Skip to main content

The Joy and The Pain of Windows 7 64-bit

Last year, I began having problems with my old notebook (Dell 700m Inspiron).  The old Faithful has served me for about six years and is STILL serving me but it just won't display pictures anymore.  I blame this on the gazillion-MB pictures produced by the new cameras.  HOWEVER, as I was expected to deal with pictures in the course of my work, this posed a huge problem for me.  At first, it was only the screen that refused to show me the pictures (they would print out fine).  But after a while, the pictures wouldn't even print out. 

So I decided to walk through the shiny electronics-awash halls of Karamunsing Complex Third Floor.  The specs of notebooks and desktops flabbergasted me.  320GB hard disks, 4GB RAM etc etc.  I checked old Faithful's specs... 60GB hard disk memory... 256MB RAM... ohhh, no wonder the poor thing couldn't cope.  I upgraded the RAM to 1GB.  Pictures still refused to show themselves.  So I bit the bullet and bought myself an Acer.

At first, I was overjoyed by the ease of use.... Windows 7 was so wonderful, all I had to do was connect a device to the laptop and Windows Update would automatically download drivers and software from manufacturers' sites.  Wow, my days of digging out installation CDs were over!  PDA, handphone, externals... all were installed and recognised with a minimum of fuss.

THEN began the true pain... an odyssey of learning.  Windows 7 downloaded drivers for both scanner and printer in my office.  BUT it didn't recognise them.  I thought, fine... I'll just have to find the solutions on forums on the net.  Forums and me...we're best buddies.  So I cracked my agile fingers and started googling and forum-ing.  Days went by... multiple downloads of myriad drivers took place.

ARGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH... Windows 7 64-bit isn't compatible with MANY devices!!!!  Especially my Canon LIDE 25 scanner and Canon Laser Shot LBP 1120 printer!  After years of having access to printer and scanner, I was now HOBBLED! 

Then a friend suggested I downgrade to Windows 7 32-bit.  He said he'd help.   With the hope of being able to use my printer and scanner, I turned my Acer over to him.  But then, I found out he installed a pirate copy of the software into my Acer!  I DON'T WANT UNLICENSED SOFTWARE!  I want to be able to download updates from Microsoft.  Updates, patches, fixes, whatevers!  Who knows, Bill might feel generous and download a million USD into my hard disk.  One never knows.... but one MUST be ready!

Of course that was also the time my friend fell ill and was unable to help me restore my system.  So I took the laptop back, tried to restore my system but couldn't (don't ask me why... grrrrr).  In the end, I formatted my C Drive, reinstalled Windows 7 64-bit and began the whole process of reinstalling drivers and software.

What did I learn from this?  If the device isn't compatible, it isn't compatible.  It wasn't compatible yesterday, it isn't compatible today and it probably wouldnt' be compatible tomorrow.  So now I will make sure I will check out Microsoft's list of compatible devices... although it isn't very accurate.  It listed my scanner as being compatible (BILL GATES, CANON LIDE 25 SCANNERS AREN'T COMPATIBLE WITH YOUR WINDOWS 7 64-BIT!).

Well, anyway.  I like Windows 7.

Comments

hobbit1964 said…
I once took pains to learn how to reformat my computer so I could install my own OS and supporting software, but I have conceded to paying the computer guy at the shop 80 bucks to spare me the labours of pacing up and down while the programmes install.
But yes, Windows 7 does appear to have stepped ahead of Vista and the randomly reliable XP.
By the way, it is nice to finally chance upon a Sabahan blogger who writes well, and without succumbing to narcissism too!!
Made my day after sifting through nigh 3000 blogs.
RoslynCT said…
Personally I liked Windows XP...and skipped Windows Vista after five minutes of trying to make sense of the vastly different interface (when compared to XP). The switch to Windows 7 was not by choice but luckily the advantages outweighed the disadvantages.

Thanks for the kind comments.. I have taught English long enough to have thousands of ex-students roaming the Internet and had better show that I can still write better than them. Ha ha. That should earn me volleys of remarks. Come on guys, don't disappoint me..LOL...

Popular posts from this blog

Royal Commonwealth Essay Competition 2009

Another great opportunity for our young people to show what they can do! The Royal Commonwealth Essay Competition has four different age bands, 'Classes'. Each Class offers five topics, plus the Commonwealth Question and the Charlton Athletic Community Trust Question. As we hope to reach a diverse student body across the Commonwealth, there are options for both academic and creative minds.  The Competition deadline is 1st March 2009   CLASS A - Born 1990-1992  1400-1750 words  All questions can be answered by writing an essay or a story which explores the topic in an interesting and relevant way.   Can I help you?  Bullying is an issue which concerns young people throughout the Commonwealth. Why does it matter and what can be done about it?   It is 200 years since Charles Darwin was born and 150 years since the publication of "On the origin of Species". In your view, what evolutionary developments are needed to ensure the continuing

A Teacher's Heartbreak

What breaks my heart every time it happens is watching a student fail to continue his or her studies because of financial barriers. I have lost count of the times I have personally witnessed a student do well in exams but cannot continue because of money problems.  C was one of the top three students in a previous STPM exam.  She could've easily got a place in university but for reasons known only to her, she chose to help her family in their shop.  Q was in the top TWO in his school in an SPM exam.... but family pressures and financial obligations steered him away from a confirmed place in matriculation.  Now I do not know where he is. J was the TOP student in a school.... but because his father didn't live up to his responsibility as a parent, J dropped out of school. I cry inside when I see these things happening for I know education is their best route to a brighter future.  I feel so so SO frustrated because if it is not their own family that 'drags' them down,

What Can I Say?

I can't say much. So I'll just share lyrics from a song. 'Life Will Pass' Moments full of happiness Of sweet youth days, Nothing to do, you cannot bring them back, Fate is not to be controlled, it is not. Those days will be a thing of the past, Where dreams and fantasies are intertwined, Everything will remain an echo, When the time comes to think. The life passes, passes, Fleeting like a river, May your star never go out, Until the cherished dream is achieved. The life passes, passes, Everything in this life is in vain, May your star never go out, Until the cherished dream is achieved. When the fog will cover the soul, When happiness will leave you, When you're alone in the world, Will there be someone who will understand you? And your blooming youth, It will turn into a mirage someday. No matter how you deceive yourself, but in the end Your fate is in the hands of the Almighty. The life passes, passes, Fleeting like a river, May your star never go out, Until the c