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Post by Admin on Jan 5, 2008 3:03:05 GMT -5
I know it's off scooter topic but this new 'puter I got has Windows Vista. This system has some serious glitches and hassles. Anybody know a way or can direct me to a website to help me deal with this?
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Post by bigal on Jan 5, 2008 7:32:48 GMT -5
I bought a new dell prior to the new year and had the same hassles I finally quit using Internet explorer and and now only using Firefox web browser and the problems are gone. Some of the older programs just wont work for Vista there is a couple of fixes on the windows website from microsoft.
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Post by Dennis D on Jan 5, 2008 8:21:07 GMT -5
I had to get a new computer in September, and after looking at Vista reviews, I decided to have a computer built for me at a local computer shop, so I could have XP installed instead. My understanding is that besides the software and hardware incompatibilities, Microsoft has extensive spyware built into Vista, and whatever administrative controls were either built into XP Home or functions that could easily be added back into XP Home.... have been stripped and blocked in Vista, unless you get a $$$$ version for system administrators.
I know this in no way helps you, Lee, and I hope you can figure out or find fixes for the issues you have. Maybe this will help someone else though. Vista is not meeting with nearly the acceptance that Microsoft hoped for. I've already determined that I'm not going to be replacing printers, scalnner, etc for my current system unless I absolutely have to, but will try to baby them, or limp along with them until it's time to upgrade again. Then I plan to go to an Apple system... I'm just tired of Microsoft spying on it's users, "leasing them their software" (that's right, according to Microsoft, you don't own your copy of Vista) and taking the users' control of their own systems away from them(because in Microsoft's opinion we're no smart enough to have control of our own systems). Maybe Vista will go the way of Windows ME, but if so, I fully expect them to come back again in the future with another version that they could use to wrest control over "their software" and the end users' computers, from what they clearly see as the outlaw and idiot masses. End of rant!
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Post by lewtwo on Jan 5, 2008 8:44:06 GMT -5
Dawg ... I have 250 workstation and about 25 servers to look after. We looked at Vista. Fortunately our Enterprise Agreement says we can run any desktop MS has produced.
The MS rep was in and asked when we were going to upgrade? "We are taking a hard look at Ubuntu. Hopefully by the time XP is no longer supported LINUX will be mature enough to to replace it".
The reason everyone enjoys those "PC vs MAC" commercials on TV is they are true.
Having said that ... what exactly are your problems ?
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Post by earlwb on Jan 5, 2008 9:06:47 GMT -5
Sorry, I have not upgraded to Vista. it isn't compatible with just about everything software and hardware-wise that I have, so I am not upgrading yet. Maybe if I buy a new PC one day, I'll upgrade to see what it does. The main problem i saw with Vista was that many software packages purport to be compatible with Vista but they are not, they basically only give you a free upgrade if and when they do become compatible in the future. Then hardware is another problem, you basically have to buy all new hardware, things linke printers for example., Vista doesn't work with old hardware. Plus companies that made the old hardware have no interest in developing Vista compatible drivers either.
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Post by Javarod on Jan 5, 2008 10:01:39 GMT -5
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Post by leo on Jan 5, 2008 10:08:57 GMT -5
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Post by 90GTVert on Jan 5, 2008 10:38:26 GMT -5
Lee, I made the same plunge last year, and I had problems with compatibility in my network router. In my case, using a different brand router cured it, but you didn't say what your specific issue was, and it doesn't sound like you have a network system. That being said, Vista has just about the same features that XP had, but unfortunately, they decided to relabel virtually everything so it is much harder to find (mainly because old Dawgs don't like change). My guess is, you have some default selections to change, and you just needs someone with Vista experience to tell you what they are and where to find them. Hopefully someone will come along that actually can answer the questions for you. Good luck. Stan I know it's off scooter topic but this new 'puter I got has Windows Vista. This system has some serious glitches and hassles. Anybody know a way or can direct me to a website to help me deal with this?
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Post by loudest143 on Jan 5, 2008 12:09:46 GMT -5
I just took the time to put firefox and a set of google tools, which were completely free, on my laptop. I was quite suprised to see how much junk I had lingering around on my machine, and plan on putting all those free tools on my other 4 machines I have at home. I've got teenagers, and they will download anything, even if they don't have admin priveleges.
If you have the time, I suggest looking into some ot the sites that Leo listed, and also stop by google and go to the drop down menus and find the free "google pack". Not bad for free.
loudest143 *I'm hacking you right now.
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Post by leo on Jan 5, 2008 12:48:26 GMT -5
I just took the time to put firefox and a set of google tools, which were completely free, on my laptop. firefox, which i use, is one of the best browsers out there. it has a built-in spell checker and scads of free add-ons. i currently have only one and that is the current weather and three day forecast. i must concur with loudest143. unfortunately some sites such as trend micro, bitdefender, and windows update require internet explorer to access them.
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Post by stewntexas on Jan 5, 2008 13:21:11 GMT -5
I got my wife a new Gateway laptop for Christmas. It came with Vista. My home PC is on WinXP.
For a new machine, with a minimum of old stuff hanging around, ie printers, routers, hubs, scanners, etc., Vista works great.
From what I can determine, the majority of Vista problems came from a backwards compatibility problem with peripherals, or when an upgrade was made from XP.
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Post by leo on Jan 5, 2008 14:10:21 GMT -5
. . . Microsoft has extensive spyware built into Vista, . . . that's nothing new. microsoft has built into it's operating systems since win98 a key logger called index.dat that logs every picture, application, website, and a host of other stuff that you do with your machine.
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Post by rerun2 on Jan 5, 2008 14:53:58 GMT -5
Amen to the VISTA sucking the big one! I am getting a new system, Dell, and the rep I am dealing with strongly advised staying with XP. It was his opinion that VISTA was just like ME (others have mentioned ME too) in that it was just simply a horrible design to begin with, and that the things that make it so messed up just can't be 'patched'. His advice is to stick with XP if it meets your needs. Dell is happily offering XP to its customers and actually being totally honest about VISTA and its 'troubles'. I agree with others, I don't see VISTA staying around for any great length of time.
As to your situation Dawg, I would think that you have support from either the dealer that provided your system, or Microsoft directly, I think that is the best place to try to get the bugs worked out. In the past, I have found Microsoft to be extremely helpful in dealing with system problems, I am sure that they are VERY used to dealing with situations as yours!
I will be getting a Mac system as well, if the software was out there for Mac that I need for certain things I do, I would not even consider buying another PC!
Just my thoughts, I wish you good fortune in getting matters resolved.
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Post by Admin on Jan 5, 2008 16:12:37 GMT -5
We have the greatest bunch of members here. I will say that Vista sucks and the glitches are just too numerous to list. Just a couple are the puter shutting down for no reason and I'm sick of giving permission twice every time I try to do something. I had heard that Vista sucked but I didn't think it would suck with such force. I just find it difficult to believe that anyone at such a major corporation would allow release of this operating system. I'm looking at your suggestions and will likely end up finding a way to get XP on here. Thanks for all the feedback.
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Post by medman1952 on Jan 5, 2008 16:23:49 GMT -5
Yup I Feel Your PAIN. I bought a new lap top just over a year ago, it had the option for "upgrading" to Vista. Like a fool I did it, hardware issues were not a problem, but NONE of my favorite software works with it, even software that is supposed to be Vista compatible does not compat. Firefox is my preferred browser, has been for a couple years, but that does not help the other programs you might want to run.
You can still install XP on it if you have a copy to do it with. I would suggest that you format the drive and install XP. It has been said that Vista is the best argument for buying an Apple, and I believe it, I just wish Macs were not three times the price of a PC.
I have since tried several versions of Linux and it is just not really for the ungeek (Ubuntu is probably the best one). I like it and do play with it but trying to install other programs just requires a lot more knowledge and I'm not yet motivated to learn it on my own, perhaps a class would be good. I've had compatability problems with my video card and linux, I have a 22 inch wide screen and the drivers for my Linux does not stretch out to the wide screen resolution.
Nice thing about Linux is that there are a lot of open source programs that do come with it, even if you download it from the net for free. You can buy copies on Ebay for almost free $1.00 - $5.00 plus shipping. I'd be willing to burn a CD version for a member that might want one for the same kind of deal. There are even versions that will boot and run from a CD "Damned Small Linux" also known as DSL is one.
I remember when windows 95 came out it too had backwards compatibility problems as did windows 98, but Vista is the worst thing they have done to us yet in my opinion.
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Post by Admin on Jan 5, 2008 16:34:38 GMT -5
I just installed Firefox and things seem smoother already. The real test is when I try to install my website software that I use for the dawg site. A lot of my old software won't run. Thumbs down to Microsoft. What a blunder.
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Post by lewtwo on Jan 5, 2008 17:06:59 GMT -5
Well one solution that people have used for BACKWARD Software compatibility is VMWARE server. That allows you to run "Virtual Machine" (or several) inside your existing OS. Course you do pay some performance penalties and it does require extra RAM. We do this a lot at work in order to have "machines" configured with applications and settings for specific purposes that we can move one place to another ... just in case the native system goes TU.
Another alternative to VMSERVER is VIRTUALBOX. It is freeware as well but not as mature as VMSERVER. ANd if you want a similar solution from MS they have VirtualPC. Probably the easiest to use and a free download as well.
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Post by surfborg on Jan 5, 2008 17:20:27 GMT -5
Dawg,
My dad bought a new computer that has Vista in it. His brand new made for Vista Microsoft Flight Simulator X. Wont work right with Vista. DL'd all the available patches. Nada. His old 04 Flight Sim works without hassles. He had similar problems with the first system he bought with XP but not nearly to this extent.
Surf
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Post by کíŋ on Jan 5, 2008 18:21:06 GMT -5
I'm sick of giving permission twice every time I try to do something. Hi Lee, Under Control Panel - click "User Accounts" and then select "Turn User Account Control on or off" - uncheck the box! That should get rid of the Body Guard standing behind you asking "allow/deny" everytime you need to sneeze ;D p.s If you're able to run Aero (the theme with the see through glass effect), hold down your Windows key and the press the Tab key. It's a nice alternative to Alt+Tab Cheers Ed.
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Post by scooterollie on Jan 5, 2008 19:27:50 GMT -5
Medman; Macs are not 3X the price of a PC unless you compare apples to oranges. Yes, you can buy a bottom end PC at a low price but you will get virtually nothing else for your price, except Vista! Studies show that once upgraded so features are equal with the Mac, the PC price is usually higher. Macs come loaded with enough software for normal things that many folks don't add very much more unless they have special needs. In addition, the hardware is high quality. There is a higher percentage of old Macs plugging along out there than old PCs. There are thousands of programs on the market for OS X, with more coming daily, now that Macs are getting more popular. No OS is perfect but Apple has a long history of quality software. Microsoft puts out it's new programs in not much more than a Beta form, letting the public work out the bugs. Can you tell I am slightly prejudiced? Been on Macs for almost 20 years and, yes, I do also have PC/Windows experience.
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Post by WarrenS on Jan 5, 2008 20:36:40 GMT -5
I find it funny that if Apples are so wonderful why are people putting Windows on them. I run Ubuntu Linux and it is OK. My only problem is it won't work with my printer and a lot of programs I like don't run on it. They wouldn't run on Apple either.
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Post by medman1952 on Jan 5, 2008 20:44:34 GMT -5
I admit that I'm not looking closely at the machines when I say that the Mac is three times the price of a PC, I've just seen a lot of low end PC's at about $450.00 and don't think I've ever seen a Mac under 1,300.00.
I know the Mac has a lot of software included. I have noticed though that whenever Apple comes up with a new operating system the old machines are not always compatible, at least that is what I heard or read. Now I'm ducking because I know that a first generation pentium is not going to run Vista, might not run XP either simply because it takes more resources.
Warstien, Ubuntu won't work my printer either. Do you know how to do anything else with it, other than using it to surf the net, play games, use Open office? I can't figure out Gump at all.
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Post by scooterollie on Jan 5, 2008 22:19:13 GMT -5
Medman; Not true about backward compatibility. More older generations of Macs run new software than older generations of PCs. My son is running the new OS on a Mac 4 generations old and I am doing the same with one 3 generations old. Apple has made more effort to support previous generation machines than did Microsoft.
But enough of this talk, let's get on with the good stuff - about scooters!!!!!
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Post by Javarod on Jan 5, 2008 22:30:52 GMT -5
Chuckles, "If you haven't seen a Mac under $1300, you haven't been paying attention. My barebones $500 Mac mini is going strong, except for an HD failure (my fault, and I paid for it in the 2 hours or so it took to change the drive, not user serviceable is defitely correct on these). Macs are more expensive than PCs, but you get a much better designed OS and product. This is also the problem with the Mac, it makes it hard to add things, particularly software to, great for keeping out virii, not so great for doing more than basic stuff with the computer. This lack of software is why people are running Windows on Macs... oh, and the fact that survey says, Macs are the best computers for running Windows hands down (seriously, there's a Mac ad about the study)." Speaking of Mac ads, Dawg, is the security really all that bad? movies.apple.com/movies/us/apple/getamac/apple-getamac-security_480x376.mov
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Post by leo on Jan 5, 2008 23:06:45 GMT -5
More older generations of Macs run new software than older generations of PCs. there is some truth in this statement. most winME and before machines will not run peripherals made for win2000 and later. this is due to lack of drivers.
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Post by Leader on Jan 6, 2008 0:10:31 GMT -5
Ever since I installed vista, my old Mercury Sable has developed several problems. I tried to convince my wife that it was due to backward compatability probs. Maybe we should pony up for that new BMW we've (I've) been talking about. Nah, she didn't buy it.
Oops, was this a serious conversation? Then, I'll just say that nothing is better than Win 2000 except maybe DOS with the right software.
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Post by Bear on Jan 6, 2008 1:36:06 GMT -5
I suppose I'll chime in with a few comments. Yea to Firefox. It's good pc or mac.
For those trying to keep old printers running with newer and newer software, search gimp-print. They are constantly adding new (old) drivers to allow you to run them again. I believe it will work on various operating systems too.
And as far as compatibility, you might be surprised what will work with a mac. I used to use windows and switched to mac 4 years ago. I did lose my scanner, but I'm still using my year 2000 P1100 HP printer with my mac that originally I was using on my win 98 SE machine. Oh and I'm not using gimp-print to do this. HP has updated the drivers to keep me in business. Kudos to HP by the way.
Mac's just work really well. Don't let anyone tell you that they never freeze or crash it does happen. But for me it is rare that I reboot unless I'm updating software, and even then it is only necessary about a 3rd of the time after an update. I don't EVER defrag my hard drive. It's not an option because it is done when software is added. And I don't need antivirus software. I know eventually, that bubble is gonna pop. There was an article in Consumer Reports several years ago titled 59,940 reasons to buy a mac. When I turned to the article it said that there were 60,000 known viruses for windows.
Good luck to you Dawg. I know this is your thread, and I haven't really offered any to your question. But I would suggest taking a second look at mac before your next purchase.
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Post by Admin on Jan 6, 2008 3:10:58 GMT -5
I don't know if it was just a coincidence but when I went to download Firefox, my puter froze up.
This forum has the greatest members. Special thanks to Ed from Australia on how to turn the body guards off. Starting to get things smoothed out but its still a pain. New Logitech cam I got for Christmas, supposedly Vista ready isn't working right. Some of the Vista features are cool and when its sailing smooth its nice. But one shouldn't have to geek around for hours & hours to make things right. I've now got an official two thumbs down to Microsoft. Unless things change radically, my next puter will be a Mac.
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Post by scooterlizard on Jan 6, 2008 6:18:34 GMT -5
From what I can tell in the post it sounds like the NT gremlins have reappeared again. NT was bad about software compatibilty. Have not dealt with Vista yet, but have talked to people who have it and are having the same problems. The last time I bought a computer, it took me 2 days to clean off all the junk so I could have space to work in my graphics. It's all I can do to keep up with this stuff anymore.
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Post by scooterollie on Jan 6, 2008 8:21:56 GMT -5
Dawg; Good luck with your problems. I really do feel your pain. We have come to rely on computers as part of our daily life so much in such a short time and it isn't fun to have problems with them!
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