Windows Vista forum: Does Vista have any SERIOUS problems?

I can see how you would not want to avoid windows vista just because some people are paranoid about a new OS. I am actually one of the paranoid people. I had windows 98 FOREVER and never had a problem with it. It took me 2 years after xp came out to actually get a pc with it. I like xp, have not had ANY problems with xp. I also used to work tech support for Gateway computers, so I know a thing or two about computers and problems with them. I actually joined this forum because I am about to get a laptop and I am kicking myself that I did not get it before vista came out. I don't want windows media center because I don't need all that media junk, and I'm very VERY skeptical about getting vista because it is new. I know that the other OS's had a lot of bugs coming out that had to be corrected through windows updates and I don't want to go through the stress of having a problem that can only be correct by an update that microsoft is "working on."

My experience has been over the past two days using Vista on a new computer, I can use my HP all in one as a printer but none of the software that came with it so can not use the scanner or photo programs, I can not use the U3 software that came with my Cruzer drive but I can use it as a drive. Then the monitor blacked out briefly three times on first day then second day hard drive started making scratching noise, all is back in the box and has to be returned. I will probably wait until more drivers are out for Vista before I go back to it, if this didn't happen this way I probably would of suffered through until updates where available since I do have other XP computers here I can use my things on in the mean time. It is not like MS is going to take back Vista so unless you are going to go with Mac or open source OS this is what is going to be on new computers, adopting now may just mean a wait for compatibilities to catch up. I did not install much software besides FrontPage 2003 and AOL IM 6, they seemed to run fine, I tried Windows Mail and it does work better with my IMAP type accounts but added folders with out my permission that I had to later find a way to delete. So I would say that if you have low demands on what you need to hook up or install on Vista there would be no reason to wait, if you need certain things that you are using now doing a little search on if updates are available for Vista my be the practical way to go. I will also say learning the OS for me would help only because I seem to be wasting mouse clicks trying to do things that were more on the surface in Windows XP, unfortunately I am not a type and find kind of person and this seems to be the way Vista wants you to get around.
Hope this helps,
Northlite

>My son told me last night that he found out that Vista will periodically scan your computer for unregistered programs and will delete them without warning. What do you think of that.<

I think you may of misunderstood him slightly.

Northlite

My games Battlefield 2, BF2 Sf,EF/AF and 2142 do not like vista too much had already 5 Blue Screens Of Death today.Id wait for you games to come out with a Vista patch or use the emulations under the compatibility tab for the older OS you need

I have BETA tested Vista since before Beta 1. Let me tell you this, it has come a long way! I used beta versions off and on up until last December. I just got my copy of Ultimate and have used it for 3 days now. Really it is easy to get used too. Yes graphics are a little different but thats about it. Everything is basicly (im not getting too technical) the same. This is not so in the coding. Vista is much more stable and faster. Everyone should not cut it down because their software wont run right away. Its only been out for 3 days. I would advise everyone to wait a few weeks unless they are an entusiastic computer users (geek). Security however is improved but still on the weak side. The Windows Genune Advantage is also poor. My friend who I will not name already patched his Vista Ultimate so he could use his Beta key. (Note: I actually upgraded) Its already posted all over the internet and after reading it I saw a small child could do it. Come one Microsoft. Im sure as time goes on that this will stop. But its funny to see this not 3 days after the release. Vista in my opinion gets a 9/10. However this is something I would have expected 2 years ago. So Vista is a great OS but long over-due. Keep using XP for a couple of years. You should only upgrade if you buy a new computer or upgrade your old one.

I just got a pc with Vista Premium installed. The first thing I found out from Verizon is I can't load my DSL on a Vista O/S at this time. I've heard that you can't run McAfee, HP Image zone and Apple is working on a fix so you use your Itunes. Anyone else hearing about compatability problems?
Mike M

I just purchased a new computer with windows vista and I can not install McAfee on the computer. It keeps telling me that the program is not compatible. I have contacted McAfee and they say that they are working on it. I am not going to run the computer without virus protection so I am still using the old system.

>I just purchased a new computer with windows vista and I can not >install McAfee on the computer. It keeps telling me that the program is >not compatible. I have contacted McAfee and they say that they are >working on it. I am not going to run the computer without virus >protection so I am still using the old system.

Explain to me why it is more productive to criticize the OS than to, oh, I dunno, maybe scrap McAfee's uselessness and install a virus client that might be more up to speed with it's Vista compatibility. Psst! There are other virus suites out there besides McAfee, just thought I'd fill you in on that..

I purchased a new Laptop (ACER) after it crashed 5 times in less than 1 week, I took it back. The store told me that they did not load the Correct Key for the Vista on Webroot spyware.

I exchanged it for a TOSHIBA, I installed my Sprint Wireless modem with Vista Capabilities, and it crashed again!!!

I am about to just take EVERYTHING BACK!!!

I've had several "crash dumps" since I bought a new laptop with Vista Home Premium installed. Bought a Logitech webcam that said compatible with Windows Vista on the cover...not. Had to have the Logitech people configure it and download. Also major problems with Skype--if someone hangs up instead of me on a call, my computer crashes. Sometimes it has crashed and I don't know what I did...Being a computer idiot, what issues are created if my computer keeps crashing?

I just purchased an eMachine with Vista already installed. The biggest problem is my Lexmark Printer isn't compatible with Vista and according to tech support at Lexmark;none of the Lexmark printers are. I was also told some HP printers have the same problem. So if you haven't already done so make sure you know what you're getting in to. I STILL dont know what printer to get. Good Luck.

I posted a question a few days ago about my computer not playing music files from napster. In looking around the microsoft help site, the data path for the drm file is supposed to be c:/programdata/microsoft/windows/drm Its not. If you show hidden files and folders, its still not there. I looked at every display notebook at my best buy and none of them had a drm file in the windows folder. There is a drm folder in the microsoft folder but its empty... If you show protected files, you see a drm folder where its supposed to be, but my guess would be that the new security for vista wont let you add or modify a system file. My best guess.. You can get your tracks to play but you have to burn them to an audio cd, and then rip them back to you hard drive. Its ugly, but you can have acess to your music again. Hopefully, microsoft will figure something out soon.

I installed Vista Home Premium (full Version) three days ago without any major problems. Vista recognized most of my components except for the printer. After checking with Epson for updated drivers for Vista, I found that none were available yet. so I took a chance and installed the xp drivers. The result was a warning, but they do work. There is a bit of a learning curve in using Vista's features. Just a note, Using Nero recode has resulted in much quicker burns than I ever had in XP.

You can install some XP drivers thru VISTA by going to EXPLORE and locating the EXE. file. Then select to be compatible with XP and also at the bottom RUN as ADMINISTRATOR.

I have the same situation and received the same response from Epson. Their website does indicate the drivers are "in the box"... meaning they are in the Vista software. My system does pick them up and the printer works except the ink monitoring feature is inoperative so I have no way of knowing when ink is low or which ink cartridge needs replacing. Epson says the Vista Firewall breaks it. The above is background information only.

I have an Epson Stylus C84 printer. If by chance you have this model, would you be so kinds as to furnish the XP driver number you used. Link to the site would be nice.

Thanks kindly,

Glenn