I plan to use and test the Windows Release Candidate 64-bit Edition on my current system. I assembled my current system myself from Gateway DX4200-09 basic components into an Antec Solo case.
Motherboard: Foxconn RS780 Stock
CPU: AMD Phenom 9100e Quad-Core @ 1.8GHz Stock
OS: Vista Home Premium 64-bit with SP1 Stock
RAM: 8GB DDR2 667/800 MHz SDRAM Upgraded from 4GB Stock RAM
ODD: LG GH22LS30 (SATA) X 2 Replaced stock Optiarc (SATA) X 1
Sound: Realtek on-board HD audio Stock
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 9600GT, 512MB PCI-ex16 Replaced Stock ATI Radeon HD 3200
Monitor: Samsung 22" Widescreen LCD/TFT Added from my previous system
Networking: On-board Gigabyte LAN port Stock
HDD1: 640GB (SATA, 7200RPM) Stock, contains current OS and software packages
HDD2: 500GB (SATA, 7200RPM) Added, formatted only, contains no software or data
BIOS: American Megatrends 7B3P091g Stock (8/6/2008)
PSU: Antec 550W Basiq Replaced Stock PSU
I intend to disconnect HDD1 completely, change the BIOS to boot from ODD, do a clean installation of the candidate OS to HDD2, and go from there. I prefer this to a dual-boot situation, as I have an XP system and Vista-64 HTPC I just built that I can use should I need access to something I can't get through the new OS. My question(s) to the larger community on this site is/are:
Does this seem to be a workable, prudent approach, and/or am I missing anything obvious? I realize our community has some VERY INSIGHTFUL people, and an extra set of eyes (as well as gray matter) would be greatly appreciated. I essentially want to be able to plug HDD1 back in and forget about the RC version should I choose to do such at some later point.
Motherboard: Foxconn RS780 Stock
CPU: AMD Phenom 9100e Quad-Core @ 1.8GHz Stock
OS: Vista Home Premium 64-bit with SP1 Stock
RAM: 8GB DDR2 667/800 MHz SDRAM Upgraded from 4GB Stock RAM
ODD: LG GH22LS30 (SATA) X 2 Replaced stock Optiarc (SATA) X 1
Sound: Realtek on-board HD audio Stock
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 9600GT, 512MB PCI-ex16 Replaced Stock ATI Radeon HD 3200
Monitor: Samsung 22" Widescreen LCD/TFT Added from my previous system
Networking: On-board Gigabyte LAN port Stock
HDD1: 640GB (SATA, 7200RPM) Stock, contains current OS and software packages
HDD2: 500GB (SATA, 7200RPM) Added, formatted only, contains no software or data
BIOS: American Megatrends 7B3P091g Stock (8/6/2008)
PSU: Antec 550W Basiq Replaced Stock PSU
I intend to disconnect HDD1 completely, change the BIOS to boot from ODD, do a clean installation of the candidate OS to HDD2, and go from there. I prefer this to a dual-boot situation, as I have an XP system and Vista-64 HTPC I just built that I can use should I need access to something I can't get through the new OS. My question(s) to the larger community on this site is/are:
Does this seem to be a workable, prudent approach, and/or am I missing anything obvious? I realize our community has some VERY INSIGHTFUL people, and an extra set of eyes (as well as gray matter) would be greatly appreciated. I essentially want to be able to plug HDD1 back in and forget about the RC version should I choose to do such at some later point.