Is it wise to use Vista yet?

[Lucio]

I've had some niggles here and there with my install of Vista64, a few locks, a few crashes with certain applications but to be fair, I had similar issues with my previous XP system as well.

I wouldn't advocate anyone upgrades to Vista, but at the same time I wouldn't advise anyone to avoid getting a new system specifically because it comes with Vista. There's nothing majorly wrong with it, there's no glaring errors or omissions I've come across and the new interface (once you get used to it) does make things easier (though possibly due to the fact it's similar to the Windows 2003 systems I've been learning)

[Ferral]

Used it since March this year and a few minor niggles that can be frustrating at times especially with gaming. Nothing major though, seems to be getting much better and a lot more stable as drivers are maturing. If you decide to go for 64bit definately go for at least 2 Gb ram though, will help speed things up no end on the games side of things.

[AD-15]

hello,

I'd strongly reccomend it. It's future proof.

Further, many of the problems that used to arise have been fixed, and many more are being fixed.

[unclecrash]

Hi all,
Have been using Vista on laptop for several months and am happy to continue. However my other pc's run xp and i see no point in changing them to vista.
I suppose i am a bit neither here nor there about it as there is no great difference that i am aware of.

A question though. A couple of posts have mentioned "dual boot". What is dual boot?
I have noticed my c drive of 50GB has a "recovery" d drive of 10GB totaling the 60GB drive i was expecting on purchase. Is this a dual boot and if so can i now claim back the 10GB that d drive is occupying being as i have not had any problems?

[peterb]

Dual boot is where you have both (or more - multiboot) operating systems installed on the machine and you choose the one you want from a menu at boot time. Typical use is for a dual Linux/Windows machine, but vista/XP is popular. You can also do tri boot - Linux/Vista/XP.

You can also install VM ware and have both operating systems running simulataneously in a virtual machine and switch at will between them - both virtual machines are logically independent.

[unclecrash]

I see thank you.

[badass]

Another XP/Vista x64 dual booter here.
Ironically I have my games on the XP disk and other stuff on Vista x64.
Problems: Vista is a bit slow at copying/moving files and the media centre doesn't have stable support for many common codecs (media player certainly does though) I just put up with the instability in media centre as it crashes it pretty rarely.
The install was a fresh one on an Asus P5K-E/WIFI-AP with a Core 2 Quad and 2/4GB RAM (upgraded 2 days ago) with memory remapping enabled.

I personally think Vista x86 is a waste of time but think x64 is the best new OS release MS have pulled off ever.
It has been problematic, but far less TBH than any other.
XP was useless before Sp1, 2000 was permanently useless for a home user (though very good for businesses), ME was useless for anyone at any time, 98 Was useless until 98 second edition, 95 was permanently useless as was any prior version of windows.

I would advise any home user who wishes to upgrade their existing machine to only upgrade if:
All of their components are less than 2 years old
They have 2GB RAM minimum
Service pack 1 has been out for at least 1 month.
They plan to do a clean install. Never bother upgrading an old MS OS to a newer one if you like an easy trouble free life.


If you're looking to buy a new machine and it comes with Vista, dont worry - it should be OK.

[usxhe190]

I am doing a new build. I have stayed away from Vista because of all the teething troubles. Are Hexus dudes still using XP or have you all gone dual boot or Vista?

if you are mostly into games - keep xp

if you are not, buy vista

but don't buy vista just for an upgrade...

i have no problems with vista but i don't play games. runs pretty smooth for me (2gb laptop business machine).

[peterb]

hello,

I'd strongly reccomend it. It's future proof.

A very bold statement...! (Didn't they say something similar about the Titanic?)

However it is the future (for a windows platform) in that therewill be little further development work on XP after Sp3 (other than security fixes) - especially by developers, who will be putting all there efforts into Vista which (obviously) has a longer shelf.

[Zadock]

Personally, I hate Vista. I find it patronising and restrictive. It will be a while before I make the switch to it.

I agree with USXHE190, definitely not an o/s for games particularly anything a bit retro.

[vicar]

Use both have had no problem.

If a new build go vista, upgrading i suggest you stick to XP imho.

[Splash]

Personally, I hate Vista. I find it patronising and restrictive. It will be a while before I make the switch to it.

I agree with USXHE190, definitely not an o/s for games particularly anything a bit retro.

You find it patronising and restrictive without having switched to it? Are you sure you're not just repeating things you've read elsewhere?

I'm running it (x64) and gaming on it is absolutely fine. There was a quote elsewhere on these forums suggesting that any hardware or software older than about 18 months just won't work, which is cobblers frankly. The only software I've struggled with getting working properly so far is the F@H SMP client.

[greenalien]

Microsoft slammed for badmouthing benchmark - The INQUIRER is interesting

Following this link gives this quote :

Nick White, a Vista launch team Product Manager, wrote in his bog Friday that Microsoft hasn't released any benchmark testing results for Vista SP1 because " the code is still in development and... remains a moving target.

Nothing like sitting on the crapper to get inspiration!

[Deviate]

I've been running Vista since it went RTM. I have had no problems with it whatsoever. If you tweak it to your liking it will run perfectly, just as in XP. Yamicsoft Vista Manager does a brilliant job of this.

Low-level format your drive, install Vista, install software, drivers and updates, disable UAC and tweak using Vista Manager (or the registry if you know what you're doing). This should get Vista running wonderfully for you, it certainly has for me.

However, in support of XP, it has been reported that XP SP3 will improve performance by around "10%" (Windows XP Speed Boost Coming with SP3 - Yahoo! News).

[Funkstar]

The only software I've struggled with getting working properly so far is the F@H SMP client.

The F@H SMP client can be almost as much of a PITA on XP as it is on Vista. There is a couple more steps when installing, but i've found it to be just as (un) relaible on XP as it is on Vista

[Agent]

Nothing like sitting on the crapper to get inspiration!

They have always called blogs, bogs

If you tweak it to your liking it will run perfectly, just as in XP.

Well if you want to explain how to get rid of the slow file copy bug that thousands of people are having, we'd appreciate it

Vista sets 2007 land-speed record for copying and deleting | The Register
Re: calculating time remaining moving, deleteing, copying files verry slow - TechNet Forums