i hate vista

[AnnieBikes]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Irulan]

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.

[Flur]

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.

[parity]

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.

[Irulan]

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.

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.