Installing Windows 7 RC

To help make sure you have a great experience, please read this section before you install the software.

What you need to know before you begin:
If you’ve installed Windows 7 Beta on your PC, you’ll need to back up your data, and do a clean installation of the RC. Then you’ll need to reinstall your programs and restore the files, settings, and other information you want to use for testing.
While we consider this a stable and high-quality pre-release version of Windows, the RC is not the finished product. It could crash your computer or cause you to lose important files or information.
You’re pretty much on your own as you test the software. You need to be comfortable setting up and troubleshooting a PC. If you have a problem, you can find a lot of help from other testers online, but we’re not providing formal tech support. Before installing the software please read these two documents for important information: Things to Know and Release Notes.
IMPORTANT: The RC will expire on June 1, 2010. Starting on March 1, 2010, your PC will begin shutting down every two hours. Windows will notify you two weeks before the bi-hourly shutdowns start. To avoid interruption, you’ll need to rebuild your test machine using a valid version of Windows before the software expires. You’ll need to rebuild your test PC to replace the OS and reinstall all your programs and data. (To learn more, see Frequently asked questions.)
Things you need to have before you start:
Dedicated test PC: Please don’t test the RC on your primary home or business PC.
Data backup: The information on your PC will not be saved during installation. Back up your PC before you start, and frequently during testing. You can back up files to an external hard disk, a DVD or CD, or a network folder. (See How to back up a PC.) If you’re running Windows 7 Beta on the PC you’ll use for test, you can use Windows Easy Transfer to create a backup on an external drive. To find and launch Windows Easy Transfer, just type “easy” in the Start search box.
Recovery disc: A recovery disc restores your computer to its out-of-the-box state. Most computers come with one. If yours didn’t, contact your PC maker.
Antivirus program: Make sure your antivirus program is up-to-date, run it, then disable it before installing Windows 7 RC. When you finish the installation, remember to re-enable the antivirus program.
Internet connection: Be sure to connect to the Internet after you finish the installation. Being connected helps make sure you get useful security and hardware updates. We recommend you keep your PC set to automatically check for updates through Windows Update.
Getting ready to install the Release Candidate
What you’ll need:
A blank DVD
A PC with a DVD burner
A PC for testing with these system requirements:
1 GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
1 GB RAM (32-bit) / 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
16 GB available disk space (32-bit) / 20 GB (64-bit)
DirectX 9 graphics processor with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver

Please note: Some product features of Windows 7, such as the ability to watch and record live TV or navigate through the use of “touch,” might require advanced or additional hardware.
How to download the Windows 7 RC
Visit the Windows 7 RC download page.
Choose your language.
Choose a 32-bit or 64-bit version of the RC. To see if your computer can run a 64-bit version of Windows, in Performance Information and Tools (Start>Control Panel>Performance Information and Tools) click View and print details and then look under 64-bit capable. For more information that might help with your decision, see 32-bit and 64-bit Windows: Frequently asked questions.
Get a Windows 7 RC product key. (You can use the RC for 30 days without a product key, then you’ll need it for activation.)
Download the Windows 7 RCHow to create an installation DVDThe RC download is an ISO file, which you’ll need to burn onto a blank disc before you can install it. To do that, you’ll need to use software designed for burning ISO files.
In addition to commercial ISO burning software, there are free programs such as ISOBuster and Active ISO Burner. To find one, go to a site such as Download.com or Tucows and search for “ISO,” “DVD,” and “burn”.
Follow the instructions that came with your program to create a Windows 7 RC installation disc.
You’ll need to do a “clean installation.” That means you can’t upgrade an existing PC to Windows 7 RC. So if you’re using an existing PC and want to keep the information on it, you’ll need to back it up before you start.
How to install the Windows 7 RC

Turn on your computer, insert the Windows 7 RC installation disc you created in step 2 into the computer’s DVD or CD drive, and then do one of the following:
If you want to replace your computer’s existing operating system with the Windows 7 RC, and you don’t need to adjust your disk partitions, go to step 2.
If your computer doesn’t have an operating system installed, or you want to install the RC on another disk partition, restart your computer with the installation disc inserted in your CD or DVD drive. If you’re asked to press a key to boot from DVD or CD, press any key. If the Install Windows page appears, go to step 2.If the Install Windows page doesn’t appear and you’re not asked to press a key to start from DVD or CD, you might have to specify that your computer uses its DVD or CD drive as the startup device. See Start Windows from a CD or DVD. After you select your DVD or CD drive as the startup device, restart your computer, and then start Windows from the installation DVD or CD as previously described.

On the Install Windows page, follow the instructions, and then click Install now.
On the Get important updates for installation page, we recommend getting the latest updates to help ensure a successful installation and protect your computer against security threats. You need an Internet connection to get updates.
On the Please read the license terms page, if you accept the license terms, click I accept the license terms. (You must accept to continue the installation.)
On the Which type of installation do you want? page, click Custom.
On the Where do you want to install Windows? page, do one of the following:
If you don’t want to specify a specific partition to install Windows on, or create partitions on your hard disk, click Next to begin the installation.
If you already have another existing partition with enough free space and want to install the Windows 7 RC on that partition to create a multiboot configuration, select the partition you want to use, and then click Next to begin the installation. (Be sure to install the RC on a different partition from where your current version of Windows is installed.)
If you want to create, extend, delete, or format a partition, click Drive options (advanced), click the option you want, and then follow the instructions. Click Next to begin the installation. (If the Drive options (advanced) option is disabled, you need to start your computer using the installation disc.)

Follow the instructions.
Note about product keys: When you download the RC, you’ll be given a product key to use for activation. You don’t have to activate when you install the RC, but after 30 days you’ll get persistent reminders to activate. If you lost your key or have a disc without a key, just go to the Download page and start the download process. The first step is to register, and that’s where you get a product key. You won’t need to download the RC. If you have an installation disc, you can get a product key by going to the Download page and following the download process. You just need to give your Windows Live ID and register; you won’t need to download the software.
From : Microsoft

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.3

We released the first glimpse into Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.3 with the availability of the 5.3 Beta in October. Today, we’ve announced the general availability of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.3, delivered via Red Hat Network to customers with a Red Hat subscription.
A key benefit of a Red Hat subscription is that feature updates and fixes are incorporated into the base platform release in such a way that interfaces (APIs & ABIs) are held stable. You can adopt the latest open source capabilities without needing to recertify your hardware and applications. Today’s delivery of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.3, with its wide range of new features, demonstrates our commitment to deliver value via your subscription.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux updates provide:
Feature enhancements and stable new features
Security hardening
Consolidated bug fixes
The Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.3 Release Notes note over 150 updates and upgrades, but here are a few key highlights: Virtualization enhancements: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.3 supports larger x86-64 systems. The number of supported physical CPUs is increased to 126, while maximum memory is increased to 1TB. Virtual server CPU and memory limits have been increased to 32 and 80GB respectively – far higher than competing virtualization products. Additionally the per-guest limits for disks and network interfaces have also been increased. The performance and range of paravirtualized device drivers has been increased, enabling ever more applications to be deployed on virtual servers with near bare-metal performance.
Next-generation hardware enablement: The soon-to-be-released Tylersberg/Nehalem platform is the next-generation of Intel x86-64 hardware. Support for the virtualization and performance features provided by this processor combined with numerous optimizations have already demonstrated exceptional performance over previous processor generations in internal Red Hat testing.
OpenJDK: Red Hat is taking a leadership position in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.3 by shipping the first productized implementation of OpenJDK. OpenJDK in 5.3 has passed the full Java SE 6 TCK and is compatible with all applications written for Java SE 6 and previous versions. With the integration of OpenJDK, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.3 is the the first enterprise-ready solution with a fully open source Java stack when combined with JBoss Enterprise Application Platform.
Systemtap: This is an application development tool targeted at dynamically allowing applications to be monitored and diagnosed. With Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.3 support for User Mode (i.e. application level) tracing and profiling is provided for the first time – adding to the Kernel Mode support that was provided in earlier releases. The operative word here being “dynamically,” as the key benefit of Systemtap is the ability, on-the-fly, to add instrumentation, probe points, and memory tracking to running applications. This is key to enable identification and resolution of issues in live environments. Extremely powerful — both for user and kernel space.Power management: With “green IT” gaining increasing focus, we have been implementing a progression of power-saving enhancements in every update of Red Hat Enterprise Linux. 5.3 is no exception, with improved handling of low-level power management low-power sleep states.
Disk encryption: Critical for laptop use, but also becoming increasingly important in server deployments (due to concerns with hardware disposal at the end of its lifecycle), Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.3 includes full support for encryption of storage, either at the block level or file system level. Installer enhancements enable encryption to be configured at installation time, and includes support for the root and swap devices.
From Redhat : By RHEL5 Team

AMD Athlon™ II X2 Dual-Core Processor

Do more in less time and take advantage of true multi-core performance and true multitasking capability
Get a PC experience optimized to deliver the benefits of the Microsoft® Windows® 7 operating system
Convert music, HD video, and other media fast2,4
Manage all your home media files and run the software you need to create, share, and enjoy your media2,4
Get superior performance and enjoyment from your PC experience with next generation processor technology for hassle free, efficient computing
With next-generation processor technology you can enjoy superior application performance
Convert music and HD video fast2,4
Get superior performance on many of today’s most popular applications for an amazing experience
Enjoy a responsive PC with next-generation AMD Direct Connect Architecture
Get Microsoft® Windows® 7 support, optimized to deliver the benefits of Microsoft’s latest OS7
Windows® 7 is optimized for AMD Athlon™ II processors, enabling a fast and responsive PC
Experience a simple and engaging everyday PC experience with Windows® 7 Home Premium operating system
Windows® 7 is tuned to make the most out of the power management features, such as AMD PowerNow!™ 3.0 Technology, which are built into AMD Athlon™ II processors
For consumers who want additional features, Microsoft® recommends Windows® 7 Professional operating system
Stay connected to your friends, family, and even your online digital media
Browse the Internet, send email, run programs, watch movies, and play multiplayer games2,5
Let the AMD Fusion Media Explorer bring your media to life as you share and explore cherished memories
Talk to friends and family through Internet telephone and Skype2,5
Chat online and share with friends on social networking websites like Facebook2,5
Transfer your media quickly to notebooks, smart phones, and portable media players2,4
Manage all your media files and run the software you need to create, share, and enjoy your media, and connect your gadgets. Watch live TV or record and play back movies, TV, and music from your hard drive 2,3,4
Listen to music or watch live and recorded TV, DVDs, photos, and more3,4
Stream music and HD video1,2
Create music and convert HD video files for playback on iPod and other portable media players2,4
See, create, and share online photos, music, and videos4
Record music, movies, and TV programs to your hard drive3,4
View, edit, and print digital photos and images2
Efficiency
Take advantage of energy efficiency you’ll feel good about for a green, cool, and quiet PC experience
Save energy, get the most out of your budget, and help reduce heat and noise to reduce the environmental impact of your PC
Enjoy performance on demand when you need it and power savings when you don’t using next-generation AMD desktop power management technologies
Get improvements over previous-generation AMD Athlon™ II processors: slash your power consumption by up to 50% when doing basic tasks, 40% when running heavy load, and 50% when idle6
Conserve with Energy Star® 5.0-compliant, idle-power improvements such as low core voltages and enhanced cache power management
Enjoy a superior desktop experience. Get the most out of your budget with energy efficiency you’ll feel good about for a green, cool, and quiet PC experience
Enjoy a cool, quiet, and green PC experience
Enjoy your PC with confidence knowing you’re using cutting-edge, energy-efficient technologies that use low power and help reduce environmental impact
Help reduce heat and noise
Help extend the life of your system with AMD PowerNow!™ 3.0 Technology, which manages power consumption and helps maximizes performance
Enjoy the benefits of energy efficiency
Enjoy your PC and be energy efficient with next-generation AMD power management technologies
AMD PowerNow!™ 3.0 technology can enable dramatic power management improvements, automatically, with virtually no noticeable performance impact with efficient 45nm multi-core design, superior power management, and additional performance states
Cool‘n’Quiet™ Technology – Optimized performance states help save energy while minimizing the latency and overhead of power management. The processor can efficiently respond to user demands, maximizing performance to deliver a superior PC user experience
AMD CoolCore™ Technology automatically reduces processor energy consumption by dynamically activating or turning off parts of the processor
AMD Smart Fetch Technology enables processor cores to share data before entering a halting state so active cores don’t have to activate to retrieve data
Dual Dynamic Power Management™ – helps improve platform efficiency by providing on demand memory performance while enabling decreased system power consumption
Multi-Point Thermal Control helps reduce speed and heat when temperature exceeds predefined limits, enabling a cool and quiet PC experience
Take full advantage of amazing energy efficiency that uses less power than the previous generation of AMD Athlon™ processors, and enjoy environmentally friendly, energy-efficient performance. Use your PC with confidence knowing you’re using cutting-edge green technologies that use low power and help reduce environmental impact
Use up to 40% less energy when running heavy loads like playing the latest 3D PC games or rendering HD content6
Slash power consumption by up to 50% when doing basic PC tasks like browsing the Internet or checking email6
Enjoy significant power savings under light processor loads, or even while running applications in high definition
Get up to 50% power savings during idle6 with low core voltages and enhanced cache power management
Get Energy Star® 5.0-compliant, idle-power improvements with low core voltages and enhanced cache power management
From : AMD

Intel® Core™ i7 Processor Extreme Edition

Conquer the world of extreme gaming with the fastest performing processor on the planet: the Intel® Core™ i7 processor Extreme Edition.¹ With faster, intelligent multi-core technology that accelerates performance to match your workload, it delivers an incredible breakthrough in gaming performance.

But performance doesn’t stop at gaming. You’ll multitask 25 percent faster and unleash incredible digital media creation with up to 79 percent faster video encoding and up to 46 percent faster image rendering, plus incredible performance for photo retouching and editing.¹
In fact, you’ll experience maximum performance for whatever you do, thanks to the combination of Intel® Turbo Boost technology² and Intel® Hyper-Threading technology (Intel® HT technology)³, which activates full processing power exactly where and when you need it most.
Product information
3.20 GHz core speed
8 processing threads with Intel® HT technology
8 MB of Intel® Smart Cache
3 Channels of DDR3 1066 MHz memory
View Intel Core i7 processor Extreme Edition performance benchmarks
Download the product brief
File Type/Size: PDF 822KB
See product image
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Features and benefits
Get extreme with your gaming and advanced multimedia.
Intel Core i7 processors deliver an incredible breakthrough in quad-core performance and feature the latest innovations in processor technologies:
Intel® Turbo Boost technology maximizes speed for demanding applications, dynamically accelerating performance to match your workload-more performance when you need it the most.²
Intel® Hyper-Threading technology enables highly threaded applications to get more work done in parallel. With 8 threads available to the operating system, multi-tasking becomes even easier.³
Intel® Smart Cache provides a higher-performance, more efficient cache subsystem. Optimized for industry leading multi-threaded games.
Intel® QuickPath Interconnect is designed for increased bandwidth and low latency. It can achieve data transfer speeds as high as 25.6 GB/sec with the Extreme Edition processor.
Integrated memory controller enables three channels of DDR3 1066 MHz memory, resulting in up to 25.6 GB/sec memory bandwidth. This memory controller’s lower latency and higher memory bandwidth delivers amazing performance for data-intensive applications.
Intel® HD Boost significantly improves a broad range of multimedia and compute-intensive applications. The 128-bit SSE instructions are issued at a throughput rate of one per clock cycle, allowing a new level of processing efficiency with SSE4 optimized applications.

From : Intel