Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[TheBoy]

Back on topic, Vista is the latest version of Windows.  Generally people prefer it. Techie types don't, in the same way that those people hated XP when that came out.  Techie types usually don't like change.

Vista v XP depends on the hardware.  Core 2 Quad, defo Vista, due to old licencing restrictions on processor numbers. Any Core 2, I'd say Vista, due to its ability to better support the processor.  Lesser processors, such as all AMD and P4, more difficult to call.  Seeing as nobody is going to put much effort in to XP now, seems pointless buy new with XP.

However, if your computer is low on hardware spec, XP may well run better (though XP SP2 has huge performance issues, alledgedly fixed in SP3).  Vista really needs a minimum of 1G, ideally 2G.  Memory so cheap, not an issue.  If you want the Aero desktop, a recent discrete video chip, or a current generation integrated.

I recently paid £450 for a 2G Core 2 Duo, 965 chipset with X3100 video, 1G RAM, 160G HDD, DVD+-RW/RAM, which runs Vista Business.  Works very well for non gaming apps, though I am getting more memory (£35 for 2 x 1G from crucial, throw away the 1 x 1G factory fitted).

Didn't know about SP3. Is it available for download now?

No, due shortly after SP1 for Vista available, so around late spring, early summer I guess.

Ummm im sure ive seen SP3 out for download in beta version....is it best too wait till a final release or try it and see what happends.

Just wondering what improvements SP3 will/could make.?

Wait until released unless you are prepared to tolerate beta software.

SPs are really bug fixes rolled in to 1.  SP3 alledgedly does away with the slowdown after startup that has plagued SP2 since release.

[TheBoy]

Must say that i upgraded to Vista Ultimate only because have got 64bit proccessor, so thought I will give it a try. And well well, aplications runs smoother, windows is faster, but when Im trying to play good game.. My PC is too slow for that now.. So now I need to buy HDD and return to XP because cant store all my data on DVD (have got 150GB of important files to me)  

Only reason to go 64bit is if you need more than about 3G RAM.  Too many incompatibilities for 64bit to currently become mainstream.

Vista will be slow on P4/Athlon XP type processors, but day to day use (forget benchmarks, they are pointless), Vista is the best OS for Core2 class chips...

[stuart30]

Back on topic, Vista is the latest version of Windows.  Generally people prefer it. Techie types don't, in the same way that those people hated XP when that came out.  Techie types usually don't like change.

Vista v XP depends on the hardware.  Core 2 Quad, defo Vista, due to old licencing restrictions on processor numbers. Any Core 2, I'd say Vista, due to its ability to better support the processor.  Lesser processors, such as all AMD and P4, more difficult to call.  Seeing as nobody is going to put much effort in to XP now, seems pointless buy new with XP.

However, if your computer is low on hardware spec, XP may well run better (though XP SP2 has huge performance issues, alledgedly fixed in SP3).  Vista really needs a minimum of 1G, ideally 2G.  Memory so cheap, not an issue.  If you want the Aero desktop, a recent discrete video chip, or a current generation integrated.

I recently paid £450 for a 2G Core 2 Duo, 965 chipset with X3100 video, 1G RAM, 160G HDD, DVD+-RW/RAM, which runs Vista Business.  Works very well for non gaming apps, though I am getting more memory (£35 for 2 x 1G from crucial, throw away the 1 x 1G factory fitted).

Didn't know about SP3. Is it available for download now?

No, due shortly after SP1 for Vista available, so around late spring, early summer I guess.

Ummm im sure ive seen SP3 out for download in beta version....is it best too wait till a final release or try it and see what happends.

Just wondering what improvements SP3 will/could make.?

Wait until released unless you are prepared to tolerate beta software.

SPs are really bug fixes rolled in to 1.  SP3 alledgedly does away with the slowdown after startup that has plagued SP2 since release.

Oh right...if i stay with XP then i"ll certainly wait in  that case.

Having said that im tempted to go back to Vista (came semi preinstalled on laptop)....if i upgrade the Ram to 2GB would a single core 1.8 GHZ,533 MHZ fSB,1mb L2 cache actually run  it ok....only ever use the laptop for surfing or playing online poker.

Reason im tempted to revert back to vista is the laptop has several features such as blue tooth,built in mic ect that XP doesnt seem too support...that and im missing important drivers (Checked every where including Acer"s site and none available or dont work) hence why im tempted to try Vista again. :-/ :-/

[TheBoy]

Oh right...if i stay with XP then i"ll certainly wait in  that case.

Having said that im tempted to go back to Vista (came semi preinstalled on laptop)....if i upgrade the Ram to 2GB would a single core 1.8 GHZ,533 MHZ fSB,1mb L2 cache actually run  it ok....only ever use the laptop for surfing or playing online poker.

Reason im tempted to revert back to vista is the laptop has several features such as blue tooth,built in mic ect that XP doesnt seem too support...that and im missing important drivers (Checked every where including Acer"s site and none available or dont work) hence why im tempted to try Vista again. :-/ :-/

LOL, sounds like Acer. Hence, I'll never buy one.  I bet the bluetooth stack and the proper audio driver are available, but you may have to go back to OEM.

You don't say which processor?  Sounds Pentium M or Core Solo by specs.  These will run basic apps OK and probably OK in 1G. Better with 2G, but depends on extra cost.

Most onboard graphics will struggle with Aero interface, 965G/X3100 is about minimum. Being Acer, I suspect you only got Vista Basic, so can't run Aero anyway.

[stuart30]

Oh right...if i stay with XP then i"ll certainly wait in  that case.

Having said that im tempted to go back to Vista (came semi preinstalled on laptop)....if i upgrade the Ram to 2GB would a single core 1.8 GHZ,533 MHZ fSB,1mb L2 cache actually run  it ok....only ever use the laptop for surfing or playing online poker.

Reason im tempted to revert back to vista is the laptop has several features such as blue tooth,built in mic ect that XP doesnt seem too support...that and im missing important drivers (Checked every where including Acer"s site and none available or dont work) hence why im tempted to try Vista again. :-/ :-/

LOL, sounds like Acer. Hence, I'll never buy one.  I bet the bluetooth stack and the proper audio driver are available, but you may have to go back to OEM.

You don't say which processor?  Sounds Pentium M or Core Solo by specs.  These will run basic apps OK and probably OK in 1G. Better with 2G, but depends on extra cost.

Most onboard graphics will struggle with Aero interface, 965G/X3100 is about minimum. Being Acer, I suspect you only got Vista Basic, so can't run Aero anyway.

Its an Acer Travelmate 5320...Processor is Celeron 540  :-?

It came with Vista basic...but my god it was so slow and had all the crap like free trial or 3 months free software so thought fresh Xp install was the best bet.

I"ll definitely go for 2GB ram as its certainly cheap enough.....Picked the laptop up in Hong kong few weeks back only paid £260 brand new so was quiet pleased at the time.

As i said its just really for playing online poker and web surfing but would like it too work as its meant too.

[TheBoy]

Oh right...if i stay with XP then i"ll certainly wait in  that case.

Having said that im tempted to go back to Vista (came semi preinstalled on laptop)....if i upgrade the Ram to 2GB would a single core 1.8 GHZ,533 MHZ fSB,1mb L2 cache actually run  it ok....only ever use the laptop for surfing or playing online poker.

Reason im tempted to revert back to vista is the laptop has several features such as blue tooth,built in mic ect that XP doesnt seem too support...that and im missing important drivers (Checked every where including Acer"s site and none available or dont work) hence why im tempted to try Vista again. :-/ :-/

LOL, sounds like Acer. Hence, I'll never buy one.  I bet the bluetooth stack and the proper audio driver are available, but you may have to go back to OEM.

You don't say which processor?  Sounds Pentium M or Core Solo by specs.  These will run basic apps OK and probably OK in 1G. Better with 2G, but depends on extra cost.

Most onboard graphics will struggle with Aero interface, 965G/X3100 is about minimum. Being Acer, I suspect you only got Vista Basic, so can't run Aero anyway.

Its an Acer Travelmate 5320...Processor is Celeron 540  :-?

It came with Vista basic...but my god it was so slow and had all the crap like free trial or 3 months free software so thought fresh Xp install was the best bet.

I"ll definitely go for 2GB ram as its certainly cheap enough.....Picked the laptop up in Hong kong few weeks back only paid £260 brand new so was quiet pleased at the time.

As i said its just really for playing online poker and web surfing but would like it too work as its meant too.

A similar low spec laptop should be around the £299 - £349 bracket, so you did OK on the price

I tend to stick with the factory image, then remove all the bloat via add/remove, put on my key software, then image.  I tend to rebuild my laptops every couple of months.  Oddly, I find under Vista, I don't need to rebuild as often.

A low spec Celeron (along with its likely budget chipset) is never going to be the best Vista experience ever though.  Get the right drivers on (starting with the chipset driver that must always go on first), and it should be fine for basic use

[stuart30]

Oh right...if i stay with XP then i"ll certainly wait in  that case.

Having said that im tempted to go back to Vista (came semi preinstalled on laptop)....if i upgrade the Ram to 2GB would a single core 1.8 GHZ,533 MHZ fSB,1mb L2 cache actually run  it ok....only ever use the laptop for surfing or playing online poker.

Reason im tempted to revert back to vista is the laptop has several features such as blue tooth,built in mic ect that XP doesnt seem too support...that and im missing important drivers (Checked every where including Acer"s site and none available or dont work) hence why im tempted to try Vista again. :-/ :-/

LOL, sounds like Acer. Hence, I'll never buy one.  I bet the bluetooth stack and the proper audio driver are available, but you may have to go back to OEM.

You don't say which processor?  Sounds Pentium M or Core Solo by specs.  These will run basic apps OK and probably OK in 1G. Better with 2G, but depends on extra cost.

Most onboard graphics will struggle with Aero interface, 965G/X3100 is about minimum. Being Acer, I suspect you only got Vista Basic, so can't run Aero anyway.

Its an Acer Travelmate 5320...Processor is Celeron 540  :-?

It came with Vista basic...but my god it was so slow and had all the crap like free trial or 3 months free software so thought fresh Xp install was the best bet.

I"ll definitely go for 2GB ram as its certainly cheap enough.....Picked the laptop up in Hong kong few weeks back only paid £260 brand new so was quiet pleased at the time.

As i said its just really for playing online poker and web surfing but would like it too work as its meant too.

A similar low spec laptop should be around the £299 - £349 bracket, so you did OK on the price

I tend to stick with the factory image, then remove all the bloat via add/remove, put on my key software, then image.  I tend to rebuild my laptops every couple of months.  Oddly, I find under Vista, I don't need to rebuild as often.

A low spec Celeron (along with its likely budget chipset) is never going to be the best Vista experience ever though.  Get the right drivers on (starting with the chipset driver that must always go on first), and it should be fine for basic use

Thanks for the advice...i"ll get the ram orderd and load vista up,sure ive seen a copy on someones desk.

Glad you said install chipset driver first....got a horrible feeling it wasnt installed first when i reloaded xp....Oh well shall know for next time.

Thanks for your help its greatly appreciated.

[TheBoy]

Vista licencing is much tighter than XP's, so be sure to use the key from your own COA sticker on the base of the laptop.

[stuart30]

Vista licencing is much tighter than XP's, so be sure to use the key from your own COA sticker on the base of the laptop.

yep will do..

[Kevin Wood]

... and last time I tried to re-install (XP) on a laptop, a generic XP CD wouldn't install even with the code from the label on the machine (well, it let me waste ages installing it, then refused to run  ) because the code would only work with the Sony (pah!) OEM CD that came with the Laptop, not "any old" retail XP cd that I had lying around. It's partly thanks to irritations like this that I tend to avoid Windows at home (apart from to feed SWMBO's online gaming addiction ).

Kevin

[TheBoy]

... and last time I tried to re-install (XP) on a laptop, a generic XP CD wouldn't install even with the code from the label on the machine (well, it let me waste ages installing it, then refused to run  ) because the code would only work with the Sony (pah!) OEM CD that came with the Laptop, not "any old" retail XP cd that I had lying around. It's partly thanks to irritations like this that I tend to avoid Windows at home (apart from to feed SWMBO's online gaming addiction ).

Kevin

Yes, some codes need the specific CD, others just need a generic OEM CD, few will work with retail CD.

Vista is much better, as the 1 DVD contains all standard versions - though I guess it won't be long before someone like Sony bastardises it...