i hate vista

[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.

[Pedal Wench]

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]

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]

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.