# Windows 7 question

Category: Geeks r Us

## Post 1 by kithri (Help me, I'm stuck to my chair!) on Wednesday, 09-Sep-2009 13:13:35

I'm looking to upgrade possibly to a new system. Has anyone tried windows 7 yet? Does anyone know how well it works with jaws? Is it similar to Vista where the menus and things are moved around or did they go back to the normal format like with 200 and XP?
I have jaws 9. Will I need to upgrade to 10 or 11 to run windows 7?
Any suggestions and information would be appreciated.

## Post 2 by theJournalist (move over school!) on Wednesday, 09-Sep-2009 14:14:36

I have ran Windows 7 for a long time, ever since the first builds of it began to appear.
I'm afraid your questions won't yield too positive results, but I wish to be honest:
Windows 7 does not have the classic start menu anymore, so XP style menus are bye-bye. Performance however is as fast as it is in XP - and your computer hardly, if ever, crashes.
Jaws 9 has some problems with 7, granted that for some, they might not be too big of a deal while others might find them major showstoppers. You can't use insert f11 to access your system tray, you can't access the calculator, you can't use wordpad as well because of the ribbons. You will have issues with IE8 and jaws9 since it wasn't introduced as much at the time too.
Jaws 11 is now coming out, the public beta is posted online. It has near-perfect Windows 7 support - and I'm afraid that if you want to use the changed environments such as the system tray you will need to get jfw 11. I know that the upgrades will probably be the biggest reason for not using 7 in the blind community - aside from the fact that XP-style things are gone. Some users like me can adapt to that, while others prefer to have things as they were in Xp and the old days - to be truthful I had major difficulty starting to appreciate the search box in my start menu and not longing the easy letter navigation of XP.
If you have any more questions, just feel free to ask. I know I'm not the only person who has used Windows 7 on the zone, and I'm sure others will also be able to provide their help. :)
With all due respect-
Tomi

## Post 3 by kithri (Help me, I'm stuck to my chair!) on Wednesday, 09-Sep-2009 21:59:04

Thanks for the help. I kind of figured that jfw 9 wouldn't work correctly with win7, but wanted to check anyway. It might take me a bit, but I don't mind learning a new system. I've had no problems with my XP version and it's a desktop. I was mainly looking at a laptop for portability.
As for jfw 9 and IE8, I haven't had any problems with that, but I do between IE8 and MSN browsers. I was told that when MS updated IE they didn't update the MSN server at the same time. So, if I want to run media files or download anything, I have to use internet explorer because the stupid MSN freezes up, but other than that I can use MSN for anything.
If I get win7, what programs are all ready installed in terms of microsoft like office or word?
What media files, if any, are preinstalled: win-media-player or anything like that, IE8?
How hard is it to run audio games on win7?
Microsoft has been putting new systems out fairly quickly so how stable is win7?
Or, would it be better to go with Vista?
What version of jfw are you running and how is it working with win7?
Can you still use most of the jfw commands like first letter navigation on web pages for links or headings?
How did you get win7 as I thought it wasn't released to the public yet?
Wow! I didn't think I had that many questions. I guess I should've pm you with all this.

## Post 4 by rat (star trek rules!) on Thursday, 10-Sep-2009 13:23:00

actually getting answers on here might convince others, now that i know jaws 11 works pretty well with it i'm wondering what it'd be like, but not sure how to test it since i don't want to lose my vista machine

## Post 5 by theJournalist (move over school!) on Thursday, 10-Sep-2009 15:36:48

ok ok... here are the answers to the best of my knowledge.
1. Windows 7 contains Windows media player, Internet explorer 8, photo viewer, paint, calculator, notepad, wordpad, the standard system tools... It does not contain:
Windows photo gallery, windows mail, and windows movie maker - these can be obtained from Windows live. (sssh: Windows mail can still be launched by typing
c:progra~1windows mailwinmail.exe
in your run dialog)
2. Audio games work just fine. You still have direct X support in Windows 7, something you might not have in Windows... ok that's top secret material. jk. There might not be windows anymore, Microsoft is working on a new operating system called midorean.
3. I'd say, Vista will be the next dropped operating system after Windows me. It is unstable, the size is huge, and it uses so much processing power... Granted, since service pack 2 we have really improved in vista's performance - still going with 7 is the best choice.
4. I am using the public beta of jaws 11. Yes, first navigation commands still work as always (the internet explorer in win 7 is the same as the ie8 for xp /vista). A few commands have changed in jfw 11, however - mainly doing with switching between msn messenger conversations. your command for the virtual viewer is now alt+insert+w rather than control - a slight difference and new thing for me.
5. Personally I went with getting windows 7 through illegal methods (which I will not discuss on the boards). However, anyone can download the OFFICIAL release candidate from microsoft's website,
www.microsoft.com/windows7
for free. It's a 2.5 GB download and will cost you quite some time, but well worth it. The release candidate is very stable and fast, good for those who want to run Windows 7 as their primary OS since there aren't any major bugs in it.
With all due respect-
Tomi

## Post 6 by kithri (Help me, I'm stuck to my chair!) on Thursday, 10-Sep-2009 16:16:45

That's good to know about Vista. I had Windows ME and found out it was only a in-between program with lots of bugs like in the MS-word and memory problems. It crashed and I had saved the most important stuff on disk so I wasn't out much. Got the XP and like it a lot. I knew Vista was large and highly graphical, but with 7 coming out, I'd rather have a reliable program.
Well, got to upgrade my jfw software to work with that.
One question though?
Since I currently have win-XP, can I still download and install win7 or do I need to do a total hard drive wipe before installing win7 and then reload my aplications I want back on it?
MS usually makes people pay for things especially new operating systems, so why is this one free? Is it safe to run?
If they're putting win7 out now, why are they all ready working on a new operating system? Makes me wonder what's wrong with win7?
Wow! You must really know computers to manage to get copies of things without being caught. Cool.
Thanks again.
Chastity

## Post 7 by rat (star trek rules!) on Thursday, 10-Sep-2009 18:39:27

well, one thing i learned is that alltel aircards are not supported in windows 7 yet otherwise i'd take a look.

## Post 8 by purple penguin (Don't you hate it when someone answers their own questions? I do.) on Thursday, 10-Sep-2009 19:09:03

Am I the only one still using XP?
From my understanding, Windows 7 is a beta, which is why it's released free to everyone. It comes out in October, and then you will have to pay for it.
I'll hopefully have a couple more years with this laptop before upgrading.

## Post 9 by ¤§¤spike¤§¤ (This site is so "educational") on Thursday, 10-Sep-2009 19:25:29

If I'm not mistaken, Microsoft stopped allowing people to download the RC1 build of Win 7. Which means that those who want it are gonna either have to do what tomi did or have to wait to buy it in stores on October 22, 2009. I personally am still debating whether to upgrade to it or not.

## Post 10 by purple penguin (Don't you hate it when someone answers their own questions? I do.) on Thursday, 10-Sep-2009 19:55:05

I'd be careful mentioning illegal stuff on here.

## Post 11 by monkeypusher69 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Thursday, 10-Sep-2009 21:04:09

Yeah the RC download is closed but the RTM or essentially what is the retail boxed version is available for a 90 day trial from microsoft's tech net, oh and they don't actually check or varify that you are a technical partner you can just sign into your windows live account and download it. A work around i have found for the insert f11 thing not working is windows key + b , that command puts you on the system tray and then the left and right arrows will navigate through it. If want to try windows 7 you can always dual boot it with your current OS though this isn't exactly for the non tech savvy though its not very difficult to do. I personally am running it as my sole day to day OS and its working fine .. been meaning to download the beta of Jaws 11 to see what the improvements are. Though i will agree, skip vista and go right to 7. Oh and fear not An operating System is a big long multi year job So don't think anything is wrong with Windows 7 just because microsoft is already working on its predisessors. if they didnt start working on it now we wouldn't see Windows 8 .. or actually what would or should really be windows 7 as far as the actual name goes .. (long story don't ask lol) for like another 10 years or so.

## Post 12 by kithri (Help me, I'm stuck to my chair!) on Thursday, 10-Sep-2009 21:43:47

Well, I'll probably wait until it goes from beta testing to normal releasable software because the new laptops should have it all ready installed and then I don't have to worry about overlaying my current system. Then, all I have to do is upgrade jfw.

## Post 13 by blindndangerous (the blind and dangerous one) on Thursday, 10-Sep-2009 21:58:13

I am using it also as my day-to-day OS, and am loving it. Once october rolls around, I think I'll buy my own legal copy of it.

## Post 14 by forereel (Just posting.) on Friday, 11-Sep-2009 2:07:20

Windows 7 is now available to pre order from the Microsoft store. It cost $119 for the home, $199 for the pro, and $219 for the alt versions. There are instructions for installing it from XP or upgrading Vista. www.microsoft.com I do not know when copies will be delivered if pre ordered. It does sound nice though. Smile.

## Post 15 by monkeypusher69 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Friday, 11-Sep-2009 12:30:02

actually i believe there is a family pack of 3 liscense of home premium for $150 on amazon and a few other such sites. probably the best deal. And i would do a clean install if i buy it and not an upgrade from XP or Vista, Thats just asking for trouble. Also waiting till October and getting on a new system pre installed is probably the best way to do it. if you are getting anew computer or don't want to deal with installing it yourself.

## Post 16 by kithri (Help me, I'm stuck to my chair!) on Friday, 11-Sep-2009 21:28:03

That's the best I think for me, to get a system all ready preinstalled. Thanks to all for the help.

## Post 17 by forereel (Just posting.) on Saturday, 12-Sep-2009 0:14:37

Today I learned that Dell is asking 209 for home and it comes with the disc and all, so brand new no download stuff, but more cash. On Microsofts site the recomend a clean install with XP, but not Vista, so best to read the instructions fully I'd suppose. Oct. 22nd seems to be the party day.

## Post 18 by theJournalist (move over school!) on Saturday, 12-Sep-2009 15:39:11

actually, if you purchased a PC in the last 3 months (might be more), you can get a free upgrade to 7 provided that the computer shipped with Vista. It's a very nice program and is for PCS who ran Vista but 7 rolled around and they want it.
I'm surprised MS took the RC down, I haven't checked it but it's good to know.
My mom has an altel aircard... It works fine for me. You just need to run setup.exe to from the USB drive's root to configure the dial-up connection. If you need help with it I'd be more than glad to do so.
:)
With all the best-
Tomi

## Post 19 by bermuda-triangulese (Help me, I'm stuck to my chair!) on Sunday, 13-Sep-2009 10:10:29

what about dule booting it with a netbook. Has anyone tried with the NC10? I've heard one or two opinions on that but want to see what everything thinks before I start messing about.