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Thread: OT: New Computer OS

  1. #11
    Garret Mott
    Guest

    Default Re: New Computer OS

    Hi All -

    A few of my thoughts on Vista:

    If you can stick with XP, do so. Vista is a resource hog. I wouldn't
    consider less than 1GB RAM, 2 or more is better. MS (in code) restricts
    Vista from using more than 3 unless you go to either 64 bit (or maybe? - pls
    correct me if I'm wrong) Ultimate. They do this simply to make more $.
    Server 2003 is the same idea. It won't access more than 4 GB unless you go
    with (way more expensive) enterprise edition.

    Vista has file copying issues: *much* slower than XP & is limited in # it
    can copy at once to 6,344 or some such figure (in that general range).
    Sound like it's not an issue? How about copying a folder full of images,
    with subfolders? You have to make sure you don't have more than this - as
    the copying simply doesn't work & does not give an error!

    Vista doesn't like to copy files from an XP machine on a network - many
    tales of having to copy from the XP machine to an external hard drive & then
    plug the HD into the Vista machine to get at them. It will not copy files
    from XP's Program Files folder at all. I've experienced both of these
    problems.

    If installing software, do not install in Program Files. Yes, I know that
    this is where we've done it for years, but now that folder is MS's private
    turf. Install to \Users\Public instead. Doing so will quiet down User Acct
    messages.

    Speaking of UAC.... The Mac ad has it right. Incredibly annoying. I
    turned mine off, but it nags me that I've done so every time I reboot.

    "Run as Administrator" - the option available by right clicking on an exe:
    This is not the same as being logged in as an admin - kinda halfway between
    user & admin. So - you may need to set up an admin acct to run some stuff.

    So - hopefully MS will have SP1 available to deal with some of these issues.
    Many major manufacturers & resellers (Dell, Best Buy for example) are really
    leaning on MS because of ticked off users.

    Garret Mott

    Auto-Mate Software www.automatesoftware.com
    Northeast DataFlex Consortium www.nedataflex.com



  2. #12
    Allison Moore
    Guest

    Default Re: New Computer OS

    > I'll go check out Micron now. Thanks.

    Check out Velocity Micro, as well. www. velocitymicro.com.
    They may be a little more expensive, but my purchasing
    experiences with Velocity have been way better than with
    other companies, and the quality of the machines has been
    awesome. Excellent support, too, on the few occasions when
    I've needed it.

    Allison



  3. #13
    Sheila Hoffman
    Guest

    Default Re: New Computer OS

    Garrett:

    Thanks so much. That was very helpful. Still dithering. Want to get out and
    get my hands on Vista. Since I had my current machine more than 5 years I'm
    a little concerned about buying the older OS rather then the new. I'm
    thinking by going into Vista well armed with info maybe it won't be so bad.
    I'll certainly have the resources (4 gig RAM) to handle it.

    Allison, thanks for the lead. I'll check 'em out.

    Sheila





  4. #14
    Nancy O
    Guest

    Default Re: New Computer OS

    Hi Sheila,
    4 gb ram is wasted in Windows 32 bit OS (not just Vista). More info on the
    3gb not 4gb ram problem http://tinyurl.com/296akt

    Unless you are heavy into gaming, you probably don't need 64-bit OS.

    I have some older apps that won't run on Vista so having a dual hard drive
    with Vista on one and XP pro on the other may be an option.

    My husband had very bad luck with HP PCs. He is very happy with his latest
    Dell built to specs on-line. HINT: When shopping on-line with Dell, create
    a log-in. Shop and leave 3 times. Your price should drop a little each
    time you back out of the transaction.

    --Nancy


    "Sheila Hoffman" <Sheila@hoffmanNOSPAMgraphics.com> wrote in message
    news:A921.1180931126.461@gfwebforum.com...
    > My current computer is a P4 from 2001! It's time to get a new one. So far
    > I've looked at HP and Gateway. My brother thinks I should stay with XP-Pro
    > because Vista's a whole new way of doing things and a big learning curve.

    He
    > just doesn't like it. How are you all doing with Vista? Any major

    glitches?
    > Would you recommned it or if you could do it again would you stay with XP?
    > Any hot tips on vendors and/or specific specs you'd recommend would be
    > greatly appreciated.
    >
    > Thanks!
    > Sheila
    >
    >
    >
    >




  5. #15
    LBA
    Guest

    Default Re: New Computer OS

    Here is a typical discussion of Vista 32-bit versus 64.
    http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/1426/...ion_x64_vs_x86
    The consensus seems to suggest that you are better off with 32.

    Here is a discussion of 4 gigs versus 3 gigs on Vista 32.
    http://blogs.msdn.com/hiltonl/archiv...m-problem.aspx
    The consensus seems to suggest that 4 gigs really means 3 gigs.

    Laurence

  6. #16
    Sheila Hoffman
    Guest

    Default Re: New Computer OS

    I'm so glad I asked this OT question here. I knew I'd get great advice. I'll
    go visit all those links now. Nancy, that's quite a funny tip. Thanks for
    sharing it.
    The Gateway rep told me [grain of salt] 32 bit will run 4 gigs of ram but
    will only SHOW it's using 3 gigs[/grain of salt]

    Sheila





  7. #17
    LBA
    Guest

    Default Re: New Computer OS

    When he says... "yes, you can run 4 gigs but it will SHOW only 3
    gigs"... does he mean "you really do have 4 gigs of usable ram"... or
    does he mean "sure you can stick 4 gigs into it, but the system will
    never see or use more than 3 gigs"? There's a big difference. And his
    comment could be interpreted either way. Which did he mean?

    Laurence

    Sheila Hoffman wrote:
    > I'm so glad I asked this OT question here. I knew I'd get great advice. I'll
    > go visit all those links now. Nancy, that's quite a funny tip. Thanks for
    > sharing it.
    > The Gateway rep told me [grain of salt] 32 bit will run 4 gigs of ram but
    > will only SHOW it's using 3 gigs[/grain of salt]
    >
    > Sheila
    >
    >
    >
    >


  8. #18
    Waterspider
    Guest

    Default Re: New Computer OS


    "Sheila Hoffman" <Sheila@hoffmanNOSPAMgraphics.com> wrote in message
    news:A921.1180974504.467@gfwebforum.com...
    > Tia...since my question in this thread is about XP vs Vista, could you
    > please ellaborate on WHY you won't even consider going to Vista?
    >
    > Thanks,
    > Sheila

    1. It's unbelievably ssslllllooow, even with maxed out hardware.
    2. It's not easily compatible-- or compatible at all-- with a lot of
    software (there are a few Vista "issues" threads right here).
    3. It's designed to be idiot-proof, so it won't let you set things up to
    your usage preferences.

    A friend, who builds and sells pcs, set up a brand new, beefy machine with
    Vista, just so folks could have a look.
    It had no other software installed, not even e-mail... and it ran like XP
    overdosed on Valium.
    Pretty interface, though.
    Maybe they'll have the bugs out in a year.
    Maybe they'll dump it altogether.
    Or not.
    I'll wait to see, but in the meantime, IMHO, XP is as good as you can get.

    Waterspider



  9. #19
    Waterspider
    Guest

    Default Re: New Computer OS


    "Sheila Hoffman" <Sheila@hoffmanNOSPAMgraphics.com> wrote in message
    news:A921.1180979408.470@gfwebforum.com...
    > Garrett:
    >
    > Thanks so much. That was very helpful. Still dithering. Want to get out
    > and get my hands on Vista. Since I had my current machine more than 5
    > years I'm a little concerned about buying the older OS rather then the
    > new. I'm thinking by going into Vista well armed with info maybe it won't
    > be so bad. I'll certainly have the resources (4 gig RAM) to handle it.
    >
    > Allison, thanks for the lead. I'll check 'em out.
    >
    > Sheila

    Don't be under the impression that newer is better. Microsoft, and other o/s
    builders, have all dumped bad-idea operating systems that they tried to
    market over the years. Sometimes the pressure to get the product on the
    shelves doesn't allow enough time to get it right, and sometimes it was just
    poorly thought out to begin with.

    A couple of weeks ago I read of an in-production o/s that MS is considering
    as a replacement for Vista. I wish I could remember its name, it would be
    easy to google. Maybe someone here has heard of it.

    Waterspider



  10. #20
    Waterspider
    Guest

    Default Re: New Computer OS


    "Sheila Hoffman" <Sheila@hoffmanNOSPAMgraphics.com> wrote in message
    news:A921.1180931126.461@gfwebforum.com...
    > My current computer is a P4 from 2001! It's time to get a new one. So far
    > I've looked at HP and Gateway. My brother thinks I should stay with XP-Pro
    > because Vista's a whole new way of doing things and a big learning curve.
    > He just doesn't like it. How are you all doing with Vista? Any major
    > glitches? Would you recommned it or if you could do it again would you
    > stay with XP? Any hot tips on vendors and/or specific specs you'd
    > recommend would be greatly appreciated.
    >
    > Thanks!
    > Sheila

    About buying a new puter...

    It's difficult to get good, objective advice about computers because,
    although they're a tool, everyone has a different use for the tool. If
    someone just uses it for solitaire, email and surfing, they're not a good
    source of info. Talk with someone running a lot of graphics-intensive
    programs like Adobe or perhaps a CAD suite, or a young-punk hardcore gamer--
    they are the ones who will have pushed their machines to the limit, and they
    are the ones who demand maximum performance and stability.

    I think your best bet is to find a reputable, local dealer and have one
    built to your specs (they'll help you decide what to put into the innards
    depending on what you want to do with it). This way, you do not get all that
    aftermarket crap, useless programs and demos, that clog up your hard drive's
    arteries, and it saves you the time and hassle of fomatting your hard drive
    to get rid of it (uninstall does not work, still leaves behind mucho
    garbage).

    And, if you do ever have a problem, it doesn't have to be shipped back to a
    manufacturer. Your local guy or gal will probably come to your home to take
    care of any problems.

    Previous to my current system, my last 5 computers have been Dells, and I
    have to say that the quality and performance has deteriorated. Dell's big
    selling point was its price, though, but my custom-build came in cheaper
    than a not-even-close Dell equivalent, never mind the gorgeous Samsung
    monitor and ultra cool Logitech mouse and keyboard. My laptop, a high-end
    XPS gaming machine from Dell (I'm not a gamer; that's the best choice for
    resource-heavy graphics programs)... is noticably slower than my desktop,
    with the same ram, same dual processors and less stuff on the hard drive.
    They're both under a year old.

    Enough rambling. Good luck on your new acquisition!

    Waterspider



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