Hi George.This doesn't sound to me like anything special. Remember when everyone had to upgrade to Windows XP from the 9X series? They had to get used to NTFS over FAT which often meant a format, hardware and software didn't work after upgrading to begin with as manufacturers were slow to release updated drivers and patched software and innumerable problems cropped up with internet forums and websites springing up to try and resolve them for you by one means or other. Perhaps more important news is that Microsoft have pulled the European editions of windows 7 off the production line; Anyone who has preordered will now get the full release of windows 7 with internet explorer 8 installed, plus there will now be upgrade and full copies of the software which brings European versions in line with the versions sold in other territories.
All the best, Ibrahim.----- Original Message ----- From: "George Bell" <george@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 2:42 PM Subject: [access-uk] Windows 7 - Forewarning
Apologies if you see this posted on a number of lists, but if you are considering an upgrade to Windows 7, you might save yourself some grief by reading on at least once. I'm also as much trying to pre-empt, and try to reduce, the inevitable number of support calls we (in fact the industry as a whole) might get from frustrated users. I now have a licensed copy of the RTM (Release To Manufacturing) Windows 7 Professional. It was a 2.5 Gigabyte download by the way. Starting with a DVD installation, the first thing I was faced with was a screen with 2 options. 1) Check Compatibility and 2) Install Windows 7. Fortunately, you don't have to go out and buy Windows 7 to Check Compatibility. Indeed I would VERY, VERY STRONGLY advise that before you do buy, you go to the following URL, and install the "Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor Beta". Doubtless nearer the release date, this will no longer be a beta. The Tiny URL follows, plus the full URL which will undoubtedly wrap. http://tinyurl.com/mnmj8u http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=1B544E90-7659 -4BD9-9E51-2497C146AF15&displaylang=en Until you get a 100% clean bill of health, do not even begin to consider installing Windows 7. Moreover, read each and every item of the compatibility report extremely carefully. For example, I was told that my network card drivers were out of date and would need to be downloaded and installed AFTER installing Windows 7. Being a clever dick, I figured that I may as well upgrade it first, which I did. Just as well I kept a copy on a USB thumb drive, because in spite of being connected to the network and internet during the entire install process, after the final re-boot, I totally lost network and internet connectivity. I was glad I had that thumb drive. A serious nasty was that I was also advised to actually REMOVE my Microsoft Live OneCare anti virus, etc., software. I cannot believe that Microsoft have been so irresponsible as to not have this program ready for Windows 7 at this stage in the game. (And see later) Another major issue is that while it appears you have the option to upgrade or not, in reality the only difference is that the former takes you through a special process of transferring files and settings. It is NOT an upgrade in the truest sense of the word. I have to re-install ALL my software again. And of course that includes your screen reader. So yet another warning here. Make sure you have access to the media for every single bit of software you wish to use, including the CD keys. In fact, this is where I was rather glad to have had Belarc Advisor installed on the previous Windows XP installation. (http://www.belarc.com) Thankfully I saved the Windows XP report, and it is an invaluable check list and resource of information in terms of what software I had installed, even including many CD keys. So far, I have only installed two programs. My company accounting package and our braille translation software, both of which raised issues. The first was the accounting program, which appeared to install OK until I went to run it, and was told it required an update. Since the data was on our server, that meant joining the network Domain, and even then I battled with local security issues. Finally I found and turned off all User Account Control software. That appears to have resolved an issue where the update suddenly started looking in the wrong place. Strangely enough, when I went to install my braille software, it's License Information seems somehow to have been retained, but otherwise appears to be working O.K. I mentioned Microsoft Live OneCare earlier. I now get a nag message in the System Tray telling me I have no anti-virus software. Well great, thanks Microsoft. And no, I don't really want to buy one of your suggested alternatives - unless you are prepared to give me a refund! And finally, for now, I was rather alarmed to find after a while of non-use the machine had powered off. Seems the default power configuration is to go into hibernate mode after a period of inactivity. I've not investigated this as yet, but at least I know that when I power back up again and log in, I'll be back where I was. Oh yes, and don't be surprised if you find that Windows 7 refuses to install because your hardware's power supply doesn't support this feature. This occurred on the first system I tried at the weekend. George Bell Managing Director Techno-Vision Systems Ltd 76 Bunting Road Ind. Est. NORTHAMPTON, NN2 6EE, UK. Tel: (01604) 792777 Fax: (01604) 792726 mailto:george@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx web: http://www.techno-vision.co.uk ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq
** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq