Windows 7 Secrets

Some useful stuff here people forthose who haven't already seen it

http://blogs.msdn.com/tims/archive/2009/01/12/the-bumper-list-of-windows-7-secrets.aspx

Windows 7 - Build 7000 Beta leaked to bit torrent

Hello All,

I am downloading this at the moment and intend to install ASAP, if anyone out there has done it already let us know here at DellMini9

Thanks

neilo and kfc

Comprehensive Vista Install Instructions

Rick over at http://rickatnight11.com/?p=71has put together a great how to install Vista on the mini-9, he has recompiled some of our amateurish instructions into something very easy to read and follow.

Great work Rick!

Windows 7 - trend Internet Security and AntiVirus DO NOT INSTALL

Yes I found out the hardway... er... again... That you should NOT install Trend AV and Internet Security (the latest version) on Windows 7, a BSOD results followed by heart palpitations when trying to remember if system restore was still turned on or not.

OK so that's a NO Trend AV on W7, does anyone know of any other AV's that don't work as spectacularly as TAV? Write to Neilo with your results :-)

Dell Mini 9 Config

I haven't actually taken the time to note down my dell mini config, so here goes :-

2GB DDR2 memory 667Mhz
8GB SDHC Ultra II 15MB/s seek time
- 4GB Dedicated to ReadyBoost
- 4GB Dedicated to Program Files directory

I think the ReadyBoost option with one of these cards provides a significant boost, I really need to run some bench marks to find out.

I plug it all into a 19" monitor, full size keyboard and mouse connected to a Telstra 3G USB modem. It performs wonderfully all day then I just on the train home and continue to work until I get home.

Windows 7 - Unknow Device in Device Manager blbdrive.sys

I have installed Windows 7 Ultimate Pre Beta again for reasons I will go into later.

This time Around I have disabled Automatic Updates because the patch KB958644 breaks Windows 7 and forces the Dell Mini 9 to boot into System Restore mode

So, anyway, after installation and initial patching, this time I am left with an Unknown Device in the control panel. The Device ID's are

DETECTEDInternal\blbdrive
DETECTED\blbdrive

And according to Chirs123NT's rather helpful Windows 7/Dell Laptop Site :-

"Now, it seems that this points to a file in C:\Windows\System32\Drivers called blbdrive.sys. Our best guess is that it has something to do with the Block Level Backup Engine (which is responsible for image-based backups in Windows Vista and higher, through a feature called CompletePC Backup and Restore), but we’re not 100% sure. If anyone has any information on this please let us know."

Now I am really confused, I have just plugged my Dell Mini 9 in at work, with Full Size USB keybaord, Mouse and External VGA monitor. I go to the control panel and said device is not longer listed as requiring attention.

More soon...

Neilo...

SSD's and Office 2007

Microsoft have posted an article relating to Office 2007 performance on SSD's (Solid State Disks). If you are having trouble as I am with Office 2007 (on the Dell Mini 9). You can rest assured that they are aware of it now.

Please review the KB artcile here http://support.microsoft.com/kb/940226