Windows 7 - What Do You Guys Think Of It?

[Mayuri Krab]

Not so with Windows 7. There is now no 4GB Ram limit in 32bit OS. So you can run as much as you like. Have a machine at work utilising 24GB of RAM on 32bit 7 OS.

But how does it do that though? My understanding of the 4gig cap was that it was a physical memory address limitation of 32bit OS...

Does 7 uses some kind of fancy coding tricks to get around this memory address limitation?

On topic: Had 7 RC installed for a couple of month now, no problems with it.

I was surprised that It managed to find all of the drivers for my ASUS laptop (minus the TV tuner & in modem drivers) using its auto update feature, so I didn't have to go search on the net myself for them.

Also just got Windows 7-tan Nanami Madobe theme installed from the Japanese win 7. I'm complete sold now.

[BeEnAr]

Sorry I was a bit quick to state it can use more than 4GB of ram. Windows limits it to 4GB but if you patch the kernel you can get it to read more. However, the 4GB limit has been lifted for Ready boost.

The 4GB limit of 32bit Windows is a bit archaic IMO. It is to do with driver support and the intel and AMD architechture. There are other 32bit OS that can handle more than 4GB happily unfortunately to get Windows to, you need to "play" with it a little.

Will update the running of the 512mb box once it's completely finished.

[KR4-GTR]

i thought that since vista service pack 1, 32 bit windows will now read that there is 4gb+ of ram or however much is installed, however - as per the limitations of a 32 bit operating system, it can only and will only use a percentage of the installed ram?

i remember reading that the feature was added due to people installing more than 4 gb and raising alot of questions as to why it was only reading as 3gb or 3.2gb - etc. so it now gives you a spill of how much is actually in there and thats it.

Edited November 7, 2009 by KR4-GTR

[cmyr32]

I am so pissed.

I installed Windows 7 ultimate (64 bit) on my laptop tonight.

The simplicity has disappeared. The small things (for one - the quick launch bar) are gone and ive got the CPU and RAM meters up and it still appears to be just as power hungry as vista, even a clean install (with no other programs) on idle is using 27% of my 4GB ram. Although you can work around some of these missing features and add them with a bit of code, would the standard user know how to do this?

The standard tasks i knew how to do before have now all changed - i.e. - organising my items in the start menu. I dont want to have to re learn shit - I can see the whole change of numerous processes and procedures pissing alot of people off. Its not 'better' its all just 'different', not user friendly.

The bug count is f**ked. Even Windows Live Messenger doesnt work properly - and its a microsoft program. It opens the program in 2 seperate windows you have to run it in compatibility mode for Vista to get it to work. You'd think it would be someones job to test this shit!

I know some initial teething issues are expected with the release of a new OS, but I was expecting a great operating system after microsofts last vista disappointment, and things are not looking bright.

Anyway, looks like im heading back into the vista waters tomorrow anyway as it wont even let me install my sound and modem drivers just because they are not digitally signed. Microsoft wont even let me choose which drivers i want to install now.. whats next? I bet in their next service pack they'll remove functionality to be able to type the word 'Apple' or any word starting with 'i' on a PC.

I've spent 3 hours trying to make this right and talking shit to myself saying its better than vista, but im only lying to myself. What a f**king failure of an operating system.

Just a rant at 2am.

What do you guys think of it?

I can see what the replies to this thread will be. So i'll say it now - no, im not going to get a mac!

Im just waiting for it to install now actually, be interesting to see what its like. And ive only just gotten used to Vista, dam technoloedgy changes over night!

[Broke-as]

I like it, didnt at first like most of you but you will soon learn to love it too. Since when has simplicity been such a bad thing? The specifics are still there, you just have to know where to look.

[Kujotk]

ya i never thought i'd be able to part with XP, but this 7 is very easy to use after a few hours of playing around with it, tasks can get done alittle faster mainly because multi[ple programs get organised easier, and ilove the preview thing when you roll tha mouse over the tabs at the bottom, shows you what windows are open, a big time saver, and makes eevrything feel more organised.

Only thing i can fault is i had an issue with trying to install Left 4 Dead (original game) on windows 7 64bit version and it couldnt be done, it wouldnt accept the disk, so i took it back to JB HI FI and got store credit on the game, then went to steam and got L4D2 for the same price as L4D in the shops here in OZ because of the USD conversion rate. thank you rising AUD.

[DivHunter]

i thought that since vista service pack 1, 32 bit windows will now read that there is 4gb+ of ram or however much is installed, however - as per the limitations of a 32 bit operating system, it can only and will only use a percentage of the installed ram?

i remember reading that the feature was added due to people installing more than 4 gb and raising alot of questions as to why it was only reading as 3gb or 3.2gb - etc. so it now gives you a spill of how much is actually in there and thats it.

Limitation of consumer 32bit OS, you can hack Win7 32 to run over 3GB.

[KR4-GTR]

im running windows 7 64 bit on 3 computers - have noticed that 2 of them are only running at 3GB ram, and the other is running at 3.5

weird stuff!?

[Mayuri Krab]

Just got windows 7 ultimate 64bit installed on my newly bought 64Gb SSD, the loading times have all disappeared

[NateR31]

im running windows 7 64 bit on 3 computers - have noticed that 2 of them are only running at 3GB ram, and the other is running at 3.5

weird stuff!?

so all the computers have onboard video cards? if not windows will reserve ram to use for video memory

[KR4-GTR]

so all the computers have onboard video cards? if not windows will reserve ram to use for video memory

hey my 2 desktops both have dedicated 512 mb ati graphics cards i have installed, and they both still read as only 3gb and 3.5gb of ram, instead of 4gb!

both of my laptops are both at 3gb aswell, should be 4gb - i know that a portion should be reserved for video - but 1gb!?

any advice would be appreciated

cheers!

[NateR31]

hey my 2 desktops both have dedicated 512 mb ati graphics cards i have installed, and they both still read as only 3gb and 3.5gb of ram, instead of 4gb!

both of my laptops are both at 3gb aswell, should be 4gb - i know that a portion should be reserved for video - but 1gb!?

any advice would be appreciated

cheers!

i can only suggest you try updating the mobo;s bios

Try this, i havnt tried it so i dont know if it will work or not.

http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/2009/0...han-4gb-memory/

or, install 64bit, its better anyway.

[KR4-GTR]

thanks dude, i'll take a deep look into it later on and post results

last updated my bios around 6 months ago, maybe there is a new version, will check!

[atomaly]

64 bit windows 7 RC. havent had any issues whatsoever. even got my usb audio device working on it. and they're renowned for NOT working with vista or 7.

will upgrade to my free copy i got sent to me when i can be bothered formatting! 7 > Vista && XP.

will be upgrading at work soon.. the problem with 7 is that there is no built in support for developing in VB6. (i work on alot of legacy programs) so i will be using VMWare with a XP virtual HDD. should be fine only issue i had was that i liked coding with dual screens and i couldnt get a virtual PC to span. so u have to remote desktop to the virtual PC and then span the screens. yay

I really dislike being on Vista at work when i'm on 7 at home though!!! :|

thats my 5 cents / 2$

[910trx]

well got my pc workign again thanks to my pc guy

asked him what i can do to get it much faster with the hardware i got

windows 7 he said

then you can run a 64 bit system as opposed you your 32bit

and run 8gb of ram i said

yes he said

i bounded back home like a child with a lollypop

got the pc started up and said my respectfull goodbyes to XP

inserted disk, restarted, formatted, reinstalled 7

started first go super quick - just like vista but the mrs had vista on her laptop - so not so foreign to me

Update? yes please - clicky clicky - must restart

sure restart 7 you are so awesome

restart - background and no icons or taskbar - just blank screen

hmmm i'll leave you to think 7

come back 30 mins later and no go...

no more working 7....

reinstall

same as before but this time i sought ati drivers and catylist and loaded them on - beep

7 restarts in safemode

restart after

no icons...

uninstall 7 and reinstall after format

update? yes!

restart - no icons

the ONLY way to get it working again is to load on XP

^^^^ i did this for 2 days solid over a weekend and had enough

i'll try in a few months and hope one of the auto "updates" fixes this problem

so far i think 7 is shit...

[DivHunter]

Windows 7 thinks you're shit.

[910trx]

Windows 7 thinks you're shit.

well you buy any product and have the expectation that it will work the first time.

sending windows 7 flowers to try to try and get on its good side

[KR4-GTR]

[DivHunter]

well you buy any product and have the expectation that it will work the first time.

sending windows 7 flowers to try to try and get on its good side

Beta - worked first time

RC - worked first time

Release - worked first time

Intel/AMD

nVidia/ATi

Didn't matter.

That's obviously not me.

He's wearing underpants.

[KR4-GTR]

hahahahah