Vista?

ah Cool, thanks for the link ...now to sell ppls on Dell

Vista? Why bother?

Next year Windows 7 comes out.

I look at it like the change from Windows 98 to the Windows 2000 kernal.

We had Windows ME in between, where Microsoft tried to do somethings differently and add new features. Sort of a "test OS" that sucked so bad it isnt even mentioned.

So- MS gets around to fixing the major flaws of Windows ME, and out comes Windows 2000/XP.

I'll be very suprised if Windows 7 is released next year - i'd say late 2010 for general release to the public - and I really dont think an earlier release date would be a good idea. A release of a major new OS needs throrough testing and should not be rushed. I do think MS are getting better at fixing bugs in betsa stages than they used to be - XP was REALLY unstable when it was first relased, wheras Vista (when supplied with a new PC with the correct hardware) is less buggy.

I've used every version of Windows (both for workstations and servers) since Windows 3.1. Every time MS bring out a new OS, there is always the same story, people never like the newer OS.

Sure Vista has it's problems, most of these are because people think it will run exactly the same way as the previous OS. Most problems are caused by running older programs on it, or using older hardware that is not 100% compatible. MS dont force people to upgrade to Vista on existing hardware. I use Vista, XP and Linux and they all have thier annoyancies However, XP has had a lot longer in the market to fix bugs and security issues. Vista is still new (yes I know it's been around for a couple of years, but thats nothing when it comes to bug fixing an OS that can run on a practically infinate combination of hardware).

To compare Windows 98 to Windows 2000 or XP is also not a fair comparision. Windows 98 was based on the old MS-DOS platform and was a 16/32bit hybrid. A fairer comparison would be to compare Windows NT4.0 with Windows 2000/XP/Vista. These are not MS-DOS based, they are based on NT4.0 (in fact they only run DOS as a "virtual machine" - NT4.0 was probably one of the most solid OS's (and with true 32bit support) Microsoft made and was released in 1996, so the same time as Windows 95. When 95 came out there was a similar outcry of crashing and program/hardware incompatibilites.

As for Windows 7, this will bring it's own issues - particualerly to older hardware, with it's suspected use of "virtual" hard drives, whilst still trying to remain compatible with software written up to 15 years earlier.

The once thing I've learned over the years is that new OS's need new hardware, don't try to make a silk purse out of a sows ear, and in the main, you should have an enjoyable experience if the operating system.

So, one prediction I reckon I will win a bet on - Forum posts in 2010 saying "Windows 7 cr*p, Stick with Vista"

Gomez

Windows ME was a heinous pile of pants that should never have been released upon on an unsuspecting public, it was actually released after 2000 and they stopped supporting it before they stopped supporting 2000.

NT4.0, 2000 and XP were all decent. I'm running Vista now, it has been ok but I'd be happier with XP and you could be right about the next version being released next year, they made comments about the gap between the release of XP and Vista being too great.

I am trying to use SL (on Vista) after not having had time for several months. The last last time I tried to use it, it worked fine. Now, I can't even get it to open. It just freezes up and I have to use the task manager to get it to close. I have updated the drivers for my video card (the Intel 945) and the rest of my specs fall within the minimal - recommended range. I uninstalled it and cleared out my cashe and temp files, reinstalled and still nada. I submitted a crash ticket, but I am not very optismisic since I have a free account. I have thought of upgradeing my account, but if I can't get the software to work in the first place . . . Any suggestions or links to other spots in the forums? Thanks!

Therein lies your problem.

Intel 945 video card.

Sorry.

I'm scared already.

It's gonna be called Windows Se7en.

"WHAT'S IN THE BOX???"

Lol!

i have exactly the same Nvidia card as you but a dell dual core etc etc, bought it that way from new AFTER making them run SL in the store so I could see it works (howww sad is that-but it saves a lot of heartache having it tested before purchasing- the standard graphics card that came with the pc was rubbish so paid more for the better card) Everything is peachy on vista for me about the best its ever been in 18 months

You're responding to a 19 month old post. Somebody necroed the thread.

As for Yasmina's issue: The Intel 945 may be on the supported list now, but it's still not recommended and I would put money on that being the problem.

Trying rolling back the graphics driver if it worked previously.

My old computer died, which had XP, and my new computer has Vista. I don't have a choice as to which operating system I can use, but I like it better, so far, than XP.

I recall mention of this when Vista was launched. I was under the impression, from what I had read in The Register and the like, that this was deliberate for one reason or another.

On a side note, anyone using any 64-bit processors would be mad to be using a 32bit version of any operating system. It's like owning a high powered sports car and never getting above 3rd gear. I've recently made the switch to Vista 64, and you couldn't pay me to go back to XP.