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Windows 7 (a startup review)

Dargo

Dargo

Like a bad penny...
Um, let's say I know this guy who has had a new computer system sitting in his office since a power surge destroyed his old one a while back. He's been getting along on a crippled machine but between just plain procrastination and wondering how Windows 7 would be, never installed any OS on the new computer yet. Now, after getting tired I, um, he decided to go ahead and install Windows 7 on the new computer system.

All goes well and he installs all of his business programs he needs on his new computer and copies the data over. It works. Cool! Now he decides to go ahead and make the big jump and move everything over to this new system and use Windows fancy program that copies all the stuff from one computer to another. You know, that way he doesn't have to wonder where all the emails are stored etc. Then, after it takes 21 hours to make the backup/transfer file, the computers inform him that his "old" system was running a 64 bit of Vista and he installed a 32 bit of Windows 7 on the new computer; not noticing that there was a 2nd disc that didn't say "disc 2" like he figured it would, but rather Windows 7 64 bit. :hammer: The fancy transfer program and the very helpful (not) people at Windows support say "can't do it". :sad:

So, after some choice words, the guy wipes out the new computer and starts fresh installing Windows 7 64 bit. Now that you have a background of the situation, can anyone tell me any real world differences between a 32 bit OS and a 64 bit OS? Is the 64 bit OS faster/more secure/smoother running etc? I hope there is some advantage of having a 64 bit OS over a 32 bit OS. This is my, um, his first time running into a program that isn't compatible between the two standards. Please tell me that there is some sort of advantage to 64 bit over 32 bit...:sad:
 
Re: Difference between a 32 bit Windows OS and 64 bit Windows OS?

The 64bit version allows you to use more than 4GB (~3.5 actually) RAM. You will use a little more drive space for the 64bit app files. Otherwise, I haven't noticed a difference.

I think the key is that you can go from 32bit to 64bit but not the other way.

It is nice to have 12GB of RAM available. I run a lot of Virtual Machines, and typically run two copies of Win 7 at the same time.
 
Re: Difference between a 32 bit Windows OS and 64 bit Windows OS?

One thing I did notice with W 7 64 bit. You cannot run Explorer 64 with Flash Player, which makes it pretty much useless. Solved the problem with Firefox. I understand that IE 32 will work also.

You get a popup stating that Flash Player is working on the problem. Has been working on it at least since October.
 
Re: Difference between a 32 bit Windows OS and 64 bit Windows OS?

Well, this be me furst post ohn Whinders Seben sixteyfoe bit. Iam waitin for the filetransfer thingy to finis on mah udder puter. seys 13 ours lef. :hammer:
 
Re: Difference between a 32 bit Windows OS and 64 bit Windows OS?

I think you forgot to check the activate spell check box, or maybe you should change the language back to English from ebonics
 
Re: Difference between a 32 bit Windows OS and 64 bit Windows OS?

Oh yeah, There is a quirk with the QuickTime player running under 64bit windows too. I'm sure there are some others but I haven't noticed anything that makes me regret running it.
 
Re: Difference between a 32 bit Windows OS and 64 bit Windows OS?

Well, I've gone through about a case of Mello Yello, but I have now reformatted the 4 TB C: drive on the new computer to Winders 7 64 bit, waited the perfunctory 22 hours for my old computer to create the "I'm moving file", and now finally got the 'new' computer to complete the 20 something hour reading and installation of that data; all in 64 bit.

I had to install about every program I use, but it seems that the data was there once I installed it. I haven't had any real chance to try Winders 7 out much, but it seems like a nice upgrade. When looking at the "Performance information and tools" section, it is glaringly obvious that my graphics card is bringing down my system performance. It has the lowest rating by far at a mere 4.9. Any suggestions on a good graphics card that also allows me to plug my cable TV into it? I don't even know where to go now to get a listing of what I have. I know I only have 2 GB memory. Using 64 bit Windows 7, will I see improvement by getting a better video card and more memory?

My goal is to do what I did last time; get a relatively high line system and have it last me 6 or 7 years. I've found when you buy the bargain $500 systems, you're buying systems that are already past their expiration date for usefulness. I think I have some quadcore bla bla processor that has a good front bus etc. I don't see where it's leaking oil, so the bus may not be too bad. Suggestions? Oh, I do have 3 Western Digital RE4 WD2003FYYS 2TB 3.5" Hard Drives inside the case with one external 2 TB drive sitting on top for storage. All of my intranet centers in a purpose built rack and drive area for routers and switches with a networked housing that holds 3 drives that are viewed as 1 5 TB drive for backup for all computers in my home. Each has it's own folder that is password protected etc.

Anyway, I want my desktop up and running as best as it reasonably can and it appears as if the graphics card and lack of memory is the bottleneck. Ideas?
 
Re: Difference between a 32 bit Windows OS and 64 bit Windows OS?

Oh yeah, now when I boot I get the option to boot to my info, Dad, or three other options to boot to "QBDataServiceUser17", "QBDataServiceUser20" and "ASP.NET Machine Account". What are they? Can I delete them? I formatted and wiped my C drive but there may have been some data on the other drives. None is important and is still on my old computer and backed up. Can I delete them? Or, if I do, am I asking for trouble?
 
Re: Difference between a 32 bit Windows OS and 64 bit Windows OS?

Okay, happy time! :flowers:

After I got my versions correct, the Windows transfer program worked like a charm other than taking 2 days (23 hours or so to create file and about 21 hours to import to new system). Of course, you then still have to install all of your programs again, but your data is there and waiting for you.

Maybe I should have titled this "Windows 7" thread. Oh well, I don't know how to change it anyway. However, I'd like to give some advice to people like me who don't know about Windows 7. It is different and, honestly, I think I really like it.

First off, if you use a 64 bit of Windows 7, forget going with just 2 GB of RAM. Your system will run like a slug on sleeping pills. Windows 7 also demands a lot from your video card as well. So, after I got all working yesterday, I went and bought an ATI Radeon HD 5870 Eyefinity graphics card ATI Radeon HD 5870 Eyefinity. I don't know what all the specs mean, but I'm told they are good, here are the specs on the card: ATI 5870 specs.

Unfortunately, even buying that card didn't give me the ability to watch TV or record TV on my computer like I was used to. So, to go with that card, I bought a Hauppauge HVR 2250 tuner card to go with it: Hauppauge 2250. Now I seem to be able to see and record TV like I wanted. :clap:

Finally, Windows 7 in the 64 bit iteration seems to love having a lot of RAM. My single 2GB chip wasn't cutting it. So, based on this geek's advice, I put two 4GB Hynix DDR3 DDR III 1066MHz cards in it, giving me 8GB of RAM. I have no idea how great or poor that RAM is, but between the graphic card upgrade and RAM upgrade, my system now runs pretty quick. I don't know what is the best monitors now, so I just kept my Samsung P2250 monitor. It seems fine. I do have a place on the graphics card to plug in another monitor. Anyone know how that works? I have a spare 19" Samsung SyncMaster monitor I could hook up.

Anyway, so far I like Windows 7 now that I have it up and going.
 
Re: Difference between a 32 bit Windows OS and 64 bit Windows OS?

Dargo said:
Maybe I should have titled this "Windows 7" thread.
Click to expand...
On the top of the thread, pick "Thread Tools".
In the drop-down, click "Edit Thread" and "Perform Action".
Change the title to whatever you want.

For other members, if you want your thread renamed (not others), click on "Report Post" on the first post of the thread and in the text box, let us know that you want it changed and what you want it changed to.
 
Two monitors is the bomb. I have two 24" monitors and would never go back (well not without a tantrum).

I'd recommend buying two identical monitors - I like the symmetry.
 
PBinWA said:
Two monitors is the bomb. I have two 24" monitors and would never go back (well not without a tantrum).

I'd recommend buying two identical monitors - I like the symmetry.
Click to expand...

How's it work? How do you pick what goes on what monitor? I ran the Windows 7 performance index and my lowest number was a 7.1. Is that good?
 
First of all, you can talk to Big Dog about dual monitor setups - he knows his stuff...

About the graphics card, most of the stuff from ATI or NVidia is good...I personally prefer an AMD Processor Paired with an NVidia card for solid performance.

Lastly, I just have to ask why you need 6 TB of storage space?
 
Dargo said:
How's it work? How do you pick what goes on what monitor? I ran the Windows 7 performance index and my lowest number was a 7.1. Is that good?
Click to expand...

You'll be fine with two monitors. I run a lot of Virtual Machines so they usually take up one monitor. Otherwise, it's the hot blond porn on one monitor and the sexy brunette on the other.:biggrin:
 
Reaper497 said:
First of all, you can talk to Big Dog about dual monitor setups - he knows his stuff...

About the graphics card, most of the stuff from ATI or NVidia is good...I personally prefer an AMD Processor Paired with an NVidia card for solid performance.

Lastly, I just have to ask why you need 6 TB of storage space?
Click to expand...

I hadn't bought a graphics card in a while. I recall when 256mb RAM was HUGE on a card. Now this card I have now takes 3 slots; two for the graphics card with processor and it's own power supply for the processor and cooling fan and heat sink and the 3rd slot for the TV tuner. With the card having processing power (single precision): to do 2.72 TeraFLOPS with an engine clock speed: 850 MHz, it sounds like my graphics card has more computing power than my last system. LOL

I only have 6 TB of storage space because I didn't want to stack external units to get more. I have 5 kids and have a few pictures stored as well as video. I also am a music fanatic and spent years transferring all my CD's over at 192kbs. Any lower and I could hear a drop in quality. Any higher and I couldn't tell any difference.
 
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