@soandos let me start over... PC-A - my main machine, has activated Windows, genuine and everything. On my custom build (PC-B), I installed Windows 7, and wasn't planning to keep it, but I tried using the Win7 upgrade license key I have, I thought it would fail, but was curious to see what it would do... it activated! so... now I'm worried that I'll lose the license for PC-A
@studiohack, that makes much more sense. I thought you were talking about the windows key on the keyboard ;). You will not lose the licence to PC-A. From a practical standpoint, it would allow all serial keys that are available on the internet to be used to activate every machine (and then disabling updates would keep them activated).
@studiohack, Its a reason that the first machine (or probably even the second machine) will be deactivated. I don't think that it was supposed to happen (or know if it is legal).
@studiohack When the setup asked me which drive to install to, I was so caught up in checking to make sure the right number of drives were listed / the raid was presented correctly, that I installed the os to that instead of the ssd I meant to use...and I didn't load the raid array driver that the setup would need.
@studiohack, When you use windows updates, microsoft records something that identifies the hardware configuration so that you can download the update as many times as you want, but another computer using your serial will be detected. In that way, it knows which computer had the key "first" and will leave it alone.
@RebeccaChernoff my custom build has this weird thing where if all the RAM slots are filled, then Windows Setup is super slow, i.e. takes all night. whereas if I run it with one slot, it zips through
@soandos ohhh, neat! and tricky :P
sounds like I'll be deactivated on PC-B then :P which is legal and what's supposed to happen lol
I just have a hard time forking over $100 for a Windows license
@RebeccaChernoff I've run Windows Memory Diag. and it tells me I have hardware problems, so it may be a local RAM thing... but I've tried different sticks, to no avail. just something I have to work around
@RebeccaChernoff once installed, and the OS up and running, yes. Win8 and Win7 have no problems, boot very quickly, and show and use all 4 GB
@soandos thanks for the info, appreciate it. I'm not sure if it is legal or not to use this key, am tempted to experiment, but I still want to be above board :P
win7 64bit on 4gb is tough. I went playing with things like disabling aero and just about anything I could so that I wasn't sitting at like 75%...and that was before opening things like VS etc.
@RebeccaChernoff definitely for touch devices. I'm a little bit frustrated with it, for non touch systems. and I hate the suspended programs thing, can't figure out how to get out of things. if I, as a Windows geek, can't figure this out easily, then the broader public is gonna hate it. I worry it will be another Vista - only instead of driver and compatibility issues, it will be the UI
which is why, my next laptop (hopefully in 2-3 years if this one holds up) will be a laptop.tablet cross
No. Programs still suspend, and you can still run metro programs, but the default desktop is "normal" and metro programs are windowed or something (forget how it works, its been a while)
> Use CrashPlan to quickly back up to a storage device connected your computer, such as a shared folder on your network, an external hard drive or a memory stick. CrashPlan calls this type of destination a folder.
no, it doesn't... it's useful if you have roomies or at college, that type of thing - just one of those things good to have if you need it (on a laptop) or at conferences/trade shows
I really like ImgBurn, (for burning .iso's) but the Win7 built in one does it well
SyncToy is incredible, a PowerToy by Microsoft... very very configurable - let's you sync things, in a variety of ways (Sync, Echo, etc)
Audacity is really good, very impressive. for audio editing.
@soandos I've used that, that works surprisingly well. but, it is slightly more complicated, and you can't connect more than one device (IIRC) to it. I also can't connect my mobile devices to it
@RebeccaChernoff I've heard there is another alternative to TeraCopy that's even faster, but I'm content, I really like it
you can configure the colors, just so you know ;)
Driver max if you want to backup and restore drivers
Microsoft Math (used to be $50, now free) if you're taking any math courses, it is also a software graphing calculator. really cool
LogMeIn is by far, the best remote login solution for non professionals (and machines that are Home versions, etc), the free version works well
LogonStudio, by StarDock is great for customizing your logon screen in Windows 7, works well, you can save and reused different photos. Don't have to log out and back in either. very fun
Input Director, a Windows-only version of Synergy is a good alternative for using one mouse and keyboard for multiple systems
nahhh, @RebeccaChernoff I was right. I click "Folders" in CrashPlan and it only shows my three partitions for my actual internal HDD, doesn't show my 5-6 networked drives. :( so there you go
I don't know how else to interpret "Use CrashPlan to quickly back up to a storage device connected your computer, such as a shared folder on your network, an external hard drive or a memory stick. CrashPlan calls this type of destination a folder." then. odd.
Hi @studiohack. I updated part 3 of my blog post. Now it has a final and recent (as of today) photo of the inside of my computer. And it also actually says what software I use for backups. :P
If you set your Docs/Downloads/Photos etc locations to a different drive, and then change the drive letter, does that automatically follow or do you have to go in and change the locations again?
@RebeccaChernoff still trying to understand it... thinking... I would say no, it will probably break. but if it is a non critical system drive (as in, won't make the system crash) you could try it
my drive letters are all funky. os=c, osbackup = d, databackup = e, data = l, dvd = f, usb stick = k. I don't really feel like messing with them now, but I want to move my libraries from C to L which won't stay L
Totally switching gears, I picked up a bottle of Mexican Orange Fanta at the local Price Chopper today. It's actually made with cane sugar. So delicious! :)
I used OneNote on my laptop/tablet for my whole final year of college. Did 100% of my note-taking on it, and some of my homework. Really nice software.
I've wanted a racing wheel since I got Need For Speed 3 Hot Pursuit for my computer back around 2000ish. I played the first Gran Turismo on the Playstation. I'll see if I still like it. :P
oh btw @studiohack, I forgot to mention, you can use that remote desktop manager with more than just rdc...you mentioned LogMeIn...just saw that in the menu
I'll test the DVD drive again - I tried using an cd burned with an iso that I made, it is used, and I always thought I'd just get nice, new one for ~$20
