I have just finished installing a new Windows Seven on my laptop.
Hardware specs:
Sony Vaio VGN-NR110e
CPU
Type: Intel® Pentium® Dual Core processor T2310
Speed: 1.46GHz
Front Side Bus Speed: 533MHz
L2 Cache: 1MB
Memory
Type: DDR2
Installed: 1GB (512MBx2) PC2-4200
Maximum: 2GB
Speed: 533MHz
RAM Upgraded to one 2GB Chip (PC2-5300 667Mhz, Kingston Value Ram)
Hard Drive
Capacity: 120GB
Speed: 5400rpm
Interface: Serial ATA
[http://news.sel.sony.com/documents/consumer/computer_peripheral/notebooks/NR/NR110.pdf]
The instalation process went by relatively fast. I backed up my files BEFORE starting the
install. I put the DVD in the drive and restarted the Laptop. OS Asked me if I want to boot
from the cd/DVD? Pressing any button activated the Setup Process. The WHOLE instalation was
GUI, (no blue FORMAT screen like back in windows XP!). First you had a choice if where to
install the system. I deleted all my partitions, and installed the system on the whole Hard
Drive.
Everything else was automatic. I was not asked any questions durring instal, which is good
because I left for half an hour, and when I got back My system was restarted into Windows
Seven FIrst Time Boot.
After entering my user name, OS automaticaly found my WIreless NEtwork, meaning my wireless
card was successfully detected, and the correct driver was automatically installed. For now
I chose NOt to set up the wireless network, and next I was presented with a Wired Network
option: Home, Publik, WOrk, etc. I chose Home, and after a few seconds saw the desktop.
Then I went into my Computer Properties, and Activated Windows. After successfull activation,
I downloaded a FREE Trial of AVG Anti Virus Program, and Installed it.
The resolution Windows picked for me is 1280×800, which fills up the entire screen. I personally
like the resolution to be a little higher, but…
After all these installs, I did NOT have to restart the PC, which was kinda neat. NExt thing I
tried was upgrading RAM to 4GB, ( I had another 2GB chip exactly the same as the one running now
just laying around). I have tried this RAM upgrade with Windows Vista Home(STOCK), Windows XP sp3,
Ubuntu 8.10, FreeBSD, Mandriva Linux. NONE of these suported 4GB. Windows would just keep rebooting
without giving any error, Ubuntu actually booted, and I could see the desktop, but was VERY unstable,
kept FREEZING after only a few seconds, so that’s another FAILURE. SO I can say that NOW the new
Windows Seven still does not let the owners of this laptop to use 4GB.
Maybe someone will figure out a way to support 2×2GB since I already proved that the specs on the
site are BOGUS, since they said each RAM slot suports 1×1GB MAX. I have 1×2GB chip NOW, I had the
stock 512MB running fine, giving me 2.5GB RAM, but since the 2GB chip is faster, I decided to
remove the 512MB, and actually noticed performance increase.
Now back to our new OS!
I ran the Performance Information and Tools, to rate my Laptops performance. Here are the results:
Processor: 4.1
Memory RAM: 4.2
Graphics: 2.2
Gaming Graphics: 4.9
Primary HD: 4.6
Next thing on the agenda INstalling some MEMORY heavy programs: Adobe CS3, phptoshop, dreamweaver,
some other website editing software.
In the meantime I activated some Gadgets on the Desktop: Calendar, MEdia Player, Weather, and Currency.
No noticeable system slow down AT ALL.
First I’m Installing Photoshop CS3
I ran the WIndows Media Center and clicked on the RAdio BUtton, only to be informed that a FM tuner
needs to be installed. AN IDEA!!! WHy not add Sirius and XP SUpport Option. If you have Satellite
radio subscription, you could put your details, and listen to the radio throught the internet. At
least until they figure out a way to bluetooth the signal from your home or car Radio to the PC.
I just noticed that the Fn+VULUME buttons do work, however the Brightness button does not:(.
Photoshop CS3 FAILED install. It sais SOme Problems Ocured durring installation See below. So I got
two errors, lets see what happends when I click on FInish & Restart.
I hears the windows login sound, and now am staring at a BLACK screen. I do not know what is going on!
The HD light is blinking or stays ON solid.
Turned off the Laptop HELD THE OFF BUTTON DOWN! I see the Starting Windows Logo, so at least I know
that my screen did not just crap out. Windows told me it did not shut down properly, bla bla, clicked
on Start WIndows Normally…. Few Seconds later I’m back in Win7.
Retrying the setup again. Successfull!!
Now there is no internet! MInd you I downloaded AVG Antivirus before and the internet WORKED!!!
It seems my Network card was DISABLED, hmm… So I enabled it and I think I have internet. Now I am
performing a Windows Update (there were 6 updates, already?!) Restart Required..
Next program I installed was Deamon Tools Lite. I got a Warning box saying the program was incompatible
with this version of windows. I clicked on Run Program anyways, and confirmed that the program WORKS
in windows Seven.
Next Install Adobe Dreamweaver CS3. Installed without a hickup. WORKS!
Net COnnection GONE. Restarting… NOw i heard the Win Chime, and am staring at a black screen AGAIN!
I think it has something to do with the screen brightness controls, because for a split second i can see the login box and then it fades to black…
HARD REBOOT!
Start Windows Normaly
It works, we’re back in business… STILL CANNOT CONNECT TO THE NET! Same Problem my Net Card got DIsabled AGAIN!?!?!?!?
Poker Fanatics? PokerStars WOrks on this version too…
UPDATE 2
It is a proven fact. Every OTHER time I restart my laptop, the screen goes to BLACK. It happened six
times in a row, so I guess this bug is easily reproduceable. When you see BLACK screen RUN!!! No just
kidding, I pressed the POWER button waiter for about a minute and powered the laptop again. Screen
works once again.
