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I call it the "Keep your hands out of the fire" post. First, it's cajoling to not stick your hands into the fire. But if you really must, here are instructions how to do so.

The post was written for people like me, who are either too lazy or too busy (perhaps both) to start over when Windows 7 Release Candidate comes available. We want to install the RC over the public beta and keep on computing. I don't recall Microsoft ever supporting such a scenario. RC to gold code, sometimes yes. Beta to RC, never.

Last week, I restored my Sony Vaio VGN-Z590. I lent the computer to a friend while I tested iLife '09 on a MacBook. Much as I trust my buddy, I don't trust anybody's network, particularly geeks who download every bleeding application posted to the Web. Beware the NTDs—network transmitted diseases—I say. As soon as the Z590 returned from its few days furlough, I installed a fresh image (from restore DVDs), reinstalled applications and upgraded to Windows 7 Beta 1.

Something strange happened during the reimaging. The Z590 I saw at the local SonyStyle Store in December had a Windows Experience Index of 3.8, same as the model I bought in January. The rating jumped to 4.4, following last week's Windows Vista restore process, which makes me wonder about the hardware drivers or the quality of the image laid down at that Sony factory.