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Print 18 comment(s) - last by tallcool1.. on Jul 13 at 1:25 PM
Microsoft rolls along with Windows 7 updates

We reported early last month that a public beta of Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) was on the way. Microsoft has stuck to that timetable and the public beta can now be downloaded.

"As Gavriella Schuster and I have mentioned in previous blogs, SP1 for Windows 7 does not contain any new features specific to Windows 7," said Microsoft's Brandon LeBlanc on Blogging Windows. "For Windows 7, SP1 is simply a combination of updates already available through Windows Update and additional hotfixes based on feedback by our customers and partners."

Although Leblanc states that no new features are slated for Windows 7, numerous rumors peg improved Bluetooth/Wi-Fi functionality and USB 3.0 support as being added to the mix.

You can download the public beta here.

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By bubbastrangelove on 7/12/2010 4:04:26 PM , Rating: 5
As appealing as being an uncompensated beta tester is on my just fine functioning PCs sounds I'm going to have to pass on this one.




RE: .
By Etsp on 7/12/10, Rating: -1
RE: .
By CrazyBernie on 7/12/2010 7:55:44 PM , Rating: 5
I take it from that statement, neither have you.


RE: .
By quiksilvr on 7/12/2010 4:41:30 PM , Rating: 2
Uh, USB 3.0 is official and products are being launched. I think this is a pretty important update.


RE: .
By tallcool1 on 7/13/2010 1:25:18 PM , Rating: 4
I just wish some of the major pc makers would get on board with USB 3.0 already. They are still selling a lot of hardware without USB 3.0 ports.

Dell for example are still selling laptops and desktops without USB 3.0 ports. Even their top of the line gaming systems (Alienware) still are only using USB 2.0, which is embarresing. It probably has to do with the Intel chipset motherboards since I believe Intel has yet to add this to thier series. I know a lot of the 3rd party mobo makers like Asus, MSI, Gigabyte, etc already have mobos with 3rd party USB 3.0 chips.


RE: .
By Scabies on 7/12/2010 5:03:38 PM , Rating: 2
as an uncompensated beta tester, I am running Windows 7 Ultimate Popup edition for free. and just today I started backing stuff up for my periodic format, so this news couldnt have come at a better time for me :3


RE: .
By LordSojar on 7/12/10, Rating: 0
RE: .
By LordSojar on 7/12/2010 6:34:47 PM , Rating: 1
Grrr...

quote:
you SHOULDN'T need to do periodic formats if you maintain a Windows7 system correctly


Fixed.


RE: .
By inighthawki on 7/12/2010 7:33:09 PM , Rating: 5
quote:
Secondly, what popups are you talking about? Windows7 is very quiet, and doesn't bother you if you tell it not to.


My interpretation was he was running some kind of non-genuine copy with nags (hence "free" and "popup") but that's just a guess, I can't see how else that makes any sense...


RE: .
By LordSojar on 7/12/2010 7:53:00 PM , Rating: 1
Mmm, good point. In that case, buy the OS... support Microsoft when they make a good OS and price it at sane levels. :)


RE: .
By Scabies on 7/12/2010 8:32:37 PM , Rating: 2
ding ding ding
dont even have to "crack" it, just borrow someone's install disc and decline entering the product key. you lose the language packs and are forced to endure a plain black wallpaper that says "this copy of windows is not genuine," but I'm willing to endure it.

I mainly reformat to get out weird drivers that I try periodically (pspdisp, asio4all, creative soundblaster custom drivers, etc.) That and root out anything a guest might have done that I haven't noticed.


RE: .
By mircea on 7/13/2010 8:38:41 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
First off, Ultimate is a waste of money


It is, unless you get it for $10 more than the Professional; which is what I was looking for.


RE: .
By namechamps on 7/13/10, Rating: 0
RE: .
By bjacobson on 7/13/10, Rating: 0
No new features?
By woofersus on 7/12/2010 4:09:18 PM , Rating: 2
Why would they need a public beta test for a package containing only previously released updates and hotfixes?




RE: No new features?
By Spivonious on 7/12/2010 4:23:34 PM , Rating: 2
No new features doesn't mean no new hotfixes/patches.

And the main point of beta testing this is testing the service pack install, not the service pack itself. There are only so many system configurations that MS can test in-house.


RE: No new features?
By tlbj6142 on 7/12/2010 5:03:48 PM , Rating: 2
Another reason for Beta Testing is to give corporate IT an early chance to prepare for the pending update. And for ISVs to make sure their software works with SP1 before it is released.

Home users need not apply unless you are really bored.


RE: No new features?
By Smilin on 7/12/2010 5:03:51 PM , Rating: 5
updates/hotfixes do not get full regression testing. They are tested as individual components to confirm they are not themselves bugged and that they do indeed fix the problem. This is the "qfe tree".

Many updates and fixes may be developed simultaneously so it's not possible to cross test them or provide a full OS testing battery.

When service packs get released there is a code tree "reset", all fixes are rolled together, tested together, and full regression testing occurs.

With hotfixes it's difficult to tell if there is a regression as only people with the problem get the fix. With an service pack everyone will get it regarless if they had a "hotfixed" problem or not. Testing is akin to RTM style testing.

Hope this helps.


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