Windows 7 on primary computer?

[imported_Salamander]

I currently have Vista Home Premium on my primary computer. Is it reasonably safe to go ahead and install the Windows 7 RC now, or is that too risky?

 

[Billb2]

It's a beta that will expire and not be upgradable to the release version.

Other than that it's fantastic.

 

[Trashman]

I just installed Win7-64bit RC on my system, I installed on seperate drive to keep Vista untouched, I like so far, for the few hours of running i don't wanna go back to Vista.
I wouldn't ditch Vista just yet though.

 

[Samalama]

Anyone who chooses to run a beta OS as their primary system is only asking for trouble =/

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: Samalama
Anyone who chooses to run a beta OS as their primary system is only asking for trouble =/

meh. ive been running 7 some at home on my newish build to play some games and such, havent had a single problem with it so far, and im a linux guy most of the time.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: Samalama
Anyone who chooses to run a beta OS as their primary system is only asking for trouble =/

I think that's overly dramatic. I certainly wouldn't do it if I couldn't be down for a few hours if there was a problem and I had to image back to a different OS. But both BETA and RC of 7 have been installed as primary for lots of users.

 

[Billb2]

Originally posted by: bsobel

Originally posted by: Samalama
Anyone who chooses to run a beta OS as their primary system is only asking for trouble =/

I think that's overly dramatic...

No, not nearly dramatic enough.

The tubes are gonna get crashed by all the nOObs asking how to get all their stuff back.

 

[corkyg]

I am prepared to make my Win7 system primary - but not until it is final and I have a proper key to make it permanent. It is quite possible that the RC will have to be replaced by the final version - whether or not it can be an "upgrade" is a risky assumption.

 

[Raduque]

I run it as primary OS on my desktop and my laptop. My laptop will be easy to change to the final retail/OEM version - I don't keep anything important there.

My desktop, OTOH, I have a lot of crap to move around and backup before a format reinstall =

Got no problems with W7 as everyday use OSes, though.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: Billb2

Originally posted by: bsobel

Originally posted by: Samalama
Anyone who chooses to run a beta OS as their primary system is only asking for trouble =/

I think that's overly dramatic...

No, not nearly dramatic enough.

The tubes are gonna get crashed by all the nOObs asking how to get all their stuff back.

:roll: We had the same issue with the Vista beta and somehow the world survived.

 

[quest55720]

Once my new CPU/MB/ram show up I will run windows 7 on my primary machine. I don't have anything on my PC that is critical. I don't mind a reinstall time to time I keep music and videos on a separate drive. My OS right now is XP 32 bit no reason to use it once my new stuff comes since I will be running 4 gigs for now and 8 next month. I am glad I skipped vista and welcome trying windows 7 heard many good things about it.

 

[Billb2]

Originally posted by: corkyg
I am prepared to make my Win7 system primary - but not until it is final and I have a proper key to make it permanent. It is quite possible that the RC will have to be replaced by the final version - whether or not it can be an "upgrade" is a risky assumption.

Per Ms, no way. A new key and a retail install/upgrade will be required.

But then, there may be ways........

 

[Snapster]

Originally posted by: Billb2

Originally posted by: corkyg
I am prepared to make my Win7 system primary - but not until it is final and I have a proper key to make it permanent. It is quite possible that the RC will have to be replaced by the final version - whether or not it can be an "upgrade" is a risky assumption.

Per Ms, no way. A new key and a retail install/upgrade will be required.

But then, there may be ways........

There are ways as long as they don't remove them.

Within the image you can edit sources/cversion.ini which contains a line "minclient=". Lowering this to your current build number should allow to upgrade.

 

[Scotteq]

I am - in effect - running 7 as my main OS.

Comp is set up as dual boot (Vista x64 & 7 x64), and I've simply gotten into the habit of using 7 for general purposes. There's some paid apps I haven't moved since I don't use them that often, but besides that I've been booting to Vista mostly for maintenance purposes. i.e. I pulled down SP2 from Technet, OS and AV updates, etc...

So far, 7 has been stable enough for regular/main usage IMHO. Just that the current reality is you will need to plan for the inevitable clean install later this year since an PC to Production upgrade isn't likely to be allowed.

 

[KeypoX]

yeah if you wanna reinstall in 10 months.

 

[Snapster]

All my important stuff (project, docs, email etc) is synced to other drives. Worst case in re-installing the os is a small bit of downtime on that pc whilst it installs and that doesn't stop me working using say a laptop of another pc.

I've used pretty much every OS since 2000 in beta/rc and Windows 7 is by far the best for stability, and in it's own right. There will always be that upgrade bypass as I previously mentioned should I want to upgrade to final, but I'll probably reinstall a fresh copy anyway.

 

[California Roll]

I have Win7 installed on my main work laptop. Zero problems at all since the RC came out. I always keep my work files backed up and reinstall once a year anyways. I'll reinstall Win7 when it comes out "for reals" or back to XP if I have problems, whichever comes first.

 

[XBoxLPU]

Moved to Windows 7 as my main OS over the weekend and I think it is a little wonderful OS (even in a RC state)

I have all of my data on my WHS box so when it is final, I will just have to wipe clean and setup my programs again. Not really a big deal

 

[calyco]

Been using it since the RC was released and havent had a single problem. I really like the look, feel and speed of the new OS. It will definitely replace XP for me. But of course I have everything backed up on a 16gb usb stick, just in case.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: Billb2

Originally posted by: bsobel

Originally posted by: Samalama
Anyone who chooses to run a beta OS as their primary system is only asking for trouble =/

I think that's overly dramatic...

No, not nearly dramatic enough.

The tubes are gonna get crashed by all the nOObs asking how to get all their stuff back.

Yea if you have to ask then you probably shouldn't run it.

 

[soonerproud]

Originally posted by: Salamander
I currently have Vista Home Premium on my primary computer. Is it reasonably safe to go ahead and install the Windows 7 RC now, or is that too risky?

If you are doing nothing mission critical, have your data backed up and do not use the PC for work, then knock yourself out. I am running it on my primary home PC and loving it.

 

[MBrown]

The RC is rock solid.

 

[MichaelD]

My biggest concern is security. Though I got SEP 11.0 running on it (firewall/AV/AS) I'm concerned about it "calling home" regularly; as we were told it would do in the EULA to download the RC. I do all my banking from my main PC...it makes me nervous.

FWIW, I'm running a corporate copy of XP...no activation, no WGA, no nosy MS in my system.

Other than my concern about security, it's been running great on my test box (video editing box in sig) with the exception of the now-well-known "wake from sleep prob if you have a Realtek NIC/sound" prob. Which of course, 99% of the MBs out today have at least one of those! I get a BSOD...other's get lockups.

 

[imported_Salamander]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
My biggest concern is security. Though I got SEP 11.0 running on it (firewall/AV/AS) I'm concerned about it "calling home" regularly; as we were told it would do in the EULA to download the RC. I do all my banking from my main PC...it makes me nervous.

FWIW, I'm running a corporate copy of XP...no activation, no WGA, no nosy MS in my system.

Other than my concern about security, it's been running great on my test box (video editing box in sig) with the exception of the now-well-known "wake from sleep prob if you have a Realtek NIC/sound" prob. Which of course, 99% of the MBs out today have at least one of those! I get a BSOD...other's get lockups.

I have the Bad Axe 2 MB - have any of you installed Windows 7RC with that mobo?

 

[MichaelD]

@ Salamander: I have not, but I've installed the RC on both the boxes in my sig (sep HD on my XP box, just to test if it worked) and it went very well. What's your question concerning W7RC and your MB?