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Post by Mereel Ma'viin on Jan 19, 2009 2:21:57 GMT 1
OK, so here's the deal. I've been looking at upgrading my computer recently. My current computer is beginning to show its age, and I'd kinda like something with enough hard drive space, RAM and processing/graphics power for moderate gaming (besides which, I finally got my hands on a copy of KOTOR, only to discover that it was on DVD, which I haven't currently got a drive for  ). The thing is, the only decent computers available in my area all run Windows Vista, which I have no experience with, and which I've heard is absolute garbage. In order to remain with XP, which I at least know functions (if not terribly well at times), I would have to a.) keep my current computer, b.) get a low-end computer that comes preloaded with XP, or c.) get a separate copy of XP and install it on a new computer in place of Vista. A and B aren't very attractive options, and C would take a sizable bite out of my new-computer budget. So, the question is: Does anyone here use Vista, and is it really as bad as they say? |
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Post by Jos Nelsh on Jan 19, 2009 2:34:02 GMT 1
I've used it in some places, my dad has it on his PC. It has really weird bugs, and it's not per se more user friendly than XP. I find XP to be more reliable... plus there's the issue that certain games will not work under Vista. However, maybe with the proper updates it could be okay.. and I'm not sure which games exactly do not work with Vista... I suppose you could delve into that too.
But I think there should be people around with more experience with Vista than I have.
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ORJ_Pyro
ORJ Member 
The Perceptive Amaurotic
Posts: 44
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Post by ORJ_Pyro on Jan 19, 2009 14:59:38 GMT 1
My best friend uses it, and we did a bit of research in vista when he bought his new machine. Basically the right people on the internet said that vista is an improvement on XP in every way. All you have to do is learn how to use it. It is incredibly more secure, It asks you if you want to do anything so much to start with while it learns how you work, even then you still get the pop ups. (Do you want to do this. Are you sure.) With the right updates you don't get any real errors at least my friend has had none to complain about. There is a slight trouble shooting period of about a month I think before it goes into perfect working order.
But yeah I recommend it. The only reason it isn't user friendly is because we are all used to 98 and XP style of windows, this IS the next step.
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Post by ORJ_Brand on Jan 19, 2009 22:46:48 GMT 1
If purchasing a new PC, bear in mind that Windows 7 is probably going to be with us by this time next year... It might be worth waiting until then. Microsoft wanted businesses to jump ship when Vista came out, but a large part wanted to retain XP. When Windows 7 comes out, I expect most businesses will finally switch... And as a result, I reckon that version of Windows will again have the longevity of XP. Personally, I'm of the view that an OS is just an OS - a platform for running applications. Vista doesn't add enough features to persuade me to upgrade just yet... As you know, my wife managed to stop our PC from booting. I have now fixed it. In the process, I upgraded the memory and added two extra hard drives... (One would have been enough but... well, long story). Now my computer is faster and free of any bugs... The main reason ppl buy new PCs these days is purely to run the latest games... So, consider what your requirements are! I'd also consider waiting because there are some important new technologies coming out - including USB 3.0... Happy computing!  |
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Post by Mereel Ma'viin on Jan 20, 2009 2:19:01 GMT 1
Thanks for the replies. I hadn't considered the possibility of waiting for Windows 7, mainly because I'd heard that it was basically Vista with new packaging, although I have since heard some more optimistic reports.
My main concerns are disk space, CD/DVD drive, moderately high RAM, and that it be able to run a dual-core CPU, which I understand XP isn't configured to do, but can be if you know how. It's also my understanding that Microsoft is looking into setting up a pay-by-the-hour system, where users would have to buy computers (at a reduced price), then pay for every hour of usage on the software. I was hoping to get in ahead of any such ridiculous system.
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ShadowX
New Member
Life is strange.
Posts: 4
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Post by ShadowX on Jan 22, 2009 5:29:47 GMT 1
I actually MUCH prefer Vista over XP. XP is the real crap. Apple and all the "know-it-all" and "renegade" PC geek types are the ones who spread around the negative Vista propaganda. I've had next to no problems with Vista. I'm speaking from experience as a PC Technician, besides personal experience. =]
I had one major problem only, when it 1st came out dealing with performance of the Network control panel. Everything's been great for a long time now, and I can even run JK and other old stuff just fine. It's far more stable, looks much better, and runs great as long as you have a bit more resources (ie RAM and CPU speed) available than you'd need for XP. It's worth it, however, and PC prices have come way down. Therefore, unless you have a 10-year-old computer, Vista is just fine. My only suggestion is to disable the User Account Control (UAC) as it's very annoying, asking you if you're sure about everything you want to do. Unless you prefer that, of course!
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Post by Mereel Ma'viin on Jan 23, 2009 2:24:17 GMT 1
Thanks for the info  As long as it can do what I've specified without throwing fits, that's good enough for me. I have a sister who has a Vista-enabled laptop, and she complains bitterly about it, but I wasn't sure how much of that was Vista and how much was her (she doesn't get along well with complex electronics). Mostly, I just want to be able to play games, write, and store files without running out of RAM or disk space (my current machine has a 40 MB hard drive, 600-odd megabytes of RAM after upgrades, and no DVD drive, which is rather limiting). |
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Post by Jos Nelsh on Jan 23, 2009 14:20:53 GMT 1
Problems I've had with (a legal copy of) Vista:
- Constant Explorer crashes, right to the point where even Internet Explorer isn't working anymore. (I'd rather use Firefox anyway, but it's crazy that it isn't working, right?)
- Vista constantly screwing up my Video settings. Everytime there is some silly little Windows update, it would totaly mess up all my settings for dual monitor setup. Screen 1 would become Screen 2 and vice versa, and since they're different sizes (and thus run on different resolutions), everything would be out of proportion and it would cause all my windows to open on the wrong screen. Sometimes this happens weekly, but at least a couple of times a month.
- Language issues. Even though I prefer running Windows in English language, Vista would somehow take into account where I live anyway and change/translate some of the names of my user document folders to my native language. This causes all sorts of problems when you try to manually manage those files and folders. Some folders would entirely disappear, or end up in a totally diferent location than they appeared to be in, since Vista somehow just 'translates' the name of a folder, instead of displaying its original name and path. Very frustrating.
- A lot of software that I installed for mobile phone managament, digital cameras etc., would cause all kinds of errors on other user's profiles, even though I knew exactly what I was doing when installing them.
- Even though I disabled UAC, Vista would somehow refuse to acknowledge some of the settings I adjusted in the Control Panel, and my video settings. It would simply change these settings back, really random stuff that made no sense whatsoever and had nothing to do with hardware limitations.
With XP I never had any problems whatsoever, except for not being able to run a lot of older games (like Dark Forces with proper sound, etc.).
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Post by ORJ_Brand on Jan 27, 2009 23:45:47 GMT 1
Bring back Windows 95, I say! It was the king of Windows versions - such an improvement over Window 3.1 AND Of all the Windows versions, it had the catchiest launch tune (courtesy of the Rolling Stones, of course). uk.youtube.com/watch?v=HM0DL5giOBU&feature=related |
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Post by Jos Nelsh on Jan 28, 2009 1:34:03 GMT 1
Haha, 95 gave me nightmares... It was definitely better than 3.11 though. I've been running with Win98 for yeeeeeeears... it had its share of problems too. I skipped 2000 & ME, and went straight to XP. Now that was an improvement.
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Post by ORJ_Brand on Jan 28, 2009 23:50:59 GMT 1
I've been running with Win98 for yeeeeeeears... it had its share of problems too. I skipped 2000 & ME, and went straight to XP. Now that was an improvement. Same with me! I reckon that Windows 7 will be to Vista what 98 was to 95... |
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Xzero
Forum Member
Posts: 12
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Post by Xzero on Apr 4, 2009 7:39:55 GMT 1
Vista works fine, and is in fact easier to troubleshoot. I've had it for 2 years now, never got a virus (only recently installed an anti-virus). Runs great. There are a few gripes, I must admit, but they're too small to notice most of the time. Many problems, Jos, are actually not Vista itself. - The internet explorer issue was a small-time virus. - Your video setting issues are due to video drivers. - The language issue, well... is a real issue I guess, never had it. - A lot of old software does not work with Vista, things have improved, but still, old programs/peripherals aren't always compatible with Vista. This means your equipment is too old - updrage darn you!!  - Although many people will tell you to disable UAC, don't. It's very helpful, it's the main reason I didn't get any viruses through all 2 years of using it. Knowing how to use the OS changes your world. Learning to do so may be a bit of a hassle for you, but in the end it's worth it. Technicians, programmers and the rest, no longer support XP, so finding help for XP is going to start getting tough. Take it from me - I fix computers for a living. PS: Yay new forum! |
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Post by Jos Nelsh on Apr 4, 2009 13:02:02 GMT 1
Hey Xzero! Welcome! |
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Xzero
Forum Member
Posts: 12
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Post by Xzero on Apr 5, 2009 5:49:38 GMT 1
 Thankies! :3 |
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Lord of Hunger
Forum Member
...there is only silence and death and darkness...
Posts: 12
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Post by Lord of Hunger on Apr 21, 2009 10:56:56 GMT 1
Everybody hates a new OS, and misses the older one, no matter how much they hated that one when it shipped and made its predecessor obsolete. And new OS's are always going to be buggy until MS drops the updates online.
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). The thing is, the only decent computers available in my area all run Windows Vista, which I have no experience with, and which I've heard is absolute garbage.
As long as it can do what I've specified without throwing fits, that's good enough for me. I have a sister who has a Vista-enabled laptop, and she complains bitterly about it, but I wasn't sure how much of that was Vista and how much was her (she doesn't get along well with complex electronics). Mostly, I just want to be able to play games, write, and store files without running out of RAM or disk space (my current machine has a 40 MB hard drive, 600-odd megabytes of RAM after upgrades, and no DVD drive, which is rather limiting).
