-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
>
>
>
>
-
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
-
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
-
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
>
>
>
>
-
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
-
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
-
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
Posting Permissions
- You may not post new threads
- You may not post replies
- You may not post attachments
- You may not edit your posts
-
Forum Rules