In a previous post I talked a bit about my experience with Vista. Since then, Vista has updated itself a couple of times (I guess I have automatic updates tuned on) and the result has been that a couple of my programs that I use every day have stopped working (one that even came as bloatware with the computer back in April - you would figure that would remain compatible!).

Today I tried doing manual updates offered by Sony - the laptop manufacturer - and one refused to install as it no longer recognized my operating system as being Vista. Microsoft obviously made some major changes to the code in the updates and not for the better either!

So, today I have put my newish laptop on the shelf and am back using my old one with XP.

What a crappy product - what a waste of time and money.

I sent my new computer back and spent $200.00 more for one with XP. I thought I could install XP on the vista hard drive but that wouldn't work.

I have too many programs that won't work with it to even bother trying to upgrade my software library.

Plus there is a rumor going around that one of the features of vista is ms's ability to track software ownership and deny use of software they consider to be pirated. Since I don't register anything this could be a problem.

The wonderful thing about linux is that there are tons of free programs available that do the same thing as their Microsoft counterparts - with no registration required. If it were not for one or two programs that I use regularly and have for years - I would dump Windows altogether.

Check out this short YouTube video comparing Vista's wow factor with Ubuntu Linux's WOW Factor...
Vista vs Ubuntu

It's more than a rumor- the Vista that came with my PC did just that: it was cued to believe that it was a pirated copy and shut itself down so that all I could access was Internet so that I could purchase the program that CAME WITH MY GATEWAY COMPUTER. Unbelievable! Someone circumvented the problem for now by installing a new code, but every now and then I get a pop-up telling me that my copy of Vista not be authentic.
It's Apple for me next time...

My friend at the office had the very same problem on her Gateway and nothing cured it, so she just returned it.

I am very glad both of my laptops have XP.

My husband's Vista sucks - it's on a brand new computer but runs so slow that we're ready to chuck it

My prediction is that people will hang on to XP alot longer than they hung onto Windows 98 (transitioning to XP) I also teach computer classes and many folks are buying new computers XP loaded.

Yeah, unfortunately while Vista has definitely amped up it's security, one of the most common things I hear is that it is so secure that it drives people crazy. I haven't had too much experience with Vista, but the constant permission-based questions to load an application can be pretty nerve-wrecking.

Try running a Mac.

I'm running all 3 operating systems at the same time on my Mac Book Pro. (Mac OSX 10.5.2 (Leopard), Windows XP, Windows Vista, Unbuntu Linux.) I run them all through Parallels. Easy as pie.

I have to say, I spend 90% of my time in OSX. But it's nice having the option to run any software or program available all through one computer.

When you buy a Mac, it's like getting 3 computers in one.

My 2cents.

My husband's computer has Vista. I do not really care for it...I find it cumbersome to try and figure out the things they changed...

The transition from Win98 to XP was fairly easy compared to this...I actually LOVED XP as it seemed to be a major improvement over Win98.

But Vista? I do not like it. I will stick with XP for as long as I can and try to learn hubby's Vista as time allows...I do not like it, I do not like it...I do not.

My onboard sound card stopped working when I switched to Vista; ASUS told me the motherboard doesn't support Vista and they had no intention of supporting it. So I had to go out and buy a sound card.

Vista also gives me a BSOD every time I shutdown the computer.

My wife has Vista on her PC and I hate it (and she does also). My laptop recently crashed (XP)and I ordered a new one---Dell offered it with Vista or XP at the same price so I took it with XP

I've got Vista on my Gateway laptop...not sure why no one likes it..I love it.. I could see there being problems with upgrading though...

I've got Vista on my Gateway laptop...not sure why no one likes it..I love it.. I could see there being problems with upgrading though...

My main reason for not liking it is that there are simple functions that I'm used to being able to do a certain way (such as "repair") an internet connection. I can not do it with Vista. When I click "repair" it does not do the same thing that it does in XP and never repairs the connection.

There are other things that I've become accustomed to doing in Xp that either are no longer options or they're so well hidden I can't find them.

I can see learning NEW things but it ticks me off to have to relearn something I already spent serious time learning previously!

So, I like new features, but don't like having to go on a treasure hunt trying to re-find the old!

I have not had a problem with my Vista. I think that it is stupid for a company to even release a program that is having so many problems. I would have thought that in there beta version these problems would have surfaced. Does anyone know if there is a new program in the works from Microsoft.

I have heard there is a new operating system in the works from Microsoft, but that is about all I know. Not sure of any names (or experimental names) or release dates though...

New operating system...new operating system, just what we need.

Version 7 is the name apparently and it may come out in 2010

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_7

I am not sure if code is now being compiled with the standard 64 bit compilers or 128. But I believe this is why some programs work and others don't with new operating systems like Vista. It is code optimiztaion enabling it to run more efficently with the hardware.

Regina Thomas
QiSoftware.com

I switched to Macintosh about 3 years ago and haven't looked back. Trust me guys, it is well worth every penny. In fact I think I am actually cash ahead by switching to Mac as I have zero down time now. Before I was always having some sort of issue with my HP.

Our office upgraded to Vista on the advice of some computer 'expert' it did nothing but slow our network, applications and cause more issues than I care to remember. We got rid of the lot at great expense getting things back to the way they were. Another example of cost to business by upgrading with Microsoft! Way to go Microsoft!

I bought a new laptop sooner than I really wanted to because I could only get it with XP up till June 18.

I am going to hold out until there is absolutely no way I can resist changing from XP. I really really like XP and don't know why they had to push Vista through - I hate vista with a passion and I think Windows 95 was better!!!

Computers, operating systems, software, etc. are all like anything else. Builders stay in business building houses, because there is always someone who wants a new house. Car manufacturers must come out with new models every year to stay in business and to make money.

Software companies must continue making changes and coming out with new products so they stay in business.

Vista is actually far more advanced than XP and the next OS will be even further advanced.

If they just sold the same old OS year after year, then eventually not enough people would buy and the company would go under.

Every time a new version of OS has come out since Windows 3.1, there have been people who haven't like the new version. There will be plenty of people who don't like the next version and want to keep Vista, but eventually the OS must be updated to keep up with changing technology and faster hardware.

At the beginning of this thread back in January I mentioned that I had shelved my Sony Vista notebook because of all of the problems I was having and reverted back to my old Dell notebook that uses XP.

That old Dell's LCD finally gave up in April and I purchased a new Dell XPS M1530 notebook with Vista - almost a year to the day from when I had purchased that troublesome Sony with Vista.

I am happy to report that the new Dell XPS has been totally problem free and not aggravating at all. It may be safe to buy Vista now - it has been around for quite a while already and they seem to have worked out the bugs - at least the ones that were annoying me

Get Vista now or wait for Windows 7 or better get Linux based OS

Windows 7
Release date: Late 2009/Early 2010 (expected)
Preview version: Milestone 1 (6.1.6574.1) (April 20, 2008)

http://www.google.com/search?q=windows+7...GGGL_en___PH231

I'm still waiting for valid reasons to switch to Vista. I have xp on my home, work and laptop computer and have pretty much zero problems with anything. What advancements has Vista made? Why would I switch even if Vista's service packs made it run more smoothly?

You know, my issues aren't because it's NEW but because they changed around basic stuff JUST TO MAKE IT SEEM NEW - things that I should be able to find easily the same way I did before, just doesn't happen....I have to look for it under a new name, new title, etc. Or it won't work the way it did, such as repairing an internet connection. On XP you only have to right click on the little computer icon in the system tray and click REPAIR. And it does it. I can't do it in Vista. SOme other menu comes up and tells me it can't be repaired. Duh.

The control panel is different, everything is different just for the sake of being different.

XP was a vast improvement over Win98, which was better than Win95 (I think...I do remember hating Win98, LOL) Vista is not an improvement at all - it's a headache.

Let me see, if vista is a success which we know is not (that's why they immediately release a newer version to cover it up) new programs/application to be made will be patterned to vista's structure.

I totally agree with you.. After getting bunch of feedbacks about Vista, I have not bothered to test it...
I do not have time to waste...let free testers test for you first..

We are a Microsoft Partner and we received 10 copies of Vista for free and we haven't loaded one computer with it.

Hi All,

Just a little heads up apple was revived by bin talal a saudi prince and bill gates. They invested in getting steve jobs back to revive apple.

So don't get fooled by the ads on TV. PC does not equal Microsoft.

And apple isn't unique.

Linux which has 100's of variants/hybrids is the mother of apple Operating systems. Plus apple now uses Intel chips, so it is PC too. Don't believe everything you see on TV. apple and ms are same and one behind the curtain.

But as this is a Realtor site, or should i say to help us realtors, i am posting a page i created that has links to all the 'Open Source' projects that realtors should use due to the price, here it comes, free!! And some projects have come of age in 2008 that you'd look like a fool expounding apple over pc.

Yes i agree apple is a little better than xp/vista, but thats because its a few steps behind debian linux's and uses the linux's as the test bed for the 'linux for a fee called apple'.

It was a Microsoft hack to figure out how to profit with intel on all those gullible ppl that follow herd mentality.

http://open-realtor.com

Try to upgrade to SP1, it will help correct a lot of the issues your experiencing.

Compete Realty Team
http://www.competerealty.com/

Vista was a real pain when i bought my laptop almost a year ago.
For the most part, i have learned to deal with and enjoy it. They still have a long way to go with corrective updates.

I recently got a new HP with Vista Home Premium, the 64 bit version. The first thing I did and always do with a new computer is delete superfluous programs I'll never use, like trial versions. (deleted Office 2007 trial, Norton anti-virus, some other stuff.)

So far no problems. I did have to upgrade to a USB broadband card, but that as due to the lack of a PCMCIA slot in the new machine. Theres also no parallel port for printer, but these are hardware issues.

As far as the OS goes, I don't think it's all that bad. sure there are a few quirks with navigation and such. I leave my updates turned off and my firewall on. I always try to remove any program that wants to start up automatically to conserve resources and make the system run better.

I think i would like to try the business version of Vista as it's probably the stripped down verison free of all the multimedia junk we really don't need for real estate.


I believe the Vista Business version is still 32 BIT so older software should be more compatible with that.