Re Vista

Sparhawk · 20-05-2007, 20:52

As someone who needed to get a new PC {my other one gave up the ghost

} and being unemployed for the last 2 years I looked around and decided that {for me} a Dell PC was in my price range and could do {I thought} what I wanted it to but since getting it and TRYING very hard to load software that I had bought for my XP setup I have found that MOST of it is NOT compatible

It is sooo frustrating that I have spent hard earned money buying the best software packages I could afford at the time only to find that I can no longer use them and would advise anyone to think long and hard before investing in the Vista software as I belive I for one will have to wait for a long time until I can replace {or upgrade} the packages to get this PC to work as well as my old XP software did
Regards
Sparhawk

Charlotte · 20-05-2007, 21:40

Sparhawk, have you tried approaching Dell to get them to swap Vista for XP??

Sparhawk · 20-05-2007, 22:02

Hi Charlotte
No I must admit I havent thought along those lines but I think it may be a catch 22 situation with most of the companies doing software I belive that {like everything else} they will over a period of time stop covering XP and go totally on to Vista programs. I know this will take some years as Microsorft are more than likely sorting out the one to replace Vista as I am typing this so it looks as if i will just have to sell my body to get the new software compatible with Vista

I thank you for the idea though ,but it does rather put me in a quandery,still at least if I can warn others who are thinking of going down the line of Vista it may give them food for thought

Regards
Sparhawk

Charlotte · 20-05-2007, 22:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparhawk

... it looks as if i will just have to sell my body to get the new software compatible with Vista

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparhawk

... if I can warn others who are thinking of going down the line of Vista it may give them food for thought

Well actually Sparhawk, it puts me in an awkward situation ...............
I'm in the middle of choosing a new pc system to replace my apparently-old one. Among those who've been sharing their help + advice is Steve, who strongly advises against Vista. Well, it's pretty hard to resist going the Vista route, because virtually all new pc's are coming out with Vista, + all the pc mag's are spouting nothing but Vista

I honestly think that Vista is the most talked about, controversial pc product out this decade

It seems to be good, bad + ugly all rolled into one mother of a pc-cyclone, leaving us poor souls who just want a pc system to do our things on, in a state of total confusion as to which way to turn. As I say, when you look to buy a new pc, everything points to Vista, but you listen to this forum + everyone's saying "nooooooooo"

I can't help wondering if the "no-ers" are just plain prejudiced against MS

BUT if my existing software prog's are just plain not gonna work on Vista, now that's a different kettle of fish ... THAT I can go along with as a negative for Vista. Thing is, how do you know if your prog's are or are not gonna work on Vista? Every previous upgrade of Windows OS has been backward complaint for prog's, i.e. it would run them, although not as efficiently perhaps. Now ppl are saying that non-Vista compatible prog's just plain won't work?? Sounds hard to believe to me ...

So, Sparhawk, perhaps you could elaborate on your plight + say exactly WHY your prog's won't work on your new pc?

**Dabhand16** · 20-05-2007, 22:39

Charlotte - I decided to stick with XP after visiting the web-sites of all of the apps I use for video editing to check their Vista compatibilty. Only one or two would work with Vista, so my choice was easy. XP will be supported for many years to come, so I don't have any worries.

FWIW - Dell has started offering XP again with its new PC's due to customer demand! Make of that what you will.

Charlotte · 20-05-2007, 22:48

It's not the big prog's that worry me so much, Graham, as the little ones

Well, I mean yes it'd be an expense to upgrade a major prog so's it'll work on Vista, but we can expect to upgrade our major prog's from time to time anyway. But what about all those hundreds of little app's we've collected along the way, some of which are still useful today? The "little guy" that either very nicely gives away his little prog's, or sells them as shareware, is not likely to keep up with being "Vista compliant" is he?? What's Vista going to do to the Shareware market if none of those prog's are workable on Vista

It's all very confusing, especially as I STILL don't know how or why most prog's in existence (since only a relative few are "Vista compliant") will not work on a Vista pc, I just don't get it

**Dabhand16** · 20-05-2007, 23:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlotte

It's not the big prog's that worry me so much, Graham, as the little ones

Well, I mean yes it'd be an expense to upgrade a major prog so's it'll work on Vista, but we can expect to upgrade our major prog's from time to time anyway. But what about all those hundreds of little app's we've collected along the way, some of which are still useful today? The "little guy" that either very nicely gives away his little prog's, or sells them as shareware, is not likely to keep up with being "Vista compliant" is he?? What's Vista going to do to the Shareware market if none of those prog's are workable on Vista

It's all very confusing, especially as I STILL don't know how or why most prog's in existence (since only a relative few are "Vista compliant") will not work on a Vista pc, I just don't get it

Exactly the reason I stuck with XP. Some smaller paid-for apps and shareware may work with Vista, but the majority (that I use) will not.

The reason for apps not working with Vista, and for instance, it is only very recently that Paint Shop Pro has joined the list of apps that will work, it that Microsoft was very late/lax/reluctant in providing the operating code to third party software companies. Now this might be to reduce the chances of hacking, but the more cynical among us might think that Microsoft were trying to get people to use their own apps and abandon the others. I saw an interesting post recently about Vista and movie licensing, which is yet another factor.

I think the Vista situation will become clearer over the next year to 18 months, but I know that this will not help you.

I remember you mentioning that your system was going to be replaced because it was slowing up. I presume that you are doing your houekeeping - defragging the HDD and deleting the temp files etc?

Charlotte · 21-05-2007, 00:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dabhand16

I remember you mentioning that your system was going to be replaced because it was slowing up. I presume that you are doing your houekeeping - defragging the HDD and deleting the temp files etc?

Yes, I defrag regularly, + delete temp files etc. (thanks to Ashampoo Win Optimizer 3). In addition to being very slow, it's also really noisy (noisier in fact than my previous pc was) so I'm after a "quiet life" now

Last but by no means least, my monitor has gone wonky. All in all, it's definitely time for "out with the old, + in with the new".

lcraft · 21-05-2007, 07:40

Normally I keep a low profile when talking about computers and operating systems since those discussions often devolve into holy wars. But on this occasion I'd like to chime in...

I've been building and fixing PCs since 1985.. Working on Macs since 1997 - I can at least claim to know a thing or three about both platforms (and also several flavors of Unix)

Four years ago I took a good long hard look at everything going on in the Windows world - decided I was not enthused with where things were going and I proceeded to buy a Mac for my daily use.

I transitioned over slowly but by the end of 2003 I had completely switched over and just had a Windows machine here to help service the computers of my computer clients. Since then I've bought three more and my whole family is using them.

I haven't looked back since.. Four machines being used daily and I can count the hours I spend on maintenance in a month on two or three fingers.

I have - had the opportunity on several occasions now to deal with new PCs that shipped with Vista. Ranging from low end to high end machines. My customers are having nothing but problems with their software and with drivers for their hardware.

In my opinion, the XP to Vista transition is and will continue to be even uglier than what Windows 3.11 to Windows 95 was.

Three of my clients actually went out and purchased XP to put on their new machines that shipped with Vista. I have a couple now who are using Intel Macs with Windows XP either booting natively or using virtual machines to ease their transition.

Many of my clients have followed my lead and have purchased Macs in the past two years. I never hear from them any more except when they want a memory upgrade or a bigger hard drive - or want to know what new Mac they should buy. (That part hasn't actually been any good for business.. service calls are money in my pocket..) They are happy, their kids are well adjusted and even their dog likes them again.

My Windows clients are not so happy these days.

Guess my point here is you might just want to keep your eyes on other alternatives - but at least count me in as a vote for the camp that says Stick with XP for now if you are determined that you want Windows. Especially if you have existing software and peripherals you intend to move to the new machine.

**stepheno** · 21-05-2007, 08:41

I have recently bought a new Dell PC for work and requested Vista Ultimate. Conversely to the majority opinion my machine rocks. I have all the apps on that I use at home on XP and the only problem I have is with Firefox 2 which occasionally hangs.

I'm not suggetsing Vista is perfect and, as said, probably never will be but it does works for me.

ps the only hardware which wouldn't work is a Canon Lide scanner (old) and I put that on a machine with XP.

**Markulous** · 21-05-2007, 08:48

I'd also vote for keeping XP. Luckily, my dealings are with those who've invested in XP and don't see an upgrade path to Vista......... yet! It'll come but hopefully when the OS matures a little more and the required drivers/DLLS/rewrites are available

Sparhawk · 21-05-2007, 10:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlotte

Well actually Sparhawk, it puts me in an awkward situation ...............
I'm in the middle of choosing a new pc system to replace my apparently-old one. Among those who've been sharing their help + advice is Steve, who strongly advises against Vista. Well, it's pretty hard to resist going the Vista route, because virtually all new pc's are coming out with Vista, + all the pc mag's are spouting nothing but Vista

I honestly think that Vista is the most talked about, controversial pc product out this decade

It seems to be good, bad + ugly all rolled into one mother of a pc-cyclone, leaving us poor souls who just want a pc system to do our things on, in a state of total confusion as to which way to turn. As I say, when you look to buy a new pc, everything points to Vista, but you listen to this forum + everyone's saying "nooooooooo"

I can't help wondering if the "no-ers" are just plain prejudiced against MS

BUT if my existing software prog's are just plain not gonna work on Vista, now that's a different kettle of fish ... THAT I can go along with as a negative for Vista. Thing is, how do you know if your prog's are or are not gonna work on Vista? Every previous upgrade of Windows OS has been backward complaint for prog's, i.e. it would run them, although not as efficiently perhaps. Now ppl are saying that non-Vista compatible prog's just plain won't work?? Sounds hard to believe to me ...

So, Sparhawk, perhaps you could elaborate on your plight + say exactly WHY your prog's won't work on your new pc?

Hi Charlotte
I am sorry to have put you in such a position but rather than let you go down the route that I did {looking at Vista and thinking that software programs would be quickly upgraded to allow them to run with Vista} and find that a fair few are having problems which {IMO} Microsoft are not willing to address with the speed that we woukd like.
There does seem to be a dirth of information as to upgrade or the need for a total replacement from MP3 converters through to the main photographic software for both camera drivers to photo software.
I would say {as others have done} stick with XP for now, perhaps {in a couple of years or so} when some of these problems have been ironed out then you could look to upgrade to Vista but {as someone who has Vista with all the inherent problems}I would NOT advise anyone to go down the Vista track.

I belive that the cost of upgarading {if you can} the software you have is NOT worth it stick with what you know and feel at ease with
Regards
Sparhawk

HHRC · 21-05-2007, 13:41

Do Dell pc's come with Ubuntu also installed on them? you could boot that instead of vista and have an error free pc. Vista is great for complying to the Law of Bill gates and DRM! - although im not anti-M$, i think vista is a step to far with taking away freedom of choice over your pc.

It sucks that you have bought vista, you could always find a nice torrent and go back to XP!?

20-05-2007, 20:52	#1 (permalink)
Sparhawk Been here a while Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 300	Re Vista As someone who needed to get a new PC {my other one gave up the ghost } and being unemployed for the last 2 years I looked around and decided that {for me} a Dell PC was in my price range and could do {I thought} what I wanted it to but since getting it and TRYING very hard to load software that I had bought for my XP setup I have found that MOST of it is NOT compatible It is sooo frustrating that I have spent hard earned money buying the best software packages I could afford at the time only to find that I can no longer use them and would advise anyone to think long and hard before investing in the Vista software as I belive I for one will have to wait for a long time until I can replace {or upgrade} the packages to get this PC to work as well as my old XP software did Regards Sparhawk

20-05-2007, 21:40	#2 (permalink)
Charlotte Loves the place Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Romsey, Hampshire Posts: 5,769	Re: Re Vista Sparhawk, have you tried approaching Dell to get them to swap Vista for XP??

20-05-2007, 22:02	#3 (permalink)
Sparhawk Been here a while Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 300	Re: Re Vista Hi Charlotte No I must admit I havent thought along those lines but I think it may be a catch 22 situation with most of the companies doing software I belive that {like everything else} they will over a period of time stop covering XP and go totally on to Vista programs. I know this will take some years as Microsorft are more than likely sorting out the one to replace Vista as I am typing this so it looks as if i will just have to sell my body to get the new software compatible with Vista I thank you for the idea though ,but it does rather put me in a quandery,still at least if I can warn others who are thinking of going down the line of Vista it may give them food for thought Regards Sparhawk

20-05-2007, 22:39	#5 (permalink)
Dabhand16 Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Dunstable Bedfordshire UK Posts: 8,922	Re: Re Vista Charlotte - I decided to stick with XP after visiting the web-sites of all of the apps I use for video editing to check their Vista compatibilty. Only one or two would work with Vista, so my choice was easy. XP will be supported for many years to come, so I don't have any worries. FWIW - Dell has started offering XP again with its new PC's due to customer demand! Make of that what you will.

20-05-2007, 22:48	#6 (permalink)
Charlotte Loves the place Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Romsey, Hampshire Posts: 5,769	Re: Re Vista It's not the big prog's that worry me so much, Graham, as the little ones Well, I mean yes it'd be an expense to upgrade a major prog so's it'll work on Vista, but we can expect to upgrade our major prog's from time to time anyway. But what about all those hundreds of little app's we've collected along the way, some of which are still useful today? The "little guy" that either very nicely gives away his little prog's, or sells them as shareware, is not likely to keep up with being "Vista compliant" is he?? What's Vista going to do to the Shareware market if none of those prog's are workable on Vista It's all very confusing, especially as I STILL don't know how or why most prog's in existence (since only a relative few are "Vista compliant") will not work on a Vista pc, I just don't get it

21-05-2007, 07:40	#9 (permalink)
lcraft Quite Chatty Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 98	Re: Re Vista Normally I keep a low profile when talking about computers and operating systems since those discussions often devolve into holy wars. But on this occasion I'd like to chime in... I've been building and fixing PCs since 1985.. Working on Macs since 1997 - I can at least claim to know a thing or three about both platforms (and also several flavors of Unix) Four years ago I took a good long hard look at everything going on in the Windows world - decided I was not enthused with where things were going and I proceeded to buy a Mac for my daily use. I transitioned over slowly but by the end of 2003 I had completely switched over and just had a Windows machine here to help service the computers of my computer clients. Since then I've bought three more and my whole family is using them. I haven't looked back since.. Four machines being used daily and I can count the hours I spend on maintenance in a month on two or three fingers. I have - had the opportunity on several occasions now to deal with new PCs that shipped with Vista. Ranging from low end to high end machines. My customers are having nothing but problems with their software and with drivers for their hardware. In my opinion, the XP to Vista transition is and will continue to be even uglier than what Windows 3.11 to Windows 95 was. Three of my clients actually went out and purchased XP to put on their new machines that shipped with Vista. I have a couple now who are using Intel Macs with Windows XP either booting natively or using virtual machines to ease their transition. Many of my clients have followed my lead and have purchased Macs in the past two years. I never hear from them any more except when they want a memory upgrade or a bigger hard drive - or want to know what new Mac they should buy. (That part hasn't actually been any good for business.. service calls are money in my pocket..) They are happy, their kids are well adjusted and even their dog likes them again. My Windows clients are not so happy these days. Guess my point here is you might just want to keep your eyes on other alternatives - but at least count me in as a vote for the camp that says Stick with XP for now if you are determined that you want Windows. Especially if you have existing software and peripherals you intend to move to the new machine.

21-05-2007, 08:41	#10 (permalink)
stepheno Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,595	Re: Re Vista I have recently bought a new Dell PC for work and requested Vista Ultimate. Conversely to the majority opinion my machine rocks. I have all the apps on that I use at home on XP and the only problem I have is with Firefox 2 which occasionally hangs. I'm not suggetsing Vista is perfect and, as said, probably never will be but it does works for me. ps the only hardware which wouldn't work is a Canon Lide scanner (old) and I put that on a machine with XP. Last edited by stepheno : 21-05-2007 at 08:42. Reason: addition

21-05-2007, 08:48	#11 (permalink)
Markulous Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Peak District Posts: 9,691	Re: Re Vista I'd also vote for keeping XP. Luckily, my dealings are with those who've invested in XP and don't see an upgrade path to Vista......... yet! It'll come but hopefully when the OS matures a little more and the required drivers/DLLS/rewrites are available

21-05-2007, 13:41	#13 (permalink)
HHRC Getting Comfy Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 170	Re: Re Vista Do Dell pc's come with Ubuntu also installed on them? you could boot that instead of vista and have an error free pc. Vista is great for complying to the Law of Bill gates and DRM! - although im not anti-M$, i think vista is a step to far with taking away freedom of choice over your pc. It sucks that you have bought vista, you could always find a nice torrent and go back to XP!?