Definitely go with the FLAC format, it is a 'lossless' format and no degradation of sound quality whatsoever even though it's a smaller file. The sound is the same as if listening to a CD with WAV format files, which is the norm for CD audio. Check out this informative article at Wikipedia...
If you have the "Hibernate" feature enabled on the notebook, then that's probably the difference in the size taken up. Normally that feature will take up about the same amount of space as equal to your installed RAM. Check that and see if that may be it.
If it was me, I would wipe the entire hard drive clean with a low-level format using the DiskPart utility which is part of the Windows 7 install disc and then reinstall Windows 7. You'll probably have to setup the recovery partition and such as before. Those aren't separate hard drives but...
The download links have been shutdown for now. Mozilla won't let anymore downloads out except for the BETAS still. We'll have to wait until Tuesday June 21 for the real deal.
The X64 version doesn't use any more power versus the X86. However, I do agree with Captain Jack that you really should upgrade your PSU to a minimum of 500-600 watts. Preferably to one that is at least 80 Plus Bronze Certified. You can find many good PSU with that rating for around $55-75...
Have you tried accessing Disk Management from the Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Computer Management and then Disk Management? If so, does it show up there?
I don't know why the USB Icon quit working for you as a disconnect. Have you tried right-clicking on the icon and going from there? If you do then a little window pops-up and you can disconnect from there. You can also go to the Start Orb, click on Devices and Printers, you will see your...
Windows 7 prefers to install to a raw unformatted hard drive partition. Disconnect all other hard drive other than the one you want to install Windows 7 on, set DVD drive as First Boot Device in the mobo BIOS and Save. Reboot and let install begin, when you're at the Advanced Screen, delete...
75 foot lengths are also available. $13.99 plus $3.99 shipping at Newegg. BYTECC C6EB-75B 75 ft. Cat 6 Blue That way you won't have to coil up so much extra cable.
Just use a ready made cable with the connectors on both ends, there is no need to waste your money on a crimper, cable tester, etc. Heck, by the time you've done that you could have hired someone to do it. Cable will run less than $15.00 with shipping from Newegg. Use Cat 6 cable. BYTECC...
Are you trying to install over an existing operating system from within that OS? If so you may have problems. Have you tried installing from the bootup, setting the DVD drive as the "First Boot Device" in the BIOS? Doing "upgrade" install over an existing OS will cause issues down the road...
UAC automatically does that with ALL programs, it's the nature of the beast, so to speak. Regardless of what program it will do that. It has nothing to do with the application you're running. Just turn off UAC and you won't see it.
You can do the clean install from the Windows 7 install disk, just delete the partitions when you're in the "Advanced" window and the install as usual. You'll be good to go from there.
When you changed your motherboard to the Asus, did you be sure to verify drivers? Did the chipset change from the old to the new motherboard? Such as going from a P55 to a X58 chipset? That will have an effect. Have you tried doing a Startup Repair from the install disk?