I have posted on other tech web sites some useful information some may not know about Windows 7 and wanted to post here. Feel free to copy to another forum here if you wish to share with other 3D software users. I have been told more than several times on other sites it was useful and they did not know, so hope it helps someone else too.

Windows 7 version details -

As most know, they have read about the main differences between Home, Professional and Ultimate. However, MANY tech articles have failed to mention two critical differences between these versions.

First, the Home version is limited to only 16GB of RAM. You must have Professional or Ultimate to take advantage of more, which goes all the way up to 192GB for a RAM limit.

Second, the Home version is limited to a single CPU and will not see multi-CPUs. Only Professional and Ultimate will see more than one. I have a Mac Pro with duel CPUs andhave verified this. NOTE: this is not to be confused with multi-cores as it will see a multi-core SINGLE CPU just fine.

Installing went well for me on both the "Upgrade" and "Full" versions. Microsoft still has a VERY annoying way of doing a "clean install" for those with the upgrade version. Check out the WinSuperSite for how to do a clean install with upgrade.

Attached Link: http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/clean_install_upgrade_media.asp

Yes, was going to post that link on the clean install when I had time, works fine. They will be updating on any other methods they find as well. That info in my first post was stated on the WinSuperSite at:

www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_skus_compare.asp

But few people saw that article from the responses I have gotten and few others have mentioned this including several tech sites and magazines. It was the same with Vista, but some people did  not even know it then and also if it would change any in Windows 7.

Let me ask you, if there is an update, what do you do, just not update and go to regedit?  Sharen 

I did a clean install and didn't have to go to regedit.  To do a clean install you have to actually boot up from the Windows 7 upgrade DVD and then proceed as usual. During the process you have the opportunity to do an upgrade installation, or a clean installation. If you do a clean installation you can also choose to keep your old windows OS (which is saved to a folder named Windows.OLD), or you can choose to completely reformat your hard drive by selecting "more options" (or something like that, going from memory).

So if you want a clean install, just boot up from the install DVD rather than running setup from within your current version of Windows.

the method I'm employing is :

use tools to resize partitions to give free space
install Win7 into new partition to Dual Boot
Install programs into in Win7
transfer files from XP to Win7 partition as needed
reduce XP partition to minimum and retain as backup OS.

Quote - I did a clean install and didn't have to go to regedit.  To do a clean install you have to actually boot up from the Windows 7 upgrade DVD and then proceed as usual. During the process you have the opportunity to do an upgrade installation, or a clean installation. If you do a clean installation you can also choose to keep your old windows OS (which is saved to a folder named Windows.OLD), or you can choose to completely reformat your hard drive by selecting "more options" (or something like that, going from memory).

So if you want a clean install, just boot up from the install DVD rather than running setup from within your current version of Windows.

Yes, but the way they say to do it on WinSuperSite will work even if there is NO prior install of XP or Vista. I duel-boot my Mac Pro and have 2 dedicated hard drives for each OS, Mac and Windows 7.

Quote - > Quote - I did a clean install and didn't have to go to regedit.  To do a clean install you have to actually boot up from the Windows 7 upgrade DVD and then proceed as usual. During the process you have the opportunity to do an upgrade installation, or a clean installation. If you do a clean installation you can also choose to keep your old windows OS (which is saved to a folder named Windows.OLD), or you can choose to completely reformat your hard drive by selecting "more options" (or something like that, going from memory).

So if you want a clean install, just boot up from the install DVD rather than running setup from within your current version of Windows.

Yes, but the way they say to do it on WinSuperSite will work even if there is NO prior install of XP or Vista. I duel-boot my Mac Pro and have 2 dedicated hard drives for each OS, Mac and Windows 7.

AHHHHHHHH!!!!!! Just the person I want to talk to. Can you recommend a GOOD step by step tutorial on installing Win7 to a MacBook Pro?  I tried and for some reason the serial number wouldn't take. Not sure if it's because I got an invalid serial number or what, but I refunded the download order and am now waiting for a boxed version to come with a new serial.

I'd LOVE to run Snow Leopard and Win 7 in 64-bit so I can upgrade my RAM from 4 to 8 GB.  Is there a "Windows 7 to Mac for dummies" page anywhere?

Deecey : http://lifehacker.com/search/windows%207%20mac/ I'm sure you can find the information there or a link from there.

Great, thanks. I bookmarked that for when my boxed version gets here.

Quote - AHHHHHHHH!!!!!! Just the person I want to talk to. Can you recommend a GOOD step by step tutorial on installing Win7 to a MacBook Pro?  I tried and for some reason the serial number wouldn't take. Not sure if it's because I got an invalid serial number or what, but I refunded the download order and am now waiting for a boxed version to come with a new serial.

I'd LOVE to run Snow Leopard and Win 7 in 64-bit so I can upgrade my RAM from 4 to 8 GB.  Is there a "Windows 7 to Mac for dummies" page anywhere?

Hi,

I can help you out here as I have done several installs just to try different ways because I'm such a tech guy. :) Anyway, since you are using a MacBook Pro, you will need to have done a boot camp partition or else I would HIGHLY recommend going the dedicated drive route for each OS.

First, I think your last method would have worked, but there is a trick to doing it. You will NOT be able to upgrade with a clean install over the Windows 7 RC since most of them are "Ultimate" builds and you may have bought a lower end version like Home or Professional. You did not say which version you are trying to install so I will need to know that. Now, assuming you have a prior install, like Windows 7 RC, you can do a "clean" install by this:

1. Boot from install Windows 7 DVD and choose your boot camp partition.

2. Once the Win 7 install screen appears, do the install but do NOT type in your serial number. It will enter demo mode and be valid for 30 days (I think that is the time) for you to try. This is what you want.

3. Assuming the install went well and it says you have "30 days to activate Windows" nag message, you now do ANOTHER install over this install from within Win 7. But this time when you get to the Win 7 install screen do a "custom install" select clean install AND input your serial number this time.

Basically, the workaround is to do an install without serial number which puts it in trial mode, then do the upgrade install over the current install WITH the serial number.

That worked when I tried it.

1. Once Windows 7 has been properly installed with serial number and activated, you need to install the boot camp drivers from your Mac DVDs.

2. Run the check for updates MAC utility for boot camp and it should find updated 64 bit boot camp drivers from Apple. Follow prompts and directions and install those.

I can help more if you can post any issues or problems where you are stuck at just post here and let me know.

Actually, this might put a kink in the process. When I ordered my MacBook I THOUGHT I ordered Ultimate 64 bit with it. But I got Ultimate 32 bit. Does that mean I have to stick with 32 bit Windows 7? 

I hope not.

Aha, based on your previous instructions, I'm ASSUMING that I can do a fresh install of Windowx 7 64-bit WITHOUT entering a serial number, and then when I get my box I can just repeat the process and enter my serial number. Good, then I can at least see if I can get it running.

More questions may follow. 8-)  Thanks.

Ah ... here's a question right off the bat ... LOL

I set up the boot camp partition, which appears to be 32 bit because when I reboot with the 64 bit DVD it doesn't recognize that it's there. So I think the missing piece of my puzzle is, how do I get a 64 bit boot camp partition?

Quote - Ah ... here's a question right off the bat ... LOL

I set up the boot camp partition, which appears to be 32 bit because when I reboot with the 64 bit DVD it doesn't recognize that it's there. So I think the missing piece of my puzzle is, how do I get a 64 bit boot camp partition?

I don't use Boot Camp on a single drive, so can't test this for sure. But, what I would try is to use your 32 bit disc to get things started and activated. Once everything is setup with your Windows 7 32 bit OS and you have confirmed the serial number and Windows has been activated, insert your 64 bit disc for Windows 7 and choose the "custom install" option and do a CLEAN install over the 32 bit one. That should work OK because it will see that you already have the 32 bit Windows 7 installed and activated but want to install with the 64 bit version.

This second install going from 32 to 64 bit should be done from your Windows 7 OS, do NOT Boot Camp it again. Just insert your 64 bit Windows 7 disc from inside the 32 bit Windows 7 OS. Keep in mind, I am assuming you are talking about doing this all with the same version of Windows 7. You still have not said which version you are using or wanting to install.

That should work though, but I have not tested it that way. Let me know what exact steps you took and if it works or not.

Good luck with the install

I know it's not very the subject but, about memory managment ? Has everyone see a BSOD like IRQ_LESS, MEMORY_MANAGMENT or something similar ?

I've a bad memory but i dont know witch ( 4 x 2 GO ) under XP 64 i've a crash time of time but nothing important, vista 64 dont like bad memory it crash every time, i would like to know if the memory managment of W7 was improved to get rid of bad memory adress !

I have installed  Windows 7 64 bits upgrade  DVD on my Vista 64 bits.I  have hesitated longtime between upgrade and custom (clean install). .Finally  i choosed to clean install directly from Vista  (without booting with installation DVD)  I have  just followed the screen instructions and 1h20 after Win 7 was installed. I have bring back the internet favorites exported before and my email message saved before..I just need to installed apart the driver for my sound card.I don't regret my upgrade even if my Vista was working well.I am now reinstalling all my utilities and 3d -2d softs

I'm not a techy, but I just got my computer rebuilt into Windows 7, 64 bit professional, 8 gigs of ram, quad core.  My tech person was afraid of the XP emulator and did not install it.  So the question is, will Poser 8, Photoshop, and Vue 7 run under this setup, or do I need to install the emulator?  I know that's probably an ignorant question -- seems to me I'm going to have to have the emulator.  But info would be useful.

Never mind.
I made a reply about Windows 7 and the XP emulator, but didn't realize I was in a Mac discussion, so I edited it away. ;-)

Urp. Sorry!