Why Talk About it Now?

Windows 7 was released in 2009, 2 years before the date this was written. It seems odd to write about myths involving a W7 upgrade when the OS version has been around for that long. Still, many people haven’t upgraded to Windows 7 because of fear. Windows Vista left a mark on everyone, and some, to this day, haven’t taken the step towards upgrading to Windows 7. It’s been seen as a risk, and Vista seems to have taught everyone a lesson. You’re missing out on a lot if you’re sticking to XP or Vista. I cannot stress enough for you to upgrade, since “Seven” will beat both of its predecessors even on your current hardware.

Myth #1: Windows XP is Still Better than Windows 7

First, I must stress the fact that Microsoft has observed the unfortunate turn that Vista has made. Vista was a hog in every sense of the word. You needed at least 2 GB of DDR2-3 RAM running at 1333 MHz to get the mammoth going. It was one of the most painful upgrades ever put upon the public and, earnestly, it made me want to barf on my keyboard. Tons of hardware had to be invented to properly run on this operating system.

Windows 7 fixes all of this and runs much faster than its predecessor. Many people believe, however, that Windows 7 is slower than Windows XP. Others think that Windows 7 is faster than XP only on higher-end computers but doesn’t make good use of lower-end hardware. Neither of these statements have a drop of truth. A benchmark test by ZDNet puts Windows 7 in a superior position both on the low end and on the high end. Myth busted!

Myth #2: Windows 7 Will Give You Hardware Nightmares

Hardware compatibility was bad in Vista. Some still have the impression that it would be worse if they’d upgrade to Windows 7. With Windows 8 around the corner, they’re about to be two operating system versions behind (3, in some cases). It’s not bad to stick to an older system, but why stick to one that is more backwards than Windows 7? While Vista caused some serious headaches about hardware, Windows 7 has made significant strides towards compatibility with older hardware that ran on XP. Software is also more compatible with Windows 7 than it would ever be with Vista.

Some graphics cards, networking adapters, and sound devices had issues with Windows Vista.

Semi-Myth #3: Windows 7 is Just a Re-Packaged Vista

Windows 7 and Vista look similar, but what runs behind all that visual candy is what makes W7 a powerhouse.

Lots of people believe that Microsoft just slapped a “7″ to the operating system’s name, made the interface prettier, and offered a couple of little gimmicks here and there. People fail to realize that what’s beneath the surface is much more important, especially in Windows 7. Yes, the operating system is based on the Vista core, which would work well if it weren’t for all the resource hogging. That’s exactly why W7 was created. The speed offered by the newer version of Windows beats Vista by a long shot, performing almost twice as fast, sometimes more. Think of it: You can either spend hundreds of dollars upgrading all your hardware to run on a bulky operating system, or spend a bit over a hundred bucks to upgrade the operating system and run it on your old hardware.

One More Reason to Make the Switch

If you haven’t installed Windows 7 even now, and all the myth busting didn’t convince you, let me ask you a question: Do you have a smartphone or other mobile device? If you answered “no”, then you might get away with an older version of Windows for some years until programs start ignoring the need to conform to XP’s standards. For those of you who answered “yes”, though, you’re going to be left behind rather quickly. Windows 7 supports certain application programming interface (API) functions that Windows XP cannot and will not have because of the way it’s constructed. Many of these API functions will be called by phones without regard for operating system version.

Windows 8 is going to come and Microsoft isn’t stopping there to wait for you. After you fall behind another notch, you might as well be running Windows 95 because mobile devices have a tendency to cater to the two most recent operating system versions. After they finish their interfaces and release their software, some of it might work with older versions of Windows, but, believe me, that wasn’t their intention. Any compatibility with an older OS will just be a coincidence, since mobile developers are always competing ahead, not behind.

The Wrap-Up

The decision to upgrade or not should be more based on desire rather than any idea of a lack of necessity. Would you still use Windows 3.0? Is it still relevant today? I didn’t think so! Windows 7 outperforms anything else from MS you’ve tried since 2001 and even offers a juicier interface that competes well with other OS’s. Windows 8 promises much more than that, but there’s still very little clarity on how it will perform on its release. Post any rambles, rants, comments, questions, or additions down at the comments area. I’m more than happy to hear feedback! :)

Photo credit: flickr

1. Error Messages

When updating, most individuals received an error message after backing up. In the beginning, this was due to a system overload, however there is still a possibility that you could encounter this problem even today. I personally encountered an error message four times before finally getting my hands on the software. The simple solution to error messages is to try and try again. Persistence is key because error messages hit random individuals, not necessarily due to your device.

2. Network Issues

If you encounter a network problem, then we would like to say congratulations on successfully getting iOS 5 on your device. Don’t worry, a network issue is quite simple to fix and can be resolved without even connecting to iTunes.First, you’ll have to go to “Settings -> General -> Reset -> Reset Network Settings”. The “reset” page scares many, especially since a couple of wrong moves can wipe clean your device if you don’t know what you’re doing. However, resetting network settings simply put your device’s carrier settings to the factory default. The worst that happens is that your saved web passwords are lost, another reason to keep better track of those pass codes!

3. Slower Device

Despite Apple approving a device as iOS 5 ready, that doesn’t necessarily mean it will run as well as on the iPhone 4S for example. Devices like the iPhone 3GS, especially the 8GB model, can run a little slower with iOS 5, even with a standard amount of applications. I personally run iOS 5 on a 3GS. I find it to work fine with average iOS 5 specific tasks, but can be buggy when going to features like Notification Center while using more processor intensive activities like games.

4. Device Just Won’t Upgrade

Some users forget that iOS 5 just isn’t available for all Apple devices. This is due to system requirements that older devices don’t support. Usually when the most recent software doesn’t support a device, that’s usually the sign that the device is considered discontinued and you should look into an upgrade. For iOS 5, these are the devices supported:

• iPhone 3GS
• iPhone 4
• iPhone 4S
• iPad Original
• iPad 2
• iPod Touch (3^rd and 4^th Generation)

In addition to your device, make sure you have the latest iTunes software. There was an update that was released before iOS 5 was released to prepare the system.

When All Else Fails

If it seems like there is no solution to this problem, don’t worry, there is always another way. In this case, it does involve a full reboot of your Apple device.

First, back up your device. Since backing up doesn’t involve iOS 5 in any way, it should back up without a problem.

Once backed up, reset your device within your device. This is done by going to “Settings”, then “General”, followed by “reset”, and finally “Erase All Content and Settings”. This process can take one to a couple of hours, so do other things while you wait.

Once done, update as if it were a new device and your problem should be fixed.

If not, it’s definitely an internal problem that may be beyond repair. Apple Care should provide you with a new device due to the fact that it’s an internal problem; all you will have to do afterward is perform a simple sync. Your new iPhone should come automatically with iOS 5. This also means that you could do OTA (over the air) sync and set up from the iPhone itself.

Now, follow these steps to upgrade to iOS 4.1 without updating to the latest baseband version.

Step 1: Download TinyUmbrella

You will have to use an application called TinyUmbrella. Now, you have to visit TinyUmbrella Official Website to download the application. After which, you have to download iOS 4.1 firmware here.

Step 2: Run TinyUmbrella

Launch this little program to start the process. Make sure you have switched off your firewall or allow your firewall to run this application. It is advisable that you run it as administrator if you are using Win Vista or Win 7.

Step 3: Connect iPhone

Make sure your iPhone is connected to your computer and that TinyUmbrella has detected it and its firmware.

You can click on ‘Save My SHSH‘ button to save a backup of your SHSH blobs should you need to downgrade your iPhone in the future.

Step 4: Start TSS Server

You may now click on ‘Start TSS Server‘ button so that TinyUmbrella can start killing iTunes. By doing so, you will be able to see ‘Running’ status just below the button.

Step 5: Launch iTunes

While TSS server is running, launch iTunes to restore iOS 4.1 firmware.

Step 6: Restore Firmware

Select your iPhone among the list of devices in iTunes. Press and hold the ‘Shift‘ key then click on the ‘Restore‘ button. This will let you navigate through the directory where you have download the iO 4.1 firmware a while ago. Be sure to look for iPhone3,1_4.1_8B117_Restore.ipsw.

Step 7: iTunes Error Prompt

Sit back and wait for the process to be done. An iTunes error 1004 will be your sign that the whole process is complete. This error simply means that your iPhone is running iOS 4.1 and has preserved its baseband version. Thus, you can use UltraSn0w to unlock it and use other carriers.

Step 8: Kick Device Out of Recovery Mode

Now, go back to TinyUmbrella and click on the ‘Kick Device Out of Recovery‘ button to conclude this process. But make sure you still have your device connected to your computer. By clicking that button, your iPhone will automatically reboot.

After the reboot, your iPhone should be running iOS 4.1 with the same baseband version, 01.59.00.

This month, there are two jailbreaking tools released for jailbreakers – limera1n and greenpois0n. Having this baseband version, you can use limera1n to jailbreak your iPhone and use UltraSn0w to unlock it.

Not all Linux distributions will offer packages for KDE 4.5 upgrades, and none of them, at this time, are supporting them in their official repositories. This takes time, and most distros will include a version of KDE 4.5 with their next official releases. Therefore, keep in mind that the packages you are about to install may not be supported by your distribution. Some are included in their distribution’s “unstable” or “testing” repositories, while others are from third-party packagers.

I tried to include as many major Linux distributions as possible, but if I missed your favorite distro, feel free to add instructions for it in the comments section.

Kubuntu

Kubuntu 10.04 packages are available in the backports repository, but they are not officially supported as part of the distribution. The development release (Maverick) 10.10 includes KDE 4.5 packages by default.

1. Add the following repository through KPackageKit or using apt-get in a terminal.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kubuntu-ppa/beta
Update: It should be the backport repository, not the beta.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kubuntu-ppa/backports

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

OpenSUSE

Packages for OpenSUSE are available in the 11.3 KDE repositories.

1. If you have not already, add the repository with:

zypper ar -f http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/KDE:/Distro:/Factory/openSUSE_11.3

2. Upgrade with:

zypper dup –from KDF

Mandriva

1. Remove repositories from previous versions, with a command like this:

 urpme.removemedia kde-4.5rc3

2. Add the KDE 4.5 repository. For 32-bit systems, enter as root:

urpmi.addmedia kde-4.5 ftp://ftp.kde.org/pub/kde/stable/4.5.0/Mandriva/2010.1/i586/

For 64-bit systems, type:

urpmi.addmedia kde-4.5 ftp://ftp.kde.org/pub/kde/stable/4.5.0/Mandriva/2010.1/x86_64/

3. Update repository list and test:

rpmi –auto-update –auto-select –test

4. Finally, type:

urpmi –auto-update –auto-select

Fedora

1. Enable the KDE repositories using the instructions found here

2. Enable kde-testing and kde-unstable in KPackageKit

3. In a terminal, type as root:

yum groupupdate kde-desktop

Slackware

AlienBOB has published instructions on upgrading to KDE 4.5. Users should follow them to get the latest packages.

Gentoo

According to the Gentoo KDE guide, an official release of KDE 4.5 will not be made until KDE-PIM, which was delayed, is made available. This will probably be in KDE 4.5.1. There are also other bugs that Gentoo developers said KDE developers have not yet address. Users who still want KDE 4.5 can compile it themselves, as they normally would, and just use KDE-PIM 4.4.5. A full explanation is available at the KDE4 guide website.

PCLinuxOS

At the time of this writing, PCLinuxOS developers were preparing KDE 4.5 packages, and they should be available soon. There was one bug in Konqueror that prevented YouTube from playing correctly, and they have already received help from KDE developers to fix it. You can receive updates by following them on Twitter.

Linux Mint

Linux Mint users can follow the Kubuntu instructions to upgrade to KDE 4.5. Simply add the Kubuntu backports ppa and run:

sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

For other Linux distributions, FreeBSD, and other operating systems, you should check the official websites, wikis, announcement sections of forums, and mailing lists to see if KDE 4.5 will be included in their repositories and/or future releases.

Being the techie-geek that I am, I jumped out at the first chance of upgrading my Mac system from Leopard (10.5) to Snow Leopard (10.6), but everyday Mac users might not be as eager as me. So, if you are still considering on whether you should add the snow to the leopard, here are few things to help you make the decision.

To upgrade or not to upgrade

This is a simple question to answer: upgrade! All of the improvements should be good enough reasons to do so, but Apple has made the decision making even easier by pricing the new operating system at a ridiculously US$29.

But there are some caveats here: Snow Leopard is designed for Mac Intel only, so if your system is still PowerPC based, you are out of luck. (Maybe now it’s the perfect time to go Intel?) Apple also made it clear that the US$ 29 upgrade is only for Leopard, while Tiger (10.4) users should go with the US$ 169 Mac Box Set (iLife ’09 and iWork ’09 included).

While the higher price of Mac Box Set is justified by iLife and iWork, please note that Tiger users has other option because many Mac users has confirmed that the US$29 Snow Leopard will upgrade any Intel Mac.

Preparing Your System

If you’ve decided to take the chance, there are few things to do prior upgrading to Snow Leopard.

1. Check for incompatible applications

As with any OS upgrade, there are always issues of incompatibilies. To give you a headstart of what might happen to your softwares after Snow Leopard upgrade, Apple has released a list of incompatible software which will be moved to a folder called – well – Incompatible Software.

You might also want to check other Snow Leopard compatibility list on this Wikidot page.

2. Do some spring cleaning

It’s also a good idea to clean up your system a little bit before doing the upgrade. You can do this by uninstalling unused applications – using uninstaller like AppTrap, and by doing some system maintenance – using something like Onyx. Both apps are free and ironically, both haven’t had Snow Leopard-compatible version – yet.

3. Back up your data

There are just too many examples about how important backing up your data is that I don’t have to do restate it again here. Beside Apple’s Time Machine, another free alternative to back up utilities is CarbonCopyCloner.

4. Make a bootable back up system

If you have an unused extra external hard drive and if you are really paranoid, you could copy a bootable system of your current Mac before installing Snow Leopard. You can use the free trial of SuperDuper for this purpose.

The Upgrading Process

And finally, the upgrade. You may say this is like an anticlimax to the whole story, but the upgrade process itself is a snap. You just:

• insert the Snow Leopard Install DVD,
• reboot the system,
• hold down the Alt/Option key during rebooting to make the booting option appears. (Or not. I need to hold the Alt/Option during my upgrade, but some users report that they don’t have to).
• Choose the install DVD to boot,
• Follow the instruction on the screen (and for those who want to do clean install: choose Disk Utility from Utility menu at the welcome screen, and do some formatting and repartitioning the disk. Warning: not for the faint hearted!)
• Go get something to drink while waiting.

With the system upgraded to Snow Leopard, it’d be perfect to look at all of the improvements the new OS brings. So, please save that thought for our next discussion.

Have you upgraded your system to Snow Leopard? Or will you? Share your thoughts, opinions, upgrading tips and tricks, using the comment below.

This time round, Microsoft is offering the download at least through July 2009, so there is no need to rush for it.

If you are currently Vista on your computer, you can easily upgrade to Windows 7 RC 1 without reformatting the hard disk. However, if you have already converted fully to Windows 7 since beta release, you are out of luck, because Microsoft does not allow you to to perform a direct upgrade from the Beta.

We’ve also learned that many of you (millions) are running Windows 7 Beta full time. You’re anxious for a refresh. You’ve installed all your applications. You’ve configured and customized the system. You would love to get the RC and quickly upgrade to it from Beta. The RC, however, is about getting breadth coverage to validate the product in real-world scenarios. As a result, we want to encourage you to revert to a Vista image and upgrade or to do a clean install, rather than upgrade the existing Beta. We know that means reinstalling, recustomizing, reconfiguring, and so on.  That is a real pain.  The reality is that upgrading from one pre-release build to another is not a scenario we want to focus on because it is not something real-world customers will experience.

Excerpted from MSDN blog

If you decide to follow Microsoft’s advice and do a clean installation, you can use the Windows Easy Transfer application to back up/restore your data easily. However if you are looking for a quick fix to upgrade to Windows 7 RC 1 directly from Beta, here’s the hack:

1. Download the Windows 7 RC1 iso file.

2. Download and install Virtual CloneDrive in your Windows 7 beta. You should see a new virtual drive in your Windows Explorer.

3. Right click on the virtual drive and select VirtualCloneDrive -> Mount. Navigate to the location where you save the RC1 iso file and select the file. This will mount the iso in your system.

4. Open the virtual drive (right click and select Open, do not double click). Copy all the files to a new folder in your hard disk (or a flash drive).

5. In the new folder where you have saved all the files, browse to the sources directory. Open the file cversion.ini with Notepad.

6. Change the MinClient build number to 7000

7. Save the file in place with the same name.

8. Go up one folder and double click the Setup file to start the RC1 installation.

That’s it.

Note: You might experience some oddity with this method of upgrading. For best user experience, it is advisable to do a clean installation.