Vista Issues?

[spd2demun ACE - Expert]

Looking to buy a new HP laptop...and would appreciate REAL users of Vista to tell me any problems they are having/seeing.

Anyone using Pinnacle Studio Ultimate 11? 

Sounds like it is impossible to use MOST older programs with Vista?

I prefer XPPro, but that's not gonna happen with buying a new machine.

[hogrunr]

You've heard most of my story but I'll put it out in the open. I have a desktop and a laptop running Vista. I've had very few problems with them so far. I had some trouble early on connecting my phone to the computer to sync up, but they have that all fixed now with Windows Mobility Center, it is SO easy to use. I had an issue with my printer and CD/DVD drive randomly uninstalling, but these were fixed easily by just reinstalling the driver/firmware. And then the only other issue is not really a Vista issue, but a Quicktime issue with Vista where it has trouble running certain .mov files and shuts down QT. Amazing that Apple software is so stable.....

[spd2demun ACE - Expert]

The solution to QT not working is you're supposed to go buy a Mac!  If the shoe were on the other foot, the media would be all over that!

That was another question about printers, it's a new all-in-one HP (came with the iMac we returned); printer stopped working when we upgraded to Leopard--but sounds like there will be no problem with Vista?

So, mostly there were major issues with Vista when it came out?  (which is common for any new O/S)  But most have been resolved since the release?  Are they on SP1 yet?

Thanks for answering the questions; looks like a private chat in public.

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hogrunr wrote:

You've heard most of my story but I'll put it out in the open. I have a desktop and a laptop running Vista. I've had very few problems with them so far. I had some trouble early on connecting my phone to the computer to sync up, but they have that all fixed now with Windows Mobility Center, it is SO easy to use. I had an issue with my printer and CD/DVD drive randomly uninstalling, but these were fixed easily by just reinstalling the driver/firmware. And then the only other issue is not really a Vista issue, but a Quicktime issue with Vista where it has trouble running certain .mov files and shuts down QT. Amazing that Apple software is so stable.....

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[hogrunr]

Well I'm sure there are still issues, but it has certainly improved I believe. As far as I know, they aren't officialy on SP1 or anything like that.

[Optimus Prime]

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hogrunr wrote:

Well I'm sure there are still issues, but it has certainly improved I believe. As far as I know, they aren't officialy on SP1 or anything like that.

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No we aren't on SP1 yet for Vista. SP1 is supposed to ship early 08 along with SP3 for XP.

[callmeox ACE - Professor]

I have had a Dell laptop with Vista Ultimate since April and I love it.   I had one problem early on when a Windows update was incompatible with a VMWare application that I had been playing with for work.    After I removed VMWare, the machine has been problem free since then.

Just be sure that you get 2 gigs of RAM minimum if you go Vista.  Memory is so cheap these days that upgrading the memory is a no-brainer.

[spd2demun ACE - Expert]

Thanks, y'all.  I'm looking at maxing at 4GB as my son still wants to do the pro movie thing.  I wish my laptop would do 4GB!  It's maxed at 2.   So I guess all the issues were just when it first came out?

[Uturnaroun]

Do you know any friends who has a Vista disc. If so you can borrow it and install it on Virtual PC (don't enter a key) and then run your programs to see if they work. Vista does have a compatibility toolkit that emulates the settings for the system the program was designed for which gets the program working.

About the Pinnacle, according to their site it is Vista compatible, so you don't have to worry about that. If you would rather have XP, then call HP and request an XP Downgrade CD. Run it on the laptop and you will be back to XP.


Message Edited by Uturnaroun on 12-04-2007 03:05 PM

Message Edited by Uturnaroun on 12-04-2007 03:05 PM

[spd2demun ACE - Expert]

Nobody I know with Vista.

Really, on the downgrade disc?  Is that something they don't talk about on the site?  I even rec'd. an e-mail from support that there is NO way to get XP, even if I call my order in?

[Uturnaroun]

Yes. Microsoft made a downgrade tool since people complained too much about not wanting Vista. HP partcipates in the distribution of it. Try calling HP by phone to find out more about it. They do have it though.

[spd2demun ACE - Expert]

And it's THAT simple, just put in the disc and it downgrades?  Is Vista then gone forever?  Or as long as you order the backup disc for Vista, it can be upgraded back?  XP would really solve my problems for the programs my son wants to keep using...

Hogrunr...is there a 'special' number I can call to ask for this?

[Uturnaroun]

I think Vista would still be on the recovery partition incase you want to "re-upgrade." I'm not too sure about that though.

[hogrunr]

I would just call their regular support number, 888-999-4747. They are even open until 1 am for night owls.

[randyl]

http://www.channelinsider.com/article/Vista+Beta+SP1+Leaked/214188_1.aspx

[spd2demun ACE - Expert]

Thanks, got the phone in hand right now. 

What is a Night Owl?

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hogrunr wrote:

I would just call their regular support number, 888-999-4747. They are even open until 1 am for night owls.

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[spd2demun ACE - Expert]

Could not view the slide show, but interesting.  I knew I read about SP1 somewhere...

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randyl wrote:

http://www.channelinsider.com/article/Vista+Beta+SP1+Leaked/214188_1.aspx

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[spd2demun ACE - Expert]

I called HP and was transferred around, bottom line is there is NO downgrade-to-XP disc that I can buy or get with the new machine.  They're telling me that I can get XP from the store or from Microsoft (I know that), and they can help me over the phone to install XP.

I don't want to do a clean install, so I am misunderstanding about the downgrade disc?

[Uturnaroun]

Here are one of the many articles talking about the downgrade cd: http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/45367

Do you know what version of Vista the laptop will have?


Message Edited by Uturnaroun on 12-04-2007 08:22 PM

Message Edited by Uturnaroun on 12-04-2007 08:22 PM

[Uturnaroun]

Spd, I know you were also conserned about the visual style of Vista. You can use WindowsBlinds to get back the XP Luna theme. Here are some screenshots: http://www.neowin.net/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t557974.html


Message Edited by Uturnaroun on 12-04-2007 08:30 PM

[spd2demun ACE - Expert]

Thanks.  I've used that before on my old W2K Pro machine; but went back to my custom style.  I don't use XP themes now.   Main concern is that my son can find his way around, as things are in different places/organized differently.

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Uturnaroun wrote:
Spd, I know you were also conserned about the visual style of Vista. You can use WindowsBlinds to get back the XP Luna theme. Here are some screenshots: http://www.neowin.net/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t557974.html


Message Edited by Uturnaroun on 12-04-2007 08:30 PM

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[spd2demun ACE - Expert]

I was condsidering Ultimate, which would qualify, but I don't think I want to go with the 64-bit; and no one seems to be offering the 32-bit pre-installed.  If they can still sell machines with XP, why can't they just load it up that way if a customer orders it over the phone?  I'd even pay extra.

Sounds like they're really just doing this for business customers?

Whatever, the 2 people I spoke with at HP did not have a clue what I was talking about.

How about just sending the machine with NO O/S and I'll go buy it and do it myself?

[Uturnaroun]

I don't think yor son will have any trouble with it. Most of the things are similar. There is a new Windows Explorer, but that only takes about 5 minutes to get used to and there is an option for the old one as well. Probably the best thing to do is to bring your son into a store that has demo computers (like Best Buy) and let him try it out there.

[spd2demun ACE - Expert]

We did that for a little while at CompUSA; I'll have to keep the salesperson busy...

[spd2demun ACE - Expert]

One more clarification on the Vista versions.

If the XP downgrades are only for Business or Ultimate; would it be safe to assume that Business is most like XP Pro?

HP is offering Business as an option, 32-bit; BUT Ultimate is offered ONLY as 64-bit (even though Koolkid has told me 32-bit is also available via retail).

Just in case we wanted to go back to XP, would Business be THE choice since we need 32-bit to run with current programs?

Thanks!

[callmeox ACE - Professor]

Business lacks the multimedia features that you probably want.  Look for the comparison matrix on Microsofts website for details.

[spd2demun ACE - Expert]

OK, I see that now.  So we will need Ultimate if we want to roll back to XP; but will they give us the 32-bit if we request it (since both versions come in the retail box).  I've seen a few in the stores, but we need to customize with extra RAM and graphics card, etc.

What would be the downside to the 64-bit Ultimate?

Can't go back to XP Pro, right?

Most software for 32 isn't going to run on 64?

I noticed before the meltdown of my son's Dell, it showed 64-bit and I can't get to that now.  I had the option of a 64-bit 2 years ago and was sure I turned it down...

[Koolkid1935]

Most 32bit software will run on a 64bit OS if the processor supports x86 emulation, which most do.

Hardware compatibility is the bigger problem.  The 64bit OS needs 64bit drivers for hardware, it will not take 32bit drivers.

[Uturnaroun]

The only thing is some programs are made to purposely not work with 64 bit systems regardless of the emulation or not.

Spd, there must be a way to get 32 bit preinstalled. Did you ask them about that when you called?

[hogrunr]

spd...we have an internal Voice of the Customer complaint/compliment form that we can submit when we find customers who are having issues. Most of the responses are supposed to be very quick and I would have already filled on out, but it asks for some information of yours that I do not have.

[spd2demun ACE - Expert]

No, I did not get to ask about that; I couldn't get the guy to understand about the rollback disc.

I'm going out to look for an internal SATA (all my spares are EIDE) and try a new HDD in the old Dell, with a clean install of XP.

I cannot believe you can't get what you want, no wonder people build their own.

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Uturnaroun wrote:
The only thing is some programs are made to purposely not work with 64 bit systems regardless of the emulation or not.

Spd, there must be a way to get 32 bit preinstalled. Did you ask them about that when you called?

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