivalent for it in Windows7 - causing it to install a Generic driver. The generic driver makes your screen look like crap and goes to a max 1024x720 resolution (Windows 95 lol). I searched everywhere on the Nvidia site for a matching driver but couldn't find a 64-bit Windows7 driver to match my GeforceGo 7150m card.
Here was the perfect site that had an answer. They hack the existing NVidia driver INI file to have the latest driver to support your driver
http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/
All things done - I now have Windows7 running (faster than Vista, even with Aero enabled) - and now I need to start fiddling around it and see if it'll be worth upgrading to in October.
Yenjoy - and happy Installation !!
2 of your thoughts:
yella overhead transmitter aaytu :(
write something else Prax.
I have Windows Vista too.. good ol xp works fine wid me....
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