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Well I heard that they were giving away this public beta release of Windows 7, the other day. So I figured I would try it.  What I forgot is that I am in Africa where the internet is slow and the electricity does not work half the time. So it took me 3 whole days to download the 2.5gb iso file. Chico!!

So I finally get it. I burn the disc. OK . So I opt for the upgrade. I works up until about 75%, then I get the BSOD. And it will not recover.

By the way I am using a Toshiba Satellite P205 laptop. 1gb RAM. Had Vista Home Premium. Good thing I had backed up all before trying this.

Anyway I have to do the new install. It works and loads. Looks pretty. Pretty much like vista. Oh well. Some cool new Aero tricks. I am still trying to load software. Here is a list of my hurdles.

First I wish they would include this Windows Live stuff with 7 from the get go. With that big download I had to waste more time downloading Live messenger and this Live writer. Why they dont have all that in there is beyond me. They want you to get it anyway. Just include it and let us get to work.

Then I find out the Anti-virus I was using; Avira Anti-Vir Free. Is not compatible. However AVG is. So now I got to go download that.  Did you know the version 8 is now over 50mb. WOW! So got that setup.

Most of the hardware was compatible, except for the built-in card reader. The good thing was that the “Action Center” actually told me there was a problem and looked for a solution, It took me directly to the TI website to the correct driver that was missing. So that was good.

Also was able to see a DVD in windows media player. However you cannot make the mini WM player on the taskbar like you used too, or maybe I am missing something?

The other thing was that Skype keeps saying it is not compatible with W7 as well. Hmm but I loaded it anyway and it works. Go figure.

I also use Juice Podcast receiver and it loaded and sees all my list to download, but is not downloading. I will see if I have to download a new version of that.

Also some of my docs from my Office 2003, were not able to be read, but not sure if it had something to do with the office update or with W7.

Other than that W7, just really seems like a prettier version of Vista. For me it is actually slower. So, so far I am not too convinced that it is really worth it, yet. I will try it until it crashes a few times. Yes, I think it will crash what OS hasn’t? Then see. I think I am going to try to put XP on this machine then.

For my next update I will see how the printers install and if my video capture device works too.

If anyone has any comments or suggestions let me know. Thanks.

Many are buying new PC just to realize they have to mess with that mess they call Vista. Yet there are those new little netbooks that have XP, why can’t we. I hope Windows 7 is really better than Visita.

FAQ: Giving up on Vista? Here's how to downgrade to XP

In this article I found we see the ms is realizing the XP still has a little more shelf life.
Have they not learned yet?

http://windowssecrets.com/2009/01/08/02-XP-deadline-extended-toward-launch-of-Windows-7

Hey XP fans, more good news about XP. I hope MS gets the message that people still want and love XP over Vista. Even though technology is changing, and Vista may be more "modern", people are still gonna want to put thier money in things that are tried and true. Things they know will work when you need it too. Even though XP had some problems in the begining, it works now and is reliable. People want to use what they know will work. Not just something that is new and pretty. Get your XP while you still can.

Windows XP gets another stay of execution

Not sure if I want an E-machine, even though it is now, I think made by Acer.
However it looks like a good deal. Better if it could run XP. Anybody know?

eMachines announces $429 laptop - TechSpot News