I've been using Win 7 beta for a few weeks and can confirm that it appears to use less memory and CPU resources than Vista. It is also better at balancing the load between two processsor cores.

The user interface is different and IMO a lot better than Vista but the beta version does not let you go back to the classic UI so you may be stuck with the new one.

The stability of the beta version seems very good so the final should be even better. Microsoft have said that the beta version will expire in July and that there will be an RC1 version before the final release. Whilst they have been carefull not to comit to or even mention a release date, they are are giving people the hope that it will be released Oct or Nov 2009.

Regardless of OS, if your buying a new computer get one with an Intel I7 processor. These are expensive and thin on the ground at the moment but should be mainstream in the summer.

many thanks guys , can I keep this machine running until xmas? don,t know

whats good about the intel 17 processor Optimist?

Doc

MD

The i7 is Intels latest processor. It represents a bigger leap than normal in processor power. Knocks spots off anything Intel or anyone else has made before.

Has anybody here got experience of writing DLL files in C++ please, as I'd like to ask a few questions?

Hiltops: why, you little hacker, you. I'll check with my engineers.

Any suggestions for getting remote access to my home PC. I understant that you need XP Professional to use remote access but I dont think I have that version. On my laptop I have Vista home. Are the choices gotomypc or logmein, or are there better programs out there. If I have XP pro on my home PC should I use that.

maddoctor (and other Windows victims):

Consider buying a new Vista-loaded machine that offers an XP downgrade (like Lenovo). That's my current plan to replace my three year-old ThinkPad. They send you the XP Prof CDs as well.

You get a Vista box, but it comes with an XP Professional "downgrade" so you can "upgrade" to Vista later when, er, your IT department is ready. You can see where they're coming from. "Dear Microsoft, you're driving all your hardware partners into bankruptcy because their customers won't buy a new machine if they can only have Vista. Please change your "No XP No More" policy now or we're all f*cked", Or something like that.

Jeffmack

XP Pro, Vista Business and Ultimate all have Remote Desktop that will alow you to work on the remote computer almost as if it were the local machine. If you only have the Home edition you could try installing a free VNC server such as TightVNC which is not as good to use but is easier to secure.

In both cases, you would have to allow the connection through your firewall which can be a security risk and with Remote Desktop you need to seure the connection.

I understand that GotomyPC and Logmein both use an https connection so is easier to let through the firewall but you need to satisfy yourself that they are secure enough fo you.

I do not have any incoming holes in my firewall and would not install GotomyPC or Logmein on my machines. Instead I use Remote nDesktop over a VPN connection, but that requires even more work on your router and possibly a new one.

Thanks DelBoy, although I was actually looking to put a stronger padlock on the Crown Jewels rather than nick them.

:o)

Hiltops, "hacker", used properly, is an honourable term meaning someone that's good at getting stuff to work. Mail on way etc.

Jeffmack - I've used Logmein Pro (https 256-bit encryption for what it's worth) for almost a year to control my computers in Korea and transfer files back and forth. As Optomist implies - it's a tradeoff as far as security is concerned; the more theoretically secure a remote desktop solution is, the more likely it is to be a pain in the arse to set up, especially for less technical users.

Logmein worked well for a few months, but since then it's frequently dropped connections during sessions, rendering it barely usable. I've talked to their technical people - a plus point is they have good customer service in my experience - but they couldn't get to the bottom of the problem. The distances are large so it might be a factor. Logmein uses a Firefox plugin, Java or IE ActiveX to work. The plugin was relatively fast. When I tested GotomyPC, which I believe just used Java at the time, it was painfully slow and I thought it was very poor. I have a 100 megabit connection in Korea but some poor lag times across the Pacific to GotomyPC's US servers, it could be better from the UK.

Only meee..........again!

Comp.back with me,far too long a story but fixed now.....except!

After the powers that be accepting the 25 bit activation code and re-booting a number of times it's finally come back with something like:

"Since Windows was first activated on this computer,the hardware on this computer has changed significantly....................must be reactivated within three days"

The original comp.that the OS was in failed beyond repair so this new one he or ME is building is obviously a bit different-lol

It was a Medion comp.that came with a XP Home edition CD which has loaded up fine.It won't now accept the original 25 bit activation code but there is a phone number to reactivate via this route! What are my chances and is there anything I can say to swing it?-lol

Cheers in advance

I've had that problem in the distant past. That time I ended up speaking to a real person. I explained that I had replaced the motherboard and hard disk and after a few questions they activated it. They were most concerned that I has in possesion of the original stickon Key.

More recently, I had to phone the number and everything was automatic. Make sure you use a phone with a seperate keypad and speaker there are a lot of keys to press..

If you were using Vista then you would not be allowed to transfer an OEM key.

yep sorted before I saw your post,Opti but your post is much appreciated,cheers.

and yes it's automated,worn out now-lol

Part of the problem was the original HD had Vista on but he wanted XP back but hadn't formated HD from original MB so the OS was rather confused seeing a new MB! Anyway,all up and running now............thank god-lol

Optimist , I see dell are offering the i7

don,t help - until Vista/windows 7 situation resolved

MD

The problem with any i7 machine at the moment is that you will probably pay double the price for only a 50% increase in performance but that will change when it becomes mainstream.

My guess is that Vista will run very well on the i7 although Windows 7 will be better and they won't be giving free upgrades for systems bought now.

Re post 7722.

Just thought I'd update............

Computer back with me now,grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

The PS shot up to 16V on the 12V rail-lolz

The only visible sign apart from looking at voltages was the DVD drive didn't work,well lights up and opens but that's it.Working ok now with new PS.

A brand new Corsair HX620W PS now busted!

So,new PS now in along with new 320GB HD.........no hope of me building a new comp.up this year now :-(

Anyway,made the Primary partition 80GB with the rest as an Extended partition-any thoughts as in right or wrong way of doing it? Cheers

I've never been able to see the advantage of partitioning a hard drive.

There is no reliability advantage, as a physical failiure will effect both partitions and there will be a theoretical performance hit. Also, there are plenty of badly written programs that will insist in useing at least some of the C: drive, plus the fact that every program uses registry settings on C.

Use a partition manager to get rid of the 2nd partition.

The theory about partioning was that if you make the C drive as small as possible it will make Windows & other C based programs run faster as there is less disk to search. With mega fast CPU's now & better hard drive pick ups, partioning has become a thing of the past. On old machines it's still an advantage, imo.