NZFF

Is anyone getting it?

I might download the 64 bit version when I get a new HDD, then add 4 more GBs of Ram to my 2GB

It's free, but runs out next year, more info here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/download.aspx

Does wonders for FSX apparently:
Sheesh! About double the FPS that with Windows XP SP3, and rock solid
http://orbxsystems.com/forums/index.php?topic=10979.0

I have it, I like it. Microsoft is back on the right track I feel. Windows 7 is what Vista should have been and then some.

It's a release candidate and it's more stable than the RTM operating system it succeeds. It's faster than Vista - in fact, it rivals XP for general tasks. On the same hardware, I've run OS X Leopard, Windows XP, Windows Vista and now Windows 7 32-bit RC. Windows XP was fast, lightweight, stable, etc. Windows Vista was a lot slower and it had terrible power and temperature management. OS X is just OS X. Windows 7 is fast and stable.

Some of the features of Windows 7 - particularly Aero's new stuff like Aero Peek and other window management stuff (like maximise by dragging to top, split to half the screen on either side - if you've used it, you'll know what I mean) - are actually really nice. I'm also a fan of libraries. UAC has been fixed.

I'm quite tempted, even though I've been pleased with Vista. The most attractive feature for me is the ability to use Media Center to stream Freeview -- at the moment I'm restricted to watching Freeview on the PC, but if I could use Media Center then I could stream to the Xbox...

However since this is my one and only machine, I need to make sure that all scenery development tools will work, so I may just have to wait until later in the year.

I have just installed both the Win 7 32bit and the x64 RC version on 2 different HDDs and I am in the process of installing FSX on both to test them should have some results in a few days time so will be posting them on the forum.
The test will show the results of the f/ps from the 4 different operating systems taken using the same situation and using the same settings in Win XP x64, Vista Ultimate, Win 7 32bit and win 7 x64.

dbcunnz wrote:

QUOTE (dbcunnz @ May 11 2009, 08:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have just installed both the Win 7 32bit and the x64 RC version on 2 different HDDs and I am in the process of installing FSX on both to test them should have some results in a few days time so will be posting them on the forum.
The test will show the results of the f/ps from the 4 different operating systems taken using the same situation and using the same settings in Win XP x64, Vista Ultimate, Win 7 32bit and win 7 x64.

I'd be very interested to hear what happens. Is there a problem with FSX activation - same product, 2 installs? (ie. Do you have to de-install it from the old HD?). I'm thinking I may also buy another HD (like yourself) but having to buy another copy of FSX just to test it out could make the whole exercise a bit prohibitive.

Yeah I've been running the Windows 7 RC for a few days now... seems pretty snappy...

Have even installed the 'free' VirtualPC with WinXP thing That seems to work pretty well too... although a tad slow on the old X2 with only 2gigs RAM...

Havent had any issues yet... my mate tried to go the 'upgrade' from Vista route, but it crapped out so he ended up clean installing as well...

There are a few 'gotchas'... like the history thing in IE8... that sucks for "paranoid about privacy" people... but can be turned off if you dig deep enough into the various settings... it was fairly well hidden tho.

And I thought they'd removed the 'show desktop' button... but it turns out its actually on the right hand end of the taskbar, next to the clock

dbcunnz wrote:

QUOTE (dbcunnz @ May 11 2009, 08:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have just installed both the Win 7 32bit and the x64 RC version on 2 different HDDs

As a matter of interest, how big was the download for each? Data cap for this month reached already

3gigabytes Im pretty sure

Adamski wrote:

QUOTE (Adamski @ May 12 2009, 04:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As a matter of interest, how big was the download for each? Data cap for this month reached already

I have downloaded them both and the download size of each file is,

Win 7 32 bit = 2471656 KB
Win 7 64 bit = 3194168 KB

dbcunnz wrote:

QUOTE (dbcunnz @ May 12 2009, 05:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have downloaded them both and the download size of each file is,

Win 7 32 bit = 2471656 KB
Win 7 64 bit = 3194168 KB

Thanks (to both of you) for that. Looks like I'll have to wait a couple of weeks. Will there be any more RC's, do you reckon?

Adamski wrote:

QUOTE (Adamski @ May 12 2009, 06:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks (to both of you) for that. Looks like I'll have to wait a couple of weeks. Will there be any more RC's, do you reckon?

If you want to go to the download site you will have to sign in you can get a product key without downloading and I could burn you off a DVD and send it to you if you would like save your data quoter if you haven't got enough or if there is someone in Auck that you know that has downloaded it and can burn a DVD for you.
cheers
Doug

dbcunnz wrote:

QUOTE (dbcunnz @ May 12 2009, 07:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you want to go to the download site you will have to sign in you can get a product key without downloading and I could burn you off a DVD and send it to you if you would like save your data quoter if you haven't got enough or if there is someone in Auck that you know that has downloaded it and can burn a DVD for you.

Very kind of you, Doug - I'll PM you, thanks I don't know anyone else in Auckland that's as geeky as me

haha, i downloaded it and found hardly any difference to Vista, having said that, i love vista so i love win7.

It's Vista fixed. Could almost call it Windows 6.1.

I'm running it on an older laptop that barely exceeds the minimum specs for Win7 but have been surprised at how much better it runs. Very clean install.

There does seem to be some odd registry stuff happening in it, almost like a built in registry cleaner. When a program is uninstalled - it's gone. I've been installing and uninstalling 40GB worth of cr@p onto it and it's not allowing redundant services to remain and the registry is cleaner. So I'm not experiemcing the same slow downs as in previous versions of windows where the registry gets clogged.

I like it and will be upgrading the home vista pc when it comes out.

Jamie

chickenman wrote:

QUOTE (chickenman @ May 13 2009, 10:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I like it and will be upgrading the home vista pc when it comes out.

That's all very encouraging. Any ideas if there'll be more Release Candidates? I'm thinking of buying a separate HD to try it out on - one that I can easily reformat when "the real thing" arrives. I'll be pleased to dump Vista.

OK ... here are some results of my "tests". Not so much as a *performance* comparison (as my Vista FSX is so loaded withaircraft and tweaks) - more of a general "what if".

Win7:

1) Checked that my PC was 64-bit capable.
2) Bought a completely new HD and (temporarily) disconnected my current HD's. I really didn't want to mess up my current setup.
3) Installed the latest 64-bit RC (thanks, Doug!) ... with activation key from the Microsoft site.
4) Installation was pretty quick and absolutely painless. You do NOT need a prior XP or Vista install.
5) Disabled UAC (user access control).

FSX:

1) Installed and added both service packs. Did not bother to install Acceleration (which I do have on my Vista FSX).
2) Not enough control over graphics settings, so I installed nHancer. NOTE: In FSX I had to actually tick "anti-aliasing" for the nHAncer AA settings to work. I didn't have to do this with Vista 32-bit.
3) Installing scnery is a mission. I think there'll be another thread on this, as Doug and I found different ways of doing it. It's possible, but requires some very "un-intuitive" procedures!
4) Installed a couple of aircraft. No problems.
5) Copied all my WOAI files over (via a 3rd PC or memory stick) and disabled the default AI by renaming the traffic bgl.

So ... the end result?

Windows7 does appear to be an improvement on Vista (which I have to say I loathe). Other than install FSX, though, I can hardly say I've tested it. It found my network, my printers and all over devices with no problem. Have yet to see whether it will co-exist with my D-Link WiFi hub - which Vista absolutely did NOT. Generally, I like it. It inspires confidence (like WinXP) instead of that "what's going to happen next" feeling that I keep getting with Vista. You feel in control - as opposed to fighting with the O/S. Not very scientific, this - but you get the picture

Other than loading times, I can't say I've seen a huge improvement in performance in FSX. It does appear to be more stable, with maybe fewer graphics artefacts. Could be because Win7 memory management is better. I'm also comparing a 64-bit system to my old 32-bit. I tried DX10 preview - which worked OK, but I disabled it as all the WOAI models aren't compatible and there are odd issues with some or Rob's older sceneries (notably AKL, which is an FS9 port-over).

Here are some piccies (NZWN) of a pretty well default install - with (working) WOAI and all of Rob's sceneries installed:





Thanks to Doug - for the ISO's and general encouragement

I have been doing tests on four operating systems which I have almost finished.
The tests will be of FSX only all have the same settings and will be of a parked aircraft using the spotter aircraft setting and doing a 360 scan at park 5 Woodbourne, park 5 Omaka and gate 12 Wellington these tests will be for frame rate only.
The operating system tested will be Win XP 64, Win Vista Ultimate 32, Win 7 32 and Win 7 64.
The vista and Win 7 will have two tests on each one with DX9 and one with DX10.
Hopefully I will have these tests out later tonight or tomorrow afternoon.

I have been doing tests on four operating systems which I have almost finished.
The tests will be of FSX only all have the same settings and will be of a parked aircraft using the spotter aircraft setting and doing a 360 scan at park 5 Woodbourne, park 5 Omaka and gate 12 Wellington.
The operating system tested will be Win XP 64, Win Vista Ultimate 32, Win 7 32 and Win 7 64.
The vista and Win 7 will have two tests on each one with DX9 and one with DX10.
Hopefully I will have these tests out later tonight or tomorrow afternoon.

for me windows 7 has made a huge improvement, have all the sliders turned up, and no tweaks runs better than vista 64, i can run the 757 from cs over seattle with about 13-15 fps, a little tweaking i reckon i can get it better, will not be going back to vista for me

dbcunnz wrote:

QUOTE (dbcunnz @ May 20 2009, 03:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The operating system tested will be Win XP 64, Win Vista Ultimate 32, Win 7 32 and Win 7 64.
The vista and Win 7 will have two tests on each one with DX9 and one with DX10.
Hopefully I will have these tests out later tonight or tomorrow afternoon.

No rush I'm really looking forward to seeing these results - as my current system is so far beyond a "standard" install.

yea, its a big download so if anyone wants the Release candidate 64bit you can use my cd and get a cd key from microsoft. just holla if you want it...

found another downside... you cant install LibUSB in order to jailbreak your ipod/iphone, you can but it just goes blue screen if you try use the jailbreak program. (not really a biggy because not many people have the i stuff and want to jailbreak it. im told its because its 64bit that it goes blue on me . i still did it, just had to do it on my pc instead