A show of hands please:

Any Windows users still using an operating system older than Windows XP?

If so, why? Do you prefer the older OS? Does it still serve your needs? Are you forced to due to a vital program that you use? Let me know in the comments.

From jwillins in the PC Support Forum:

Any ideas for jwillins? Reply to original post to help out.

I recently had the privilege of reviewing one of CyberPower's popular UPS models - the CP1500AVRLCD UPS.

As it stands today, this is my favorite UPS in the 1500VA class that I've had the opportunity to review. It's attractive, has a small footprint, doesn't weigh a ton, and provides a lot of backup power.

See my complete review here.

From billy021108 in the PC Support Forum:

Hi all, please can someone help!

I have a laptop with XP and put a CD in to play which I have done endless times before. The laptop just froze and wouldn't do anything, even after pressing Control, Alt & Delete.

It comes up with the  message that it needs to start in one of the following, safe mode, safe mode with command and safe mode with networking or start windows normally. It doesn't matter which one I try it quickly tries to load the windows XP files but just keeps returning to the same message as above.

I just can't get it beyond any of the stages above - I have very limited IT knowledge so sorry if I'm not giving enough info. I just don't know what else to try.

Any troubleshooting thoughts for billy021108? My guess would be a repair install but maybe you have some other suggestions. Click over to the forum post and share your thoughts.

No time like the present.

The Automatic Restart on System Failure option is very simple to understand - if Windows encounters a serious error (like a Blue Screen of Death) it will reboot your computer automatically since that's the only way out of it anyway.

However, if your computer restarts as soon as the error occurs, it gives you absolutely no time to read and write down the error message for troubleshooting purposes.

The catch 22 here is that you have to make this change from within Windows, so if you lose access to Windows via a serious error, you're out of luck. Disabling this option right now is easy and will save you a lot of time in the future if you ever suffer from one of these issues.

How Do I Disable Automatic Restart on System Failure in Windows?

I should note, in Windows Vista and Windows 7, there is a way to disable this option from the Advanced Boot Menu, but it's still considerably easier to just do it now, from inside a working copy of Windows.

From a guest poster in the PC Support Forum:

Hello.. my computer freezes up a lot. I have Windows XP.  Does that Reg Cure really scan and fix all the problems or is there a cheaper/easier method?

Any ideas for our guest? Head on over to the forum post and leave your thoughts.

I say some good, classic troubleshooting is in order and if using a registry cleaner ends up being a troubleshooting step, you might as well use a free one. Something tells me this "Reg Cure" software is hardly the panacea I have a feeling it makes itself out to be.

From jagxk in the PC Support Forum:

Updated Quicktime and the final step was to restart the PC (running XP Prof). The screen which follows a crash and offers: normal, safe mode, etc appeared. Clicking any of the options produced the same result, a brief flicker of the Windows logo before the screen cycled through a power saving message, the manufacturer logo and back to the first screen with its start options.

I have tried starting using the original product recovery CD-ROM from F-Siemens but even clicking random keys during the start-up process produces no result other than freezing the 30 second countdown to "start normally" as does clicking F2.  A 'wiggle' test has not made any difference. The PC has no previous history of this sort.

How do I begin to analyse and then correct the problem when I can't get it to turn on?

Any thoughts for jagxk? Head over to the post and see if you can help.

Anyone having any major problems with Windows 7? If so, be sure to head over the PC Support Forum and ask for help.

The installation should be a breeze and considering the breadth of beta and RC testing, there should be few bugs with installations on major systems. Nevertheless, stuff happens.

Remember, if run into problems, you can just do a clean install of Windows 7 and start the process over. In the worst of installation disaster scenarios, you could always do a clean install of your previous version of Windows.

Windows 7 is finally available to the public beginning today. While there have been several ways for anyone to get their hands on a beta or RC version, the final product is now available at your favorite retailer.

My Microsoft TechNet subscription (a service for IT professionals) has provided me access to the full version of Windows 7 for a while now so I've had time to fall in love with it and prepare a number of helpful guides for those of you just starting with it this week.

Here's some helpful stuff that should make getting going with Windows 7 a bit easier:

How to Perform a Windows 7 Clean Install

There are several ways to install Windows 7 but since you'll be replacing your existing operating system, a clean install is your best bet in my opinion.

Download the Latest Windows 7 Drivers

Sometimes Windows 7 won't find a piece of your hardware. No problem - most hardware manufacturers now have Windows 7 drivers available. This updated list will get you the files you need fast.

More on Windows 7:

• Best Windows 7 Gadgets for System Monitoring
• Create a Windows 7 Password Reset Disk
• Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc
• How to Update Drivers in Windows 7
• How to Auto Logon to Windows 7
• Complete List of Windows 7 Command Prompt Commands

If you've just installed Windows 7, what are your first thoughts? Do you like what you see?

From lou_2010 in the PC Support Forum:

"I have XP home. My grand kids hit a key that turned my display sideways.What keys will return it to read upright again?"

Any thoughts for lou_2010? Hop on over to the forum post and give your thoughts.