New
#1
Keep connected to internet during installation!
Many of the failed in-place Upgrades we are reading about here daily might have a better chance if the installer had stayed connected to the internet during installation. This is just as true for Custom installs, even from booted DVD.
It's best to plug an ethernet cable to be sure you stay connected, although the driver for your LAN should hold on (even after a format) if it is detected and downloads initial updates when you choose "Connect to the internet during installation" in the earliest stages of installation.
This seamless connnection to MS servers during installation, then via Windows Updates for real time driver and other Updates, is designed to take advantage of the fact that MS has almost all of the Windows 7 drivers from every manufacturer to begin with.
Thanks to Windows Hardware Quality Labs, the partnership with all manufacturers which MS funded to build drivers for Win7, MS has the drivers up front this time, since they paid the bill. They also used that funding power to convince manufacturers not to hold out on Win7 drivers for hardware that is compatible, as happened with Vista, and to have them ready as close to Oct. 22 as possible.
MS really learned the lessons of Vista well, and Win7 is the proof.
Last edited by gregrocker; 06 Dec 2009 at 02:29.