November 2009 - Posts
Q: (from Steve)
If you have a machine with a lot of RAM and a huge hard drive, are there any issues with running the 32 bit version of W7? Is the issue that you’re basically forgoing the opportunity to run a richer version of the OS since your machine could support it, or on big machines, do you need to run the 64 bit?
A:
This question opens up the bigger question of performance and compatibility of 32 bit applications on a 64 bit platform:
You don’t HAVE to run Windows 7 on a “big” machine, but you might not be able to access all of the RAM. The 32 bit version of any Microsoft OS is only able to access 4GB of RAM; the 64 bit version can access more. Even if you are only running 32 bit apps, a 64 bit OS will let EACH app access up to 4GB of RAM (read better performance) while a 32 bit OS makes all of the apps share the same 4GB.
But 32 bit applications running under a 64 bit OS may take a slight performance hit because the processor is forced to switch from 64 bit mode to 32 bit mode each time the application talks to the OS.
The bottom line:
- If you are using standard, desktop applications, you probably won’t notice the performance gain or hit – you can choose either OS.
- If you are using “big” 32 bit photo a movie editing applications, the extra memory of 64 bit might provide some extra performance.
- But until all of the parts: the OS, the device drivers, and the applications are 64 bit, we will not see the full potential of 64 bit hardware realized. The good news is the that Windows is 64 bit now; many drivers are; and the next version of Office 2010 will be available in a 64 bit edition.
Q: (from John)
Have just reinstalled Office 2007, when I click on Outlook I get a message saying my previous backup is corrupt and needs repairing using Scanpst.exe then closes, it does not allow me access the outlook screen at all to select an option or even open it another backup file in another location.Am using Windows 7, went onto it a couple of weeks ago and the program had been running fine but had to reinstall Office.Am totally confused as I have never had this problem in the past, can anyone please help by telling me how to proceed please and get my Outlook working once more.Very many thanks in hope and anticipation.
A:
I don’t have many technical skills, but this is something I’ve dealt with before…
Have you tried to repair the PST in question using SCANPST? It's on your Office disk.
If you don't have time for that, you could go to your Outlook email profile and remove the PST from your default profile until you have time to fix the file. Go to the Control Panel, Mail (32-bit) and select Show Profiles. Highlight your default profile (there is probably only one) and click the Properties button. Click the Data Files... button and remove the PST file that is giving you problems. It will still be on the disk, just not associated with this profile and you should be able to get into Outlook, just not save messages to that PST.
Q: (from Sid)
We bought 4 HP Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit towers for our Computer Club Computer Room and now have been told that SteadyState does not exist for Window 7 64 bit systems. Is that correct? If it is, Microsoft has once again figured how to shoot itself in the foot....public use machines (libraries, schools, computer rooms, kiosks, etc.) need SteadyState to protect against users who visit malicious Web sites.
A:
Still no word on the updated version of SteadyState. During the Windows 7 beta, it looked like SteadyState functionality was going to be embedded in the OS (under the beta names of PC Safeguard or Guest Mode), but it was pulled before the RC. I’m guessing that has delayed the delivery of a Windows 7 SteadyState because it was potentially going to be embedded in the product. BTW, it didn’t launch with Windows XP or Windows Vista either, so we will have to wait and keep watching the SteadyState website.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/sharedaccess/default.mspx
Q: (from Jim)
I have win7 up and running including, the win xp mode. My question is: Where does the program icon go to open the xin xp app straight from the win7 desktop?
A:
As a good network administrator, I didn’t read the documentation when I first installed Windows XP Mode and the seamless execution feature didn’t work for me either. Fortunately the solution is two very easy steps:
1) From the Windows XP Mode Settings screen, make sure that Auto Publish is enabled:
2)
After installing the application in the Windows XP virtual PC, a shortcut needs to be placed into the Start, All Programs menu under Windows XP. That shortcut will automatically be replicated to the Start, All Programs, Windows Virtual PC, Windows XP Mode Applications menu under Windows 7. Here are some screen shots that might help:
Windows XP Mode:
Windows 7 Host:
Q: (from William)
How can I obtain some Windows 7 launch signs and flyers to put in my retail store location?
A:
There are several sources of Microsoft branded promotional material:
Unfortunately, banners and branded material from the retail team has already been distributed.
From the OEM team, you can purchase Microsoft branded banners, shirts, and other give-away items: www.oemsalescenter.com
If you are looking for handouts and flyers; again, we have very limited supplies of pre-printed material, but you can print your own by downloading the document masters from www.oemsalescenter.com or the Ready-to-Go Campaign material found at https://partner.microsoft.com.
Q: (from Bill)
Did you have a link for documentation of exhaustive feature comparisons for windows 7? and also possibly Vista?
A:
As far as “feature comparisons” go; those are available at www.microsoft.com/windows7. But if you want the full 140 page Windows 7 Product Guide, you can search the Microsoft downloads for “Product Guide” and will find the following link:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=b3c68ec2-e726-4830-ac89-31c71d6be5f3