193 replies to this topic
Posted 2009-02-27 21:43:08
From Microsoft TechNet
Tip: Install Windows 7 Alongside Windows Vista for a Dual Boot System
It’s always a bit tricky to beta test a new operating system. Most of us don’t have an abundance of extra hardware just sitting around, and it can be both time consuming and risky to rebuild your production machine with a pre-release version of the next OS.
But with Windows 7, it’s pretty easy to beta test on the machine you’ve already got. Hard drives have gotten much larger and much less expensive, and if you’re running Windows Vista, you already have built-in functionality to help you create a separate partition for testing.
To get started, open the Disk Management section of the Computer Management console on your Windows Vista machine. You can access this by clicking Start | Run and entering compmgmt.msc. Right-click your current system partition, likely labeled C:, and select Shrink Volume. Windows will query the disk for the amount of available space. You’ll probably want at least 20-30gigs of free space so you’ll have enough room for the Windows 7 beta installation, some data, and a few applications.
Just remember that not all free space on your drive will be available as shrink space. Windows reserves space on your system volume for items such as the page file, hibernation file, System Restore points, and so on. If you need to create more available shrink space, consider temporarily disabling these features. Just don’t forget to re-enable them once you’re done! If you still need to free up more shrink space, consider a thorough defragmentation of your drive. This helps by organizing file fragments on the disk, especially such system files as the Master File Table, which may be blocking available space.
Once you’ve allocated the desired amount of space, just click the Shrink button. Windows will create a new partition out of the free space you’ve allocated, all without even having to reboot.
When you’re ready, and have made sure you have a good backup of your data (just in case), simply boot to your Windows 7 beta DVD. When prompted, select your new, blank partition as the destination for your Windows 7 beta installation. Windows Setup will automatically detect your existing Windows Vista installation and create a boot menu that will allow you to select which OS you want to boot when starting the system. You can continue to use your production Windows Vista installation without having to migrate any data and still take the Windows 7 beta for a spin!
Tip provided by Joshua Hoffman, Editor in Chief of TechNet Magazine.
Posted 2009-03-13 22:36:10
Windows 7 build 7048 onward
Using your Microsoft Live ID and link with your Windows 7 User account, from build 7048 onward, you can stream your Media files to an other PC or Laptop of yours which is connected to an work or public network.
The home and the network PC must be linked to the same Live ID account. And the media is streamed from home to network PC only.
This feature isn't working full on build 7048 but it should work full on build 7057.
You may need to refresh the media library on both computer to get the info online. You also need to be "online" and logged in with your Live ID from both computer. If that is done, you can browse the home media library from the network PC.
Please keep in mind that your Live ID is directly integrated with your user account in your home PC. This allows the media player to "remember" your home library. If you change your network connection for the home PC to the network PC or vice versa, you'll need to unlink and link your Live ID again with your user account.
I haven't the build 7057 installed yet because I just on downloading that build now. But the connection should be quite easy directly via the Media Player.
Cheers.
Posted 2009-03-15 23:38:44
How do you connect to shares on an XP style workgroup? I've set the correct workgroup name in Control Panel > System and Security > System but I still don't see any of the computers on the network. I can connect to the Internet ok so it's not a network problem...
Posted 2009-03-15 23:50:22
 Phil Conners, on 2009-03-15 23:38:44, said:
How do you connect to shares on an XP style workgroup? I've set the correct workgroup name in Control Panel > System and Security > System but I still don't see any of the computers on the network. I can connect to the Internet ok so it's not a network problem...
Maybe the wrong way?!
You need to go to: Control Panel ->Network and Internet ->Network and Sharing Center ->Change advanced sharing settings.
Here you need to choose the settings you need.
Also not forget to set the firewall to the right and required settings.
Normally you don't need to define a special workgroup because Windows 7 will see all available workgroups.
if any more problem's please post with screen shots.
Good luck.
Posted 2009-03-16 20:43:39
Windows 7: RDP changes improve virtual desktop performance
The Remote Desktop Client in Windows 7 is equipped with new features and enhancements via Remote Desktop Protocol 7 (RDP). The most interesting enhancement is the support for Desktop Composition, full Aero glass effect.
Below are the features introduced in Windows 7 Remote Desktop Client:
Windows 7 Aero support
Direct 2D & Direct 3D 10.1 application support
True multi-monitor support
RDP Core Performance Improvements
Multimedia enhancements
Media Foundation support
DirectShow support
Low Latency audio playback support
Bi-directional audio support
Read the full article HERE
Posted 2009-03-17 20:52:21
As there is a minor problem after installing or upgrading to Windows 7 Build 7057, which shows on every boot an text file opened in Notepad, this is quite easy to fix:
1. Navigate to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
2. Delete desktop.ini
3. Navigate to C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
4. Delete desktop.ini if present.
That's all.
Cheers.
Posted 2009-03-18 14:01:31
Reimar, on 2009-03-15 23:50:22, said: Phil Conners, on 2009-03-15 23:38:44, said: How do you connect to shares on an XP style workgroup? I've set the correct workgroup name in Control Panel > System and Security > System but I still don't see any of the computers on the network. I can connect to the Internet ok so it's not a network problem...
Maybe the wrong way?!
You need to go to: Control Panel ->Network and Internet ->Network and Sharing Center ->Change advanced sharing settings.
Here you need to choose the settings you need.
Also not forget to set the firewall to the right and required settings.
Normally you don't need to define a special workgroup because Windows 7 will see all available workgroups.
if any more problem's please post with screen shots.
Good luck.
Well I think I've tried everything possible, I still don't see my old/XP work group on the network.
Advanced sharing settings are set to default values (all "turned on")
MS firewall always allowed this traffic, but I have tried to disable it just to make sure that wasn't the problem, and it made no difference.
Where would the workgroups be visible? Under "NETWORK"? There is only my PC and my access point. Under "HomeGroup"? There is nothing under homegroup.
I don't understand what you expect screenshots off.
The network in general works, I'm able to access the internet through the same access point that I use when I boot into XP.
Any other ideas?
Posted 2009-03-18 14:12:32
Phil Conners, on 2009-03-18 14:01:31, said: Reimar, on 2009-03-15 23:50:22, said: Phil Conners, on 2009-03-15 23:38:44, said: How do you connect to shares on an XP style workgroup? I've set the correct workgroup name in Control Panel > System and Security > System but I still don't see any of the computers on the network. I can connect to the Internet ok so it's not a network problem...
Maybe the wrong way?!
You need to go to: Control Panel ->Network and Internet ->Network and Sharing Center ->Change advanced sharing settings.
Here you need to choose the settings you need.
Also not forget to set the firewall to the right and required settings.
Normally you don't need to define a special workgroup because Windows 7 will see all available workgroups.
if any more problem's please post with screen shots.
Good luck.
Well I think I've tried everything possible, I still don't see my old/XP work group on the network.
Advanced sharing settings are set to default values (all "turned on")
MS firewall always allowed this traffic, but I have tried to disable it just to make sure that wasn't the problem, and it made no difference.
Where would the workgroups be visible? Under "NETWORK"? There is only my PC and my access point. Under "HomeGroup"? There is nothing under homegroup.
I don't understand what you expect screenshots off.
The network in general works, I'm able to access the internet through the same access point that I use when I boot into XP.
Any other ideas?
What's about the IP and Subnet Mask of the computer and the old network? Did they matching? The name of the workgroup mainly didn't matter in W7, you can see all but not in XP there you maybe need the same workgroup name, depends on the network settings!
Maybe you change the name of the workgroup to the same for all computers.
Cheers.
Posted 2009-03-18 15:04:32
I already use the same workgroup name for all computers.
The IP address is given by the access point. If it wasn't right I wouldn't be able to use the Internet. Keep in mind I have 4-5 PC's on this network at the same time...
Posted 2009-03-18 16:58:43
Phil Conners, on 2009-03-18 15:04:32, said: I already use the same workgroup name for all computers.
The IP address is given by the access point. If it wasn't right I wouldn't be able to use the Internet. Keep in mind I have 4-5 PC's on this network at the same time...
Use fixed IP's for all computer in your network.
Use the same Subnet Mask for all computer
Verify all settings in the Modem/Router.
Adjust the Firewall settings in each computer and the Modem/Router as well in enabled there.
Manually stop and start the network on all computer.
Have you checked you can access the other computer directly by using the IP address of the target computer in the Windows Explorer addressbar like: \\192.168.1.78 or whatever IP's you run in your network!
If you use XP Home or an older version of XP Pro on some computer which you can't see, maybe you need to create a new Network Connection via the Wizzard in Control Panel!
Check and verify all settings, best is to write them down while checking for each computer. Just 1 mistyped letter can stop everything.
Cheers.
Posted 2009-03-18 18:42:21
DHCP works fine both at my home and work networks and as there are several laptops coming and going so using static IP's is not an option.
All PC's except one are running XP updated to today's level with Windows update. The one remaining is our Linux server running Samba SMB server. And I can ping them all fine. Just no shares turning up.
Posted 2009-03-18 18:58:59
Phil Conners, on 2009-03-18 18:42:21, said: DHCP works fine both at my home and work networks and as there are several laptops coming and going so using static IP's is not an option.
All PC's except one are running XP updated to today's level with Windows update. The one remaining is our Linux server running Samba SMB server. And I can ping them all fine. Just no shares turning up.
A ping didn't tell that the network is ok!! You can loose the Internet connection but the ping to the ISP's server goes true!
You cans use static IP's for the station computer's and dynamic for the Laptops. That isn't a deal! Just use for the station computer's an IP range more high, let say start by xxx.xxx.xxx.50
Again check all the settings you had set in the different computer's, Modem and Router. Create a Network map. Check the settings for the firewall incl. the one in the Modem and/or Router
Somewhere in your system you've some wrong settings. To find them, start to do the research and write down all results. One wrong letter or even a space to much pp. could force problems you have!
And for to help you more deep the infos you gave are to much to less. If you didn't do the research systematic and logical you on the loose.
Cheers.
Posted 2009-03-19 23:56:58
According to this thread "It is a known bug in 7057, well commented on in the Technet forums. "...
(note to self: stop playing with beta software)
Edited by Phil Conners, 2009-03-19 23:58:38.
Posted 2009-03-20 00:52:15
Phil Conners, on 2009-03-19 23:56:58, said: According to this thread "It is a known bug in 7057, well commented on in the Technet forums. "...
(note to self: stop playing with beta software)
Maybe something wrong?! Who knows!
I could just tell that I didn't have problems with networks connecting with my own computers and with my laptops to the different networks of my customers! And I run windows 7 since nearly three month now while the latest (7057) since 2 weeks!
Neither the XP's at my customer sites and the few 98's which still running there, some Windows 2000 and a lot Vista's didn't making any problems for me. But all that computers running with legit software only. The only one I know from own testing which has problems running mainly pirated software incl. a pirated version of Office 2007 and that computer isn't one from the moban I live, not a customers computer neither mein.
Cheers.
Posted 2009-03-21 11:18:31
I just uploaded a nifty small program to the TV downloads HEREfor to change the Logon Screen Background Image.
Please keep in Mind that you'll need to use an Image with an size of less than 256 kBytes and an Resolution matching the Resolution of your Monitor. You also need to rename that image to an corresponding one as shown in the list below and the name shown below:
backgroundDefault.jpg
background768×1280.jpg (0.6)
background900×1440.jpg (0.625)
background960×1280.jpg (0.75)
background1024×1280.jpg (0.8)
background1280×1024.jpg (1.25)
background1024×768.jpg (1.33-)
background1280×960.jpg (1.33-)
background1600×1200.jpg (1.33-)
background1440×900.jpg (1.6)
background1920×1200.jpg (1.6)
background1280×768.jpg (1.66-)
background1360×768.jpg (1.770833-)
Some nice wallpapers which you can use as backgroeund image can be freely downloaded from here: http://interfacelift...any/index1.html
You maybe need to resample that Image to an size of less than 256 kBytes.
Good Luck.
Posted 2009-03-21 11:21:30
The MUI (Multi Language User Interface) Packs for German, French and Spain can be downloaded from here:
German (Deutsch) http://rapidshare.co...mui-de.zip.html
Spain http://rapidshare.co...mui-es.zip.html
French http://rapidshare.co...mui-fr.zip.html
If ask for an Password, please use: www.sinfocol.org
Note: This MUI's are for the build 7057 only til now.
Posted 2009-03-25 13:28:18
Hi Chaps.
I'm late joining the Windows 7 party, but delivery (finally) of a work laptop has freed my personal machine for experimentation. I have the Beta (downloaded a while back when still available) and key.
Sooooo, anyone tried W7 on a netbook? I have an Acer Aspire One, 1G (could upgrade to 2G) RAM, 160G HDD which I'd like to try.
If I install my version I assume it will spend the next week updating to all the bells and whistles.
Has the trial period been extended past august 09?
Posted 2009-03-25 13:36:15
Crossy, on 2009-03-25 13:28:18, said: Sooooo, anyone tried W7 on a netbook? I have an Acer Aspire One, 1G (could upgrade to 2G) RAM, 160G HDD which I'd like to try.
I installed it in dual boot mode on my MSI Wind. First boot device was Vista Ultimate and 2nd Windows 7. Everything worked fine and speed was good. I needed to download two drivers and used the Vista drivers and they worked fine.
Posted 2009-03-25 13:40:59
Crossy, on 2009-03-25 13:28:18, said: Hi Chaps.
I'm late joining the Windows 7 party, but delivery (finally) of a work laptop has freed my personal machine for experimentation. I have the Beta (downloaded a while back when still available) and key.
Sooooo, anyone tried W7 on a netbook? I have an Acer Aspire One, 1G (could upgrade to 2G) RAM, 160G HDD which I'd like to try.
If I install my version I assume it will spend the next week updating to all the bells and whistles.
Has the trial period been extended past august 09?
Hi Crossy!!
Just go ahead and install but I would suggest to upgrade to 2 GB if possible. Will anyway run faster than Vista. You should download the Build 7057 because if you install that version the trial period extends until March 2010.
If you follow my instruction and create a bootable USB stick (4 GB) the installation runs like a dream! But be sure the laptop is able to boot from an USB Flash Drive (not USB CD-ROM or Floppy!).
The instruction how to create a bootable USB Stick for Win 7 Installation is to find here: http://www.thaivisa....28#entry2615228
One of my customer use an Aspire One with 1.5 Gig and it runs better than XP on that Toy!
Good Luck.
Posted 2009-03-25 13:57:30
Reimar, on 2009-03-25 14:40:59, said: You should download the Build 7057 because if you install that version the trial period extends until March 2010.
Cheers Reimar 
Where can I get Build 7057 as the Beta download site says downloads are no longer available? 
I see a number of torrents, but obviously would rather have an official site
Posted 2009-03-25 23:37:30
Just a little warning to all of you who mean that the latest build is above build 7057: IT IS NOT!!
There in the moment a lot fakes out there and the last legit version is the build 7057. It's announced somewhere that the next release will be the RC official on April 10. 2009
Cheers.
Posted 2009-03-27 18:54:01
Thanks chaps.
Installed build 7057 on the little beastie and it goes like a bomb in the standard 1G Even the supposedly problematic WiFi worked straight off.
Soooo, now we play
Posted 2009-03-27 21:09:16
I have used build 7000 since the beginning. Since then I have tried both 7048 and 7057 and, with both builds I have experienced the same oddities:
1. The file: C:\Windows\twain_32.dll is missing. My scanner and software require this file. OK, it's not a big hassle to download the file and put it in the folder, but why is it not there?
2. Every time I attempt to play a video file, e.g. .avi, .wmv, .mkv, etc., on any player, be it Windows Media Player, KMPlayer (for .mkv), or Media Player Classic, the player opens and as soon as the video starts, I get a BSOD and the machine reboots. After reboot, I cannot even open Windows Explorer - nothing works at all.
My machine:
m/b: ASUS P5VD2-X with latest update
CPU: Pentium D Dual core 3.0 GHz
RAM: 3GB
Video: ASUS EAH3650 512MB RAM
The above happens only on builds 7048 and 7057; with build 7000, everything works perfectly. Guess I'll have to wait for the Release Candidate which is supposed to be arriving in May.
Yet to see anyone else having these strange problems. Anyone?
Posted 2009-03-27 22:42:11
apex2000, on 2009-03-27 21:09:16, said: I have used build 7000 since the beginning. Since then I have tried both 7048 and 7057 and, with both builds I have experienced the same oddities:
1. The file: C:\Windows\twain_32.dll is missing. My scanner and software require this file. OK, it's not a big hassle to download the file and put it in the folder, but why is it not there?
2. Every time I attempt to play a video file, e.g. .avi, .wmv, .mkv, etc., on any player, be it Windows Media Player, KMPlayer (for .mkv), or Media Player Classic, the player opens and as soon as the video starts, I get a BSOD and the machine reboots. After reboot, I cannot even open Windows Explorer - nothing works at all.
My machine:
m/b: ASUS P5VD2-X with latest update
CPU: Pentium D Dual core 3.0 GHz
RAM: 3GB
Video: ASUS EAH3650 512MB RAM
The above happens only on builds 7048 and 7057; with build 7000, everything works perfectly. Guess I'll have to wait for the Release Candidate which is supposed to be arriving in May.
Yet to see anyone else having these strange problems. Anyone?
Windows 7 Might Block Third-Party Video Codecs
Something we love about Windows 7 is that it has much better native codec support, like H.264 and AAC. But the price might be high: It looks like Windows 7 might block third-party video decoders.
(Before we jump in, here's our ultimate codec primer, if all this "code" talk is confusing.) Here's how a directshow developer lays it out: MPEG-4 and H.264 codecs are hard baked into Media Foundation, and you can't override them, since Microsoft's list of preferred codecs in the registry can't be edited, even in admin mode. Which means basically that Microsoft has "blocked the possibility to use alternate codecs in their applications," according to the developer, so you couldn't use them in Windows Media Player or Windows Media Center.
The flip side is that we are talking about a beta (the 7057 build, in between the public beta and the upcoming release candidate), not a final release, so maybe this won't apply in the final version of Windows if developers bitch loud enough. Also, third-party applications should be able to find a workaround, postulates DigitalWerks, so VLC should be okay. Oh, and with so much codec support built in, it's likely the average person won't need third-party codecs anyway.
Still, pretty lame and non-open on Microsoft's part if it stays this way.
Source http://i.gizmodo.com...ty-video-codecs
Posted 2009-03-29 09:53:28
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