i hate vista [Archive] - Women's Cycling Discussion Forums

PinkBike

05-10-2009, 06:06 PM

we needed another laptop that i can take to work and leave there in my toolbox. i just wanted excel and word, to keep records of part numbers and references. but the sony store had this very cool pink vaio so of course that's the one i got. you're stuck with vista no matter what but i already have it on the other laptop so it's not that big a deal.

wrong!!!

it's got the new 64-bit vista - even suckier and less compatible with anything i wanted to use the new laptop for.

anybody else run into this? can anything be done?

Crankin

05-11-2009, 04:03 AM

Get a Mac.

reddDesign

05-11-2009, 04:44 AM

Get a Mac.

ick.

Not sure what to tell you, you're pretty much stuck with 64 bit...

Becky

05-11-2009, 04:49 AM

What's the difference between 64-bit and 32-bit Vista? DH and I are thinking that we'll need to buy a new laptop soon, so I'm beginning to do my homework.

CycleTherapy

05-11-2009, 07:22 AM

I'm with Crankin.... M-a-c :D

OakLeaf

05-11-2009, 07:26 AM

I'd say get a Mac too, but I don't think that'll solve her problem of operating system cross-compatibility. :rolleyes:

OTOH, with a Mac you could have separate VMs under Parallels or VMWare Fusion running both Vista and, when it comes out, Windows 7. :D

BleeckerSt_Girl

05-11-2009, 07:27 AM

It's not always as simplistic as "Get a Mac". We have both macs and windows here in our business, and the majority of files we get from our clients are in Windows format from Windows programs and no, they do NOT always translate correctly on a Mac with Virtual PC. We have to work with both Mac and Windows. I can do some work things on my windows machine that our macs just can't do, and vice versa. It's all about what kind of programs you need to use for a particular project.

I'm still on XP (love it) and plan to wait until they work out the bugs with windows 7. I've avoided Vista in any shape or form, and will continue to do so until I buy a new computer with 7 on it already.

Irulan

05-11-2009, 07:30 AM

get your local geek to wipe the computer,reformat, and install XP. I'm lucky, my geek child does this kind of thing for me.

OakLeaf

05-11-2009, 07:34 AM

FWIW, Virtual PC is merely a reader. Fusion and Parallels create virtual machines on which you can run any operating system you like.

They're not perfect, but with the most recent versions there's very, very little that you can't do with them. The main drawback is the processing power required to run the VM at the same time that MacOS is operating, which then is unavailable to your Windows apps.

Then there's always Boot Camp, which makes your hardware 100% available to Windows, but obviously that requires a re-boot whenever you want to switch OS.

BleeckerSt_Girl

05-11-2009, 08:11 AM

They're not perfect, but with the most recent versions there's very, very little that you can't do with them.

Not perfect, and when you are trying to translate certain editable graphics and windows-created files to work with in preparing elaborate technical patent application illustrations, it's essential that they be perfect with NO errors or glitches whatsoever. We get a lot of various bizarre and crappy graphics stuff from our clients to work with, often done in programs that weren't even meant to do whatever they were doing with it.
If I was just using the usual business programs with typical files, preparing reports, presentations, and spreadsheets, it wouldn't be a problem at all. :)

AnnieBikes

05-11-2009, 08:34 AM

I have read several articles about Windows 7 and they are VERY positive, even with the BETA addition. Some of these guys (from PC World Magazine) think it could be out by the end of the year so that new Christmas computers sell with it. If you are in the market for a new computer, they say to hold off if at all possible for Windows 7. I hope they are right. I never got Vista and it seems that is a good thing, from what my geek son tells me. I also love XP and will keep it as long as I can! I am such a wuss, I hate using new operating systems. It was hard to switch to XP but now I know it well. So...hang on if you can for 7.

OakLeaf

05-11-2009, 08:43 AM

to address the OP's question...

I don't know much about Windows, but I'd be EXTREMELY surprised if Windows 7 is not going to be 64-bit.

Not to be sarcastic, but time to move to the 21st century. Yes it's a PITA when all your data is in some archaic format that's no longer afforded backwards compatibility - been through it many times myself. It's just part of it.

BleeckerSt_Girl

05-11-2009, 08:56 AM

t
Not to be sarcastic, but time to move to the 21st century. Yes it's a PITA when all your data is in some archaic format that's no longer afforded backwards compatibility - been through it many times myself. It's just part of it.

In our line of work, you can't tell all your big corporate clients to 'move into the 21st century' (well you can but it won't do anything except annoy and anger them)- it's not about just your own data- you have to be able to work with the files types and material your clients are sending you. If you cannot, then they'll find someone else who can. The big corporations will update and change their systems when they decide to. Meanwhile, we have to be able to work with widely varied material coming at us from many different clients.

7rider

05-11-2009, 09:08 AM

I dunno.
DH and I recently swallowed really hard, and blew out tax return on a new p.c. and new laptop. Both are running 64-bit Vista. I thought I'd freak out with it, but so far, the transition has been pretty painless. I still haven't fully moved over our Visor pda desktop apps from our old p.c. (~8 y.o., and I have no idea where the disc is for it) and so far it's running fine (but I haven't tried sync-ing them yet).
We even had our Linux-nerd (said jokingly and with his full knowledge and appreciation) friend help us network the two together, and while he acknowledges that he STILL hates Windows and anything MS, he had to give them props, as it was relatively painless for him.

PinkBike

05-11-2009, 01:23 PM

i'm favoring irulan's suggestion to wipe it clean and start with XP. is that really doable?

Irulan

05-11-2009, 01:28 PM

i'm favoring irulan's suggestion to wipe it clean and start with XP. is that really doable?

yes it is - just find a geek to do it for you unless you are confident about doing a reformat. Hint, back up everything first.:D

Flur

05-12-2009, 07:14 AM

Pedal Wench

05-12-2009, 08:02 AM

Also, Vaios generally don't come with all the applications on disk. Make sure to follow the process to make your backup disks BEFORE you wipe and install XP. This is really important because you'll need your drivers for stuff like your trackpad and your bluetooth, and it's a nightmare trying to download them online.

Also, I've heard you can download and install Windows 7 for free right now as it's in beta. This might be an option also. I haven't tried it, but I've heard really, really good things.

The only problem is that in a few months, your version of Windows 7 will shut down every two hours until you buy the official release: http://dvice.com/archives/2009/05/windows-7-rc-no.php (Shameless plug for the website I write for!)

Flur

05-12-2009, 10:33 AM

The only problem is that in a few months, your version of Windows 7 will shut down every two hours until you buy the official release: http://dvice.com/archives/2009/05/windows-7-rc-no.php (Shameless plug for the website I write for!)

It's good for almost a full year ('til March 2010). It's trial software, and that's one heck of a trial period!

Unless the OP already owns a copy of XP, she'll need to buy one. If I was in her shoes (and considering how badly I want a Vaio P I may find myself in her shoes soon) I would try out Windows 7. If it's great, I'd buy it in March. If it's not great, no harm, no foul, time to buy a copy of XP and install that instead.

parity

05-12-2009, 02:44 PM

i'm favoring irulan's suggestion to wipe it clean and start with XP. is that really doable?

Yes its doable. However the only problem is driver support for your devices. Generally speaking on a desktop this is not as much of a problem. But on a laptop where the drivers are mostly provided by the manufacturer (Sony) then I would check their web site first for what Windows XP 64-bit drivers they have available. Also you'll need to obtain a copy of Windows XP 64-bit to install; legally of course. :D

Irulan

05-12-2009, 02:49 PM

Yes its doable. However the only problem is driver support for your devices. Generally speaking on a desktop this is not as much of a problem. But on a laptop where the drivers are mostly provided by the manufacturer (Sony) then I would check their web site first for what Windows XP 64-bit drivers they have available. Also you'll need to obtain a copy of Windows XP 64-bit to install; legally of course. :D

This is where uber-geeks are your friend. My son does this kind of thing all the time - he's an electrical engineer who owns more computers than furniture. The uber-geek will know how to get everything for you.