Windows Vista

[M.Funkenstein]

Hoping to Upgrade to Vista seeing as we got a free upgrade with the computer when we got it a while back!

But, would installing Vista over XP delete everything on the computer? Cause..that would kinda' suck:(

[Yoda the flump]

No, I upgraded a Dell pc from XP to Vista several months ago and only the OS changed, all the applications and data were untouched.

Only problem was that some of the applications such as Motorola Phone tools did not work with Vista, but if you look around the internet you can usually find the upgrades that sort this.

[M.Funkenstein]

No, I upgraded a Dell pc from XP to Vista several months ago and only the OS changed, all the applications and data were untouched.

Only problem was that some of the applications such as Motorola Phone tools did not work with Vista, but if you look around the internet you can usually find the upgrades that sort this.

Fantastic! My dad was really worrying he'd loose all the photos and stuff.

That's awesome, thanks alot Yoda.:D

[Bobinovich]

Can I advise you to take a look at this thread (http://forum.caithness.org/showthread.php?t=22962) first as others have been in this situation and discovered to their detriment that upgrading to Vista is maybe not a good idea until the first batch of bug fixes are released.

[Yoda the flump]

Apart from one or two applications needing updated to run on Vista I had no problems with the upgrade process but I guess that it depends on the spec of the computer.

[psyberyeti]

I got a new computer with Vista on it.

It's slow which is bad enough but you loose all control over what it does.

I know enough to make XP do what I want when I want and were all of my files either are, or know where they are going to go. Vista hides everything - I don't know what is going on. You can't follow the progress of defrag anymore, or at least I can't yet find out how to over-ride the unhelpful defrag box. I don't know where all of my photos are. I have to use picassa to find stuff, and then work back to where it is. I'm not exactly dim.

I don't like 'idiot proof' because it makes me feel like and idiot.[disgust]

[johno]

Hoping to Upgrade to Vista seeing as we got a free upgrade with the computer when we got it a while back!

But, would installing Vista over XP delete everything on the computer? Cause..that would kinda' suck:(
no you can save files before installing. ive done it & installed vista, it worked fine in fact it was really good but i lost a lot things by installing it ,as a lot of the driver,s have,nt caught up with vista yet.
i really would listen to bobovitch before venturing into it.
i will be reinstalling it when the time is right. i have vista ultimate & its hurting nothing sitting in it,s box just that all the wee probs have,nt been ironed out yet. good luck to you whatever you do. :)

[Bobinovich]

I got a new computer with Vista on it.

It's slow which is bad enough but you loose all control over what it does.

I know enough to make XP do what I want when I want and were all of my files either are, or know where they are going to go. Vista hides everything - I don't know what is going on. You can't follow the progress of defrag anymore, or at least I can't yet find out how to over-ride the unhelpful defrag box. I don't know where all of my photos are. I have to use picassa to find stuff, and then work back to where it is. I'm not exactly dim.

I don't like 'idiot proof' because it makes me feel like and idiot.[disgust]

As a power user, the lack of real control is what I hate most about it. I enjoy delving into the guts - tweaking settings & removing unnecessary stuff - and Vista just hides it all away. Even more reason why I've got a spare XP Pro licence ready for my next PC - just in case I don't have the option of purchasing it with the PC.

I'm in the lucky position of being able to keep an eye on other peoples Vista systems so will be able to tell when I consider it a worthy replacement for XP, only then will I consider upgrading.

[NickInTheNorth]

I got a new computer with Vista on it.

It's slow which is bad enough but you loose all control over what it does.

I know enough to make XP do what I want when I want and were all of my files either are, or know where they are going to go. Vista hides everything - I don't know what is going on. You can't follow the progress of defrag anymore, or at least I can't yet find out how to over-ride the unhelpful defrag box. I don't know where all of my photos are. I have to use picassa to find stuff, and then work back to where it is. I'm not exactly dim.

I don't like 'idiot proof' because it makes me feel like and idiot.[disgust]

It's that sort of issue with all recent Microsoft OS's that decided me on switching to Ubuntu about 2 years ago. And I'll never switch back to Windows again. Linux is just so easy and so happy to let you be in charge.

I last felt as in control of an OS with Windows98!

[Yoda the flump]

It's that sort of issue with all recent Microsoft OS's that decided me on switching to Ubuntu about 2 years ago. And I'll never switch back to Windows again. Linux is just so easy and so happy to let you be in charge.

I last felt as in control of an OS with Windows98!

Have to agree with your comment about Microsoft OS's, I have several computers in the house but the one I use has OSX on it, and as you say, if you try another OS that is not Microsoft then you won't want to go back.

[Rheghead]

Has anyone managed to make Macafee firewall compatible with Vista? There is nothing on the macafee site to fix this problem. Currently I have no firewall or antivirus or antispy that is compatible with vista :(

[NickInTheNorth]

you could always download and use avg free edition which I have found to be a far better anti-virus product than any of the paid for ones. (Other than the AVG paid for product!)

I have used or tested just about everything over the years. AVG has stood the test of time like nothing else.

For additional protection I strongly recommend spyware blaster (http://majorgeeks.com/SpywareBlaster_d2859.html) and spy bot search and destroy tools (http://majorgeeks.com/SpyBot-Search_&_Destroy_Tools_d2471.html)

Not sure but I thought that the firewall in Vista was supposed to be pretty good. (But I guess it only stops incoming the same as the XP one - never have understood that - could it be Microsoft like sending stuff back to themselves and don't want to block it? There is a nice freeware one available from majorgeeks.com sygate personal firewall free edition (http://majorgeeks.com/Sygate_Personal_Firewall_Free_d3356.html)

Hope this helps a bit :)

[Bobinovich]

Spot on Nick, plus Vista comes with the Windows Defender anti-malware package built in. Between that, AVG anti-virus, occasional runs of Spybot and the built in firewall that should be sufficient for most users.

Many routers supplied thesedays by ISPs also have powerful firewalls built in adding yet another layer of protection for the end user(s).

Still don't like Vista tho!! Was linking up a Vista laptop and an XP desktop through a Netgear router. The desktop has a shared printer attached. Managed to get all online and the desktop seeing the laptop but not vice versa. This means I couldn't get the laptop printing to the printer either. Reckon it's something to do with network security on the Vista laptop but with everything moved around and messed about by our friends at Redmond I put it on the 'To Do' list. Any ideas anyone?

[NickInTheNorth]

Reckon it's something to do with network security on the Vista laptop but with everything moved around and messed about by our friends at Redmond I put it on the 'To Do' list. Any ideas anyone?

Just one idea - install Ubuntu :D

You know it makes sense :)

[Bobinovich]

LOL - unfortunately this was a brand new one belonging to a customer. However it's a scenario I'm going to come across again so will need to delve further. Might even need to get a Vista system myself just so I can have something to practice with :mad:

[matelot79]

I had to download a patch from microsoft and install on my xp desktop so that it could respond to my vista laptop. Link below and it might take a few shots at repairing the network adaptor on the vista machine before the xp machine is available on the network.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120/en-us (http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120/en-us)

[RIR]

.........There is a nice freeware one available from majorgeeks.com sygate personal firewall free edition (http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://majorgeeks.com/Sygate_Personal_Firewall_Free_d3356.html)


Sorry Nick

Sygate won't work with Vista.


Cheers

Ian.

[NickInTheNorth]

Sorry Nick

Sygate won't work with Vista.


Cheers

Ian.

Thanks for that Ian, was going off old information from a friend that installed it ok on Vista. He now tells me it installed OK, but won't run!!

You can download the free version of ZoneAlarm 7.1 (http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/home.jsp) which is compatible with Vista. I'm not personally a fan of ZoneAlarm, but as it's the only free Vista firewall available just now...

I'm fairly sure Comodo (http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/) will have a new Vista version available soon

[Rheghead]

Since I had this new puter with vista, I have noticed that viewing and buffering video clips on the internet takes longer and lag/ping is greater in other applications. I did optimise my last operating system (MSXP) from advice on the org, does anyone know how to optimise Vista for faster internet speeds? Ta

[RIR]

http://www.zdnet.com.au/insight/software/soa/Tips-to-boost-Vista-performance/0,139023769,339278888,00.htm



Cheers

Ian.