Author Topic: ******** Vista (Read 3773 times)

Cunobelin · « **on:** 06 March, 2009, 11:03:42 pm »

Before anyone says Linux - I need Windows due to running University applications....

Bought a new computer with Windows Vista

I have never seen such an unsatble system.

Installed my Buffalo external HDD - crashes every time... so reinstall software

Now won't let me install any software without repeated input and disabling the "Account centre"

WIll be buying XP at the weekend and installing!

TimO · « **Reply #1 on:** 07 March, 2009, 12:10:41 am »

I've just gone through the same faff, although luckily the machine I bought was licensed to downgrade to XP Pro, and even had (sort of) an XP install. I had to in essence recover a backup of the XP install, and it seemed to take twice as long as a normal XP install, but it does seem to work fine, once I deleted half of the normal "extra" crud that manufacturers think we need. $:-\$

(Like a "free" 90 days license to Nortons, when I've got free access to a corporate version).

Vista does seem to be masses of pretty faff. Even with the short time I used it, I got extremely pissed off with the repeated requests asking if I really wanted to do something. Yes, I sodding well did, that's why I just clicked the mouse button. <fume>

JohnP · « **Reply #2 on:** 07 March, 2009, 12:57:51 am »

I've refused to allow Vista on our corporate pcs but bought a new pc with Vista over New Year. Nothing has yet crashed. Still struggle finding some "intuitive" menu options. Remote access to both company sites allows me more time at home.

So far so good.

actually, initially couldn't get onto web. I was still happy using a USB ADSL Modem with XP but none are supported by Vista so the router had to come out of the box at last. Non-usefull advice from Vista was to access modem manufaturers website for newer drivers. At least I kept the XP machine on the desk ready for a few weeks.

Scanner drivers not available but I did buy it for Win/ME so it owes me nothing.

Hummers · « **Reply #3 on:** 07 March, 2009, 07:03:10 am »

Have been using Vista for 8 months with a variety of applications and only one (unexplained) BSOD.

Runs better than XP on my laptop.

H

hatler · « **Reply #4 on:** 07 March, 2009, 07:30:28 am »

Word on the silicon streets is that Intel, who spent a not insignificant amount of time and money on developing the chips to enable Vista to run (and I would therefore imagine have a pretty good understanding of how it works), have taken the decision NOT to install it on their company's PCs.

JohnP · « **Reply #5 on:** 07 March, 2009, 07:43:38 am »

i heard similar ... home version works for me but office versions can wait. XP stays on corporate network. .

hellymedic · « **Reply #6 on:** 07 March, 2009, 07:47:54 am »

Tee hee!
I'm sooo sad the Vista laptop I bought last month was actually xp.
Not!

Polar Bear · « **Reply #7 on:** 07 March, 2009, 11:21:56 am »

I've got XP on all of my pc's and intend to continue using XP until I cannot do so any more. As M$ intend to support XP until 2014 that's quite a nice comfort zone to consider what next.

I need Windows too due to VR apps which linux does not support, and no, I'm not going to spend money on macs when I have perfectly functional pc's already.

Cunobelin · « **Reply #8 on:** 07 March, 2009, 08:27:10 pm »

Quote from: AwfulQuiet on 07 March, 2009, 07:53:24 am

I have macs... 4 of them. I gave up on windows 5 years ago.

But, The new ones you can dual-boot OS X or Windows..

Very nice machines.. A bit pricey, but very nice.

That is my intention... but I need to be windows because of the course work

Mrs Pingu · « **Reply #9 on:** 11 March, 2009, 09:07:10 am »

Bump.
Just bought a new laptop cos our one is dying, so we got a Vista

with XP downgrade

.
Should be here on Thursday.

Anyone who has done this already got any top tips on carrying out the downgrade?

Asterix, the former Gaul. · « **Reply #10 on:** 11 March, 2009, 09:14:08 am »

Had loads of problems with Vista Home Basic until recently my brother sent me info on how to remove many cosmetic/display features and specialist utilities such as remote printing. The results so far have been very promising. I'd also considered going back to XP.

My PC is a basic one and probably lacks the clout to run Vista seriously. That didn't stop PC world selling it to me with Vista though.

Jaded · « **Reply #11 on:** 11 March, 2009, 09:14:49 am »

I've bought three machines with XP downgrade and they all had XP as the boot system.

TimO · « **Reply #12 on:** 11 March, 2009, 09:18:36 am »

Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 11 March, 2009, 09:07:10 am

Anyone who has done this already got any top tips on carrying out the downgrade?

Mine came with a mechanism to install the "original" XP install. It was a bit of a faff, since essentially it installed a backup, which was slower than just installing XP from scratch. However, I don't think the supplier has to do that, they give you the license to install XP, but they don't have to supply the media. I'm not sure what happens with the key, possibly the Vista one works, or maybe you have to ring up Microsoft and get an XP key in exchange for the Vista one (mine installed an OEM copy, which didn't ask me for a key).

hellymedic · « **Reply #13 on:** 11 March, 2009, 09:59:47 am »

Quote from: Jaded on 11 March, 2009, 09:14:49 am

I've bought three machines with XP downgrade and they all had XP as the boot system.

The Vista laptop I bought last month just happed to have xp as the boot system too.
What a shame.
Not!

Asterix, the former Gaul. · « **Reply #14 on:** 11 March, 2009, 10:07:07 am »

If you don't have XP, this is the article my brother got the Vista 'improvements' from.

Before the changes my PC was encountering problems booting up after installing MS upgrades; there hasn't (touch wood) been a problem since. It's also noticeably faster and has a simpler display more like XP. I haven't found any downside.

(BTW the asterix making a comment on the article is an impostor and does not necessarily reflect my views).

Mrs Pingu · « **Reply #15 on:** 12 March, 2009, 09:17:36 pm »

Well, the laptop came today.
After I'd spent some time reading the instructions and making a Vista factory restore DVD (just in case we wanted to go back to it, ahaha) it took in all about 2 hours to go back to XP.
I did it though!

TimO · « **Reply #16 on:** 12 March, 2009, 09:24:46 pm »

Well done.

It's amazing the faff you can have to go through to get the system into the state which you want it to be in.

Mrs Pingu · « **Reply #17 on:** 12 March, 2009, 10:05:45 pm »

Yeah, now Pingu is currently purging it of McAfee (pah!) and the execrable Acer 'emPowering Technology' bleuch.

salar55 · « **Reply #18 on:** 14 March, 2009, 11:26:48 pm »

Vista is crap. Wanted to to run an axiom realpower turbo trainer on my macbook pro with bootcamp and vista . It is no use hung up after 3mins time again . Looked out a old toshiba laptop with xp , the program tester gave the toshiba a poor rating ( 8 years old 1.7ghz ) yet it worked . Can you downgrade to xp from vista. Any mac compatible turbo trainers on the market.

TimO · « **Reply #19 on:** 15 March, 2009, 12:09:09 am »

Quote from: salar55 on 14 March, 2009, 11:26:48 pm

... Can you downgrade to xp from vista. ...

Only if the license allows it. This seems to be common with the Business editions, but as far as I know not with the Home editions.

If you're using Vista Home (Basic/Premium) you may be buggered, in which case your only legal option would be to buy a copy of XP. $:-\$