Dual Boot - New OS

Its been nice knowing you ...lol, will let you know if its any good, as I am gonna dual boot it to have a scoot around this latest Windows 7 "Ultimate" Beta Version.




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Mate of mine is downloading now, only because his dodgy copy of XP is playing up!!!

Looks good m8, let us know how you get on

For those who want a play as of the evening of the 9th the Beta is open for full public looky looky http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/default.aspx

Both 32 Bit and 64 Bit Beta's are available now http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/ register for an activation code, be quick, only 2.5 million copies available

So whats the verdict?? Any good??

Still downloading both 64 bit and 32 bit, i wanna try both.

Some points worth noting.

Quote :

New to beta testing? Here's what you need to know:
You'll need some technical skills, like knowing how to:

Burn an ISO file to make an install DVD (A good example of what we mean by “technical”)

Install Windows (of course)

Backup and restore your PC (There's a chance of losing files, so it's a good idea to do a backup of anything you want to save.)

Set up a network

It can be glitchy—so don't use a PC you need every day.

Minimum recommended specs call for:

1 GHz 32-bit or 64-bit processor

1 GB of system memory

16 GB of available disk space

Support for DirectX 9 graphics with 128 MB memory (to enable the Aero theme)

DVD-R/W Drive

Internet access (to download the Beta and get updates)

And yes, like anything tech-related, these specs could change.

Some product features of Windows 7, such as the ability to watch and record live TV or navigation through the use of "touch," may require advanced or additional hardware.

You'll need a system recovery disk (and know how to use it).

You're [almost] flying solo: you'll need to troubleshoot problems yourself and call on other Beta testers for their know-how.

It's a two-way thing—Beta testing is about feedback so our developers can fix bugs and hear what appeals to the people who use our products daily. Please tell us what you think.

Watch the calendar. The Beta expires on August 1, 2009. To continue using your PC, please be prepared to reinstall a prior version of Windows or a subsequent release of Windows 7 before the expiration date.

Microsoft initially offered only 2.5 million copies of 7 for download, but after massive demand for trial versions have now removed this limit and its effectively a free-for-all.

http://www.dailytech.com/Microsoft+Offers+FreeforAll+with+Unlimited+Windows+7+Downloads/article13918.htm

I have been playing with it on my Laptop and TBH, early impressions for me are that it seems identical to Vista but from the fact that open programs on the taskbar appear to be the same as the programs shortcuts next to them.

Microsoft is giving you the chance by extending the download date for the Windows 7 beta until next month.

According to Windows Communications Manager, Brandon LeBlanc on the official Windows 7 blog:

"The amount of feedback we have received has been amazing and continues to pour in. We are at a point where we have more than enough beta testers and feedback coming in to meet our engineering needs, so we are beginning to plan the end of general availability for Windows 7 Beta.

Because 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. Customers who have started but not completed the download process will be able to do so through February 12th."

There will be a gradual shut down process, which you can get the details of after the jump.





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.

Seeing as Windows Vista is still hated - and liked - in equal measure, Microsoft is banking on Windows 7 to appease all the Vista haters.

Before you get too excited though, it's speculated that Microsoft is planning to introduce lots of different versions of Windows 7 like Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Business and Ultimate. Oh dear.

Product keys for the Windows 7 Beta will continue to be available. So if you have the Windows 7 Beta but didn’t get a product key you will be able to do so even after February 12th.


http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/2009/01/23/general-availability-for-the-windows-7-beta-to-end.aspx






For those already using Win 7, here are the recommended Anti-Virus apps which work with it.

* Symantec offers the Norton 360 3.0 Beta which works on the Windows 7 Beta
* AVG offers AVG Internet Security and AVG Anti-Virus that works with the Windows 7 Beta
* Kaspersky is offering a technical preview of Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Windows 7.


http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/2009/01/14/anti-virus-solutions-for-the-windows-7-beta.aspx