Windows Vista: Should you go for Windows Vista
New Features???????
by jcrobso - 7/28/06 12:38 PM In reply to: New Features by islandporgyThoes are dropping like flies, When Vista(A rose by any other name would still have thorns) make it to the world it may only be new curtans for XP. John
Support? Which support?
by doctorcrack - 7/28/06 9:35 AM In reply to: The support... by John.Wilkinson
I had a Dell laptop last year, and the time/date got messed up automatically after daylight saving changes. I called up Dell to ask for "support", and they say it isn't "covered" on the customer helpline, and I should call another phone number. Obviously, the other phone number was charging me few dollars per minute or something like that.
Then I turn to microsoft for support. I call their support, wait for forty five minutes, and then their representative "regrets" me and says that I should "search on their website".
And then everyone says Dell provides support, Microsoft provides support. Which support are we talking about? The average user is still very much on his/her own when handling PCs, and there is nothing like support from the company which made the hardware or the OS. At least not from Dell and Microsoft.
Even the Linux people are much better at this: I post a support request at forums and it gets replied within 15 mins. That's what I call support!
I have sold off the Dell laptop to a needy friend at half the cost, and have bought an apple macbook.
OEM support...
by John.Wilkinson - 7/28/06 1:19 PM
In reply to: Support? Which support? by doctorcrack
Something that the average consumer frequently overlooks is the license associated with Windows when it comes pre-installed. The OEM license is completely different from the retail license, giving you much less flexibility.
1.) OEM software cannot be moved from one computer to the other...it's a violation of the EULA (End User Licensing Agreement) and thus illegal, not to mention usually technically impossible. With Retail versions, however, you just have to make a toll-free call to Microsoft and have them OK the transfer.
2.) All support is up to the manufacturer. Why? The manufacturer bought a bulk license for Windows, not you, so they are entitled to Microsoft support, not you. This branches into multiple problems:
* The manufacturer's employees do not, for obvious reasons, know Windows as well as those that are specially trained to work on and provide support for it. Thus, they usually provide sub-par support when something goes wrong and will quickly fall back on the option to reformat and start over.
* You are not entitled to the two free support calls to Microsoft. Microsoft has no obligation to you because you did not purchase Windows from them. Thus, you are simply limited to the Microsoft KB and Windows updates.
* In some cases, Microsoft's technical support personnel may not be able to help you even if you wanted them to. Why? The manufacturer customizes parts of the OS here and there and then inserts third-party software, some of which is completely unwanted. Microsoft has no idea what to do about it, or what exactly the manufacturer did. Thus, they are caught in a fog.
Personally, I rely on forums like these, not the manufacturer's or Microsoft's support. This way I receive multiple perspectives and benefit from the personal experience of dozens of others, not the advice of one that has just read a manual on possible solutions.
Regards,
John
I learned a lot from Forums
by islandporgy - 7/28/06 6:36 PM In reply to: OEM support... by John.Wilkinson
I got more support from Forums like these than I got from any company.
Thank You
Wendell H
CNet Support
by Carazara - 8/4/06 2:23 PM In reply to: I learned a lot from Forums by islandporgyMe too. I've learnt a lot and have been able, on occasions, to sort out any PC problems I've had. I don't think I've ever approached a company for their help - I'll always visit here first. Thanks to everyone.
Why Xp and its activation sucks!
by b_laur14 - 7/29/06 8:13 AM In reply to: OEM support... by John.Wilkinson
You have to ask them for an ok to change your hardware and your pc's OS, what a crock of _____!!!!
That was my biggest peeve about xp, almost everything else was great! But that damn activation. Someone like me, who has 5 pc in the house for each family member, is not going to fork over $200 for an OS for each that is $1000 for OS's Microsoft is ripping everyone off!! The only reason I stay with MS is Gaming, and supior apps/3rd party stuff, otherwise I would switch to linux, as mac is worse then MS with prices and no varity plus DRM, but that is another topic all togeather! I build my PC's at home from individual components, upgrading as needed. You used to be able to buy one copy of windows and install it on all your pc's like you should! Why do I need to buy it again its insane!! Why don't people protest, petition, raise holy hell, at MS? I don't get it! Thankfully there is other ways to install the OS on multiple PC's. (I leave it as that, because I'm sure MS is listening through one of X]'s varous "Security" Patches!!!
By building my own Pc's I save money and know exactly what is on each pc, and what hardware I have!! I get drivers and manual for every individual component! (unlike Oem wjere you get a general dumbed down pc users guide for idiots) and drivers/support for each component that I bought seperatly. I don't need to call MS support, because; A. I don't get many problems B. I know how to diagnose the pc.
C. Can figure out problems on my own.
D. If I can't fix problems I go on forums and use google, you can get greater help online in user forums then from outsourced help support lines from india, like dell.
I will never buy a premade pc again!! Did it in 1999 with packard bell and got a pc with a pentium2 clone a cyrix that ran 100mhz slower then advertised(it's performance equvilence was only for integer not floating point, so it was useless for gaming!) and shoddy used pc components inside, plus intgrated crap. Not even being able to play a game 4 years older led me on the exiting road of pc upgrading, overclocking, and building/testing myself. It opened up a whole new world for me, a new hobby and a new business!! SO I don't regret buying that crappy oem machine, I will never do it again. I now warn people off of buying dells etc...(espicially mac's the worst computer around, if you buy one you can't upgrade, tweak, game, or use the multitude of cool 3rd party apps, and have to pay an insanly high price just to be owned by apple! not worth it!)
You can get an incredible pc if you custom make it yourself, by the parts discounted on Newegg.com . Use internet guides/forums to learn what components to buy and why, as well as how it all fits togeather and how a pc works. Install a corporate edition of XP so you can use it again on other pc's. Once you have done it once you can do again no problem! And you've gained a new skill and hobby, and bragging rights! You will not need tech support because you know how a pc works and how to diagnose and fix it yourself, and it will boost your selfesteem at the same time! Hope this helps someone!
XP Activation is a pain
by islandporgy - 7/29/06 3:30 PM In reply to: Why Xp and its activation sucks! by b_laur14If I do not make any changes to my computers, The activation goes well.
It is when I make changes to my computers I have to call and have them activate my computer, and I have to tell them that this is the only Computer that is using this Key. I have four Keys For XP That I purchased.
Windows 98 & ME There is know problem wiht those operating systems you can use the key as many times as you want. (And that is why there is and Activation with XP and others)
Microsoft do not want to losse Money they want to make
Money.
Thank You
Wendell H
You rock
by cro.manag - 7/31/06 7:44 PM In reply to: Why Xp and its activation sucks! by b_laur14I've come to the same conclusion. It's absolutely true that building your own has many advantages. On the other end though one should also consider the negative side of this approach. You're sometimes waiting for weeks for parts to be delivered. You'll have to be very sharply following price changes and act in a timeframe of just a few hours to not miss out on excellent deals ...etc...Consider also the time factor in getting your machime fine tuned. When you can afford to spent heaps of time, studying the effects of your changes, well then go ahead.
Is it possible to build a custom Laptop?.[more]...
by BlazeEagle - 7/31/06 11:52 PM In reply to: Why Xp and its activation sucks! by b_laur14I'm bed ridden & use a laptop because of this fact. Is it even feasible to build a custom Laptop?
Huh? Vista will be...
by BlazeEagle - 8/1/06 12:28 AM In reply to: The support... by John.Wilkinson
PREinstalled on new computers? That's not right at all!
Being preinstalled should be an option, not shoved upon new computers & their users.
yeap
by Joeski2 - 7/28/06 5:29 AM In reply to: What happened to 98 & ME Could happen to XP by islandporgyright on ,,man
What happened to them then?
by donferg2 - 7/28/06 7:23 AM In reply to: What happened to 98 & ME Could happen to XP by islandporgySo tell me what happened to 98 and ME (besides being rough as guts to begin with? I mean 3 blue screens a day rough as guts.) Why could this happen to XP (whatever it is)? You're funny in that you made a point without actually making one. A job in a government position awaits you!
Seriously, Windows XP has been what, in development 8, 9 something years (I'm including time before it was released up to the current day), and it's has about 2 million KB updates and patches and fixes released, that it's probably the most solid Microsoft operating system you'll ever see. I work as a software developer and we have a saying... "Don't shake the jello." This describes a caution to developers to avoid changing something that works. XP works. It's tried, proven and low risk, and pretty solid. I've run the Vista betas on virtual PCs, and relative to other operating systems (95,98,ME,NT,2000,XP,2003) Vista is a DOG!!! It seems to improve with extra memory, but I didn't want to spend extra $$ on more memory just to maintain the status quo.
Vista would lierally have to rub my back while I sat at the computer before I'd deliberately make the move to it. I just bought a fast dual core machine with 2Gb RAM; I don't want that negated by Vista, and I'm definitely not Anti-Microsoft - I've made my living from them.
Anyway, that is my own feeling and if you wanted to get Vista, go for it, but for my own machine I'll be waiting until the hype is over, a few SPs are released and we have something worth looking at.
Dog
by djujecmaoseoionnn - 7/28/06 2:52 PM In reply to: What happened to them then? by donferg2I agree that vista seems to require more than the basic system has to offer in terms of power. But do you think that it is an issue that may be repaired in the final version. Surely they cant expect everyone to buy 500 dollar graphics cards and multiple gigs of mem as well as fast Dual core processors just to take advantage of the Aero features which from what I have seen aand read are the things getting the attention and causing the hype.
I have said XP was a dog
by islandporgy - 7/28/06 6:44 PM In reply to: What happened to them then? by donferg2I have said that XP was a dog years ago but I enjoy XP and prior operating system which I still use.
I still have a lot off games that XP does not handle, I use Windows ME for a lot off old games. The way technology is going today I have to keep up with it that is just my opinion.
(I like Change:)
Thank You
Wendell H
Nothing last forever
by islandporgy - 8/1/06 3:16 PM In reply to: What happened to them then? by donferg2When XP came out, and I was using Windows ME.
I said why change a good thing, But here comes new features, performance, security with in Windows XP.
The reason why I switced to XP, I built my first computer and I was upgrading my memory from 1 gig to 2 gigs off dual channel memory.
Windows ME will not handle more than 1.5 gigs off memory never mind Dual Channel Memory amongst other situations.
And after the installation off XP I noticed a big change in performance. It took me a while to learn my way around XP, but now I like it.
I am pretty sure that it will be the same for Windows Vista.
I have built Four computers since then and now once again it is time to build another and it will be with in the next year.
I am aware that hardware is the name off the game around Windows Vista.
(I like a challange:)
Yes it will be built for Windows Vista.
Every Windows based operating system needs support from Microsoft.
(Security & other patches is the name off the game)
Microsoft has said more than once about not supporting
Windows 98 & ME & XP Service pack 1.
For instance the 2 links bellow.
1)http://www.microsoft.com/windows/support/endofsupport.mspx
2) http://reviews.cnet.com/4321-3667_7-6543933.html?tag=txt
I am sure that there is a lot more but Microsoft will do what they please.
I am new in the Forums and I like it and I am learning a lot.
Thank You Very Much:
Wendell H
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