Vista users beware!

[MrObsessive]

This is a bit OT but still relevant as we all use our 'puters to come to this great place!

I just want to give you Microsoft Vista users a heads up about their new Service Pack 1 that turned out to be a total nightmare for me for the last couple days.

I was only able to post something just last night as I finally got everything back to "normal".

Microsoft is sending out a BIG, FAT "update" which turns out to be the SP1.............the only problem is after you download the update, and depending on what other programs you have installed, SP1 may not install on your OS.

I tried downloading SP1 about six times before I threw in the towel and called Microsoft. I got a very nice Indian girl (she was understandable) and must have spent TWO HOURS on the phone trying to sort this out.

She finally threw in the towel and sent me to another tech who told me I had to put in the installation disc that came with the computer and basically reformat the drive!

Of course this meant I might lose everything on my hard disc, so I checked my Carbonite backup to make sure it was complete at the moment. I put in the disc, followed all the prompts and then the sloooooooooow process was underway.

Now this was around 2:00 in the afternoon when I finally had to get to bed........and the system was still going through the process----------now mind you this episode with Microsoft and company started around 9AM. I went to bed, came downstairs around 8:45 PM--------the computer was totally shut down!

I fired it up, only to have the screen say "Stage 2 of 2 in progress" or something like that............AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRGGGGGHHHHH!! :lol:

Finally the desktop shows and the update icon in the toolbar show up again...........Of course the update for SP1 still has to take place so I go ahead and download it. The Service Pack did install (FINALLY!) but then much to my chagrin now I had no sound!!

UUUUUUUUGGGGHHH...............So I ended up (WITHOUT Microsoft help this time ) uninstalling the sound card drivers...........going to the Dell website, downloading new drivers, and then reinstalling the drivers and WALLAH!...........I had my sound back.

I've still got programs I'm sure waiting in the wings that need to be reinstalled as they may not be compatible with the Service Pack 1, (I've already had an issue with Carbonite) so I'll just have to deal with it as the computer is only a year old. I still have all my music and pics and other documents at least so that was good news.

Thank goodness I have some computer background and knowledge or otherwise I WOULD be totally bald at this point!

I can't help but think what a newbie might go through if they have to deal with this potential nightmare!

I highly recommend if you get this download and it won't install, be prepared to carve out some time to get it straightened out and be without your computer for the better part of the day!

Ain't 2008 technology grand??

[James Flowers]

I always hate to install up dates for that very reason. I am not that great with computers anyway. I have had to call for help more than once .

[ericmaxman]

Well, the thing is quite simple really, I don't see a point to use Vista. I know that the eye candy looks promising, but it taxes the CPU, RAM and graphics card a lot. I am happy with XP.

As for you installation of Vista, you're not the only guy that is losing hair. I know a guy, who managed to install SP1, BUT could not recognize a simple USB card reader. Imagine that. One of the greatest OS in the world fails to recognize a simple card reader.

2008 was supposed to be grand. Why not? DirectX 10, Aero interface, BitLocker bla bla bla. I mean, or rather, its just my opinion that Microsoft is doing their marketing well, otherwise none of us would be using Vista.

Suggestion? Well, Ubuntu and Knoppix are pretty user friendly now.

[MrObsessive]

Up until this point, I've never had a problem with Vista. Microsoft BTW, tells the potential buyer that they need at least 512 MB of RAM to run Vista.

WRONG!!

If you want to get the most out of this power hungry OS......I recommend AT LEAST 1GB of RAM, and if you can afford it 2GB is best, especially if you plan to run a lot of high powered games and such, otherwise you'll have a super slow 'puter.

I run 1GB and have gotten along well with it..............but next time I upgrade to something new, I'm putting in a 2GB chip.

I never got a chance to use XP...........my last computer was so old it was running Windows 98, and when I wanted to get the latest and greatest computer------all they had then (June '07) were machines with Vista.

I do hear from others that have XP that they really like it, and they'll hate to switch, but I can guarantee you that Microsoft more than likely will stop supporting it after '09------definitely by '10.

[ericmaxman]

Up until this point, I've never had a problem with Vista. Microsoft BTW, tells the potential buyer that they need at least 512 MB of RAM to run Vista.

WRONG!!

If you want to get the most out of this power hungry OS......I recommend AT LEAST 1GB of RAM, and if you can afford it 2GB is best, especially if you plan to run a lot of high powered games and such, otherwise you'll have a super slow 'puter.

I run 1GB and have gotten along well with it..............but next time I upgrade to something new, I'm putting in a 2GB chip.

I never got a chance to use XP...........my last computer was so old it was running Windows 98, and when I wanted to get the latest and greatest computer------all they had then (June '07) were machines with Vista.

I do hear from others that have XP that they really like it, and they'll hate to switch, but I can guarantee you that Microsoft more than likely will stop supporting it after '09------definitely by '10.

Oh yeah. 512MB was like more than enough for XP. Even back in 2004, 256MB was considered more than enough. Now look at Vista, minimum 1GB. Recommended 2GB. Imagine the future Windows. "Minimum 32GB RAM". It could be.

Edited September 18, 2008 by ericmaxman

[Olle F]

We bought a new computer a while back, and we went with XP. So far, I haven't heard anyone say that Vista is better, all you hear is sighs of relief, like: "Yeah, it actually does work with most of my software". IMO, Vista is an upgrade just for the sake of upgrading, and there's no need to use it as long as XP is available. My gut feeling is that Vista is a new Windows Me.

[CAL]

I have a 64Bit machine, but I will just stick with XP Pro for now, thank you.

[RodBurNeR]

I think i got this update at least two months ago? I am all up to date and have no problems. Believe me, i am a nerd and this computer was built with these hands and is up to date all the time because of all the web work i do. This problem only happens when a user gets SP1 and has a computer or parts that are not yet included in the Vista list of "updatable" components. Basically, Vista doesn't have downloadable updates and doesn't even recognize many parts made before i think it is 2000? I can't remember the year, but anything before the year 2000 or 2003 maybe it is....those parts won't work.

I got Vista last December and have no problems other than...

I had to remove my add-on sound card because i got no sound and coule not voice with my mic.

I removed my web cam which was not supported any longer.

I had to use my on-board sound card and was still not able to use yahoo messenger "voice" conference until i downloaded a patch.

There are many problems with Vista, but i just happen to get along with it......but i do miss my sound card!

[Harry P.]

I have the answer to all your computer nightmares.

I know a simple way to end the torture of Vista, the agony of hard drive crashes and the annoyance of never-ending viruses.

The solution:

GET A MAC!!!

Us Mac users don't ever have to mess with silly Microsoft software and OS, we don't get viruses and our computers don't crash or freeze. We're just happy!

[MrObsessive]

Watch out Harry!

As more and more folks get Macs..........you can best believe there are folks staring at the ceiling in the middle of the night, banging their fists against the headboard trying to find a way to hack your system.

That's one of the reasons IE gets hacked so much.......something like 90%(?) of users are on it as opposed to Mozilla Firefox or others?

It'll only be a matter of time before the numbers will justify them getting into the act.

[Harry P.]

True, as more and more people finally wise up and toss their PC forever in exchange for a Mac, there will undoubtedly be Mac viruses created by the bums who now work exclusively on the PC side. But for all these years I've never had the strange problems you PC guys are willing to put up with. While the PC folks have been tearing their hair out, I've just been cruisin' along...

[Harry P.]

This is a bit OT but still relevant...

Oh, I thought you were going to give us a Biblical lecture...

[dub]

I have the answer to all your computer nightmares.

I know a simple way to end the torture of Vista, the agony of hard drive crashes and the annoyance of never-ending viruses.

The solution:

GET A MAC!!!

Us Mac users don't ever have to mess with silly Microsoft software and OS, we don't get viruses and our computers don't crash or freeze. We're just happy!

x2

[CAL]

I have the answer to all your computer nightmares.

I know a simple way to end the torture of Vista, the agony of hard drive crashes and the annoyance of never-ending viruses.

The solution:

GET A MAC!!!

Us Mac users don't ever have to mess with silly Microsoft software and OS, we don't get viruses and our computers don't crash or freeze. We're just happy!

That is simply not true.

I used a Mac G4 with Jaguar at work and a PC with XP Pro at home and run many of the same or similar proggies. The Mac had way more issues with the OS, stalls, shutdowns, and conflicts than the PC.

Furthermore, I almost bought a Mac for home, but it was cost prohibitive.

The machine I built cost about $2400.00 and has been the best computer I have had. The Mac equivalent was closer to the tune of $6200.00 w/ like drives, hardware, and moniters. Plus being a PC guy for so long it would have been another several thousand dollars in software to get back to were I was with my PC. On top of that the G5 in bench test after bench test was never going to be as fast as my PC, and my horrible experience with Jaguar pretty much killed any chance of me switch to a Mac.

When it was working, to be honest, the Mac didn't feel a whole lot different than my PC with XP. I doubt I will ever switch now they, Apple, missed their oppertunity to convert me.

Edited September 18, 2008 by CAL

[george 53]

Hate to sound REALLY stupid fellas(but you know the truth),But whats a PC? I thought it meant Personal Computer, isn't a Mac a Personal Computer? What's the diff? Is mac the best one out there?I know I'll be updating this ol horse o mine,I got it in 01 but NEVER messed with it till I retired!Now I'm jus learnin how to type on it and do some little stuff, but it STILL greek to me! I never touched a computer at work except for plant related stuff, and I still am computer illiterate! See, even with the best of the best teachin me, I still aint got the picture thing down yet! Jus pray for my dumb a$$!

[MikeMc]

Got a MAC Harry.....I love my Vista!!...Tried mozilla, safari, chrome, explorer....and dang if they all work!!!

when installing SP1 make sure your anti-virus is turned OFF......if not YOU WILL have problems. If you do a backup B4 adding any software

it will make a big dif.

with vista 2GB is the minimum I recommend 4GB if it will fit...

[CAL]

Hate to sound REALLY stupid fellas(but you know the truth),But whats a PC? I thought it meant Personal Computer, isn't a Mac a Personal Computer? What's the diff? Is mac the best one out there?I know I'll be updating this ol horse o mine,I got it in 01 but NEVER messed with it till I retired!Now I'm jus learnin how to type on it and do some little stuff, but it STILL greek to me! I never touched a computer at work except for plant related stuff, and I still am computer illiterate! See, even with the best of the best teachin me, I still aint got the picture thing down yet! Jus pray for my dumb a$$!

PC=IBM=Mac's rival.

It's even closer now with Mac using IBM OS architecture, and the hardware is virtually the same.

[MrObsessive]

when installing SP1 make sure your anti-virus is turned OFF......if not YOU WILL have problems. If you do a backup B4 adding any software

it will make a big dif.

Yup! Did all that Mike as I have PC Tools Spyware doctor and Antivirus.......I also shut down Windows Defender with all its attendant warnings that followed--------still had a big hangup!

I use Carbonite online backup, so if in case I did lose everything I could get it back. I highly recommend them BTW, whether or not you've got a problem with your computer!

You never know when the hard drive might go south!

So far as of this morning, I've had no issues or shutdowns...........the computer is running more smoothly since the SP1, but time will tell.

Oh, I thought you were going to give us a Biblical lecture...

[Harry P.]

Hate to sound REALLY stupid fellas(but you know the truth),But whats a PC? I thought it meant Personal Computer, isn't a Mac a Personal Computer? What's the diff? Is mac the best one out there?I know I'll be updating this ol horse o mine,I got it in 01 but NEVER messed with it till I retired!Now I'm jus learnin how to type on it and do some little stuff, but it STILL greek to me! I never touched a computer at work except for plant related stuff, and I still am computer illiterate! See, even with the best of the best teachin me, I still aint got the picture thing down yet! Jus pray for my dumb a$$!

"PC" does stand for "personal computer", and yeah, technically a Mac is a PC... but most people, when they say "PC", mean any computer that's NOT a Mac.

BTW...I also have a PC running Vista. (I bought the PC because most of my clients are on a PC and it's easier sometimes when dealing with PC-only folks to just do my thing on a PC instead of the trusty old Mac). Vista SUCKS! It's constantly asking for all kinds of permissions to do stuff, it has a problem dealing with Adobe Acrobat (I constantly get a warning that Acrobat is "not compatible" with Vista. Isn't it really the other way around-Vista is not compatible with Acrobat???), my Photoshop crashes when running in Vista, etc. This is my first computer running Vista, and I have to say I'm not impressed, coming from a Mac-only background. Vista seems way more finicky and fussy, and my graphics programs are prone to freezing. It's not a memory thing, I have plenty of that. It seems to be a Vista thing...

[Harold]

UM-Flint has up (down?)graded to Vista for their OS, and the thing is a freakin' nightmare to use. Everything about it seems counterintuative, as though they were making changes for changes sake. Watching a prof try to run a powerpoint slideshow on this setup is to watch someone come close to a nervous breakdown. I get a kick out of that Microsoft ad where they have 'real' people saying how wonderful and fun Vista is. I'd like to give these folks a Rorsarch test and some shock therapy.....

[Jairus]

My daughter's iPod quit working the other day. All her millions of songs are on it..... of course.

Me? I simply continue to spin my vinyl records on a 40 year old turntable with absolutely no problems and the sound is BEAUTIFUL.

Technology is great but with it comes great problems and responsibilities....

[Harry P.]

Yeah, baby! Old school!

I still have every single vinyl record I ever bought, 99% of them are in pristine condition (I was always a nut about taking care of my records).

Wonder what they're worth today?

[Darrell Gwinn]

I have Vista and it works good for the most part, not sure if i had installed the SP1 or not but I havent had any major issues, the only thing was i had to replace the sound card within the first few months because it stopped working. The only thing i dont like about it is when the user account control is on, all those security pop ups get old, so i turned it off. I used to have XP, but it was a dell and it crashed like 5 times befor i totally gave up on it. Plus i needed more memory so I went ahead and got the 4GB Gateway FX. Well worth the money, plus the screen is bigger than my tv...lol

[stevegt738]

For the windows users, i would recommend you change to Ubuntu. It is legally free, easy to use and if you don`t play games on your pc, then it will do everything you need. I made the switch a few years ago, and won`t go back. The latest version is very non geek friendly, and like Macs is inherently more secure than windows in the way it is coded, and the operating system is structured.

Macs are good to use and on average more stable than pc`s, but unless you have plenty of money, the initial setup costs are ridiculous. Especially here in Australia.

Anyway that is enough from me, back to the bench i go .

[Harry P.]

Macs are good to use and on average more stable than pc`s, but unless you have plenty of money, the initial setup costs are ridiculous.

Macs can be pricey, but "you get what you pay for".

I still have the first Mac I ever owned, and it still works great. Of course, advances in processors, operating systems and technology have made my old stone-age Mac obsolete, but it does still run great. It's never needed any kind of repairs whatsoever. Because of advances in computer technology it's basically useless to me now, but I hang on to it anyway. Seems a shame to throw it away...

BTW... I love the "Hello, I'm a Mac... and I'm a PC" commercials. Hilarious.