Windows 7 : Expiration

My copy of Windows7 Ultimate beta build 7000 have expired and I have followed it since the start of countdown until expiration. Sorry for the crappy pictures.

The nagging of pop-up message started from 15 days daily countdown to 10 hours hourly countdown until hour reached zero. Too bad this is the only time I took a picture.


After hour reached zero and about approximately 2 hours of continued usage I got a BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) END_OF_NT_EVALUATION_PERIOD so I guess this was the end of it. but when I restarted my computer out of curiosity and "what if's" I was amazed my copy of Windows7 booted-up and still working.


However, the nagging will never end along with the BSOD within 2 hours of usage.




So this is it! I think I will reformat my computer and temporarily install WindowsXP until Windows7 will be commercially available.

My simple preview on Windows7 click here

Windows 7

I have installed Windows7 Ultimate beta build 7000 on my cheap spec Intel Core2Duo 2.34Ghz, ECS G31 Motherboard using on-board Graphic Accelerator and a 2GB DDR2 667 RAM 2 weeks ago and I was amazed by the changes that I saw considering that I didn't bother upgrading to Vista (but tested it) and only used XP since it launched. So far, I am very impressed on this Microsoft upcoming Operating System.

I won't be doing a full review of Windows 7 since it is in its beta phase but here's my first impression and some of the main features of this new Operating System.

In my own view Windows7 installed faster than WindowsXP. Device drivers are automatically installed except for the ECSG31 on-board LAN and my A4Tech webcam that needs to install manually in order to be used. This is not a problem for newer PC hardware and if the transition is from Windows Vista to Windows7. Since Windows 7 mostly adopted Vista drivers.


Windows 7 isn't a radical shift from Vista, but is more of an attempt to fix Vista's main flaws. It shares the same underlying architecture, and retains or enhanced the graphical touches like translucent Window borders which is more pleasing to use and to the eye as well.


Taskbar is more customizable such as the use of small and large icons, taskbar locations, Desktop preview and etc. Pinning of mostly used applications on the taskbar reduces desktop clutter and in addition, easy and simplified navigation.

One thing I noticed about this OS is that leaving it ON for a long time it automatically sleeps wherein I thought that my computer was OFF no lights, sounds nor the PSU fans. but when I switched it ON the computer starts automatically from where I left it. I don't know about this I think this will be different on another systems.

Due to my PC specifications I did not have the opportunity to test PC games in this Operating System. Still, even in its beta form, with some features incomplete or imperfect, Windows 7 is faster, reliable, smarter, more functional and more importantly improved performance which could well help fade the bad reputation of Vista.

There are so much to write about this new OS but I ran out of words. However, I was very thankful that I skipped Windows Vista.

Release date? I don't really know at the moment. Windows 7 will be a must upgrade for all when released.

UPDATE:
My copy of this OS (Operating System) beta build 7000 will expire in approximately 9hours today July 01, 2009 and I will be very glad to tell you (when the countdown ends) on how Microsoft professionally do it. click here

SLI and CrossFire

NVIDIA® SLI™ technology is a revolutionary platform innovation that allows you to intelligently scale graphics performance by combining multiple NVIDIA graphics solutions in an SLI-Certified motherboard.




CrossFire™ is a high-performance PC Gaming Platform technology that enables multiple ATI Radeon™ graphics cards and a CrossFire-ready motherboard in a single computer to increase graphics quality and performance. By intelligently scaling graphics capabilities, CrossFire provides an incredibly immersive gaming experience through stunning visual realism in today's 3D titles with uncompromising image quality at extreme HD resolutions. CrossFire redefines the PC gaming platform with industry leading performance, scalability, image quality and compatibility.

Overclocking

Overclocking is basically the process of pushing the computer's processor to run faster than its stock speed to gain more performance for half the price.

Overclockers are divided in to two groups

1. The Practical - are those who buy cheaper low-end parts and overclock them to the performance on par with the high-end parts or beyond, and save some hard earned dough for other PC parts.



2. The Enthusiast - are those people who buy high-end parts and overclock them to its full potential because they can afford it and most importantly earn some bragging rights into it.