Anybody had any experience with Vista? - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

Russ-So Cal · 10-23-2009, 02:53 PM

My hard drive crashed on my computer last Friday. In addition, a heat sink had come loose form the mother board. I was able to have my data recovered and put on two dvd's and I bought a refurbished computer from Fry's. I also bought a 320 gig external hard drive that does hourly automatic back up of my files and a complete back up once a week. The computer came with Vista installed, and the offer of a free Windows 7 upgrade when it came available. I sent in for the free up grade and am supposed to receive a soft ware disc in the mail. I'm just wondering what are the problems or disadvantages to Vista? Do I need to install the Windows 7 up grade or stick with Vista? In any event, I may hold off installing Windows 7 until I hear if there are any bugs in it. Maybe, since it is Microsoft, I should say I'm holding off until I find out what the bugs are in Windows 7 and what needs to be done to fix them!

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BretD 88GTA · 10-23-2009, 04:46 PM

Vista has been running fine on my Dell laptop. No real issues.

lonsal · 10-23-2009, 11:31 PM

I have it on my new laptop too with no problems. I'm getting used to it. I too got a free Win7 offer though.

Lon

injdinjn · 10-24-2009, 12:03 AM

I bought a lenovo at frys because it had windows.
Vista is not compatible with most windows based perferials, and most of my perferials are not upgradeable.
Not practical to purchase $10K+ in perferials because Microshit cant make compatible upgrades.

And I have heard that a lot of windows data, even though you saved it from your old system will not work right on vista.

Russ-So Cal · 10-24-2009, 12:43 AM

So far everything is working, but most of my software was upgraded to Vista compatible when we bought my wife a new computer a year or so ago. Her old computer had 256k of ram and that was the max it could handle. We waited long enough to replace it that we had no choice but to buy Vista unless we went on line to buy it.

frostindahouse · 10-24-2009, 12:46 AM

The problem with vista is that it takes up WAYY more memory then it should.

If you have a lot of memory, its no problem, but if you dont, it makes life difficult.

Im a windows programmer, i write 3D games on windows. I have XP, and windows 7 dual booted, even though 7 has a feature to run a virtual machine. My point is though that ive skipped vista all together.

Russ-So Cal · 10-24-2009, 01:04 AM

My old machine was originally Windows 98, which I up graded to XP. Right after I up graded to XP, they told us that we needed to install a patch because Miocrsoft had bad security or some such. I installed the patch, and then got pop ups every time i booted the computer reminding me that the cd rom was not booted up because it would make Windows unstable, and I could fix it by spending only $60.00 for an up grade on my cd rom! I guess my concern is that before I change over, I would like to know as much about both Windows 7 and Vista as possible. Thanks for the info guys. If anybody else would like to chime in I would appreciate it.

Vetruck · 10-24-2009, 04:02 AM

I come in here thinking Vista Paint......When did they start making auto paint.

Jason89RS · 10-24-2009, 05:44 AM

I'm an applications programmer as well. I don't do games but build and support business applications. I've never made the jump to Vista and have stayed with XP. A couple months ago I was looking on the Dell site to price a new desktop and saw that they were offereing XP as an "upgrade" from Vista. I guess so many business customers didn't want Vista that they started charging to put XP on. In addition to the memory issues I found that it was more difficult to use vista unless I put everything in classic mode (XP looking). I've read that there is no upgrade path from XP to win 7, it's a backup your xp data and then do a new install of Win 7. The only upgrade path is from vista to win 7.

injdinjn · 10-24-2009, 12:21 PM

Quote:

I come in here thinking Vista Paint......When did they start making auto paint.

You are better off, trust me.

Tpx · 10-28-2009, 12:30 PM

Windows Vista is slower and more cumbersome than Xp, and Windows 7 is faster than both, as well as being prettier and more efficient. If I were you, I would upgrade to Windows 7 and never look back. Any advice column you read online that compares these three operating systems will back this information up.

bungo78 · 10-28-2009, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tpx

Windows Vista is slower and more cumbersome than Xp, and Windows 7 is faster than both, as well as being prettier and more efficient. If I were you, I would upgrade to Windows 7 and never look back. Any advice column you read online that compares these three operating systems will back this information up.

I agree.. Microsoft made Vista to change much of the previous platforms that preceded it... So that was why it had a LOT of issue's from jump... With Windows 7 it uses the same platform and acts more of an upgrade that a radical change than XP to Vista...

So... If you can, or want to... 7 is the upgrade you need.. It's much more efficient than Vista... Like a XP, with the Vista touch just tighen'd up all around.. You would have to learn a few of the bells and whistles.. But that's only a minor inconvienence...

Hope that helps..
A...

Russ-So Cal · 10-28-2009, 04:57 PM

Thanks everybody. My new computer came with Vista with a free upgrade to windows 7. I've ordered the upgrade, and will install it as soon as I receive it.

berlin305 · 10-28-2009, 06:01 PM

Good. Vista IMO is crap. I had 98 for the longest time b/c of XP being with all bugs. I went to Xp when Vista came out. Vista to me is like behind xp and win 7 is great. Vista was a bad os. I couldn't play my old 98 games on it ect.. and has security this and that coming up. And its ridiculous to have to have at least 3 gigs of ram to just run it smoothly. When xp runs good with 1 gig. SO all and all you upgrading to Win 7 will save you time and hassle.

Pyronight · 10-28-2009, 07:56 PM

As with many other here I concur, Vista is boo boo. I currently have Windows 7 installed and to be frank I love it. No bugs have hit me as of yet (fingers crossed). What is it you were asking though, as I didn't quite understand the initial question.

Russ-So Cal · 10-29-2009, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pyronight

As with many other here I concur, Vista is boo boo. I currently have Windows 7 installed and to be frank I love it. No bugs have hit me as of yet (fingers crossed). What is it you were asking though, as I didn't quite understand the initial question.

My new computer came with Vista, but with a free upgrade to Windows 7. I have not used Vista enough to find any problems, but was wondering if I should go ahead and install the Windows 7 when I receive the soft ware? I think after all that I have read as well as the consensus here that I will install windows 7 when I receive the disc.

Tpx · 10-29-2009, 08:26 PM

Good choice, be sure to message me if you have any issues. I'm sure I could help you out for most problems.

*86EYEROK* · 10-29-2009, 08:46 PM

I dont know if you guys aware of this or not but, when you buy a laptop with vista and get the upgrade to windows 7 its not an actual upgrade. your not upgrading vista to 7. when you get the windows 7 CD you have to do a complete new install of windows 7. Its not like it used to be with the upgrades. so back up your important data.

*86EYEROK* · 10-29-2009, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by berlin305

and has security this and that coming up.

You could have just turned that security pop up off in the control panel under user accounts.

I have been running vista for years and never had a problem with it. I only have 1.5 gigs of ram. Its all on how you use it.

Tpx · 10-29-2009, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *86EYEROK*

I dont know if you guys aware of this or not but, when you buy a laptop with vista and get the upgrade to windows 7 its not an actual upgrade. your not upgrading vista to 7. when you get the windows 7 CD you have to do a complete new install of windows 7. Its not like it used to be with the upgrades. so back up your important data.

Don't mean to be rude but you are wrong, and I don't want others thinking that what you said is true. I just did a clean install from xp to 7 on my laptop. It put every previous file on my harddrive (including the windows files) in a new folder, and installed itself on the remaining space. I lost nothing, everything was there. Of course your programs need to be re-installed but all your pictures, videos, documents, it's all still saved. It will only delete these if you format your harddrive or if you don't have enough free HDD space when trying to install 7. And also, it has an upgrade option that is completely legitimate from vista to 7, it will not even invalidate your old files it just updates the operating system just like patching a game. Of course, backing up your data is a great precaution and I do not discourage doing so, just know that there is every precaution taken by Microsoft to save your old files.

madmax · 10-30-2009, 12:09 AM

I wouldnt trust Microsoft to protect a penny let alone my files. Just go talk to some Sidekick customers about how well Microsoft protects files.

If you're going to do any OS upgrade, back up the files yourself. Do not rely on anything or anyone else to do it, if you want the files after its all done.

injdinjn · 10-30-2009, 12:40 AM

"doesnt delete files unless you dont have enough space" Thats scary

bungo78 · 10-30-2009, 01:36 AM

Whuteva you do...

When it comes to computers... Just be logical, and sensible.. Betta to be safe than sorry ya dig? All folks have different levels of computer savvy... Back up your stuff just to be smart an safe.. In case, ooooppsss! ya mess up along the way. Then it won't be a meltdown moment in time.. Ya keep ya kool and go from there, no worries... Computers are made by use humans, and we have a track record of not bein' perfect.. So be safe with whut you feel is important..

Adrian

Russ-So Cal · 10-30-2009, 03:07 PM

Since my drive crashed and I had to pay for recovery of my data, I immediately bought a 320 gig external hard drive for back up. It was @ $60.00, a lot less expensive than paying to recover lost data! If I need to re-install my software after upgrading to Windows7, will it count as another install when I register it? We bought Microsoft Office student/homeowners-noncommercial edition when we got the new computer for my wife. It is licensed for 3 computers, and we installed it on my wife's computer, my computer, and then my new one. If it is going to want to call my computer a fourth install if I install Windows 7, I will need to buy it all over again.

madmax · 10-30-2009, 03:38 PM

No. If anything you will just need to call M$.