Liverpool FC Forum

[Sabre]

Yes it is easy to do, I've done many times.

Just boot the XP CD, and select "Repair Installed XP instalation" (just guessing the translation), not the repair console.

*BUT* be careful, if it has SP2 installed, use a XP SERVICEPACK 2 CD, because if you do with a SP1 CD or an original XP CD, you'll get a Blue Screen of Death when finished the process. So if you have SP2 installed and a SP2 CD, it's pretty straightforward. I've done it recently because IE 7 messed a computer, and I didn't have to reinstall software nor anything.

The only drawback is that you'll have to download the updates from Servipack 2 and later, but it's a minor one with a decent connection.

[account deleted by request]

Windows Vista: the definitive review
Has any OS been so maligned and so praised during a painfully long development cycle as Windows Vista? The march to Vista's launch has sometimes seemed longer than the Hundred Years War.


Now that Microsoft's new system is at hand, the debate can begin. Is it a look into the future of OSes or the last, dying gasp of an old way of computing? Should you upgrade your system to meet its considerable hardware needs? Is it anything other than Mac OS X Lite?

Some may complain that Vista isn't as revolutionary as it should be after five years. But you don't judge an OS by the amount of time developers have put into it. You judge it by how useful and how pleasurable it is to work with – and in these respects, Windows Vista is a clear winner. It's beautiful, has greatly improved security features, offers superb networking capabilities and, maybe most of all, it's fun to use.

There are so many new features in Vista that it's hard to take them all in at once. To help you, we've broken down the key aspects into four key categories, all of which bring significant improvements.

Aero interface
Security Center
Windows Search
Bundled applications

That's not to say it's perfect – far from it. Some may view the new interface as little more than fluff or be turned off by the intrusive User Account Control feature. Expect a long-running discourse between Vista lovers and haters. Which camp will you fall into?

We'll help you decide by looking at the new features of Windows Vista in depth. We show you: how the Aero interface revolutionises your view of Windows; how the Security Center attempts to put protection at the heart of the OS for the first time; and how finding files and even connecting to networks has never been easier.

As well as looking at the Aero interface, Security Center and Vista's new networking and search functionality, we've reviewed the best new Microsoft applications that are bundled with Vista for free.

The highly anticipated Windows Sidebar puts customisable information in front of you every time you look at your screen, while the Windows Calendar and Windows Mail should make day-to-day tasks slightly easier than in XP. But not all of Vista's bundled apps are worthy inclusions – click here to find out more.

Once you've swotted up on Windows Vista, it's time to make your decision. Should you upgrade to Windows Vista? And if so, how? If you’ve got a Windows XP system, it's likely that your PC will be able to handle Windows Vista to some degree. Whether that’s in its most basic form, or with the full benefits of the new Aero 3D interface, depends on your current specification. In the March 07 issue of PC Advisor we look at the upgrade process in depth. We outline the various requirements, and show you how to prepare your PC if you decide to make the leap.

But forking out for a new operating system, or even a new PC with it installed, might not be for everyone. In the March issus we also show you how to revitalise Windows XP to make sure it continues to fulfil your needs. With a few tweaks, there's no reason why your current system shouldn't continue to serve you for another couple of years. Either way, it's decision time.

All in all, Windows Vista is a great leap forward for the operating system, with a much-improved, far more intuitive interface that's a pleasure to use. It offers faster, better search, beefed-up security that's a big improvement over Windows XP with SP2 and far, far better networking. There are some clunkers in there, though, such as the annoying UAC feature (read about that here). It's fair to say that Vista is better than XP, and there are many advances that show that Microsoft has thought long and hard about the way people use Windows.

Read our comprehensive guide to Windows Vista in the March 07 issue of PC Advisor, available now in all good newsagents. Click here to visit our dedicated Windows Vista forum.

Verdict
The user experience and the revitalised appearance are significant advances, and most people will immediately take to the new OS. But is it good enough to justify an immediate upgrade? You can probably afford to wait until your current PC is on its last legs before buying a new PC. But if you want to keep up with the bleeding edge of technology, and make the most of the innovative applications that will make the most out of Vista's advances, the temptation to upgrade sooner rather than later will be hard to resist.

[JBG]

While there is no immediate need to upgrade I doubt I'll be able to resist. VISTA should be prettier and more streamlined, but it won't have any immediate advantages obvious to many users over XP. Most of the changes are under the hood and one of the biggest improvements will be for gaming, particularly with Direct X 10.

[Salty Sock]

I don't know much about computers
Will Windows Vista be affecting this Liverpool forum?

[66-1120597113]

I don't know much about computers
Will Windows Vista be affecting this Liverpool forum?

No its the wrong INPUT!

[account deleted by request]

I don't know much about computers
Will Windows Vista be affecting this Liverpool forum?

No its the wrong INPUT!

[luvliverpool]

Seeing that the vote is in favour of Vista I am 100% confident that non techies voted on this one, or the ones that did know fook all about the new operating system.

I work for a very large global IT company and do Tech Support, most of which are also large companies and I can more than gurantee that it will be more trouble than it's worth (especially in the early stages)

Vista requires a 3D Graphics card "just to run the operating system" and also "512MB RAM"

The copying of CD's will certainly be an issue as Microsoft have ensured that the programming of Vista prevents the copying of so called "illegal cd's" - not just te copying, also the playing so if you ever play/watch copied cd's/dvd's then DO NOT upgrade to vista.

Also Vista will be cracked as soon as it is on the market as hackers love to exploit Microsoft weaknesses. I remember Microsoft saying in 1999 + again in 2002 that "It would never be possible to put Windows on a Mac as their specialists have never manged it and Windows is written in such a way that it would be incompatible" - well last year they were proved wrong as Windows was succesfully put on to a Mac so that shows how good they are.

If you feel upgrading to vista is a must then I would strongly suggest that you wait until a Service Pack has been released (I normally wait until the 2nd 1) as this would solve all the cracks that you will find in Vista.

Sabre sounds like he knows what he is talking about and has offered help so like I say if it's a must then you can always get him to help you. But to be honest you will have endless issues and only have to revert back to XP at some stage - so you are looking at an awful lot of fooking about just to get the Laptop in proper working order again.

[The Manhattan Project]

I bought this computer just before Xmas after having my old one for eight years.

I also have the chance to upgrade to Vista, but I've decided against it.

I'll just wait until I get a new computer in a few years when Vista will come as standard.

I don't play games on my computer anyway. I only use it for relatively simple things, like drawing, message boards, writing and looking at German animal porn.

[luvliverpool]

Hahaha PMSL Manhattan Project 

[Salty Sock]

I don't know much about computers
Will Windows Vista be affecting this Liverpool forum?

No its the wrong INPUT!

I think I know what you mean, but I'm a little confused
I saw this in the shop today, but it is quite expensive. I don't really use the computer much, so not a necessary invoice.

[RUSHIE#9]

Microsoft have announced that they are gonna continue releasing updates for XP 'til about 2014 - see HERE - which means bollox to VISTA I'm stickin' with XP.

[account deleted by request]

I have just paid my £11 for Vista. It is very pretty lol. I have been chatting to a few people who are using it already and they say the only real problem has been drivers. I think in 6 months it will be established with most of the teething problems ironed out. So I will probably give it a go then(if I can wait )

One thing does worry me and thats the security problem over High Def video. Hopefully someone will crack it before I install it.

[Sabre]

Disclaimer: I only solve windows XP related problems

Tell us please your thoughts as you get to know it ok?

[JBG]

Ah, the problems with operating systems can get blown out of proportion. Within a couple of months there will be updates/service pack and the vast majority of issues will have settled down.

Some old perpherals will have problems but Vista will become mainstream quicker than people give it credit for. The likes of Dell & Compaq will ship with as standard and the fact that some of the upcoming games will be Vista only will only help hasten the turnover. I remember when XP was released everybody said they'd stick with Windows 98 and 2000, yet within a year many people started switching over.

Anybody with even the remotest interest in gaming will switch to Vista as DirectX10 will become the new standard within a year.

[account deleted by request]

I am using xp media edition at the moment (almost a month)Sabre, after using xp pro for a good few years, I didn't really expect too much in the way of changes, but to be honest I havn't been impressed with xp Media Edition at all, up to now. Maybe its what you get used to, but I hate the way it tries to make decisions for you, loads things up that I usually dont want to use etc, if the Vista is anything like this I may even decide to go back to xp pro.

I was one of the happy with what I have, don't want or need XP JBG. I only tried it cos it was free and within a few days I was recommending it to everyone I knew.  XP made computing a pleasure rather than a challenge, whether Vista as anything more to offer I'm not really sure.(Maybe for you gamers