Generally speaking, upgrading from a pre-release edition of Windows 7 (e.g. RC 7100) requires a clean install of the system, meaning that you will need to manually reload some files from a backup or other source, and will lose various system settings.
Fortunately, there is a way to bypass this requirement, although you may not want to for compatibility and stability purposes.
The process, as described on this MSDN blog, is as follows:
- Insert the final-release Windows 7 CD when you purchase it in October
- Copy the whole image to a storage location you wish to run the upgrade from (a bootable flash drive or a directory on any partition on the machine running the pre-release build).
Browse to the sources directory. - Open the file cversion.ini in a text editor like Notepad.
- Modify the MinClient build number to a value lower than the down-level build. For example, change 7100 to 7000 (pictured below).
- Save the file in place with the same name.
- Run setup like you would normally from this modified copy of the image and the version check will be bypassed.
The “How-To Geek” has further instructions along with screenshots.
Filed under Windows 7 by on Aug 27th, 2009. Comment. 
Some users have reported an issue in which the display/monitor constantly flickers after updating to Windows 7. One poster to the Microsoft TechNet discussion boards, gbaker123, writes:
“The issue I am having is the screen is flickering and I can’t read any dialogue boxes. For instance, not even the screen resolution mode will come up. [...] It’s so annoying I am likely going to give up on RC1 unless I can get this fixed – it won’t keep my settings too, keeps forcing back to 59.
Fix
The fix for this issue is generally to apply an updated video driver. In particular, if you are using an ATI graphics card, try applying the latest driver (currently version 9.8) from this page.
Filed under Windows 7 by on Aug 27th, 2009. 15 Comments.
Windows 7 may freeze or hang when the user attempts to copy files across the network. “hetmankp,” a poster to the Microsoft TechNet discussion boards, writes:
“When I attempt to copy large files onto a shared network directory the entire user interface freezes. No response to the mouse or keyboard. Waiting several minutes (i.e. long enough for the copy to finish) does not restore functionality. The only option being a hard reset. The remote network share is running on a Linux box using a Samba server. There is presently no anti-virus installed locally.”
Fixes
Install a new driver The problem may be especially prominent with the Atheros L1 Gigabit Ethernet 10/100/1000Base-T Controller used on Asus p5k motherboards. This driver (FTP Link), intended for Windows Vista, has been reported to solve this issue under Windows 7 in a variety of cases.
If you aren’t using an Atheros card, check the website of your network card’s manufacturer for updated drivers–even those for Windows Vista, which may work properly under Windows 7.
Use alternate drivers Try seeking out alternative drivers from manufacturers’ Web sites — both the manufacturer of your computer, and the manufacturers of specific devices.
Also, note that the presence of antivirus software scanning can block proper installation of drivers that are necessary for device function. Try turning off any antivirus or anti-malware/spyware software temporarily while you install or update device drivers, then turn it back on.
You may also want to try installing your device drivers in admin mode. To do this, right-click the driver installation .exe file (e.g. setup.exe) then select “Run as Admin.” Proceed with installation.
Many Windows Vista-compatible drivers offered on device manufacturer websites work well with Windows 7. Check for any Vista drivers and install them on your Windows 7 system. This procedure is especially useful for users who were running Windows XP or another version of Windows other than Vista before installing Windows 7.
Use a new network card Unfortunately, if the aforementioned fix does not work, you may need to use a different network card (NIC). The Dynex DX-PCIGB, available for roughly $30 from Best Buy, has been reported to work well under Windows 7.
Disable non-essential system services Follow these steps:
- Click the Start button and type MSCONFIG then press enter
- Go to the startup tab
- Uncheck any third-party and nonessential startup items. Click to select the Hide All Microsoft Services check box, then click Disable All, and then click OK. Apply the changes and press OK, then restart the system if it does not happen automatically.
- If the problem not occur, go back to MSCONFIG and start re-enabling items in groups. Enable a few items, then restart and check to see if the problem. If it does disable some of those items then restart again. Keep enabling items until you find the culprit, then leave that service turned off permanently or uninstall it.
Filed under Windows 7 by on Aug 24th, 2009. 12 Comments.
A number of users have reported an issue in which Windows 7 displays a message indicating that there is “no Internet Access,” accompanied by a yellow exclamation point warning sign, despite the fact that Internet access works properly in all applications.
Fixes
Disable link scanning in antivirus/malware software The number one cause of this issue is problematic link scanning functions in various antivirus/malware software packages. Try disabling any link scanning components, then restart and check for Internet access.
For example, you can disable AVG’s link scanner by clicking on the AVG icon in the task bar (lower-right hand corner) then selecting “Link Scanner” and unchecking the “Enable AVG Search-Shield” box.
Look for a similar Web “link scanner” or “web shield” component in your antivirus/malware package and temporarily disable it, then restart your computer and check to see if the problem still exists.
Disable then re-enable antivirus software In other cases, simply disabling then re-enabling antivirus software can resolve this issue.
Filed under Viruses/Malware, Windows 7 by on Aug 24th, 2009. 23 Comments.
If you wanted to snag a release candidate copy of Windows 7 via Microsoft’s Web site, you’ve missed your chance. As of this morning, a message on the site reads:
“Sorry, the Windows 7 RC is no longer available for download. If you’ve got the download and need a product key, they’ll be available until October 21, 2009.”
In other words, if you can retrieve the RC download via other (legal) means, a product key is still available through the Microsoft distribution site.
Filed under News, Windows 7 by on Aug 20th, 2009. Comment.
Some users have reported an issue in which Windows 7 computers that are connected to Active Directory domains crash when users attempt to unlock them. A poster to the Microsoft TechNet discussion forums writes:
“The computer is connected to an Active Directory domain, and I lock it every time I leave my desk. Unfortunately when I come back and unlock it, 90% of the time, lsass.exe has crashed, and the PC reboots a minute later.”
The problem appears to only occur when the system is connected to an Active Directory domain.
If you are experiencing a similar issue, please let us know at info@windowsfixup.com.
Filed under Windows 7 by on Aug 20th, 2009. 1 Comment.
Several users have reported an issue in which Windows 7 Internet (network) connections die or drop out randomly during routine use. This can cause Web browsers to suddenly stop loading pages; network drives to disappear; and other network-enabled applications to lose functionality. The problem may be especially prominent with the Atheros L1 Gigabit Ethernet 10/100/1000Base-T Controller used on Asus p5k motherboards. There are two potential fixes for this issue:
Fixes
Install a new driver This driver (FTP Link), intended for Windows Vista, has been reported to solve this issue under Windows 7 in a variety of cases.
Use a new network card Unfortunately, if the aforementioned fix does not work, you may need to use a different network card (NIC). The Dynex DX-PCIGB, available for roughly $30 from Best Buy, has been reported to work well under Windows 7.
Filed under Windows 7 by on Aug 19th, 2009. 3 Comments.
Benchmarks for Firefox 3.5 release show the new version to be significantly faster than its predecessors, but still slower than Google Chrome.
Here are a few tips that can dramatically increase the speed of a slow Firefox 3.5:
Change maximum number of requests If you’re using a broadband connection, chances are that you can speed up Firefox by allowing it to perform multiple simultaneous requests to Web pages instead of performing one request at a time. To do this, type about:config in the URL bar (where you would normally enter a Web address) then look for the following entries, and make these changes:
- network.http.pipelining – set this to “true”
- network.http.proxy.pipelining – set this to “true”
- network.http.pipelining.maxrequests – set the integer value to 20
- network.dns.disableIPv6 – set this to “false”
Quit then re-launch Firefox after making these changes.
Reduce history Having tons of items stored in history can slow down Firefox’s launch and operation speed significantly. Navigate to Tools > Options, then click on the “Privacy” tab. The default setting is 90 days. Reducing this number to 5 or 10 days can result in a substantial performance boost.
Remove extensions and themes then re-add them, one by one Some extensions and/or themes may conflict with Firefox 3.5 or cause performance issues. You can isolate the problematic items and eliminate them permanently by uninstalling all of them then adding them back one by one to identify the culprit(s). Follow these steps, as published on MozillaZine.
- Click Tools > Add-ons
- Click on the Extensions or Themes button on the top
- Click on the extension or theme you want to uninstall
- Click Uninstall
- Restart Firefox
In fact, just reducing the number of extensions or themes installed can have a beneficial effect on speed.
Filed under Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, firefox by on Jul 2nd, 2009. 1 Comment.
Old .hlp (Windows help) files cannot be natively opened in Windows 7. Although Microsoft offers winhlp32.exe for the Windows 7, it generally displays the following message when attempting to open .hlp files:
“The Help for this program was created in Windows Help format, which depends on a feature that isn’t included in this version of Windows. However, you can download a program that will allow you to view Help created in the Windows Help format.”
Fortunately, Komeil Bahmanpour has patched together a solution that can open these files in Windows 7. To use it, extract the CAB file’s content (from the previously mentioned link) into a folder and run (as administrator) Install.cmd.
Filed under Windows 7 by on Jun 30th, 2009. 1 Comment.
Some users have reported an issue in which the Windows 7 Start Menu or “All Programs” listing is suddenly blank, displaying no icons, nor the names of any programs, shortcuts, etc.
It appears that this problem is due to Windows 7′s inability to handle a large number of listings, in some cases.
Fix
Greg Duncan has posted a fix for this issue. It involves moving a number of shortcuts/folders from Start Menu/Programs into a new subfolder, such as Start Menu/Programs/Stuff, and then restartng Windows Explorer. The process must be repeated until the icons appear. You can read the full fix at Greg’s blog.
Filed under Windows 7 by on Jun 26th, 2009. 5 Comments.