What do you like/hate about Vista?

[jomar]

I'm getting nervous about having ordered Vista Business on my new laptop. I've read good things but a lot of people bash it. A co-worker has it and says it's fine. What are your experiences?

 

[Liar]

Not too shabby. Asks a lot of questions, which is a little annoying. But faster and safer than its reputation.

 

[jomar]

I understand security is tighter. And I'll have to update Quickbooks, which is not XP certified and creates a potential security issue in the way it installs itself or something. My co-worker did say it was a bit of chore answering all the prompts when he was setting it up. Thanks.

 

[freshface]

People upgrading a machine from XP to Vista had a lot more problems than people purchasing a new computer. Vista doesn't always play nicely with older hardware. Your new computer should have been designed for Vista so you shouldn't have as many problems. Some older devices, such as printers, do not have Vista drivers; if you have a beloved old printer or scanner it might not work with the new computer.

Microsoft claims that Vista will run on 512MB of RAM, but Microsoft has always been a little delusional on system resources. Vista runs happier with 1GB of RAM. If you want to run any other programs besides Vista, you'll want more than that. I've had it on a laptop with 2GB of RAM for almost a year without any problems. The nagging can be a little annoying but the eye candy makes up for it.

 

[Trombonus]

I haven't had a problem with it, but I absolutely HATE the newest version of Windows Media Player. I can't do anything I used to be able to do, which makes organizing my music next to impossible. Plus I can't exactly downgrade since this is the version that came with my computer.

Grr.

 

[NoJo]

I've never really had a problem with Windows usability and reliability since Windows 2000. XP's System Restore Points are cool. Vista UI is similar to OSX Leopard (I slightly prefer the latter), but under the hood it's still basically XP, which is still basically Windows 2000, thank God.

 

[jomar]

People upgrading a machine from XP to Vista had a lot more problems than people purchasing a new computer. Vista doesn't always play nicely with older hardware. Your new computer should have been designed for Vista so you shouldn't have as many problems. Some older devices, such as printers, do not have Vista drivers; if you have a beloved old printer or scanner it might not work with the new computer.

Microsoft claims that Vista will run on 512MB of RAM, but Microsoft has always been a little delusional on system resources. Vista runs happier with 1GB of RAM. If you want to run any other programs besides Vista, you'll want more than that. I've had it on a laptop with 2GB of RAM for almost a year without any problems. The nagging can be a little annoying but the eye candy makes up for it.

Hi freshface, welcome to the AH. Yeah, I went with 2GB ram and the extra 1GB of turbo memory, for what it's worth.

I haven't had a problem with it, but I absolutely HATE the newest version of Windows Media Player. I can't do anything I used to be able to do, which makes organizing my music next to impossible. Plus I can't exactly downgrade since this is the version that came with my computer.

Grr.

Couldn't you delete it and find your old version somewhere online? CNET, maybe?

I've never really had a problem with Windows usability and reliability since Windows 2000. XP's System Restore Points are cool. Vista UI is similar to OSX Leopard (I slightly prefer the latter), but under the hood it's still basically XP, which is still basically Windows 2000, thank God.

I did read Vista is evolutionary, not revolutionary. But I am looking forward to bonding emotionally with Vista.


Okay, thanks. I'm calming down some.

 

[oggbashan]

It isn't Windows 98 SE2.

It isn't DOS 3.1

I still use both (but XP on this computer)

Og

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

The main problem I had with Vista is that it had compatibility issues with the Nvidia video drivers. For normal usage, it worked fine, but when I tried to play the Sims2, it would crash to blue screen. It's been long enough that those issues may be worked out now. I know Nvidia was diligently working on it. I haven't tried playing the game in awhile though, so I don't know for sure.

The other annoying thing is it constantly asking you if you're sure you want this program to run even when you clicked on the icon for it yourself. I do like the parental controls on it.

 

[jomar]

The main problem I had with Vista is that it had compatibility issues with the Nvidia video drivers. For normal usage, it worked fine, but when I tried to play the Sims2, it would crash to blue screen. It's been long enough that those issues may be worked out now. I know Nvidia was diligently working on it. I haven't tried playing the game in awhile though, so I don't know for sure.

The other annoying thing is it constantly asking you if you're sure you want this program to run even when you clicked on the icon for it yourself. I do like the parental controls on it.

I keep doing double takes - your name, your Junior AV = doink!

Constantly asking is a really annoying glitch. I had a firewall program that would do that for awhile. I hope the SP1 fixes that.

 

[DesertPirate]

It is a resource hog and requires 2GB of memory. Personal opinion is it is a standard M$ product. 3 U software, unstable, unreliable and unsecure. I'm not convinced that anyone at M$ can even spell security, much less do something about it.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

I keep doing double takes - your name, your Junior AV = doink!

LOL, sorry, but it'll stay changed until I get all this mess sorted out. It's what I had handy. It was either him or Vin Diesel, lol.

 

[jomar]

It is a resource hog and requires 2GB of memory. Personal opinion is it is a standard M$ product. 3 U software, unstable, unreliable and unsecure. I'm not convinced that anyone at M$ can even spell security, much less do something about it.

I read that 2GB was the sweet spot. I'm not a gamer, but do open a bunch of tabs when surfing.

LOL, sorry, but it'll stay changed until I get all this mess sorted out. It's what I had handy. It was either him or Vin Diesel, lol.

No problem. I understand. I drowned and my laptop I'm down to two AVs until my new one comes in and I can do some file transfers. But Junior? C'mon, Mark Martin woman!

 

[DesertPirate]

I read that 2GB was the sweet spot. I'm not a gamer, but do open a bunch of tabs when surfing.



No problem. I understand. I drowned and my laptop I'm down to two AVs until my new one comes in and I can do some file transfers. But Junior? C'mon, Mark Martin woman!

Only with a cane!

 

[jomar]

Only with a cane!

Isn't he driving the Geritol car now?

It was the Viagra car, you know.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

No problem. I understand. I drowned and my laptop I'm down to two AVs until my new one comes in and I can do some file transfers. But Junior? C'mon, Mark Martin woman!

I like Mark Martin okay, but Junior's my guy!

 

[tickledkitty]

jomar, I had some problems at first, but I think those were more due to the new version of Word rather than Vista. So now that I'm used to it, no problems at all, really. I'm actually pretty happy with both the new desk top and my laptop.

 

[tickledkitty]

Mark Martin? Come on.

 

[jomar]

jomar, I had some problems at first, but I think those were more due to the new version of Word rather than Vista. So now that I'm used to it, no problems at all, really. I'm actually pretty happy with both the new desk top and my laptop.

Cool.

Mark Martin? Come on.

Put 'em up!

 

[drksideofthemoon]

It is a resource hog and requires 2GB of memory. Personal opinion is it is a standard M$ product. 3 U software, unstable, unreliable and unsecure. I'm not convinced that anyone at M$ can even spell security, much less do something about it.

I agree, it just sucks resources up like a sponge, and honestly, I haven't seen any improvements over XP.

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

There is only one good thing about Vista. MicroSoft already has a replacement platform and is stopping production of Vista.

MicroSoft screwed the entire world again and got paid for it. Way to go, Bill Gates.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

I dont' mind my Vista. I have loads of room on my computer anyway. It came with the computer, so I just played around with it, checked out the new features, some I like ,some I don't.

 

[jomar]

There is only one good thing about Vista. MicroSoft already has a replacement platform and is stopping production of Vista.

MicroSoft screwed the entire world again and got paid for it. Way to go, Bill Gates.

Are you talking about Windows 7 due out in 2010 or 2011?

I dont' mind my Vista. I have loads of room on my computer anyway. It came with the computer, so I just played around with it, checked out the new features, some I like ,some I don't.

Cool.

 

[DesertPirate]

Are you talking about Windows 7 due out in 2010 or 2011?.

Actually late 09 or early 10 now. M$ is so proud of it that it may have the shortest life yet. I really hope so.
As for office get 03 not repeat not 07.

 

[jomar]

Actually late 09 or early 10 now. M$ is so proud of it that it may have the shortest life yet. I really hope so.
As for office get 03 not repeat not 07.

Seems like I read that the 2010 update will be more refining than a complete overhaul, which they do every other release.

I have Office 02, which I understand will work.