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scoobydoo
21st April 2007, 18:12
Just wondered if anybody could advise, received my Vista upgrade discs today for laptop....the thing is...should I go for it or not??? :ermmm Been reading up and some say leave it till 2008...just wondered if anyone has taken the plunge and can give good feedback.... Any help appreciated.
Thanks :)
mathare
21st April 2007, 18:14
I got my Vista upgrade the other day too. I have stuff to do on my PC for the next few weeks and can't afford for it to be out of action so I am not risking the upgrade. When I do I will be looking to dual boot with XP if I can, and I'll be creating full system restore DVDs before I do anything.
Win2Win
21st April 2007, 18:30
I'm running over 1000 programs on it as I type, no problems, as long as you go to the software vendors site and make sure you have the latest version, although 99% work as is.

Vista includes a 'compatability' option for XP SP2, which works well.

Only problem software I have had is Video Processing, but upgrades are now available, and Pinnacle Studio 10.8 works no problemo.

RSB can be a problem if installing, as the installer is from Windows 1.0 :yikes: , but a simple way around it.

Vista will have most of the drivers already for video, sound, printer, modem, etc, but best to get the latest yourself before an upgrade.

To be honest, best thing for Vista is a fresh install, unless it's a new system.
Win2Win
21st April 2007, 18:32
....I've been using it for 2 months.
scoobydoo
21st April 2007, 20:28
Thanks for the replies, very useful information. I might try the dual boot method mathare, just been reading a tutorial on it at http://muckyfeet.com/2006-dual-xp-vista-install/ Not sure it is the best way but I guess if it all goes pearshaped....like Uniteds title hopes just might of ::swear ...there is always reformat.:rolleyes:

Thanks guys.
Win2Win
21st April 2007, 20:55
Vista can be uninstalled, and it puts XP back as it was. Tried it for a test on one of my systems, worked perfectly.
scoobydoo
21st April 2007, 21:04
Vista can be uninstalled, and it puts XP back as it was. Tried it for a test on one of my systems, worked perfectly.

Thanks Keith, good to know just in case!:helper
scoobydoo
23rd April 2007, 14:28
well just wanted to say that I did the dirty deed last night and put Vista on, thanks to mathare for his dual boot sugestion. Found a good disk partition software as free one wouldnt work for me, was dead easy with paid for one. Then put Vista on...seems to have gone on ok, though updating drivers caused chkdsk to come in every restart nearly..not sure if this is due to dual boot or not...maybe someone would know or maybe down to me!!?? But after updating drivers, it seems to be stable now. Some of my software is not going to work though I dont think...does anyone know of free firewall available for Vista? I know the new Vista firewall is revamped but it isnt enough on its own is it?

Anyway thanks again to Keith and mathare for input fellas.:)
Win2Win
23rd April 2007, 18:30
Most new versions of firewalls/AV work on Vista now. The supplied one is pretty good now anyway, depends what level of options you want.

Zonealarm should be Vista ready now.

I doubt you'll find problems with much software, best to install it all in the Admin though.
scoobydoo
23rd April 2007, 21:22
Tried 2 or 3 firewalls but not zonealarm as of yet...AV is fine.

Having a problem with my external drive, Western Digital and been to site, no driver for Vista I can find...asking for disc but was plug and play and didnt have one. Just have to wait till they do come up with one I guess.:rolleyes:
Win2Win
23rd April 2007, 21:29
The external should just work, it's a basic driver. All mine work fine.
scoobydoo
23rd April 2007, 21:38
The external should just work, it's a basic driver. All mine work fine.

Well it wont have it at the moment....just keeps asking for disc, then when I say I havent got one it starts looking through pc but just keeps coming up with an error and states cant install...Ill give it another go later on. Using Xp mostly anyway. They dont even have drivers on their site, with Xp I guess Windows has the driver needed? Thanks.
Win2Win
23rd April 2007, 21:59
Is it one of these? http://www.driverskit.com/freedownload/Storage/Western_Digital/External_Combo_FireWire_USB_2_0/17301.html

Try the XP driver, shouldn't have a problem with Vista.
scoobydoo
23rd April 2007, 23:04
Is it one of these? http://www.driverskit.com/freedownload/Storage/Western_Digital/External_Combo_FireWire_USB_2_0/17301.html

Try the XP driver, shouldn't have a problem with Vista.

Mine is the essential version...tried a couple of them but still wont have it...maybe its my installation. Works fine on xp.:splapme Thanks Keith, its not a major problem having xp on as well. In time these things will disappear no doubt!
scoobydoo
24th April 2007, 01:46
The external should just work, it's a basic driver. All mine work fine.

I know you know this Keith but you were/are right! :) I had dodgy installation on, I formatted partition last night and put Vista on again...crossed my fingers and got none of the errors I was getting with chkdsk as before when I was updating all my drivers. Then I just put External hard drive and dvd drive in usbs and bingo, straight away...found them! Great stuff, thanks again for your help. :D :thumbs
Win2Win
24th April 2007, 09:49
I know you know this Keith but you were/are right!

See that Vegy.....How to be helpful! :D Just a pity Scooby has no Rep Power yet to give me :(