I have upgraded my HP Mini (running Windows XP) to Windows 7 Home Premium and I am not sure that it could get much better than this. I will give you the clues and one issue that I created for myself.
First thing I did was follow the instructions from a Tech Republic (registration required – free) article on how to Configure a USB flash drive to be a Windows 7 installation platform. Since the Mini does not have a DVD drive I used a 8 GB USB drive that I had and followed Tech Republic’s instructions completely. I have used this twice in the last 3 day’s and it has been flawless (I did a friends also).
Next I downloaded all the Windows Live software and then installed my Mesh connection. After setting up Mesh and all the folders I have, I downloaded the Microsoft Office 2010 Beta and installed it. So far so good, cannot believe how easy this is.
Next I installed my AVG software for Anti Virus protection and then I began the trek into installing the Verizon Access Manager.
Installing the VZ Access Manger software should have been very easy if I had 1) read everything ‘correctly’ the first time, and 2) installed the 2 pieces of software required appropriately. I had written to Verizon Tech Support before going into this and received a reply telling me what had to be done. It was very clear and straight forward. I installed the VZ Access Manger software as directed and while doing this I discovered that I also had to download a file from HP to complete the process. VZ Access Manager did not work. So I called Verizon Tech Support and we worked on it for about 45 minutes to an hour. The tech support person was very gracious however in the end she said I would have to call HP as there was a conflict between the VZ Access Manager software and the HP Multi-WWAN software which I had installed. Long story short before calling HP I went back over everything and discovered that I had not installed the HP software correctly. I owe that Verizon support person an apology. Once I uninstalled everything and re-installed it ‘correctly’ it works like a charm and BETTER than it did in Windows XP.
I have since installed the Firefox browser as well as Chrome and both work very well. I tend to use Chrome when dealing with Google, IE8 when going to Microsoft, and Firefox when I feel like it.
Not only is the netbook faster it is now very cool. I have added gadgets and some other things and have some software (WinZip for one) left to install.
I am selling HP and Verizon without even being on their payroll. I have convinced at least 6 others to upgrade to Droid and yesterday had someone commit to leaving his present carrier when the contract is up to get a Droid (or at least so they said). As for HP, I push them all the time anyway.
