Windows 7 vs VISTA

[Chip Fossa]

I know Windows 7 is going to be released this year, and this may be a premature question, but I know Wiz and maybe others have been running and checking-out the Beta7 version.

So if anybody has a clue,
will Windows7 have a better SOUND delivery apparatus, than Vista's unforgiving hunk of junk excuse for audio.

For me, it all started back with SB X-fi Audio Extreme Music card. No SB updates worked (for me) with Vista. I wound up splitting the X-fi CD in half (bare-hands). I had had it.
There's many more editions to this audio tragedy, but I'm not going to take up Forum space with it (right now).

But, basically, nothing works exactly right with Vista. I'm using a $30 AudigySE (SB) card now, that said on the box it was Vista OK, but I think not. It's just F*(^%$# aggravating. And those bas*&$#s lied, too. Creative and Wal-Mart!

[Jack Stoner]

Basically, Windows 7 is Vista with "improvements". There are a lot of technical details and items such as it loads faster, has a smaller "footprint" (uses less memory), got rid of the UAC nags, etc.

I also read that there is more "backwards compatibility" than in Vista and XP for some older programs. Microsoft was trying to get away from the backward compatibility but it looks like there is a little in Windows 7 (the report I read said there were about 20 programs that were compatible - the article didn't name the programs).

I don't think Audio has changed, and not everyone is having audio problems like Chip has. ALL of my Vista systems (two desktops and one laptop) run all of my audio applications without problems. On the Dell forum, the major complaint is just the "system mixer/what you hear" issue, otherwise there are practically no "non fixable" audio problems.

[Dickie Whitley]

Just my two cents worth, but I've found it to be one of the most rock solid releases Microsoft has had in years. I think it's as fast or faster than XP. I will also note this opinion applies to both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. I'm running the 64-bit right now and it's a lot better than Vista was at this point. One thing is that you will have to supply your own Email program, Win7 doesn't come with it's own. There is a rumor that the RC will come out in April, I just hope they don't mess up a good thing.

[Leroy Riggs]

Actually, my 32-bit Vista works quite well in general and is a bit faster than my old XP.

My new 64-bit Vista has some problems with 3rd-party software such as 'Webroot's Window Washer' (it won't work at all) but even the 64-bit works better than my old XP.

[Jack Stoner]

I like Vista, even with the nags and I've not had any problems. All the programs, except Musicmatchjukebox (that I no longer used), that I used with XP run in the native Vista mode without problems.

I have Vista 32 bit and 64 bit (on separate hard drives) but have been using 32 bit as there are some compatibility issues with some software and hardware with Vista 64 bit. I do use Vista 64 bit for my recording with Sonar 8 and a new Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 firewire recording interface.

I had the Windows 7 beta (64 bit version) installed but have removed it as I rarely did anything with it. When I installed it, I couldn't find any security software at the time so I couldn't use it on line. It did load fast, but it was only the Operating System, no other software.

My PC is a home built, using an Intel motherboard and Q6600 quad CPU with 6GB of RAM (on Vista 64).

[Dickie Whitley]

Jack, try Avast! for the 64 bit version, seems to work well with mine right now....

[Jack Stoner]

I'm OK with Vista 64 bit, it was just Windows 7 Beta, and that was when the Beta was released to the public for download - it is probably different now.

I've got too many irons in the fire right now and didn't have time to play around with Windows 7 so I dumped it and recovered that partition for Vista 64 bit and my recording. I've got 13 (songwriting) demo songs that I recorded for Jimmy Peppers (semi-retired Nashville songwriter) I'm still working on and it's taking most of my free time right now (I've got to add bass to some, add rhythm guitar to some of them and then get Jimmy back to record the final voice tracks and finally do the mixdowns).

[Chip Fossa]

Does anyone know when the official MS release date for Windows7 will happen?

Thanks for all responses, so far, ya'll.

[Wiz Feinberg]

Does anyone know when the official MS release date for Windows7 will happen?

Thanks for all responses, so far, ya'll. :D

Sometime during the last quarter of this year. That will be the RTM for OEMs. The general consumer release usually comes "about" two months afterward. I will be upgrading to W7 Ultimate or Business at that time.

[Chip Fossa]

Thanks Wiz,

Uh, then probably around December/January? What is RTM?

[Mitch Drumm]

Chip:

I read within the last hour that within 30 to 90 days, new PC buyers should be getting a coupon allowing them to upgrade from Vista to Windows 7 at no charge.

I think RTM stands for Release To Manufacturing--meaning it is ready for mass distribution to end users and PC builders. The quality level is high enough.

[John Floyd]

SB X-fi Audio Extreme Music card Works Fine, mine came with my M/B (MSI K9N2 Diamond) and I haven't had any problems with it working for me. I haven't shelled out any bucks for Vista So Far.
I have been running Win7 64 bit on one Hard Drive and Windows XP home on another and luv Win7 X64.

Its Supposed to shut Down on August 1st. There are rumors floating around that something will be available by then.

Windows Live Mail Desktop Can be Downloaded for Win7 and works great. I dumped Outlook express for it over a year ago on XP and have never looked back. I'm running 7 sometimes 8 email accounts on it. Does everything that needs to be done and handles Junk Email a lot better than Outlook Express.

BTW
I have AVAST running on both hard Drives(64 and 32 bit) and it is Great, Free Version. It updates every day sometimes more than once a day and I have yet to get hit by anything. Been using it since last may.

Jack is having good luck with Vista and I have heard they cleaned a lot of problems up with SP1, But I don't care to be one of those pioneering souls that is the first to have everything, I have spent two small fortunes being the first to buy everything and in my old age I may have finally learned one thing, microsoft has many ways of separating a fool from his money.
I will wait until Win7 is out for a while before I write the Check