Windows Vista
Thoughts on changing operating systems
I was dragged kicking and screaming from Windows 98 to Windows XP. After upgrading to XP I became so frustrated by the lack of support for some of my software and hardware that I reverted to Windows 98 — several times. This was not the fault of Microsoft.
When upgrading a system to Windows XP or Vista – particularly in relation to hardware compatibility – problems are more often the
fault of the hardware manufacturers or the non-Microsoft software companies. Often they just don't bother to write new software drivers
for your printer or scanner, so the hardware can't be recognised by the new Operating
System.
In many cases, the industry and the vendors would just as soon have you buy their newer products rather than make it easy for you to migrate the old.
In the end I was won over to XP by new features: support for hibernation; support for very large files and larger hard drives; the handy Thumbnails View in Windows Explorer and many other improvements. Even so, I still use the Windows 98 Classic desktop settings and Control Panel view in XP - I only change to the over-the-top XP graphics when I need to use it for web pictures on this site.
Change in Windows is not always an improvement. There's often a much heavier price than just the cost of the new OS disk.
Vista is pleasing on the eye
Now it starts all over again. I have Windows Vista installed on two computers and after a few months of irritation I am impressed.
Unlike the garish default settings
for XP, Vista is visually attractive. Microsoft's graphic design people
have done an excellent job. Of course, just as with a new car, after a while
the new standard becomes the norm and you probably won't notice all this
beauty.
The changes to the way just about everything is done are more substantial than in past upgrades. For current users of other versions Vista will take more time to learn than previous upgrades. The same applies to Microsoft Office 2007 and its widely detested "ribbon".
Most pundits initially advised consumers who wished to try Vista to wait for some months before switching. Or even to wait until the first service pack was released to deal with the inevitable bugs. Or until the early adopters had given it the seal of approval.
Well the service pack was released and users have given a wide spectrum of views on that too. Generally speaking, Vista with SP1 is as good an OS as Microsoft have ever produced.
How does all this affect you?
Buying new?
If you don't want to pay for a PC powerful enough to run Vista satisfactorily, make sure you purchase before Microsoft pull the plug on Windows XP. That was at the end of June 2008, so you may be too late.
Sorry. ☺
If you're desperate, some vendors are currently selling Vista machines with an XP downgrade included. You have to pay extra for that.
Life wasn't meant to be easy. ☹
Installing XP on most new PCs, particularly on a laptop, may not be possible. XP software drivers are often not available for all hardware components of a new machine.
Upgrading?
If you have a computer which is sufficiently highly specified to enable you to run Windows Vista effectively and you have a legitimate copy of a previous version of Windows, you can purchase an Upgrade copy of Vista at a significantly reduced price.
If you purchase a new disk drive or any other significant piece of hardware you may be able to buy an OEM copy of Vista in the same transaction - again at a much reduced price. Bear in mind though, that an OEM version will probably be tied to the first PC it's installed on. You probably won't be able to reinstall it on a different machine. Not without bending the truth during the re-activation process anyway.
Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor
On your current PC, you can download, install and run the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor from here. This small utility will tell you whether or not your hardware and software will have compatibility problems. The Advisor only works with Windows XP 32 bit version (which is what most people have).
It will not work with XP 64-bit version or with older versions of Windows. It's highly likely that if your PC is pre-XP then your hardware will not be capable of running Vista.
Versions
Vista comes in a number of versions. It's more complicated than the XP Home, Professional and Media editions. The DVD will include all versions. You will be have a code (the Product Key) to release the version you've paid for and, if you wish, you'll be able to upgrade later by paying extra and receiving a new code to access the upgrade from your original DVD.
This online "Anytime" upgrade service is not available in all countries. Not in mine – go figure.
A detailed comparison of the versions available is here: Windows Vista comparison.
The Problems
If you're upgrading, chances are you'll have some problems. Typically you'll have a printer or scanner for which no Vista drivers are available. Some of your programs won't be compatible – especially utilities like those that come with printers and digital cameras.
Hardware needed
As usual, Microsoft are a little hopeful when it comes to advising on this. The minimum stated requirements for running Windows XP (233 MHz processor and 64MB of RAM - yeah, right!) were totally inadequate for 99% of users.
For Vista I recommend 2GB of RAM, a 256MB video graphics card and at least a 2GHz processor (CPU). Any less than this and you will notice a significant loss of speed and some of the visual effects that you are paying for may not be available. With any PC of lower specifications I recommend sticking with XP, which has matured into a very good operating system and will be supported by Microsoft for several years yet.
