Windows 7 Beta

Was anyone brave enough to download the public beta of Windows 7 today, before MS got overloaded and had to pull the links? I have the direct links, and might give it a try when I get home.

Here's the link for those that want to download it when MS puts it back up.

I'm scared enough of their "final" releases, let alone their beta releases

I look at it this way, it has to be better than Vista.

[LilJimmy]Does it?[/LilJimmy]

BTW, I'm up to the Dr. Phil section of the book.

I have the activation key, and the image, but I'm not brave enough to install it yet.

How long has Vista been out?

The retail version came out 01/2007.

So every couple of years they bring out a new version?

For the most part, yes. Sometimes it's not an improvement though.
I still say XP is much better than Vista.

One guy I know has been going mental over getting Windows 98 onto his system!

When I got my first computer after high school for college I had windows ME on it and HATED it with every breathe in my body. I was so relieved the day I finally got Windows XP and I've never looked back. I've never tried Vista except for a couple of times on 2 of my friends computers. I've never had the urge to switch. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

My only real problem with Vista is that it's slow as shit, and a huge resource hog. I have it on my fastest system, and it runs slower than my slow systems running XP.

Since I'm trying to keep my mind off of today's Giants' game, I'm installing Windows 7 tonight on my main laptop. Wish me luck.

Is that what they are calling the new system Window's 7?

Yeah. ...So far, the beta testers love it. I don't know if that's because it's that good, or they they feel Vista is that bad.

I don't like the name.

So far, I'm liking this. I'll upload some pictures later. I set it up as "dual-boot" so I can just remove it if I want.

Well, let us know. Despite the fact I consider anything that comes out before SP1 to still be beta

It runs great so far. It looks even better than Vista, and it runs fast.

I don't care how it looks -- I turn ALL that display shit off; my desktop still looks like Win98 lol -- but good to hear it's fast. Is it faster?

Yes, much faster than Vista. Keep in mind though, this was a clean install, on an empty drive.

I'm talking vs XP, not Vista... fuck Vista... lol

It boots and loads faster than my XP machines. But to be fair, this machine is a faster system too.

Well, not a bad sign. Play with it a few days and let us know. But "beta" still scares the fock outta me when it comes to M$...!

Over on one of the Windows' forums, someone claims that they're running Windows 7 on an old P4 with 512MB of ram, and it's faster than his new system running Vista. I believe it too. My biggest fear is that MS bloats the hell out of it before release, and it becomes another pig like Vista.

I don't have enough computer knowledge to know the differences between XP/Vista are.

Installation took less than 30 minutes. All my peripherals work fine. No problems with drivers. Installation even setup my wireless network, and downloaded some updates during the installation. Windows Update installed the latest nVidia driver for my video card. The only 3rd party driver I downloaded, which I didn't even need to, was a touch-pad driver from Synaptics. It was the most painless OS installation I've ever done. I will be buying this when it comes out.

How does it compare with XP Lou?

It has a lot more eye candy and some new features. I'm finding it even faster than XP, but I'm also running it on a faster system. On the same system, Vista runs slower than XP. Windows 7 looks and feels like Vista, but just runs a lot faster and better.

Oh, so you just download it? Hmmm.

You have to go to Windows7.com (A Microsoft site), download and burn the image to a DVD. You also need to get a key from them which is free, if you plan on trying it for more than 30 days. The key gives you until 08/2009.

Walt Mossberg says Even in Test Form, Windows 7 Leaves Vista in the Dust...

I pretty much agree. I've been using it everyday, and haven't had a single problem. I've only had one program refuse to install, and that was VZAccess Manager, a program for my Verizon Wireless Broadband Card. No big deal though. I just use a plain old Windows Dial-Up Connection to connect the card.

Wow, this sounds really exciting. I kindof want this now! lol

But I'm afraid to install it, afraid of messing something up...

Microsoft Windows Communications Manager, Brandon LeBlanc, has announced that availability for the Windows 7 beta download has been extended until February 10th, 2009. Microsoft noted that they have extended the availability as "enthusiasm continues to be so high for the Windows 7 Beta and we don't want anyone to miss out we will keep the Beta downloads open through February 10th".

If you haven't started downloading the beta, you only have a few weeks left. The company announced that it's plan to end availability will be the result of a three phase strategy.

* Starting January 27th, the Windows 7 page will be updated with a warning that time is running out on downloading the Windows 7 Beta and that we will be limiting downloads shortly. People will be encouraged to register and start the download of the Windows 7 Beta sooner rather than later.
* February 10th, new downloads of the Windows 7 Beta will no longer be available. People who have already started their Windows 7 Beta download and have not yet finished will still be able to finish their download and are encouraged to do so.
* February 12th, people will no longer be able to complete their download of the Windows 7 Beta. Anyone who hasn't finished downloading the Windows 7 Beta will be unable to do so.

So, you are recommending Beta 7?

It depends. I wouldn't recommend that if you only have one system, that you use it in place of Vista or XP. It is a beta and it does expire. If you have more than one system, or you know how to partition your HD to install it as a dual-boot option, then I recommend it.

Kay, I don't know any of that stuff lol! So I'd better just leave my computer alone XD

Windows 7: Trouble on the upgrade path

Seems like only a problem if upgrading from XP. Since my XP machines are getting on the old side and I like XP, I'll only be upgrading Vista anyway.

But I won't be!

Wait and see. Just because the beta doesn't upgrade XP doesn't mean the final product won't.