What about Vista

  • Thread starter Thread starter Robert
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Robert

I've been considering getting a new computer and they all have Vista on
them. Most of what I have heard about Vista has been bad. Should I buy a
new computer and then install XP on it instead? What does this group think?
I'll post the same question in a Vista group (if I can find one).
 
Robert said:
I've been considering getting a new computer and they all have
Vista on them. Most of what I have heard about Vista has been bad.
Should I buy a new computer and then install XP on it instead? What does
this group think? I'll post the same question in a Vista
group (if I can find one).
Click to expand...

It's a personal choice made by considering what you will be
keeping/utilizing from your old system (software and hardware) and what your
needs are and how well you adapt to change.

- If you are getting all new hardware/software - not a technical problem at
all.
- Most software - still not a problem - but you should check with the
manufacturer to be sure.
- Some hardware - older hardware - just may not have drivers that allow it
to interface with Vista. Check with the hardware manufacturer to be sure.

As for your ability/desire to change the way you ue things - that's up to
you.

In any case - make sure you get the new computer with as much power as
possible (processor speed and at least dual if not quad cores) as well as 2
to 4GB of memory. That should cover the home user for most decisions and
needs a home user will have - whether they choose 32-bit, 64-bit, Windows XP
or Windows Vista - they should be able to run just about every package a
home user would desire and run it quickly. Also - if you are a gamer
(actually - my preference in all cases) - make sure you get a separate (not
shared memory) video card... I'd suggest 512MB or greater in memory on the
Video card itself.

I run just several different operating systems on my machines - from
Microsoft I have Windows XP Professional (x86), Windows Vista Ultimate (x86)
and Windows Vista Ultimate (x64) - and none of them are any more difficult
to use or troublesome than any of the others - non-Microsoft OS or not.
 
I've been considering getting a new computer and they all have Vista on
them. Most of what I have heard about Vista has been bad. Should I buy a
new computer and then install XP on it instead? What does this group think?
I'll post the same question in a Vista group (if I can find one).
Click to expand...

There are only two real criteria for the Operating System
1 = Functionality, whether it can do what you want (using the
programmes you prefer and the hardware you choose.)
2 = Security, in the light of your work habits, Internet
connection etc.

The last PC I installed (apart from an unwanted laptop a
friend gave me) was used, advertised on local freenet
bulletin board. With WinXP Pro installed it had only 40 Gb
hard drive space and is slow at 1.7 GHz CPU speed, but
fast enough with 512 Mb RAM and had a superb (huge
heavy) monitor, all for $125. This meets (after I added
a wireless network card $25) all current demands. Something
similar may suit you better than any Vista PC you can buy
for $500-$2000. By agreement I paid the unknown vendor
with a cheque dated three days later, in case of problems
-- none encountered.
 
I have both Vista and XP computers. I would not put Vista on an old box as
it would drive it into the ground. Vista requires too much performance. On
my new Vista PC it runs just fine and is a lot faster and more stable than
the old six year old XP box.

As Shenan pointed out, your main consideration is your other software and
hardware. My going with Vista 64-bit required me to replace a printer that
liked 32-bit Vista but not 64-bit (and HP was not going to upgrade its
driver). I also needed to upgrade several programs to work with Vista. Most
of these upgrades were from version 3 to version 7 for example, so I had
been using old programs. If I'd stayed with XP I could have continued using
the old versions, but this new Vista computer should last be another five to
eight years (I frugal).

P.S. I'd recommend going for 64-bit hardware but get Vista 32-bit. There's
less chance of hardware incompatibility.

Brian
 
I've been considering getting a new computer and they all have Vista on
them.  Most of what I have heard about Vista has been bad.  Should I buy a
new computer and then install XP on it instead?  What does this group think?
I'll post the same question in a Vista group (if I can find one).
Click to expand...

Can't speak to the relative goodness or badness of Vista vs. XP (have
not used a PC with Vista).

However, if you're looking for flexibility, look on the Small Business
side of the Dell website. Many systems there offer Vista Business with
Downgrade. Their explanation says that the system comes with XP Pro
installed, and a CD with Vista, should you want to install it later.
Could be a price premium for doing that, I didn't really look at the
prices.

Jerry
 
Robert said:
I've been considering getting a new computer and they all have Vista
on them. Most of what I have heard about Vista has been bad. Should
I buy a new computer and then install XP on it instead? What does
this group think? I'll post the same question in a Vista group (if I
can find one).
Click to expand...

Actually, still can get XP. I checked last week with both Dell and
Gateway and they both will provide XP yet. Not on all machines, though.
I asked by emails to support but you could also call and ask I suppose.
I've heard, but not looked, that TigerDirect also still sells XP
machines. They each gave me links to use for the XP machines.

A lot of the Vista machines have new hardware that Vista supports and XP
does not, so it's a crap shoot how easily you could downgrade a machine
to XP from Vista. IMO don't even start the task until you know you have
mobo drivers, etc.,; everything you'll need. You cannot pull drivers
from Vista and use them in XP.
OTOH, MS is doing everything it can to kill the XP availability and
their contracts are air tight, so if you really need XP, do it soon.

There are several flavors of Vista, and figuring out which one to get
can be interesting, but not insurmountable. Vista doesn't have a great
reputation but it sort of depends on your own level of expertise and
experience how well you'll get along with it. It CAN be made to run
smoothly given enough RAM, etc. and removing some of the junk; that's
why I mentioned your own level of expertise. Some seem to love it, some
don't, and some despise it. Do NOT go by what you read on newsgroups or
support sites as an accurate indicator; remember, people without
problems aren't going to be there; only the ones who want help. Look
instead for the most unbiased reviews you can find.


HTH,

Twayne
 
Robert said:
I've been considering getting a new computer and they all have Vista on
them. Most of what I have heard about Vista has been bad.
Click to expand...


Then you've been listening to the wrong people.

Should I buy a
new computer and then install XP on it instead?
Click to expand...


There could be a couple possible adverse repercussions of which you
should be aware. First and foremost, if the specific computer model in
question was designed specifically for Vista, there may well be no
WinXP-specific device drivers available to make the computer's diverse
components work properly. Consult the computer's manufacturer about the
availability of device drivers. Secondly, removing an OEM-installed
operating system and replacing it with another will almost invariably
void any and all support agreements and, possibly, even the warranty.
You would, at the very least, have to re-install Vista before getting
any support from the manufacturer. Again, consult the computer's
manufacturer for specifics. Thirdly, there will be the additional cost
involved in purchasing a WinXP license for this new computer.

After backing up any data you wish to transfer to the new OS
installation, simply boot from the WinXP installation CD. You'll be
offered the opportunity to delete, create, and format partitions as part
of the installation process. (You may need to re-arrange the order of
boot devices in the PC's BIOS to boot from the CD.)

HOW TO Install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;316941

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm

Then, assuming you were successful in obtaining WinXP-specific
device drivers so that the computer can be made to work with WinXP, the
backed up data can be restored and applications (those that are
WinXP-compatible, that is) re-installed.






--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot
 
It's an idea. My computer is 7 years old and has had daily use since I
bought it. I'm just afraid it will konk out one of these days. Maybe I
should buy one that is 2 or 3 years old.
 
Thanks for the tip.
I've been considering getting a new computer and they all have Vista on
them. Most of what I have heard about Vista has been bad. Should I buy a
new computer and then install XP on it instead? What does this group
think?
I'll post the same question in a Vista group (if I can find one).
Click to expand...

Can't speak to the relative goodness or badness of Vista vs. XP (have
not used a PC with Vista).

However, if you're looking for flexibility, look on the Small Business
side of the Dell website. Many systems there offer Vista Business with
Downgrade. Their explanation says that the system comes with XP Pro
installed, and a CD with Vista, should you want to install it later.
Could be a price premium for doing that, I didn't really look at the
prices.

Jerry
 
Whick do you use - Vista or XP?
Twayne said:
Actually, still can get XP. I checked last week with both Dell and
Gateway and they both will provide XP yet. Not on all machines, though. I
asked by emails to support but you could also call and ask I suppose. I've
heard, but not looked, that TigerDirect also still sells XP machines.
They each gave me links to use for the XP machines.

A lot of the Vista machines have new hardware that Vista supports and XP
does not, so it's a crap shoot how easily you could downgrade a machine to
XP from Vista. IMO don't even start the task until you know you have mobo
drivers, etc.,; everything you'll need. You cannot pull drivers from Vista
and use them in XP.
OTOH, MS is doing everything it can to kill the XP availability and
their contracts are air tight, so if you really need XP, do it soon.

There are several flavors of Vista, and figuring out which one to get can
be interesting, but not insurmountable. Vista doesn't have a great
reputation but it sort of depends on your own level of expertise and
experience how well you'll get along with it. It CAN be made to run
smoothly given enough RAM, etc. and removing some of the junk; that's why
I mentioned your own level of expertise. Some seem to love it, some
don't, and some despise it. Do NOT go by what you read on newsgroups or
support sites as an accurate indicator; remember, people without problems
aren't going to be there; only the ones who want help. Look instead for
the most unbiased reviews you can find.


HTH,

Twayne
Click to expand...
 
Which do you use - Vista or XP?
Shenan Stanley said:
It's a personal choice made by considering what you will be
keeping/utilizing from your old system (software and hardware) and what
your needs are and how well you adapt to change.

- If you are getting all new hardware/software - not a technical problem
at all.
- Most software - still not a problem - but you should check with the
manufacturer to be sure.
- Some hardware - older hardware - just may not have drivers that allow it
to interface with Vista. Check with the hardware manufacturer to be sure.

As for your ability/desire to change the way you ue things - that's up to
you.

In any case - make sure you get the new computer with as much power as
possible (processor speed and at least dual if not quad cores) as well as
2 to 4GB of memory. That should cover the home user for most decisions
and needs a home user will have - whether they choose 32-bit, 64-bit,
Windows XP or Windows Vista - they should be able to run just about every
package a home user would desire and run it quickly. Also - if you are a
gamer (actually - my preference in all cases) - make sure you get a
separate (not shared memory) video card... I'd suggest 512MB or greater
in memory on the Video card itself.

I run just several different operating systems on my machines - from
Microsoft I have Windows XP Professional (x86), Windows Vista Ultimate
(x86) and Windows Vista Ultimate (x64) - and none of them are any more
difficult to use or troublesome than any of the others - non-Microsoft OS
or not.
Click to expand...
 
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