Have You Made the Vista Switch Full-Time?

Island Dog

Join Date 06/2003

+1048

Have You Made the Vista Switch Full-Time?

Or are you still dual-booting?

Well Windows Vista has been out for a little while now, and several us have written about our experiences at the beginning. I have read probably hundreds of forums posts across many communities about peoples experience with Vista, and how some are using Vista as their main OS, and some just using it as a secondary on a dual-boot system. The reactions have been very mixed, but the biggest complaints seem to be hardware compatibility, especially in the video card area that is stopping people from running it full-time.

I recently built a new PC and tried to run Vista as my primary OS, but with my printer not working with Vista, and a few other incompatibilities I had to partition off some space and go back to dual-booting again. Now I have been reading many posts here at WinCustomize and have noticed a few people who have purchased Vista, so I was interested in knowing how many members here are using Vista full-time, or are dual-booting still.

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I run Vista on my home laptop (which is a new buy and came with it installed) and Xp at work as it will take work a few years atleast for work to catch up.

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Just to add the spects I got:
Secondary system: Dell Dimmension 8300 2.8GHz HT, 1GB RAM, ATI Radeon 9800 (Bought in Oct 2003 so it's 'old' on computer years)
Didn't have any problems with Vista. Seemed to me to start up quicker than XP. Searching wasn't as instant as you'd expect, but I think that was because I had IDE drives.

Primary system: Self built. Abit AN8 32X, AMD X2 4200+ 2.2Ghz, 1GB RAM, XFX GeForce 6800 GT
Works very well! Search is instant now, probably due to SATA II HD.
Only thing is that I feel that the graphics in Vista Aero seem to have small glitches some times. And when the entire screen is redrawn I imagine I can actually see it. Games works perfectly though. Think some new nVidia drivers is comming out soon that will improve things.

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starkers

Join Date 05/2004

+1153

UT2004 runs ok and is playable with the 100.41 drivers,

Think some new nVidia drivers is comming out soon that will improve things.

nvidia have released new drivers.....Forceware 101.41 .

Using them now...big improvement on the 93.81 drivers I was running previously.

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Just got my new rig today, posting here using it. [Vista Ultimate]

Had it all of about 4 hours at time of posting this

A bit early for me to say too much at this stage, as I never got to run the beta's to try it out ...although I did spend about half a day [using it] in my local comp store, causing plenty of glances my way from the staff there

When I went back a few days later to order the comp [along with Ultimate as the OS] they were more than glad that they'd let me use it for so long.

I'll post more in this thread as I get used to it more...

Spec's are:

Intel DG965WH mobo
Intel Core2 Duo 6600 @ 2.40GHz
2 Gigs DDR2 800 [mobo capable of 8Gigs with (maybe a) bios update][in future]
Nvidia 8800GTS w/640MB [current, available drivers]
LG Flatron L1919S Monitor
Vista Ultimate [OEM] 32 bit
320Gig SATA drive, partitioned.
Removable IDE rack

I still have to plug in my peripherals [HP Deskjet 5550 printer and HP Scanjet 4400C] to see whether they'll work...

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I'm dual booting XP and Vista.

What still holds me away from Vista entirely are bugs in PS in Vista, lousy Wacom drivers and lacking Stardock software that makes working easier (I need Enhanced Dialog for Vista).

I turned of UAC, it was a horrible experience with it on, so now that it's off I'm happier.

Overall experience is great though, my Athlon 4000+ takes the experience index down to 4.2 while the other ratings range from 5 to 5.9, pretty good for this setup which is at least one year old.

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i've been running vista ultimate 64 bit for about a month as my only os. there were some issues with certain devices at first but everything works flawlessly now. i did have to purchase a new scanner since my canon 1240 wouldn't work. my ONLY complaint is the stardock apps i want to use are not available for 64 bit yet. when those apps are available, i'll be perfectly content.

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Corky_O

Join Date 04/2004

lousy Wacom drivers

I spoke with Wacom a few weeks ago and they indicated that once the graphic drivers are fully developed the released drivers for the Intous3 tablets will work great. This is also one of the main reasons I went back to XP. Painter X and PS CS2 both have hesitations when I start to draw running under Vista, while the same programs and drivers work without hesitation or issue under XP.

BTW - the DIY desktop I mentioned above has a Vista experience of 5.3 with the following specs:

Intel DP965LT MoBo, Intel Core2 Duo (e6600) processor, 2 GB DDR2 800 RAM (Kingston), ATI X1950 XTX (512 MB) single video adapter, 300 GB HD (3.0 Gb/sec SATA), Dell 20" 2007WFP Digital display.

This machine will eventually run Vista full time, but the difference in responsiveness on this machine between Vista and XP (where graphics dependant software and drivers are thrown into the mix) is currently no contest in favor of XP.

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Vista experience of 5.3

ditto ... nice setup, Corky

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I am using Vista Premium now, I bought a new Dell Computer a couple of weeks ago and it came on the computer. I like it, I miss some of the abiltiy of changing my windows but all in all, it work fine.

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my vista experience value is 5.1 with the cpu being the lowest number. system specs are listed below. i had forgotten to say ealier that i'm still awaiting drivers for my bluetooth dongles. i have both targus and kingston models but will use only one.

system specs: amd 4800+, asus a8n-sli premium mobo, 4 gb ocz platinum ram, evga 7800gt co, (2) wd 74 gb raptors raid 0. nothing else i can mention has any bearing on the vista experiance value. i intend to upgrade to an intel e6600 cpu, asus mobo, 4 gb of ocz ddr2 ram, and an 8800gts vid card this summer.

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Using Vista as main OS. Have dual boot to xp but have not been there for weeks. Working with the beta of MS Virtual PC 7 to do away with that. Beta tested Vista since June and have been using it more every day since and made the switch in January. Have a few little issues but the plus's outnumber the minus's. Also it is the 64 bit and there is not one app that I have to have that does not work on it.

Notebook Compaq Presario 2400
1.6Ghz AMD Turion64
2Gb Ram
Ati Radeon Express 200m

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vStyler

Join Date 11/2004

+919

I would like to see a community wide poll showing numbers of Vista vs XP users.

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nvidia have released new drivers.....Forceware 101.41 .

ey?
I can only find Version: 100.65
Release Date: February 20, 2007

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Island Dog

Join Date 06/2003

+1048

nvidia have released new drivers.....Forceware 101.41 .

ey?
I can only find Version: 100.65
Release Date: February 20, 2007

Those are the beta drivers, there should be a link on the download page for them.

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I wonder if you worded your post differently you'd get different replys. My guess is most people still use xp, though you probably know better than I, and "most people" is very broad.

I haven't even bothered to look at Vista yet, its to early for me still. If i was buying a new computer today, it would be dual boot, but i would still run XP.

Dont mean to knock anyone.

just my 2 cents.

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Fuzzy Logic

Join Date 05/2002

+493

As of yesterday evening I made the move back to XP. I will still use Vista (just to learn it) but XP is just so much more user friendly. I hate, hate that Vista start menu - just what were they thinking? Some of the explorer views are irritating, but I was glad to see the back of the awful XP filmstrip view (anyone know haw to permanently disable that?).

So, Vista has some nice features, but it's just not mature enough to be useful on a day to day basis.

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I spoke with Wacom a few weeks ago and they indicated that once the graphic drivers are fully developed the released drivers for the Intous3 tablets will work great.

Nice to hear that. I really am handicapped with a mouse after using a Wacom for 5-6 years now. Funny thing is though, I used the regular XP driver in the second beta and the Wacom worked perfect, maybe I should try that one again and see if it can do some magic for now.

Btw. Paul Thurrot has listed some cool Vista tips based on user input in these articles:

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_it_tips.asp
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_more_tips.asp
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_tips3.asp
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_tips4.asp

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Yep, I made the switch to Vista on my new XPS 210 machine which includes Core 2 Duo. I love it! The two goes together so well. I still have XP on my ancient machine that still runs decently, speed is a big difference. It's hard going back to XP but I have to go back there once in a while. Vista has many features that makes it attractive and compelling, and for me so much easier & fun to use. Office 2007 is just as a big improvement as Vista is. Networking on Vista/Office never has been easier. I do have a few new ideas but will include them in suggestions later on. Have fun!

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Vista only.

Currently running Vista Business on a Lenovo X60 Tablet PC and Vista Ultimate in Parallels on my MacBook. Performance is great on both (although I can not run Aero on the MacBook as it lacks the GPU to drive that - hooray for WB!)

I have one peripheral (a Brother Labeler) that still needs driver updates but I decided I can live without it for now as it works as a non-connected device as well. Everything else (printers, camera, phones) works just fine although I will not connect my iPod to the Tablet until Apple figures out what's broken in iTunes.

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Corky_O

Join Date 04/2004

Office 2007 is just as a big improvement as Vista is

I agree with this whole-heartedly!

IMHO - Office 2007 is a real gold mine of improvement in work flow and general attractiveness. I really enjoy the new 'ribbon' design. I have also noticed that the loading of Office 2007 running on Vista is quite efficient.

Now if I can just budget enough for a purchase of the new Adobe CS3 (release officially set for March 27, 2007) - I could actually justify the less significant issues on my machines and re-install Vista.

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i have been running vista ultimate on 2 pcs since launch....one i built specifically for vista....asus m2ne mobo,4 gb ram, amd athlon 5200 am2, ati x1800 512mb, 3x 300 gb raid drives (3gb)....and for the first couple weeks i got blue screens with every boot, it would restart and work fine.... now i get a blue screen 1 or 2 times a week, but i know its still a driver issue.... i do find some of the updates will actually cause a blue screen reboot loop until i do a system restore....so i am avoiding updates i know cause this till sp1 in aug - sept. 5.2 vista score

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Running Vista Ultimate, almost went back to XP Pro but decided to keep Vista but think next time I'll wait for SP1 to come out before upgrading. I am very disappointed that HP didn't have a driver for my PhotoSmart 7350 although they did suggest a Deskjet 5550 driver to use and it works but prints very slow. I think they will support it when they can get around to building the software for it. Microtek flatly told me my ScanMaker 5600 scanner WILL NOT be supported so I went out and bought a Canon that would. I think Microsoft should reimburse us for having to upgrade all our hardware!

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c242

Join Date 03/2001

+382

I think Microsoft should reimburse us for having to upgrade all our hardware!

I think some Hardware-vendors do that by purpose. And it's not MS fault, that some hard- and software makers simply slept when Vista was released, although it has been available to them for quite a long time.

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Fuzzy Logic

Join Date 05/2002

+493

My HP8450 works fine with the Vista driver and there's none of that HP software crap installed

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Full-time vista on both my desktop and laptop, and my media box should be home premium by the end of the week.

Desktop is 64bit with an nvidia 7300 and audigy 2. Nvidia doesnt have its final drives out yet but the system performs well and i'm not slowed down in adobe or macromedia apps, even with large files. I only notice the lack of performance in say, dreamscenes or 3d screensavers. Wacom graphics tablet, printer ( using an HP 8300 driver instead of a 9650 driver ) and epson scanner ( 64-bit XP driver ). All work great.

Only drawback thus far has been my logitech keyboard and mouse, logitech's vista drivers lock my keyboard on me

. that, and for some reason Neverwinter Nights doesn't run under 64 bit.

My Inspiron 1405 runs incredibly well on vista. it is duel core with a gig of ram and an intel 256meg graphics card. Games arn't so slick but desktop performance is flawless, and Media Center is a big hit when i have a party - laptop hooks up to my HD tv and people browse through and play music or look at photos.

Overall i'm happy with vista, it's fast and incredibly stable, i've not had it crash once on either machine since getting the retail release. In fact, i cna't remember it crashing on RC1 either.. networking is also much easier.

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