Windows 7 on MBP Questions

[sportguy0913]

These may be questions already asked but I would like specific answers to my own version of these questions. Any help is appreciated!

1. I have a MBP 13". Just got it. I don't have any version of Windows currently installed on bootcamp. Do I get the upgrade version or full retail version?

2. Would you recommend putting Windows 7 RC 1 on my MBP via boot camp for now until I purchase Windows 7?

2.a. Is it stable?

2.b. Will it in any way affect my Mac OS X partition?

2.c. If I use boot camp to put Windows 7 on my machine and have it partitioned, can I "undo" the partition at any time and recombine it with my Mac OS X partition, without reformating my entire drive? (If I have 40GB for Windows 7 and 210 for Mac OS X [My drive is 250], if I uninstall windows 7, can I make my Mac OS X drive 250 again?)

4. Once you partition your drive for Windows 7 and install it, can you adjust the amount of hard disk space each partition is allowed, or is it set in stone once you initially set an amount upon installing W7 via bootcamp?

Thanks again!

 

[Muncher]

These may be questions already asked but I would like specific answers to my own version of these questions. Any help is appreciated!

1. I have a MBP 13". Just got it. I don't have any version of Windows currently installed on bootcamp. Do I get the upgrade version or full retail version?

Full retail, because you don't have a copy of windows on your drive already.

2. Would you recommend putting Windows 7 RC 1 on my MBP via boot camp for now until I purchase Windows 7?

2.a. Is it stable?

2.b. Will it in any way affect my Mac OS X partition?

2.c. If I use boot camp to put Windows 7 on my machine and have it partitioned, can I "undo" the partition at any time and recombine it with my Mac OS X partition, without reformating my entire drive? (If I have 40GB for Windows 7 and 210 for Mac OS X [My drive is 250], if I uninstall windows 7, can I make my Mac OS X drive 250 again?)

2a. It should be fairly stable, as it's a release candidate. I wouldn't use it for anything real important, but for web browsing and the like it should be fine.

2b. No. The mac partition will not be visible from the windows side of the computer. IIRC, Apple is releasing drivers soon that will allow it to read files off the mac partition (but not write).

2c. Yes. Bootcamp uses non-destructive partitioning. Beware though, you cannot resize the partition without wiping it first.

4. Once you partition your drive for Windows 7 and install it, can you adjust the amount of hard disk space each partition is allowed, or is it set in stone once you initially set an amount upon installing W7 via bootcamp?

3? 4? . After partitioning, the partition cannot be resized.

 

[elgrecomac]

Full retail, because you don't have a copy of windows on your drive already.



2a. It should be fairly stable, as it's a release candidate. I wouldn't use it for anything real important, but for web browsing and the like it should be fine.

2b. No. The mac partition will not be visible from the windows side of the computer. IIRC, Apple is releasing drivers soon that will allow it to read files off the mac partition (but not write).

2c. Yes. Bootcamp uses non-destructive partitioning. Beware though, you cannot resize the partition without wiping it first.



3? 4? . After partitioning, the partition cannot be resized.

One man's opinion on answer 2a: It is VERY stable and fast. This is usually an oxymoron when it comes to Microsoft OpSys. I use it ALL THE TIME for business purposes. The only drag on the RC version of Win 7 is that you will probably need to reinstall (not update) when the production version is installed.

 

[vertigo78]

I have windows 7 rc1 installed on my macbook pro. The only problems i have are the speakers not working at times and the back light on the keyboard can't be turned off. But these are problems that show up with Vista and XP on Boot Camp as well. Do yourself a favor though and use a mouse. It's incredibly frustrating using the trackpad on windows.

 

[bli625]

Does Windows 7 still have the fan issues? Overheating?

 

[Nintenmac]

RE: About the fans and sound

In terms of the fans just install smc fancontrol on the mac side and have it running full blast, then restart (not shut down then reboot) into windows 7 or other varient and the fans will still be running however you cannot change the speed of the fans in windows and if you close the display or go into sleep mode the fans will shut off. Also in terms of sound make sure you don't have the sound muted in mac osx and if that doesn't work try enabling and disabling the sound driver which works most of the time.

-Nintenmac

 

[bli625]

I thought I read somewhere... the latest NVIDIA drivers fixed the problem with the fans spinning up too late in Windows. Can anyone confirm this?

 

[LtRammstein]

BB,

As long as the latest drivers from the companies are installed, you're fine.

I am running Windows 7 on my MBP and it works fine for extended periods of time on/hibernate/sleep.