I'm getting a new computer, which is forcing me to downgrade... I mean upgrade to Vista. So for those of you out there who already use Vista, what software should I be sure to get, and what isn't compatible (I think I read somewhere Pidgin won't work).
FYI, I'm already going to put 7-Zip, Firefox, ClamWin, and VLC on it.
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Apps already suggested:
- Inkscape
- OpenOffice
- WinPooch
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I have also
downgradedupgraded to Vista before upgrading to a dual boot between this and Ubuntu, so I have some things:7-Zip, Firefox and ClamWin work, don't remmember abot VLC.
OpenOffice works too.
Inkscape works, but it sometimes crashes after some hours working without saving
Don't even try a Lexmark printer, I tried installing one I had, it simply didn't work (and the CD with drivers said it supported Vista...).
On my Acer (eeeewwwww, I know) I seem to sometimes have problems with the network. Unplugging and replugging the PC seems to "fix it" (till the next time a few months later).
Some games need patches (usually Windows gives a warning before starting the game for the first time).
WinPooch (good addon to ClamWin for real time protection) is said not to work, but I never tried.
When using Firefox 1.5 (hey, I need to test my webpages with all browsers!) the scroolbar is sort of messed up.
And I probably filled in this with stupid stuff only for pretending to know something.
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My advice: Install Ubuntu on Dual Boot and get XP in VirtualBox. Believe me, if it can run Vista, it can run XP in a Virtual Machine. At least for most things it works fine (not 3d stuff though).
Blue is everything.
I meant to add OpenOffice... I must have forgotten. I also will be using the printer I already have. And sadly, I won't be running many games. The laptop is for school, but I have another computer I'm upgrading right now so I can still get my game on. I'll have to look up WinPooch. I've never heard of it before. Thanks!
EDIT: Dual Boot
I'm also not sure about dual booting. I don't want to risk messing anything up.
QEMU Puppy.
Insert original signature here with Greasemonkey Script.
Use Vista partition manager (yeah, it sucks, but better safe than sorry), that way there is no risk.
Other thing might actually be nice is Wubi. It installs Ubuntu into a file inside Windows and uses Windows boot loader to launch it. Removing Ubuntu is just like removing an Windows app on
Add/Remove Programs. It is a real install, but inside a Windows file (no emulation whatsoever)Blue is everything.
From what I remember, Winpooch does not work.
Wait you blamed Vista for one thing it doesn't quite deserve (GASP). Yeah I know it sounds weird but it's really not vista's fault Lexmark printers just suck all around. I've owned 2 and I know a business owner I do work for that has a network of 7 of them and they are the scourge of the earth.
Release Team Member
First, sorry, you're right, Lexmarks really sucks (and I have learned it the worse way
). Also, Vista should support older drivers, and when installing the right drivers (after downing them from Lexmark for Vista, it should be able to install them correctly).
Other than that, Lexmark really sucks, and it is a case that wasn't Vista fault (1 in a million).
Blue is everything.
gosh, the all-in-one center is some nagware, begging you to buy cartridges.
And the printer broke because a little spring got caught in the ink.
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I learned in a different way: Lexmark does not work with Windows Vista or Linux. So I have an printer laying out in the house as a copy machine
I really like much more my ooooooooooooooold HP (Deskjet 920c for the record), even if the cartridges for the HP printer are pricier than the Lexmark printer itself
Blue is everything.
my dad had a LaserJet 5l, and it lasted for 5 years of intensive printing, and not even one toner change.
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We still hav a LaserJet 4 Plus at my house. It's bigger than my computer itsef, but after ~15 years of printing it still works like a charm for black & white. Still as fast as ever.
Long live HP oldies!
Hip, hip, HURRA!
Blue is everything.
I have an XP laptop and everytime I used to unplug it from the Lexmark (which I got rid of) I'd have to reinstall it.
Release Team Member
dude switch to linux, either a member of the ubuntu family or try suse
take the HD out of your old computer and use that for linux, then completly switch the hard drives when booting to windows so you never mess anything up
Lead, Follow, or get out of the way.
I'd just like to state my opinion: after using Vista for about five months now, I actually like it. It's certainly an upgrade from XP. It's much more secure (definitely don't turn of UAC, it's keeping your PC safe), and although it's a little slower, the benefits I think might be well worth it.
I installed a slew of apps, and I use a whole slew daily, and I haven't had problems with any of them. That said, I use Pidgin daily on it, and it works really well. I haven't had a single problem. From my experience, I think that most applications should work (as long as they work on XP).
One thing to take into account: UAC will take some getting used to. When an application gives an error, saying it needs "administrative" privileges, you need to right-click on the .exe and say "Run as administrator." That's going to be possibly the biggest change (and the most annoying). In the long run, it'll make your Vista installation your most secure Windows OS you've ever used.
"Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning." - Rick Cook
did i just read the words "vista" and "secure" in the same paragraph?
words cannot describe just how much i'm laughing inside at the moment.
acually, lololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololoololol. nope. not enough.
But there’s no sense crying over every mistake,
You just keep on trying till you run out of cake.
Read and look around. UAC has made Vista the most secure Windows operating system ever. What makes you think Vista is less secure? UAC prevents root kits. It also prevents some other forms of malware.
I agree with Paul Thurrott: Windows Vista is actually a great OS. People are just influenced by the vast minority of people who actually do have big problems with it and voice it loudly.
"Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning." - Rick Cook
But it does work.
However, it blocked PortableApps.exe and GeekMenu.
On the other hand, the chances of a linux virus on getting on your PC is about 999 million to 1.
Insert original signature here with Greasemonkey Script.
Hence the most secure Windows operating system.
Linux is a whole other story.
The reason PortableAppsMenu.exe needs to have administrative privileges is because Windows (for some stupid reason) doesn't allow writing to removable drives without administrator privileges. It's really dumb, but that's why.
UAC basically makes you confirm that you want to do something with adminstrative privileges, thus root kits and viruses can't change system files or even program files. Its security is sound.
"Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning." - Rick Cook
I'm pretty sure I'll like it once I get used to it. Its just going to take time since I've been using XP since the day it was released.
I know I just upgraded to vista too so here's my list.
Avast free home dition: Works great without problems.
ClaimWin: Works great without problems.
OpenOffice2.3: Works great without problems.
OpenOffice3.0beta: Works great with beta problems.
Pidgin: Works great without problems.
Keepass: Works great without problems.
Microsoft Office 2007: Works great without problems.
FireFox 2.14 & 3: Works great without problems.
ThunderBird 2.14: Works great without problems.
Notepad++: Works great without problems. (Although needs to be run with admin privileges to add languages and user definitions.)
AutoHotKey: Works great without problems.
7-Zip: Works great without problems.
GNUCash: Works great without problems.
e-Sword: Really buggy.
CCleaner: Works great without problems.
Defraggler: Works great without problems. (I set it to always get admin privs)
Recuva: Works great without problems. (same note as defraggler)
PCToolsFirewall Plus (Free): Works great without problems.
VirtualDimention: Works great without problems.
SpeQ Mathematics: Works great without problems.
Rocket Dock: Works great without problems.
Well here is the core of my system hope it was helpful.
Release Team Member
Btw, COMODO Firewall works without problems on Windows Beast-a, thanks for remembering me of that, Jacob.
Blue is everything.
FireFox 2.14 & 3: Works great without problems.
ThunderBird 2.14: Works great without problems.
Everyone does that!
It's Firefox and Thunderbird! There should be no capital letter in the middle...
Argh. Don't mind me, that just bugs me sometimes.
Annoys me too. You get cookie.
I love CamelCase
(nerd boy is interesting)
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That's nice... but then it's just an incorrect spelling of Firefox.
Aren't words in camelcase supposed to start with lower-case letters?
Vintage!
The capital letters bothered you, but not the incorrect version numbers?
Vintage!
Even if I am not Patrick, you get a cookie too.
Blue is everything.
Old versions bug me even more than misspellings.
"Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning." - Rick Cook
Old? They're non-existent, not old.
Vintage!
As Bahamut said, they're non-existent versions. The latest version of the 2 series of Firefox is 2.0.0.14, and not 2.14. So, Bahamaut gets a cookie from you now
Blue is everything.
My mistake. Maybe I need glasses?
"Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning." - Rick Cook
If I ever get a new PC with Vista on it I am gonna just uninstall it. I am not even going to bother with Vista.
Thanks,
Bensawsome
iLike Macs, iPwn, However you put it... Apple is better ^_^
"Claiming that your operating system is the best in the world because more people use it is like saying McDonalds makes the best food in the world..."
Have you ever tried Vista? It's actually rather nice, as I outlined above.
"Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning." - Rick Cook
... response for those that tried Vista for a few minutes and did not understand the changes. So, they say it sucks and move on.
Not unusual. I use it everyday, and since enterprise first came out. at first, drivers were a problem and software did need updates. But after a few months all problems went away. I have been using it for months and have no problems whatsoever. I would not go back to XP if you paid me.
XP is great, do not get me wrong, but Vista is just that much better to ward off XP for me. At least on my machine. (Wife won't let me touch her PC to upgrade it...lol...afraid I will lose files, not a PC person)
But anyway, for those who are willing to give it a try, try to use it without going back to XP for a few months, let UAC works the bugs out and you will probably not see it much after a month or so. It comes up a lot when you first start setting up the system, but not after some use.
Give it a chance is all I ask people who i talk with, if they are adamant then XP they get.
And for those of you who are wondering I use Linux too, I just like Vista better.
Deuce
Deuce
Portable Software: Just the beginning.
Its really not the bugs that ward it off for me. Its the mega high requirements for it! the minimum requirements 1 gb of ram and a 128 mb graphics card! And that doesn't even give you that good performance. To get good performance out of it you need at-least double that if not more! Microsoft went way to far to assume that computers would have evolved far enough that computers with this high stuff would be commonplace for the average user. I wouldn't be surprised if the requirements for Windows 7 was less than Vista!
iLike Macs, iPwn, However you put it... Apple is better ^_^
"Claiming that your operating system is the best in the world because more people use it is like saying McDonalds makes the best food in the world..."
Deuce is completely correct.
Also, every new version of the Windows (and Mac OSX for that matter) OS has required more RAM and processor power. Get used to it. Computers do have that nowadays for $500, easily.
"Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning." - Rick Cook
But they have never jumped up this much -_- Plus Mac OS X Leopard is better anyways
iLike Macs, iPwn, However you put it... Apple is better ^_^
"Claiming that your operating system is the best in the world because more people use it is like saying McDonalds makes the best food in the world..."
They have. From XP to Vista it'll be a 2x RAM increase (512MB for XP and 1GB for Vista), from 2000 to XP it was 256MB to 512MB. Now, I know, you're going to say 2000 can run on 128MB and XP can run on 256MB, but it's horribly slow then.
"Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning." - Rick Cook
The best minimum to run Vista with Aero and those "neat" things is 2Gb, ok, maybe 1.5 Gb (I think). And yes, a XP is better to run on 512Mb. Actually, I have a 2000 PC with 512Mb.
On Linux Compiz runs on 512Mb (right? I don't know cause the 2000 PC does not have 3d support and this PC has 2Gb, at least I know KDE 4 can run 3d at 128Mb, saw it on some news site, don't remember which).
Blue is everything.
I really don't know where you got that the minimum requirements for XP were 512 mb but they are 64 mb (recommended is 128 mb check here: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/evaluation/sysreqs.mspx )dude. So actually it jumped EIGHT TIMES from XP to Vista.
iLike Macs, iPwn, However you put it... Apple is better ^_^
"Claiming that your operating system is the best in the world because more people use it is like saying McDonalds makes the best food in the world..."
I have an old laptop running XP at 128 megs and it's barely toleratable. You can run XP on 64 megs but that doesn't leave you any power to run programs.
Release Team Member
But the official XP requirements are 64Mb and the official Vista requirements are 512Mb, we are not talking about the best settings, but the bare requirements for running it. For being nice, I say the XP bare reqs are 128Mb and Vista is 1Gb. That leaves some space between, but I wont start with counts now.
Blue is everything.
I know but its the same thing with Vista at 1gb ITS BARELY TOLERABLE
iLike Macs, iPwn, However you put it... Apple is better ^_^
"Claiming that your operating system is the best in the world because more people use it is like saying McDonalds makes the best food in the world..."
...
We could always start a new thread to debate this critical issue
Haven't had the opportunity to see how well it works and everything it can do (I will this week, though), but I thought this would be of interest:
http://vlite.net/
Windows Vista from Microsoft takes a lot of resources, we all know that. vLite provides you with an easy removal of the unwanted components in order to make Vista run faster and to your liking.
This tool doesn't use any kind of hacking, all files and registry entries are protected as they would be if you install the unedited version only with the changes you select.
It configures the installation directly before the installation, meaning you'll have to remake the ISO and reinstall it. This method is much cleaner, not to mention easier and more logical than doing it after installation on every reinstall.
Vintage!
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928497/en-us
Looks like I'll have UAC on after all.
Vintage!
I'd dual-boot ubuntu 8.04 on the computer. It really isn't that hard to do, the installer from the live disc does most of the work. Or, if you have a fear of partitioning your hard drive, use Wubi (also on the live disc). Just put the disc in while the computer is on to start the installer.
Oh, and I'd wait a little while before upgrading/downgrading older PC's. Rumor has it that in mid 2009 to early 2010 a new version of windows (name unknown to me) will come out. And unlike vista, which is based on Windows ME code (another somewhat disliked and glichy version of windows), the new version will be based off windows XP and in turn windows 2000, both of which had less bugs to be exploited than Vista and ME.
OliverK> you don't live on a cow
IRC: It brings out the best in all of us...Especially when tired.
Rumor has it that in mid 2009 to early 2010 a new version of windows (name unknown to me) will come out.
Windows 7. Dunno if that will be the official name at release time, but that's what it's being called now.
Vintage!
Windows Vista is not based on Windows Me code, Vista is based off of the Windows 2003 code, which was based off of windows xp.
Windows 7 will be based off of Windows Vista and 2008 Server code.
Deuce
Portable Software: Just the beginning.
Windows 7 (from what I've read/heard) will be out in early 2010 (certainly not 2009). If you need a new PC, don't wait. Just get Vista (it's actually rather nice, as I explained above). Now, for older PCs, I would agree that XP is absolutely fine for them. XP should be around till 2014 (the support cutoff date).
And Deuce is right, Vista is not based off of Windows ME code. Vista is based off of Windows XP, which was based off of Windows 2000, which was based off of Windows NT. There is absolutely no tie anywhere to Windows ME (or 9x). Microsoft just implemented a compatibility layer into NT so that legacy software built for ME and 9x could still be run (for the most part).
As for the viability of Microsoft making big changes in the next few versions of Windows, check out Vista 64-bit. The security is a lot better. Obviously the 64-bit versions (because most people don't use them) are Microsoft's test dummies for when they abandon 32-bit.
"Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning." - Rick Cook
I've found that Sandboxie, Openoffice, Universal Extractor, Notepad++, uTorrent, Foxit, InfraRecorder, CCleaner, Defragler all work great. Also if Ubuntu isnt an option andLinux is a great option and also works fine on Vista.
http://www.andlinux.org/
if you got the most powerfulst vista got the unlimited,
i hope that you minimum 2gb ram on you new system..
there is always a solution for instal xp with sata drivers included...
if you got not a floppy disk for instal drivers from third party.....
sorry for my englisch wrote...
grts
prst
if you need help just ask it?
i am not god ,but y try to help ...
love and peace for everyone...