Posted 08/21/2009 at 02:05:08pm

I'm not sure how serious this post really is. The ONLY reason you're staying with a supposed "crashtastic" Win 7 is the task bar? Hmmm....

Posted 08/21/2009 at 11:34:30am

Nekollx, i4i has already come out stating they looked at Open Office and found that it does not infringe on its patents.

http://gcn.com/Articles/2009/08/17/Federal-future-Microsoft-Word-uncertain.aspx?Page=2

Posted 07/22/2009 at 08:09:03am

Blade,

Thanks for the info. Glad I held off before cancelling my upgrade order. I wanted to wait and see what the eventual outcome would be. As for those that jumped the gun and cancelled their orders, wow. Now they have to pay full price. I figured I had a few months before I had to make a decision to cancel or keep my order since Amazon doesn't charge you until it's ready to ship.

Windows 7 can't get here soon enough. I've been holding off on reinstalling Vista which has gotten SO slow and clunky no matter how many defrags and cleanups I do. The RC has been running pretty spiffy for me, but I'm holding off for a few more months and I'll just clean install Windows 7.

Posted 07/15/2009 at 05:33:36am

You DO realise that in 2010, the RC effectively shuts itself down? Eventually, you will no longer be able to activate it. After that happens, what do you do then if you need to reinstall?

Remember, the article states you must have an activated copy of a previous version of windows installed on your machine. 

However, I posted something from Microsoft that seems to imply that you do not have to have an activated copy installed. Only that you must have a valid copy of XP or Vista. Hopefully, all you have to do is type in the key from that copy and that's it.

But, if it's true what this article in Maximum PC states, then your RC will only be good for you until 2010. After that, if you do not have a valid activated copy of XP or Vista, then you're hosed.

Posted 07/14/2009 at 02:03:58pm

From Microsoft's site, it appears to debunk this article. That or MS hasn't updated their web site yet to reflect what the article states.

http://store.microsoft.com/microsoft/Windows-7-Professional-Upgrade/product/8BB1A4B4

*Important Pre-order Details

• Make sure your PC is compatible with Windows 7. Download and run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor.
• Windows 7 will be available starting on Oct. 22, 2009.
• Your card will not be charged until your order is shipped or the product is made available for download.
• See the Pre-Orders section for additional details.

Running Windows Vista?

If you have Windows Vista, you can purchase Windows 7 Upgrade versions. You can do a clean install (back up your files, clean install, and reinstall your applications) or an in -place upgrade (Windows 7 installs over Windows Vista).

Running Earlier Versions?

If you have Windows XP or Windows 2000, you can purchase Windows 7 Upgrade versions. But you must back up your files, clean install, and reinstall your applications. 

Posted 07/13/2009 at 02:32:51pm

The only problem with the RC activation is if you try to activate it after 2010, it won't work anymore since that's the expiration year for the RC. So, eventually, you'll HAVE to have a copy of Vista or XP that you can activate.

My problem is that my copies of XP and Vista are OEMs. I know XP is now requiring me to call to Microsoft due to a change in hardward (I believe it was my video card and new memory even though those shoudln't have caused it). Vista is still fine since the hardware I have right now is the same as when I initially activate Vista.

Posted 07/01/2009 at 07:16:40am

You do realise that the OEM versions are tied to a specific system? Once you've activated it on the machine, if it senses any major hardware changes (such as attempting to install it onto a different machine), it will not work.

Posted 06/26/2009 at 09:22:48am

BTW, you CAN backup your Steam content to install at a later time if you need to reimage your machine. However, I find it easier to just download it again.

Also, I've got it installed on my Windows 7 and my Windows Vista installations. You're allowed to do that. Logging into Steam is what prevents you from being able to play it on more than one machine at the same time. Therefore, it's not tied to your machine. It's tied to your account.

Posted 06/25/2009 at 10:55:12am

Ha ha! I didn't notice that. Definitely, I've heard terrible things about Stream. ;)

Posted 06/25/2009 at 06:47:46am

Yeah, well the "change" coming sucks. Government healthcare? Please go ask people in Canada and Europe all about that and see just how great it really is.

And now with Iran and North Korea threatening the US, I can see just how well those "talks with no preconditions" really help. I mean, both countries are bending over backwards to be nice and listen to Obama. Right!