Getting a new computer. Should I install Windows 7?

harpua · 17 Jul 2009

hyper7 said:

What sense does it make to install a primary OS that'll only last 120 days?
. . .

Cause before then the real final RTM will be available with ability to purchase legal key. Activating one of these RTM builds that are currently available with a legal key will cause it to never expire. Also, it's a simple matter to upgrade install from current RTM build to the real thing. Upgrade installs with W7 work better than with previous OS's, ime, (at least going from W7 to another build of W7), so conventional wisdom about clean installs may not be so applicable. However, each to their own on that.

Regarding the other post re security issues & possible malware in leaked builds etc., thank you for pointing that out. Didn't really occur to me cause I feel pretty confident in my ability to detect the presence of malware, so that is not a big concern to me. But obviously, each person should do whatever they are comfortable with wrt security concerns.

Fizban · 17 Jul 2009

wkgbn said:

yes! do exactly what pparks1 suggested.

Doing the same thing with Build 7600 is far more sensible. Build 7600 is far closer to RTM than 7100 was.

usasma · 18 Jul 2009

If you want to use your computer, you'll need to install an OS.
This all depends upon your plans for the future.

If you don't want to reinstall/upgrade, then you're stuck with what you install now.
If you install the RC (or other builds), you'll be forced into a reinstall/upgrade when the RC expires.

FWIW - I don't recommend upgrades to anyone. They not only import any existing problems, but may also expose the OS to other compatibility issues that didn't arise with the previous OS.

If it were me, I'd install the RC and save all my data to an external drive (you can make these adjustments occur automatically - and can even just add your external drive to your library). Then, when Win7 goes GA, you'll be able to wipe the system, perform a clean install, and then connect your external drive to your library in the new OS.

yadielfeliciano · 18 Jul 2009

Yes install windows 7 :P

gurm42 · 19 Jul 2009

pparks1 said:

Well for me, I use the RC1 release because that is what Microsoft officially provided. I simply don't trust these leaked releases to be free and clear of malware and or other unwanted bits. Even with publishes hashes...I don't trust 'em. How do I know that these hashes aren't for compromised versions and people just haven't discovered the small backdoor that might be there.

Wow. The MS FUD campaign has REALLY gotten to you, hasn't it?

I'm spectacularly impressed. You, sir, are the target audience for marketing.

pparks1 · 19 Jul 2009

gurm42 said:

Wow. The MS FUD campaign has REALLY gotten to you, hasn't it?

I'm spectacularly impressed. You, sir, are the target audience for marketing.

No, I'm a systems admin and have been for about 10 years. I've personally seen leaked OS's like this wreak havoc on a box. Sure, it's probably rare and most people probably get through just fine....however I don't want to be in the small minority that do not. I'm very experienced with both Windows and Linux systems and support both for a career.

I just don't have a warm fuzzy feeling by comparing hashes against an ISO without getting those ISO hashes directly from Microsoft. And I don't trust viruses and spyware checkers from finding these things...since at first release these things aren't well known...so why would the malware checkers find it? I honestly just don't think that the average joe thinks through the various reasons why things are freely provided....or potentially leaked in the first place. Can you guarantee that something on your computer is not spying on you or collecting information? If you feel that you can and you can rest at night, I've got no issues with it.

Personally, I just choose to not use leaked releases because I don't trust that they might not be tampered with. I'm not sure why that makes me a fool

HerrKaLeun · 19 Jul 2009

I think whatever you do will require new install in October. They say the 7600 don't need new install... well, you also don't need a new install when coming from vista. You sure should do a new install regardless imo. Especially whne you experiment from now till October you may mess up something and will install anyway.

I'm using RC 7100 and it works fine. If I had to install now, I'd probably try out a newer leak. but either way, it doesn't matter, really. October I will install new anyway.

If you just want to be conservative, take the RC 7100, if you are more adventurous, take a 7600. Since your question was if you should install W7, definitely yes. My W7 RC 71000 works better than my vista with SP1 on the same PC. Once you worked with the pin-able taskbar you never want to go back.

Some of the software you are using probably needs some updatingg, drivers etc. So now would be agood time to experiment and get all updates. I took the chance to renew my software and found much can be done with free tools. Don't overload the system with unneeded software. here is a little summary of what you should do and install (obvioulsy you can do whatever you want

My mainboard had some W7 drivers already on the Gigabyte website. I didn't install any of the other drivers and it still works. You don't always needs the board drivers, W7 is smart enough. Better no driver than one that is not W7 compatible. Obviously over time that problem will go away.

rin · 19 Jul 2009

Yes. Since your hardware is new, you probably won't face any compatibility issues at all

gurm42 · 20 Jul 2009

pparks1 said:

No, I'm a systems admin and have been for about 10 years. I've personally seen leaked OS's like this wreak havoc on a box. Sure, it's probably rare and most people probably get through just fine....however I don't want to be in the small minority that do not. I'm very experienced with both Windows and Linux systems and support both for a career.

...

Personally, I just choose to not use leaked releases because I don't trust that they might not be tampered with. I'm not sure why that makes me a fool

I simply haven't seen one that has been "tampered with" in this fashion. I think it would take an EXTREMELY skilled individual to:

1. Unpack an ISO.
2. Screw up the binaries in such a way as to hurt your machine.
3. Make it undetectable to the MYRIAD of individuals who ARE comparing hashes to prior versions, checking versions of setup.exe, and test-installing.
4. Repack the ISO.
5. Deploy into the wild.

And for what purpose? We all install this on fresh machines (well, most of us). I put it on a fresh machine, and then verify that everything is kosher once it's up and running. What danger does such a hacker present to me? And what's in it for them?

Nothing. That's what.

Add to that the fact that we've seen ZERO "tampered-with" leaks of Windows 7. We've seen every leak since it went beta here, and none of them were "tampered with" or were "malware-riddled".

It's FUD.

Do I put these OS"es on production machines at work? Hell no. But on my personal workstation? Sure, after I test it in a clean environment. VMWare FTW!

Konceptz804 · 20 Jul 2009

go for it, you will not regret it. Build 7600 that is out now is so far the best windows OS i've ever used.