Windows 7 - When!

I want it now.

Published on January 10, 2009 By ins11 In Personal Computing

So, after being rather 'lax' when it comes to "closely" following Microsoft betas for the past few years... (ever since I started working with their software as a fulltime job really...) I decided it was time to get up to speed with the recent Windows 7.

And lo and behold, I discover that January 9th was the day that build 7000 (beta 1) would be made available for Joe Public (or user in this case).

I happily click the most prominent link I could find, only to discover that I was too late, and the site had crashed already.

Now I am stuck with a RSS updater trying to get a 'thunderbirds are go!' message from The Windows Blog as well as checking the TechNet site, where the download link was previously posted.

Luckily with some GoogleFu I was able to find a download link through HardOCP

But as it turns out, the 32-bit version from Microsoft must be heavily used, as the download gets interrupted repeatedly. Luckily thanks to Opera (The #1 Browser.. if only it was as stable as Google Chrome) I am at least able to resume it. Funny thing is the x64 version downloaded without any hick-ups. Is that a sign that tells me that people are STILL using 32-bit operating systems? I would have assumed that the 'enthusiasts' who would/should be the ones throwing themselves at this beta were using a 64 bit capable CPU and would like to 'benefit' from that.

So now I just have to find some spare time to install it, and possibly trash my 3 other OS installations (Vista32,64 and XP64).

Funny side note #1 is that the 7000 build was available on torrent sites for a long time, as well as a activation crack.
Funny side note #2 is that the torrent download was faster than Microsofts Akamai download..
Pondering Side note #1 is that, why did not MS use torrent technology to distribute it? If it works for Blizzard with 19.000.000.000 WoW clients, it should work for Micro$oft?

Comments (Page 2)

alway

on Jan 10, 2009

http://xkcd.com/528/

Hehehe...

ins11

on Jan 10, 2009

Posting this in IE8 under W7 Build 7000. Installed from hard-drive, just needed to use WinRAR to extract the .iso image downloaded from Microsoft.

So far, was not surprised to find out Creative did not have any sound card drivers available. Nvidia does at least

ins11

on Jan 10, 2009

Seems like I can not edit the comments with IE8 in W7.
Did a folder comparison, Vistax64 - 15GB, W7x64 11GB, nearly 10k less files.

jeffwads

on Jan 10, 2009

Having used Win 7 for 3 weeks now as my main setup...I love it. All the crap that Vista failed at, this one has eliminated. This one will be a winner, trust me.

butch123

on Jan 10, 2009

Microsoft has got the download back up again and working. Get it while you can....

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/dd353205.aspx

Leo the Lion

on Jan 10, 2009

Everything is up and working fine now on the Microsoft side. Go to the Windows 7 homepage here http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/default.aspx and you can get the download and key, no problem. I've been using 7 now for quite a few hours and IE8 and I'm very impressed.........and it's only beta!!! Based on only a few hours use this is what Vista should have been, never was and never could be.............

ins11

on Jan 10, 2009

Yea. Its not AmigaOS, but at least its a step in a right direction. Still wondering if we'll see a leaner MiniWin kernel, but I guess its too late for Win7. Maybe NT7.0 will be all done in Assembler and weighting in at 20MiB?

Just tried L4D with the buildt-in drivers, and it worked without problems although it seemed to lagg a bit compared to XP64/Vista64. Had to install my X-Fi drivers in "Vista compatibility mode", but at least they worketh.

Now that all the 'warning messages' have been disabled through the 'Action Center' I can start working.

Now all they need to do is scrap the 32-bit version entirely, and move everyone to 64bit!

TucoBenedicto

on Jan 10, 2009

Forgive my stupid question, but I have a doubt... this beta can be installed only as Vista Update or even on a brand new PC?

ins11

on Jan 10, 2009

TucoBenedicto

comment 23

Forgive my stupid question, but I have a doubt... this beta can be installed only as Vista Update or even on a brand new PC?

Should work as a clean install. I launched the installer from my Vista installation, but I could select a "Clean" installation (instead of Upgrade).

starkers

on Jan 10, 2009

Forgive my stupid question, but I have a doubt... this beta can be installed only as Vista Update or even on a brand new PC?

You can upgrade your existing Vista OS, but it is advisable to clean install W7 on a separate partition and dual boot... that way, you don't have to roll back if you don't like it/find it is not ready to run some of your important software.

Starkers, I feel you man, I feel you. I've been trying to get a key forever. Butch hooked me up.

Good for you, M1... that'll save you the time of having to wait on MS servers, etc. Although the W7 page is active again, it still may take a while to enter the download/key access area... going by what some are aying.

Moosetek13

on Jan 11, 2009

Going by what some are saying?

The key is given before the download even starts. Get current!

starkers

on Jan 11, 2009

Going by what some are saying?

The key is given before the download even starts. Get current!

Download/Key access area = one in the same thing.

However, yesterday, when the links were removed from the Windows 7 home page, separate links were placed in the Windows 7 blog page for the 32 bit and 64 bit ISO's... then another link to the licence key page, the reason being the ISO downloads were almost instant and could be in progress while waiting all day to access the licences page... some unsuccessfully.

AzDude

on Jan 11, 2009

I'm using 7 now for 1/2 a day -

did clean install with duel boot w/vista - all OK so far

seems pretty fast ..

must do all windows updates first to load up on some drivers

so far it loaded all hardware drivers for my PC except for 1 printer ..

haven't got to much stardock stuff yet , logon vista 1/2 works

hey but Wallpapers work just fine(he he ) .....

more to come ... stay tuned ... and pray a little ....

AzDude

on Jan 11, 2009

Windows 7 beta report

installed 7 in duel boot with Vista

My mistake , i DO have sound , spoke to soon

I installed win 7 Ultimate too , sure is fast ,of course i haven't loaded a bunch

of crap on it yet,either ! startup and shutdown real fast too.

Hardware so far OK , all drivers loaded except 2 printers ..

The Duel Boot with Vista worked out great , no problem to Vista

so far anyway - i did back-up though -

if your still yet to load 7 don't forget to windows format your

partition using vista before you try to load the OS or it won't take

I'm also able to post in the forum at ( WC ) using IE8 with win 7

in Vista I can't post at (WC) using IE FF or Opera , i have to use Chrome to post..

....... Don't forget to do Windows Updates ........ loaded a few drivers

i needed ...also it just found and loaded the drivers for the HP printer

but not the lexmark ... so all hardware working with windows drivers

that windows loaded except the one printer - that's a good thing!!
.... more to follow . Az

Wizard1956

on Jan 11, 2009

I suppose by the time Windows7 SP1 comes out,this HP will be an antique.If it (7) comes on my next PC,I'll go with it as long as all my software can be run on it.Until then I'm happy with Vista. Besides,it's getting harder for this old dog to keep learning new tricks.

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