Really NEED your HELP!

[MommaBird]

My computer is coming closer to death every day. Turns off when I don't want it to, and won't shut down when I want it to! Anyway, my question is to you who are using Vista.

How do you like (or love or hate!) using Vista? I think I can still order a laptop with XP installed, but it still comes with a copy of Vista. If I buy one out of a store, I will be stuck with Vista.

Please give me your opinion of Vista and any incompatiability with any hardware or software that you use. And any other problems you have experienced. I appreciate any answer you can give me; don't know how much longer this laptop is going to cooperate! Thanks for your help!

[Wolvsies_Man]

Welcome to the world of "Microsoft blows it again"...
I spent several months testing Windows Vista on multiple computer types and brands. On a laptop the issue is going to be power management. Vista will work as long as you let Vista handle the power management duties and not the stuff the laptop manufacturer typically puts on there.
Also you have to make very sure your anti-virus program is completely "Vista certified"...and is updated at least once a week...which isn't always the case.
In all instances...the simpler the better. Remove any programs that came with the computer that you know you won't use. Do some research to see if there are any known bugs between the programs you want to keep and Vista.
Run frequent scans for spyware and viruses using multiple tools...there are a lot of free programs you can run straight off the internet without having to install anything more than a small file.
Adjust your power management settings to "none" while the computer is plugged into the wall...and "medium" while on battery.
Then go get Windows Vista service pack 1 which is available at update.microsoft.com

Good luck...personally I prefer Windows XP or Linux...

[O2BNGdHope]

Thanks for the info. I, too have been looking around for a laptop but just haven't made the commitment yet. I keep hoping they will scrub Vista and go back to XP! LOL!

[Tiffanys Scraps]

I use Vista. Really no problems so far. Was easy to get use to. I read the other day that XP will only have support for one more year. Something to think about.

For virus I use the free program Avast it up dates every day. Has done a great job so far.

Hope this helps a little..

[RachellIowa]

I only use vista on my desktop and had to get a patch to keep it from freezing up while using pspx2 not sur what it's like on a laptop as the desktop had to have an extra harddrive of 2g just for its self this was already put in when I bought the new hp.

[MommaBird]

Welcome to the world of "Microsoft blows it again"...
I spent several months testing Windows Vista on multiple computer types and brands. On a laptop the issue is going to be power management. Vista will work as long as you let Vista handle the power management duties and not the stuff the laptop manufacturer typically puts on there.
Also you have to make very sure your anti-virus program is completely "Vista certified"...and is updated at least once a week...which isn't always the case.
In all instances...the simpler the better. Remove any programs that came with the computer that you know you won't use. Do some research to see if there are any known bugs between the programs you want to keep and Vista.
Run frequent scans for spyware and viruses using multiple tools...there are a lot of free programs you can run straight off the internet without having to install anything more than a small file.
Adjust your power management settings to "none" while the computer is plugged into the wall...and "medium" while on battery.
Then go get Windows Vista service pack 1 which is available at update.microsoft.com

Good luck...personally I prefer Windows XP or Linux...

Yes, I am a UNIX person from the past. I would love to go LINUX, but I have so much invested in Windows software, it would be like starting over. I would look into getting a MAC, but for the aforementioned investment! Oh, well, thanks. I am looking at getting one of the HP Touchsmart, but I have to do alot more investigation before I go there!

[Wolvsies_Man]

Yes, I am a UNIX person from the past. I would love to go LINUX, but I have so much invested in Windows software, it would be like starting over. I would look into getting a MAC, but for the aforementioned investment! Oh, well, thanks. I am looking at getting one of the HP Touchsmart, but I have to do alot more investigation before I go there!

Yeah Linux or Mac would be like starting all over again...and could get pricey depending on the software you use.

Even though XP is a lot more stable...the time to reload may not be worthwhile...try just simplifying the Vista environment and get the service pack 1 if you don't already have it...otherwise I would investigate possible hardware issues if the problems persist.

I've seen those new HP Touchsmart computers...on my wishlist...but I'm going to wait until the second or third generation before jumping on one...let the hard core geeks with deep pockets work the bugs out over the next year or so...imagine World of Warcraft using a touch screen...LOL!!!



p.s.
I'm a noob Unix admin but I did desktop support for 15 years...Unix is my new friend...

[Vanessa]

My computer is coming closer to death every day. Turns off when I don't want it to, and won't shut down when I want it to! Anyway, my question is to you who are using Vista.

I had a similar problem with a computer, turned out to be a faulty/dying motherboard. It may be worth your while having it looked at by a computer repair shop for a day or two to find out what the exact problem is. If it is just the motherboard, they are not mega-expensive. A quick and easy repair.

The alternative to replacing your laptop with another with Vista on it is to find a small reputable computer company
that can custom build one for you. That way you should be able to have one built with XP on it and obtain an upgrade license for when Vista becomes a viable and usable programme. Again, this may be a cheaper option and you should be able to get the correct amount of memory with your laptop to run Vista correctly too. It is very memory consumptive. Off the top of my head, I think it requires something in the order of 1GB ram just to operate Vista, nevermind any other programmes or hardware.

[MommaBird]

Yeah Linux or Mac would be like starting all over again...and could get pricey depending on the software you use.

Even though XP is a lot more stable...the time to reload may not be worthwhile...try just simplifying the Vista environment and get the service pack 1 if you don't already have it...otherwise I would investigate possible hardware issues if the problems persist.

I've seen those new HP Touchsmart computers...on my wishlist...but I'm going to wait until the second or third generation before jumping on one...let the hard core geeks with deep pockets work the bugs out over the next year or so...imagine World of Warcraft using a touch screen...LOL!!!



p.s.
I'm a noob Unix admin but I did desktop support for 15 years...Unix is my new friend...

I LOVE UNIX -- it can be up for years and remain perfectly stable. I used HP UNIX, Sun Solaris and IBM (can't remember what that one was called) Used to do alot of PERL and different shell programs as Network admin.

I did go look at the 2nd generation (IQ504). It looked alot better than the original, and even the layout was different. They said the 505 should be out within the month, and the 506 before Christmas. The 506 is being touted as home entertainment and is wall mountable (24" screen). They are supposed to have a built in hdtv tuner. Playing with that one was pretty cool, but I don't want to take on any extra problems besides Vista. Thanks for your input; I am still considering alternatives. Good luck with your UNIX admin, I really miss it!

[MommaBird]

I had a similar problem with a computer, turned out to be a faulty/dying motherboard. It may be worth your while having it looked at by a computer repair shop for a day or two to find out what the exact problem is. If it is just the motherboard, they are not mega-expensive. A quick and easy repair.

The alternative to replacing your laptop with another with Vista on it is to find a small reputable computer company
that can custom build one for you. That way you should be able to have one built with XP on it and obtain an upgrade license for when Vista becomes a viable and usable programme. Again, this may be a cheaper option and you should be able to get the correct amount of memory with your laptop to run Vista correctly too. It is very memory consumptive. Off the top of my head, I think it requires something in the order of 1GB ram just to operate Vista, nevermind any other programmes or hardware.

This laptop is going on 4 years old and in computer age, that is really pretty old. In my network admin days, I built and rebuilt computers, and sometimes making different components work with each other is not worth the effort. I may end up ordering a Dell since they will install with XP and include Vista in the box. Or I am still looking at the HP TouchSmart, which comes standard with 3gB. I do appreciate any kudos or slams about Vista, since that will make my decision easier.