Windows 7

[Gordy58]

When I found that Toshiba had listed my Notebook PC Model as NOT supporting Windows 7, I decided to run the Microsoft's Windows 7 Advisor applet.  The report revealed that the hardware was compatible and supported.  Besides, I wanted to test to see if I can perform a "clean" install on a new or unpartitioned drive. So, my next thought was what could be the issues related to not supporting Windows 7.    My search turned to either the BIOS and/or the Boot process perhaps could not supported under Windows 7.  First, the notebook PC BIOS does support a boot from CD/DVD device, HD, FD, and Network.  During testing of the boot process from the Windows 7 DVD (bootable, of course), I found that the system did not recognize the Windows 7 Boot manager process.  I'm not sure why, because the DVD boot process would work for a HD that was already partitioned and had a pre-existing MBR and OS.  So, my next thought lead me to the bootsect code.  So, I removed the HD from the notebook PC and placed it in a external enclosure with a USB connection.  Then, connected it to my Desktop PC.  From there, I repartition and formatted the HD to NTFS; and made or ensured the partition was "active".  Then, using the "bootsect.exe" on the Windows 7 DVD in the BOOT sub-folder, enabled the Windows 7 bootsect code on the external HD.  Afterwards, I copied all the files and folders from the DVD to the external HD.  By now, some of you reading this have already concluded that these are the same instructions for installing Windows 7/Vista from a USB device.  And, yes, you are correct.  But, instead, I am using the entire HD.  Unpon, completion, I disconnected the external HD from the desktop PC and removed the HD from the external enclosure.  Then, I re-installed the HD back into the notebook PC.  When I powered on the notebook PC, the system immediately recognized the partition and started the Windows 7 boot and setup processes.  Upon completion, All hardware devices drivers were installed correctly and working without errors.  Oh, by the way, I installed an addition 1GB of RAM (DDR2) for a total of 2 GB.  Since then, I have performed several benchmark tests and also tested some of Windows 7 tools.  I must say that Windows 7 performs much better than Windows Vista 32-bit version.  If anyone has any questions, please email me.  Even, those who like to critize have value to add, Iprefer to listen to the message and not the tone of the message.  Thank you.

[lmacmil]

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Gordy58 wrote:

When I found that Toshiba had listed my Notebook PC Model as NOT supporting Windows 7, I decided to run the Microsoft's Windows 7 Advisor applet...  I must say that Windows 7 performs much better than Windows Vista 32-bit version.

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You are right about it performing much better than Vista.  Did you run the Toshiba Software installer or load drivers individually?

[cee_64]

Toshiba never said your system doesn't support Windows 7 nor that it won't run Windows 7.  Toshiba stated that TOSHIBA isn't supporting it under Windows 7.  The difference is that while it may very well pass all of Microsoft's tests for running Win 7 and in fact run it just fine, but Toshiba isn't providing any drivers or technical support for tunning it under WIndows 7.  This seems to have confused a LOT of people. 

[cee_64]

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lmacmil wrote:
You are right about it performing much better than Vista.  Did you run the Toshiba Software installer or load drivers individually?

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Given that Toshiba doesn't supply any Windows 7 drivers for that system running the TSI wouldn't do anything for him as there isn't anything for it to download.  He would need to hunt down any drivers that weren't on the WIn 7 disk from the chipset manufacturers.  And since Toshiba never supported that system under Vista either there aren't any Toshiba Supplied Utilities for it to download and install.