Free Computer Consultant ………. Daily Insights

The debate is over on whether Windows 7 is good, bad or ugly. It has to be good, we have no other choice. Windows XP is long in the tooth and its owner seems intent on killing it. Vista needs to be put behind like another bad dream, Windows ME (and “Bob”, remember?).

So when you buy a new PC, the only thing that should really keep you from getting it loaded with Windows 7 is software you HAVE to have; very few people, percentage wise, need a device that has no support in W7.

And if your software will not run on Windows 7, then think again about what vendor you buy your software from and why.

I have clients who, in the past were victims of software that held them back; turned out it was just the vendor trying intentionally to hold us back for their own profit. It cost my client thousands of dollars before I finally “forced” the vendors hand.

Configuring a new PC for Windows 7

The key items to keep in mind for Windows 7 hardware are these:

1. RAM (memory): Windows has always been a hog, but finally, if you go 64 bit Windows 7, you can use more than 4GB, or more than 3 GB which is what many PC’s have been limited to with previous versions of Windows. I recommend buying 4 GB RAM even with 32 bit Windows, even if you can only use 3 GB. As Adrian Monk would say, “You’ll thank me later”.
2. Video: Don’t skimp on video. One of the benefits to Windows 7 is the way it looks. Onboard video is not the answer,  I would get a 512 video card if the budget allows. Many corporate customers may feel 256 is adequate. Know your monitors, though, there are VGA, DVI and now DP (DataPort) monitor connections; adapters can be expensive and clunky.
3. Hard drive: Nothing less than 7200 rpm, not even in a laptop. 10,000 rpm SATA are out here, and if you want the best, go for SAS 10,000 rpm – but SAS will really up the price point, and likely increase cold boot times.
4. CPU: Multiple Cores. The Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0 Ghz from Intel is my “base” purchase. Windows 7 finally knows how to use cores, especially with 64 bit. Quad Core, i7 are better but pricier. If you go Quad Core, 2.66 Ghz should be the minimum.
5. Optical Drive: DVD +/-RW is both the minimum and the norm, Blue Ray for entertainment.
6. Floppy Drive: Laugh away, make sure that for $9 more you don’t wish you had one later. If it’s a server, think drivers, bios updates and support later. Dell Support will thank you if you have a floppy on the server you are working on together.
7. Power Supply: If a better one is offered as an option, you are typically better off taking it.

Dell Configuration

Here is the basic workstation I am ordering from Dell:

Dell Small Business has some aggressive pricing now through the end of the month; the machine above is available in the low $900’s.

I would use the above link even for a home PC; Dell Small Business has better offerings in my opinion.

Time for many of us to start considering our Windows 7 upgrade options.

Here is a short video I just posted:

Like it or not, Windows 7 is on the way; released to manufacturing and in stores and on new PC’s within a couple of months.

How do you know which Windows 7 version is right for you?

Hopefully this video will help:

Check out the Windows 7 offerings at Amazon

For those of you who can’t wait for Windows 7 and intend to upgrade as soon as you can, why not save 50% on Windows 7 upgrade?

You can preorder the Windows 7 upgrade right now and save 50% at least, then you will be among the first to get it.

Windows 7 seems to have fixed the annoying aspects of Windows Vista. Some are calling it Service Pack 3 for Vista, only you don’t get this service pack for free.

Windows7 Home Premium Upgrade

Windows7 Professional Upgrade

This is a limited time offer, through July 11, 2009 or while supplies last.

Note: This is an upgrade on the Windows “license” – meaning you currentlyl own Windows 2000, XP or Vista; you can still do a clean install of Windows 7 if you buy the upgrade. In fact, there are several ways to install Windows 7 which I hope to cover in future posts.

Windows has been available in a 64 bit edition for some time. Windows XP 64 was probably the first one that anyone really considered to work.

The problem is usually getting drivers to work – video and printer drivers among the most memorable.

64 bit computing, though, really was of benefit to too many people; usually just engineers, graphic artists and others with high end workstations.

But the question comes up again with Windows 7 – do I get the 64 bit version or stick with the standard 32 bit version.

Well, since I hate reinventing the wheel, I’ll point you to this article on 64 bit versus 32 bit Windows checklist.

But I will repeat the summary (with my commentary), since I have said essentially the same things over time – in a condensed version:

* A 64-bit OS version provides more advantages than disadvantages, mostly support for 3+ GB of memory, in the light of cheap 8 GB memory kits. – I’m not sure I totally back this statement, if you don’t NEED 64 bit computing and more than 3GB RAM, then for now, what will you gain?
* 64-bit systems don’t perform significantly different than 32-bit systems with the exception of very few applications in the high end. EXACTLY! Don’t get 64 bit Windows 7 just for the sake of having 64 bit.
* The driver situation has been rather good in the last few months, but it may still happen that you don’t find a 64-bit driver for some of your hardware. If you buy the computer with 64 bit Windows installed at least you know that the components in the box will work. (Your printer may be another story, and scanner? fuhgedaboudit)
* Driver support for notebooks may still be tricky; check carefully (or just stick with 32 bit and know it will work)
* There is nothing wrong with 32-bit Windows either, if you can live with the fact that the switch to 64-bit will require a complete reinstall. Reinstallation is always better than any kind of Windows upgrade, IMHO!
* Any system with an OS partition of 2+ TB will require a platform using EFI instead of a conventional BIOS to boot into the operating system. Boy, I would hope that if you install 2+ Terabytes in a machine that it would be new enough to use EFI technology. Always caution yourself about putting too much money into an old PC.

In Summary:

If you can get the computer, laptop, notebook preinstalled with Windows 7 64 bit you can be assured that the PC will work. Check for drivers, though, on any peripheral you really need, and maybe even be willing to replace it with a newer one that comes with a 64 bit driver.

Further, memory is cheaper than it used to be, and it won’t be long before 4GB even 8GB is the new standard with a new computer purchase. 64 bit Windows 7 will make sure that you get to use it all.

You don’t need to wait for Windows 7 to discard MSConfig for Windows startup tuning and application control.

Download Autoruns from the Microsoft Technet site now and use it instead. Autoruns is a vast improvement over MSConfig with about 3 times the number of information tabs and better viewing of the information.

Autoruns is also more valuable for hunting down malware since you can simply right click an entry and search the web for information on exactly what the program is and does.

Do be careful before deleting, though, and I always like to have a current backup of the system registry before making changes like this.

Windows Registry Backup and Restore

How a System State Backup can Save your computer

The How-To Geek had this advice and on how to transform your Windows XP computer desktop to look more like Windows Vista or the new Windows 7.

Great advice, neat article, looks easy enough.

But please note the asterisks under the first image “Editor Note:  Major modifications like these should be attempted with caution because it can create instability in XP.”

As I mentioned in a forum post this week to someone who was using Windows 7 RC-1 on a netbook: gorgeous interface doesn’t impress me near as much as reliability.

If you really want that new updated look and feel, I suggest you wait until year end and buy a Windows 7 upgrade.

I (and my clients) need our computers to work, not just look pretty.

Many people are asking about whether their PC can run Windows 7. The only reason I can think of to be anxious for Windows 7 is if you are unfortunate enough to be running Windows Vista now.

In general, if your PC can run Windows Vista, it can run Windows 7. But if you’re not running Windows Vista, or are just not sure if your system is ready to run Windows 7, there’s a quick way to do a simple check.

Download, install, and run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor Beta.

This is a beta, not perfect, but supposed to be pretty good.

Windows 7 is supposed to be a much improved version of Windows Vista.

The same rules apply here as with any other computer hardware or software purchase:

“If it works, don’t fix it”.

If you are running Windows XP and all is good, wait until it isn’t before you run out and worry about getting Windows 7. If it’s any good, it will still be there when you’re ready for it.

The free upgrade to Windows 7 begins June 26, 2009 and will reportedly last until January 31, 2010.

The free upgrade will apply even if you get the (recommended) XP downgrade since you are actually buying a Vista license. Microsoft has not yet announced when Windows 7 will be released, but the free upgrade dates do give us some clue.

So if you are considering a purchase including a copy of Vista and optionally the XP downgrade, maybe you can delay until after June 26th and actually acquire a Windows license that might be worth having!

Windows XP users will need to do a clean install to migrate to Windows 7, but that’s best in my mind anyway. Vista users will be able to do an in place upgrade. XP users will, however, be able to use the Windows Easy Transfer from the Windows 7 installation disc. This utility will help users save files and some Windows settings to an external drive or flash drive.