Windows 7 beta lag/slow machine problems

**Coolyxxx** · #1 12th Jan 2009, 00:22

Hi,
I know Microsoft said there was no tech support for the windows 7 beta, but I think you guys might be able to help.
Already posted something in the windows 7 beta thread, but I'll put it here as well, seeing I got more.
Windows 7 likes to see my processor as AMD 6000+, but also likes to say it runs at 92MHz...

Now, I'm getting tons of lag. I've set the RAM amount in Virtual PC to 1500mb, more than enough, since minimum requirements were 1gb. I've tried installing motherboard drivers, (even though I think it has nothing to do with this) but it always freezes when it runs.
Windows 7 also likes to say I have a Standard VGA Graphics adaptor, with no memory.

Also tried to install graphics card drivers, but the XP ones say it detected an OS thats not XP, and Vista ones say that there is no compatible device...

Otherwise, I think it's pretty good. Looks nice and clean.

**KanoakaVirus** · #2 12th Jan 2009, 00:40

You have to remember its still in Beta.

**Coolyxxx** · #3 12th Jan 2009, 00:55

Yea, its still in beta, but it can't be that many problems, can there? Most beta's are fine, with minor bugs, but this isn't minor. Even windows media player says that it wouldn't work properly because I have a 8mb graphics card, and it needs 64mb max, when I know that I have a 512mb card...

**evilfantasy** · #4 12th Jan 2009, 10:57

Quote:

Most beta's are fine, with minor bugs,

This isn't true. With Beta there is always a chance your computer will be trashed to the point of never starting up again without buying new, expensive, hardware.

Although there are some very skilled users here at CJ. Beta testers are actually another "breed" of users. You need to know the ins and out of Windows very intimately to be a successful beta tester. If this isn't a spare PC you are loading this onto I suggest removing it and waiting until the full version is released.

**serverguy** · #5 12th Jan 2009, 12:15

As long as you're playing around in a VM, I think all should be ok :)

I expect it is more of a problem of Windows 7 not working well in the VM. Have you tried Googling / researching your issues? That is what beta testing is all about.

What host OS are you using? XP or Vista? There are some issues with Vista and Virtual PC 2k7.

Are you using 32 or 64 bit host / client OSs?

Have you tried reinstalling?

Its all part of beta testing.

Also, there are limitations to running as a virtual machine. Virtual PC is good if you are inexperienced and just want to have a taster, but there is much better out there, like VMWare or ESXi. But at them moment Windows 7 lacks in drivers, so the best bet is to run it on the real hardware layer of a spare computer.

**Coolyxxx** · #6 12th Jan 2009, 15:11

Googling found no results. I couldn't even find any results which were about problems of the beta. Maybe I'm searching the wrong thing? I'm using XP 32bit, and downloaded the 32bit beta. I've tried reinstalling, I can try again. The first time I installed, I got to the desktop, and shutdown, but when I turned it on again, it made me go through creating user accounts and inserting CDkeys again. It did that 3 times, and on the fourth, it said C:\Windows\Prefetch or something similar was corrupted, so I reinstalled. These bugs as well? Looks like they have a lot to work on...

**serverguy** · #7 12th Jan 2009, 15:22

Are you using the latest Virtual PC?

Have you tried installing VM Additions?

**Coolyxxx** · #8 12th Jan 2009, 23:30

I am using Virtual PC 2007 SP1, which is the latest right?
Installing VM additions now made my video card a VM Additions S3 Trio32/64 with 8mb memory

. And my cpu now runs at 6MHz...

**evilfantasy** · #9 13th Jan 2009, 11:11

Here is a comment from a beta tester friend of mine who won a Microsoft® MVP award in Windows Desktop Experience, talking about about Windows 7.

Quote:

*to add something here and not directed at a single person but all, is that please understand what a beta is, its a test version of some new software and is likely to have bugs and issues with some software and hardware. A beta is issued to try and work out all or as many bugs as possible, but with something as large as an Operating System this cannot due to too many variables in hardware and software configurations to always work perfectly for all.

While it maybe great to run a new and latest version of Windows before many others, its exciting and can teach you alot about how windows works and get you a heads up on whats new and will be in the final version, too many people jump in unknowingly with this pre release software and when it doesnt work blame the software and the company......

Only install on a PC that is not a main PC but a test one if you have a spare. As mentioned testing beta software is likely to break your computer.

He is talking about beta testing Operating Systems. Be aware that you are likely to "break" your computer. Only use it on a test machine. As Serverguy stated earlier. Running it in a VM isn't going to fully work. You will need to have plenty of VM and Beta experience, and then it still won't fully work...

This release is about running the full version with no "safety net" and finding the bugs. Not just about seeing how well it works.

**philthomas** · #10 13th Jan 2009, 17:14

Yep .... I dont think you can come to any sound conclusions, running it with VM.
Put it on a spare box and enjoy, or wait