Download Sun VirtualBox and run it in a virtual machine. Pretty easy to do and does not require any repartitioning. You can run Windows 7 just like an application on top of your current OS. I would recommend a dual core processor and 3GB of RAM for this.

http://www.virtualbox.org

You won't have the advanced 3-d features, but you at least get to try the beta without the hassles of reinstalling your main OS or repartitioning your hdd.

Windows 7 running in a virtual machine on top of XP.

I'm running the 32 bit version and it's using 8GB of hard drive space.

Windows 7 RC installed, running very well on a P4 2.4 ghz with 1 gb ram, nvidia 7600GS 256 mb card. So far, tested Firefox, Thunderbird and FL Studio 8 with it, all working fine. Need drivers for sound cards, printer, scanner, etc still

One cool feature I found for IT/Tech support people. In the startbar search type psr.exe .. This brings up the Windows Problem Step Recorder. Basically it takes your click by click movements into a series of snapshots with exactly what you typed/clicked for each step, then saves it to a mhtml file, which is readable via any browser. VERY easy way to show a tech person what you did when you have a problem, or even for showing people directions on how to use a program.

I find W7RC moving MUCH smoother than XP so far.

So I've downloaded it, but as I have never done dual booting before, could somebody help me a bit.

Now, I have partitioned my HDD splitting of a 20GB section for Windows 7, which I am going to increase to 30GB. Firstly, I have now split of a spare 10GBs of my HDD, but it won't let me extend the Windows 7 volume (A), any reason why? (I have plenty of space left, there is no problem there)

Also, I have to reinstall my programmes on Windows 7? Assuming I do, that does mean to Empire Total War for me (it takes up 15GB!!!), so I will have to download firefox again, but will I be able to copy across my favourites from my Vista account?

Lastly, it says my graphics card does not support Aero, but can I assume this is just a temporary issue and can be fixed with an update?

Thanks for any help

Let me get the name of the partition tool I used, it was free, and will re-adjust existing volumes as long as you have free, unallocated space. I'll post it here when Im back @ home.

I am downloading it to try it out on VirtualPC. Mostly because I am making some applications and I want to see if they're compatible.

Man, I want to try it, but I don't have time to toy around with a new OS at the moment...

Oh well, I will later!

Well I tried to install 64 bit release on my PC last night, and I ran into a few problems :( problem after first reboot and completing installation causes a crash and reboot.

I think after some looking over internet forums, I may be able to try again tonight (or maybe the weekend will give me enough time to play around with it).