Another Windows 7 tip

[MANEMAN]

One of the very first things you should do after installing Windows 7, is to make a Recovery Disk.

This can save you hours of heartache if things go wrong, for just a few minutes work.

Here is a link to an easy to follow guide on the subject: How to make a Windows 7 Recovery Disk

[eyeCpc]

That's a great tip for the simple fact that most who have updated their systems to 7 are still unaware of this option. But how about those who upgrade an older laptop by way of a usb flash drive using the MS usb flash drive tool that lacks an optical drive?

If you had to install 7 by way of a flash drive using the MS tool or simply bought a new laptop with 7 on it without seeing any recovery disk another option is the premade recovery disk images available for download at http://neosmart.net/blog/2009/windows-7-system-repair-discs/

These can not be used to install or reinstall 7 but are the working repair tools like the startup repair you either burn to disk or see written to a flash drive for repair. Pending the release of the upcoming EasyBCD tool used for dual booting 7 with with previous versions of Windows or other OSs even the tool itself contains an mbr repair option. The next 2.0 version of the tool isn't ready at this time however.

One other tip to add here is when seeing 7 stop loading up at the new logo screen and the startup repair tool doesn't work for this. As the post tests complete when first powering on the system or laptop press the F8 key and select the "Last configuration known to work" option from the selective startup menu seen there. Suddenly Windows will load right up as if nothing was wrong.

[andsome]

I use Acronis for a back up disc.

[artist]

If it's a new PC there's a pop up box that nags you until you do make one! :)

[MANEMAN]

I use Acronis for a back up disc. :)

If you get an MBR problem and the system wont boot, this Repair Disk is gonna get you back up and running faster than going through the Acronis procedure andsome. I've used it in the Vista scenario. It is good. Worth having andsome believe me.

The link that eyeCpc gave us is going to save a lot of time for the non CD/DVD drive tray people.

These Windows 7 hints and tips are going to start coming thick and fast now. Some are going to be genuinely useful, some are once again going to be dealing purely with cosmetic alterations. We will get people telling us how to make Windows 7 look like Windows 98 or Ubuntu, and all manner of what we may consider to be useless Retro tat. A lot of the stuff is well worth a look, and perhaps we shouldn't be too judgmental towards people who want to make their computer layout look a bit different, even if I personally think they are barking bloody nuts to want a new system to look like something else. Each to their own.

One thing that many miss is the Windows Classic Start Menu. I can understand that. Some are slow on computing and find difficulty in adjusting to new situations after they have spent many years and have still only just learned the basics. They rightfully feel proud of their efforts.

For them it must be a bit like driving a car and finding the brake pedal is now suddenly situated on the passenger side of the vehicle.

We/they can now have the Classic Start Menu back in Windows 7 if it so wished (Not just the sham one that is pinned to the taskbar either !) The link is here: http://sourceforge.net/projects/classicshell/files/

(Open Source, - and free !)

It works well. I try most things out even if I sometimes uninstall them after a while. :P

Make a registry backup with ERUNT, or at least a System Restore point before trying it out. If you like your brake pedal back up front,on your side of the car, and under your foot, - this is the one for you.