Windows 7 Beta

[milomak]

Drivers?

i'm running it on a HP laptop that came with Vista Home Basic. Tried to install the latest drivers from the HP site for the video and they bombed. But then those drivers are not even listed as working with Vista Ultimate and the beta version is Ultimate. So I suspect that's the main issue.

 

[Lino]

Yes, Microsoft indicated that Windows 7 will still use the Vista kernel. So it will not be a completely *new* 'operating system' in the true sense. However, I do expect a major improvement in user experience. Vista with lipstick?

It uses Server 2008's kernel system. Or Vista Sp1.

Anyone know where I can get Windows 7 from

 

[headsore]

Yes, Microsoft indicated that Windows 7 will still use the Vista kernel. So it will not be a completely *new* 'operating system' in the true sense. However, I do expect a major improvement in user experience. Vista with lipstick?

If it is running on the vista kernel that surely it can't be much of a security or stability upgrade?

 

[Lino]

If it is running on the vista kernel that surely it can't be much of a security or stability upgrade?

Vista kernel pre SP1 was 6000. Full of stablity and reliablity flaws. However 6001 which is Sp1 and Server 2008. Is stable and reliable.

Remember a lot of Vista's problem is that it just had too much stuff added to it, was not optimized sort all that out and it would be fine.

Talking about Windows 7, its kernel version is also 6001 same as Server 2008's.

 

[milomak]

For my Linux brethren - as one would expect, MS continues to assume that you only have a MS OS installed on your computer and therefore WILL overwrite your MBR. Thankfully after reinstalling Grub on your computer adding an entry similar to the below will give you access to Win7 from Grub

title Win7
root (hd0,1)
makeactive
chainloader +1

Interestingly when you install Win7 it also creates a system partition (200MB). I had feared this would cause problems. When you do your Grub entry make sure to point to this partition instead of the one Win7 will install to.

 

[milomak]

Milomak: Don't you want to give that hack I posted earlier a try and let us kow how well the new features work on the PDC build? Thanks
This is what should be wrong with them though: http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=587

Aero Shake is quite interesting. And useful. On a laptop it probably will start to hurt the tip of the finger you use for the touchpad. You don't have to be to vigourous to get it working. But it's not a slight movement.

The new taskbar will be good. obviously it's highly limited now as the article states. But I can say it will be a useful feature.

This Win7 feels like I could actually use it as my Windows OS if I was that way inclined.

 

[Jonny Two Shoes]

Everything MS wise seems to be going the Vista look route now :/

Server 2008 looks like Vista 100%. I don't really like it at all...control panel and network properties pages are disgusting

 

[d0b33]

I just need Windows to run my games, lost interest in Windows a year ago. When I get Windows 7 I'll probably like it for a few days then get bored and go back to my linux install and snow leopard macbook, now that gets me excited.

 

[milomak]

It seems it doesn't wake up well on my notebook when I close the lid and it suspends to RAM. The wireless connection becomes an issue from then on in.

 

[Elev8r]

Latest Build: 6933... hasn't leaked as far as i know, but you can modify the leaked 6801 build to have that "SuperBar" thing....

 

[headsore]

Silly question maybe, but how does it "leak"? I mean surely on projects like Windows they will have the tightest security in place to ensure no one can access it in any way?

 

[milomak]

Well tightest security never means that it can't be breached. After all humans create the security. So it stands to reason humans can break the security. Or it may be a case of an intentional leak so to say.

 

[Ekhaatvensters]

Silly question maybe, but how does it "leak"? I mean surely on projects like Windows they will have the tightest security in place to ensure no one can access it in any way?

This build was given out at PDC (a developer conference) so it was expected to leak. The latest internals builds have not leaked at all unfortunately.

 

[headsore]

Thanks for that. I just never understood it. I mean to actually get a copy of windows during its development must take some serious effort.

 

[Ekhaatvensters]

Thanks for that. I just never understood it. I mean to actually get a copy of windows during its development must take some serious effort.

I don't think the copies are ever stolen or "hacked", they simply leak from early testers and people involved, if at all.

 

[milomak]

Interesting thing I noticed with the new taskbar. When using Explorer and you are copying, the icon on the taskbar fills across as the copying progresses. Small aesthetic touch that is quite useful.