I just purchased a used PC from my sister-in-law's office ... It's the second one I've bought - Lydia uses the first one for her business and it is running great - BUT this one has Windows Vista OS, and I am not sure I want to work with that ... what have your experiences been? ... and how about running files from on PC using XP on a PC using Vista?
thnx

Vista is fine.

Crap Picture did not upload...

Still trying...

Tony most people won't use Vista, home use OK, kids, if you try an re-format PC and it's got SATA HD it is a pain some versions of MS XP won't see the SATA, there is a fixed on the internet, not a good move buying it with VISTA, sorry can't be more help, was it cheap??

Tony

Were you trying to attach a picture? You have to make sure you see the uploading bar complete and the filename appear at the top of the window before you say "Done".

First I tried to link the picture directly from the web which the host site denied.
Then I tried to link it to facebook, but it is https.
Then I uploaded it to smugmug. Same thing: https.
It was supposed to be funny, but now not so much anymore...
Thanks for asking Nigel
Eric

I've used Vista for several years. No problems.
DonM

Eric, I used the file manager here to attach it to your post. The best thing about using the forum file manager is that the pics NEVER expire like they do on file hosting websites.

Vista had many issues that Microsoft never did resolve. You will be a lot happier long term with Windows 7.

Deane

Thanks Nigel

Yep...my brief experience with Vista wasn't pleasant...I switched to Win7 and am very happy with it.

Ian

Thanks for the feedback, all ... after speaking with some others off line, I think I am going to go with XP which I currently have ...

Aha! there is a pattern, oh no! Windows 8 does it follow the pattern? hope not, anyhow, I am using Windows Vista for over three years, all windows have problems, you learn to live with it,eventually,as long as you have a legit copy of windows,always update them and use a good Antivirus program you shouldn't have any problems.

Tony,

I did tell you re-formatting with XP on that PC may not work, once you start to re-format if an error message pops up with " cannot find HD " your in trouble, I gave up in the end and left VISTA on and gave the PC away. Let us all know how you go on maybe your PC does not have SATA???

Tony

Though getting Windows 7 drivers for hardware from way back then could be a definate problem ... maybe impossible. But getting drivers for XP is a lot more likely to be successful.

Personally if it is working fine under Vista I'd probably leave it alone ... you know the saying ... if it aint broke ... But if it did have problems then I would try installing XP.

Hi Tony M

Windows XP was a cracking OS, however support for it stops in 2014 so is best now avoided.

Vista was a complete unmitigated disaster for Microsoft, so much so that they re-introduced XP as computer manufactures and customers were refusing to accept Vista, Microsoft also bought forward the development and launch of Win 7 which even in its Beta phases was far superior to Vista. (It also would work on computers that ran XP whereas Vista required you to upgrade to a more powerful computer)

Go with Windows 7 pro, as if there is the odd problem with some of your old programs or hardware, (Pretty small unless it is really old) you can download virtual XP which runs within Win 7 solving any problems.

If you go with XP make sure you set the motherboard Bios to its defaults, as this will set the SATA drives to IDE mode which will allow XP to load without problems.

If you want to use the more advanced features of SATA drives (you will need to set this in the motherboard Bios) press F6 when the XP install asks if you wish to load a Raid or 3rd party driver, then install your motherboard disc and choose the correct SATA driver, then just follow the instructions and you should be fine.

My recommendation however (And I have been working with computers of all types for over 30 years) is most definitely to go with Win 7 Pro.

Hope this helps

Bill

You can load and run old XP programs in Windows 7 using XP mode for those programs that are not compatible with 7.

I too recommend Windows 7.

XP was good, but 7, is the best.

Only in Windows 7 Pro, that feature is not available in other versions of Windows 7.

... hmmmmm ... ...


seems like talking about PC Operating Systems is a bit like talking politics, religion, and KEYBOARDS !!! ...

... thanks for ALL the input ... I will have to do some 'soul searching' ... I'll let you know what and when ... WHEW !!!

Tony,
People's experience with various Windows operating systems is different because each uses their PC in different ways and have different computing needs. Windows has for years had problems that were never resolved until a new OS was released with it's own set of problems. For years I ran three or four PCs at my house and every year at least one of them had to be reformatted and the the OS plus all the user files reloaded - a real pain in the ass. That is why I now run only Macs and have Windows running on one of them so I can run two program that run only on windows.

As for buying new software - it is a given that about every 5 years Windows makes obsolete things like "office" which forces you to buy new software - nice marketing ploy.

Make no mistake about it, if you must upgrade a Windows OS the new Windows 7 will be your best bet - even if you have to replace some of your software. Another issue that has driven people nuts is really old excel or Word files are not compatible with the newer software - go figure.

Anyway, good luck. I made my living for decades supporting very large Corp networks and teaching high-end router courses, mostly Cisco and Novell, and it I can tell you your problem is an on-going thing that still exists.

Good luck with your choice.

Deane

Staying for a little longer one XP Pro - still using my older apps and am happy. Vista and Windows 7 still have undocumented bugs lol

Also available in Enterprise, or Ultimate editions

Larry,

What you doing on the 4th painting the shed!! and then sit watch it dry

Nice one Larry

Tony,

Don't think we'll be hired to paint a shed on the 4th...or anything for that matter

Our paint crew in action

Well, after due diligence and consideration, the decision was made to upgrade to Win 7 ... I did that Tuesday, then had a heck of a time trying to get Windows Live Mail to function ... spent a couple of hours Wednesday morning in a live chat with a MS support guy who admitted he had no training in WML, but helped me anyway ... bottom line is it is now working ...
Still have a ways to go D/L other software and files, but 'we are on our way' ...

PS ... before I D/L Win 7 the 'on board speakers on the PC were working ... after I D/L Win 7 they are not ... anyone know why?
Eventually I will get my 5.1 sound card on the new PC, but I don't know if I want to try that myself ...

Control Panel, Sound, then make sure the correct output device is set as default.

Hope this helps

Bill

Windows 7 is the best operating system i have ever used (and I have used every version since Windows 2.03). I hated Vista as it broke almost all my programs, I hated the security boxes asking me if I am sure I want to run the program, I hated that hardly any of my hardware worked without hunting for drivers or tweaking existing ones. So I ditched it and went back to XP which was very stable but by the end was so bloated with security patches and updates that it was spoiled.

Tony is right - Vista is fine for first time home users who brought their printer and digital camera at the same time as their Dell computer for £299 at PC world. If you don't need to use older programs or hardware and you only need to check email and download photos from your camera its perfectly fine. But at the time, it was just a nightmare situation for anyone taking care of a companies I.T.