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General discussion

Does Vista have any SERIOUS problems?

Jan 31, 2007 1:37AM PST

does vista have any big problems, like crashes in widely used programs or anything like that? I am thinking about getting it installed when buying a comp. Everyone that says dont do it doesnt really have a good excuse. Just that it runs the same or a little slower then xp, and that some of the features they dont like. And problems with the actual install or grievances with the upgrades.

I am talking about the OS itself, when it is up and running fine. What problems are people having, are there alot of crashes or sound issues anything like that? I just havent found many actually big problems in my research of this product. Just grievances and people with past experiences with old windows OS's. Neither of which matter to me.
thanks guys

Discussion is locked

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Just a thought
Feb 22, 2007 1:43PM PST

I can see how you would not want to avoid windows vista just because some people are paranoid about a new OS. I am actually one of the paranoid people. I had windows 98 FOREVER and never had a problem with it. It took me 2 years after xp came out to actually get a pc with it. I like xp, have not had ANY problems with xp. I also used to work tech support for Gateway computers, so I know a thing or two about computers and problems with them. I actually joined this forum because I am about to get a laptop and I am kicking myself that I did not get it before vista came out. I don't want windows media center because I don't need all that media junk, and I'm very VERY skeptical about getting vista because it is new. I know that the other OS's had a lot of bugs coming out that had to be corrected through windows updates and I don't want to go through the stress of having a problem that can only be correct by an update that microsoft is "working on."

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Vista is incompatable with some programs
Feb 26, 2007 5:49AM PST

I just got my computer installed with Vista yesterday. So far I was not able to install the software to run my HP photo printer, some games and Go Back. HP has no fix for this yet. I'm just getting used to Vista but so far I don't see any advantages over XP.

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Not serious problems
Feb 1, 2007 10:45PM PST

My experience has been over the past two days using Vista on a new computer, I can use my HP all in one as a printer but none of the software that came with it so can not use the scanner or photo programs, I can not use the U3 software that came with my Cruzer drive but I can use it as a drive. Then the monitor blacked out briefly three times on first day then second day hard drive started making scratching noise, all is back in the box and has to be returned. I will probably wait until more drivers are out for Vista before I go back to it, if this didn't happen this way I probably would of suffered through until updates where available since I do have other XP computers here I can use my things on in the mean time. It is not like MS is going to take back Vista so unless you are going to go with Mac or open source OS this is what is going to be on new computers, adopting now may just mean a wait for compatibilities to catch up. I did not install much software besides FrontPage 2003 and AOL IM 6, they seemed to run fine, I tried Windows Mail and it does work better with my IMAP type accounts but added folders with out my permission that I had to later find a way to delete. So I would say that if you have low demands on what you need to hook up or install on Vista there would be no reason to wait, if you need certain things that you are using now doing a little search on if updates are available for Vista my be the practical way to go. I will also say learning the OS for me would help only because I seem to be wasting mouse clicks trying to do things that were more on the surface in Windows XP, unfortunately I am not a type and find kind of person and this seems to be the way Vista wants you to get around.
Hope this helps,
Northlite

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Vist - Not sure I want to get it - XP works just fine
Feb 2, 2007 12:01PM PST

Many of you are experienced users and with the pop up confirmation always coming up... I think this can be intimidating for an inexperienced user. It can be annoying for a fairly experienced user to have to spen time searching around for the instructions to turn it off but at least one of the posts above did give instructions. Thank you. My son works in the IT Dept at a college and has also worked in IT at a smaller private school (Appleby College) with students from grades 7 to 13. The safeguards would be useful for them because every day he had a constant 3 to 12 people lined up with issues. This includes teachers as well. I always say, if it's not broke, don't fix it. I love XP and think it's far greater than past OS so leave it alone. I have had computers from back in the days of DOS and I remember buying a 20 meg computer and the salesman asked me why I needed so much space because I would never fill that up in my lifetime. LOL

My son told me last night that he found out that Vista will periodically scan your computer for unregistered programs and will delete them without warning. What do you think of that.


Shorty

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XP works fine
Apr 12, 2007 2:29AM PDT

>My son told me last night that he found out that Vista will periodically scan your computer for unregistered programs and will delete them without warning. What do you think of that.<

I think you may of misunderstood him slightly.

Northlite

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Hey there,
Oct 23, 2007 7:27PM PDT

I still use Windows 2000 as my main OS, and it's great for me. I dual boot XP on the same computer (should I need it) but the fact that I haven't even changed the default wallpaper yet is evident of the fact that I hardly ever boot into it.

I'll probably end up building a hefty machine in the coming years and put Vista Business/Ultimate on it, but I foresee me still using 2000 and XP on lower-end machines for years and years to come. Heck, I used NT for a while and if it wasn't for lack of USB support I'd probably be using it mainly...

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My games donut like Vista
Feb 2, 2007 4:49PM PST

My games Battlefield 2, BF2 Sf,EF/AF and 2142 do not like vista too much had already 5 Blue Screens Of Death today.Id wait for you games to come out with a Vista patch or use the emulations under the compatibility tab for the older OS you need

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I love it
Feb 2, 2007 6:27PM PST

Most entertaining discussion I've read for a long time Happy

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Vistas Power Is Underneath The Hood

I have BETA tested Vista since before Beta 1. Let me tell you this, it has come a long way! I used beta versions off and on up until last December. I just got my copy of Ultimate and have used it for 3 days now. Really it is easy to get used too. Yes graphics are a little different but thats about it. Everything is basicly (im not getting too technical) the same. This is not so in the coding. Vista is much more stable and faster. Everyone should not cut it down because their software wont run right away. Its only been out for 3 days. I would advise everyone to wait a few weeks unless they are an entusiastic computer users (geek). Security however is improved but still on the weak side. The Windows Genune Advantage is also poor. My friend who I will not name already patched his Vista Ultimate so he could use his Beta key. (Note: I actually upgraded) Its already posted all over the internet and after reading it I saw a small child could do it. Come one Microsoft. Im sure as time goes on that this will stop. But its funny to see this not 3 days after the release. Vista in my opinion gets a 9/10. However this is something I would have expected 2 years ago. So Vista is a great OS but long over-due. Keep using XP for a couple of years. You should only upgrade if you buy a new computer or upgrade your old one.

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So do I - the discussion, not Vista. . .
Feb 10, 2007 12:04AM PST

I agree with jtx472, it really is the most entertaining thread I've come across in a long time and I thought:

"Folks, don't turn off the light in the tunnel until you find out where the rats are, and where it drops off into the ocean, OK?" by bettancourt

to be one of the most useful pieces of advice I've ever seen. For many things, not just computers

I can't afford to upgrade to Vista but I have read a great deal about it and am not altogether sure that I would want to do so when I am forced to because my present system is getting pretty ancient (I'd like more memory - and would need it for Vista probably, but my motherboard doesn't support the types is currently available at an affordable price (I'm sure I could get it somewhere - a pc fair for instance - if I could get about but disabled in the UK with no transport at all means shopping online at the big discount outlets who only carry the 'now' thing.

In the meantime I am happy with XP (tho I'd love to be able to get to the linux school which is only 2 miles away to learn sufficient to use that, but again . . . transport . .) as I have found it by far the most stable Windows OS since 3.1 and 95 1st ed. and it does all I need to do on cable broadband quite fast enough.

Besides, having to use my pc in bed - because of the cold mostly but also because I can't spend too long upright, I have to use a keyboard on my lap; for this a standard kybd is too difficult to use as the number pad I never use makes it constantly skew up & right plus taking precious space I need for my trackball)so I have to use a small Cherry board (which was not easy to find and very expensive) which has no number pad (tho' Fn+NumLock can turn the right hand keys into a number-pad if one wants it, for MouseKeys for instance) neither does it have a 'Windows' key, apparently necessary for Vista. I also have to use an LCD screen because a 19" CRT is unmanageably large and heavy - and I have heard Vista has problems with these.

Guess I'll be sticking with XP until Msoft no longer support XP; it is perfectly adequate, especially when the alternative, at this fiscal moment, is a biro! <g>

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Vista compatibility
Feb 4, 2007 1:49AM PST

I just got a pc with Vista Premium installed. The first thing I found out from Verizon is I can't load my DSL on a Vista O/S at this time. I've heard that you can't run McAfee, HP Image zone and Apple is working on a fix so you use your Itunes. Anyone else hearing about compatability problems?
Mike M

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the truth
Feb 5, 2007 3:27PM PST

I bought a new tower on Jan.31 the first day Vista was releases. is why I waited til then to buy a new one. Now for the week that I have been running it I have come across only ONE problem. yes it's with lexmark printer. having problems with one of it's installers. But talking with lexmark and going to there web site, they are making drivers to suport vista. One just has to keepchecking there driver update page to see if there pribter is in the list yet. As for the anoying pop up screen.. well I know my way around computers I say very well.. and it does not bug me I think to myself what if someone else is using the computer like the kids. ( you know how many times had to fix someone elses mess up because they didnt know they clicked on something). and as for the run I have run in my start button I dont know why no one else does. but you do know that you can get the run as an add-on for the side bar right? I have installed older programs and software like a digital camara I've had for more then 4 years and it works fine. I had no problem hooking my modem up. As far as how things look and there naming, you know you can change it to classic features, just like you could in XP. Honestly I have read and talking to all kinds of IT people. like any new windows system there will be bugs to fix. and as for vista scanning the computer and removing things. not likely and if your really worried about it then I say get zone alarm or something like that block windows explore from acessing the internet and you wont have that worry. I hope this answers the first post question. And by the way I'm using vista premuim

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Unable to install McAfee
Feb 6, 2007 10:48AM PST

I just purchased a new computer with windows vista and I can not install McAfee on the computer. It keeps telling me that the program is not compatible. I have contacted McAfee and they say that they are working on it. I am not going to run the computer without virus protection so I am still using the old system.

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RE: Unable to install McAfee
Feb 10, 2007 4:10AM PST

Use another vendor for anti-virus.

I'm using Grisoft AVG 64-bit proffessional version, 60 day free trial available. AVG Free version runs on 32-bit Vista. IMO great app been using AVG for 2 years.

Avast also offers a 64-bit version and its available on their free home user version.

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RE: Unable to install McAfee
Mar 5, 2007 3:17PM PST

>I just purchased a new computer with windows vista and I can not >install McAfee on the computer. It keeps telling me that the program is >not compatible. I have contacted McAfee and they say that they are >working on it. I am not going to run the computer without virus >protection so I am still using the old system.

Explain to me why it is more productive to criticize the OS than to, oh, I dunno, maybe scrap McAfee's uselessness and install a virus client that might be more up to speed with it's Vista compatibility. Psst! There are other virus suites out there besides McAfee, just thought I'd fill you in on that..

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antivirus
Mar 5, 2007 7:31PM PST

try AVG FREE EDITION......

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VISTA
Feb 20, 2007 11:22PM PST

I purchased a new Laptop (ACER) after it crashed 5 times in less than 1 week, I took it back. The store told me that they did not load the Correct Key for the Vista on Webroot spyware.

I exchanged it for a TOSHIBA, I installed my Sprint Wireless modem with Vista Capabilities, and it crashed again!!!

I am about to just take EVERYTHING BACK!!!

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RE: Vista compatibility
Mar 5, 2007 3:14PM PST

iTunes works fine with Vista. ImageZone is a nightmare, scrap anything preloaded by HP and load a compatible and much more feature-rich alternative like ACDSee, and in response to the DSL issue, if a biggie like Verizon aren't able to get on point with compatibility with the latest OS, it may be time to look for another provider.

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Vista problems
Mar 8, 2007 7:34AM PST

I've had several "crash dumps" since I bought a new laptop with Vista Home Premium installed. Bought a Logitech webcam that said compatible with Windows Vista on the cover...not. Had to have the Logitech people configure it and download. Also major problems with Skype--if someone hangs up instead of me on a call, my computer crashes. Sometimes it has crashed and I don't know what I did...Being a computer idiot, what issues are created if my computer keeps crashing?

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Vista
Feb 6, 2007 6:54AM PST

Just picked up a HP Pavilion DV6000 on the 1st of Feb. and it had Vista pre-loaded on it. Really wanted XP pro but was told everything now will be Vista. Only problem I've had so far is that some programs will need an update. Had to go to Garmin to get a new update for Mapsource which was only available for downloading Feb. 6th. So far so good, lets hope it stays that way.

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This my problem
Feb 6, 2007 2:55PM PST

I just purchased an eMachine with Vista already installed. The biggest problem is my Lexmark Printer isn't compatible with Vista and according to tech support at Lexmark;none of the Lexmark printers are. I was also told some HP printers have the same problem. So if you haven't already done so make sure you know what you're getting in to. I STILL dont know what printer to get. Good Luck.

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this is my problem
Feb 7, 2007 12:34AM PST

It is true Lexmark, like alot of printers out there don't have OS files for alot of there printers. But they are getting them. If you check this web site out.. you will see which drivers are avalible for download or CD's. There are a few ready, and alot that are not. My personal choice I will wait for the driver. One has to think if you run out and buy a new printer how long has it been on the market? it too might not have the proper drivers for vista. and there is one small thing you might try. worked for a few people did not work for me. load the Cd for your printer. Hit explore on the CD look for the .exe file right click open properties you can have it run for 98, 2000, xp or vista. then try reinstalling it. good luck with that. Either way keep on eye on this web site. Much luck.
http://www.lexmark.com/lexmark/sequentialem/home/0,6959,204816596_924205346_920387567_en,00.html

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Found a way around the DRM issue in vista
Feb 7, 2007 7:49AM PST

I posted a question a few days ago about my computer not playing music files from napster. In looking around the microsoft help site, the data path for the drm file is supposed to be c:/programdata/microsoft/windows/drm Its not. If you show hidden files and folders, its still not there. I looked at every display notebook at my best buy and none of them had a drm file in the windows folder. There is a drm folder in the microsoft folder but its empty... If you show protected files, you see a drm folder where its supposed to be, but my guess would be that the new security for vista wont let you add or modify a system file. My best guess.. You can get your tracks to play but you have to burn them to an audio cd, and then rip them back to you hard drive. Its ugly, but you can have acess to your music again. Hopefully, microsoft will figure something out soon.

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No problems
Feb 8, 2007 8:26PM PST

There are no problems that can be related to XP as yet in Vista. Sure there are some people who are having some troubles but only due to the lack of some files and/or there may be some files that need to be sorted out. As in Vista the main platform or base as you may call it has changed. So the best thing to do right now is to install the drivers after the O/S installation. other than that there are no problems as i have been using vista on my home network which i can access from anywhere on the web. NEVER DID I HAVE TO MAKE A PHONE CALL TO TECH SUPPORT!

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No major problems
Feb 9, 2007 12:30AM PST

I installed Vista Home Premium (full Version) three days ago without any major problems. Vista recognized most of my components except for the printer. After checking with Epson for updated drivers for Vista, I found that none were available yet. so I took a chance and installed the xp drivers. The result was a warning, but they do work. There is a bit of a learning curve in using Vista's features. Just a note, Using Nero recode has resulted in much quicker burns than I ever had in XP.

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XP Drivers
Feb 9, 2007 5:28AM PST

After reading post, I took a chance and downloaded driver for my HP Scanner scanjet 3570c, using XP since vista was not available. In my case it let me download and install the very large file only to then refuse to let me set it up. Had to uninstall it. I'll just have to wait for Vista driver from HP

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XP drivers on Vista
Feb 9, 2007 5:43AM PST

You can install some XP drivers thru VISTA by going to EXPLORE and locating the EXE. file. Then select to be compatible with XP and also at the bottom RUN as ADMINISTRATOR.

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update
Feb 9, 2007 5:47AM PST

When you go to the EXPLORER and locate the EXE. file right click it and go to PROPERTIES to make these changes. Then doudle click the EXE. file. If a box comes up saying " The program didn't install correctly" continue and it will load the XP drivers.

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Question for sarahraek...
Feb 14, 2007 12:37AM PST

I have the same situation and received the same response from Epson. Their website does indicate the drivers are "in the box"... meaning they are in the Vista software. My system does pick them up and the printer works except the ink monitoring feature is inoperative so I have no way of knowing when ink is low or which ink cartridge needs replacing. Epson says the Vista Firewall breaks it. The above is background information only.

I have an Epson Stylus C84 printer. If by chance you have this model, would you be so kinds as to furnish the XP driver number you used. Link to the site would be nice. Grin

Thanks kindly,

Glenn

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No winhelp32, crashes MovieMaker.
Feb 9, 2007 5:16AM PST

first of all - I got Vista Home Basic preinstalled on a brand new machine.
I experienced issues with Vista right away.
First - winhelp32 is no longer supported, so all 3rd party applications that used it are screwed as far as displaying help(applications like Ulead Videostudio uses it for example).
Microsoft states that this file can still be downloaded - not true. It is NOT available.
If you still want Help to function - you can. You will have to change permissions and get a file from a previous windows version (I grabbed it off of XP) and drop it on top of the new winhelp32.
On MS site they suggest that developers should not use it anymore. Duh.
Lovely, isn't it.

Today I tried to use MS MovieMaker, yes, this is not 3rd party, it came with Vista.
When I tried to save my project to a file as a DV/NTSC it started the process and then CRASHED. Yes, it did say - "would you like to send this information to Microsoft so it can help in solving the error?"
Aaaaa... yes. Dejavu all over again...
I do dislike many above mentioned small annoyances as well.
I am seriously thinking of ghosting this just in case, and then installing XP professional...
Hasta la VISTA, baby.