Windows Vista

[nightdagger]

I just installed the full, final version of Vista Ultimate on my computer and it's great. It's a fast OS, a lot more polished than the betas, of course, but it comes with more features "out of the box" than any other OS I've seen, including some Linux distros.

[Onkel Neal]

Give us a rundown on what is new, what to expect, etc. Thanks! :yep:

[micky1up]

when do we get it in the uk

[nightdagger]

There's so much new! The GUI is wonderful. It looks great, especially since I can enable so many features. It's a lot better than the WindowBlinds or whatever trying to imitate it. It has a pretty big footprint, right now it's using 640MB of RAM but I don't think that's just the OS. There are a lot more visible settings, so you can change more without a 3rd party app or digging deep. It also detects a lot of hardware right when it starts up, so it doesn't take long to get it up and running right. The installation is quicker than XP, even though it's far bigger (only comes on DVDs.)

All versions come on 1 DVD so the only thing you need to do to upgrade is get a new product key. There's just a lot like that.

It also comes with "gadgets" which are MS's version of Widgets. It doesn't install Windows Messenger until you tell it to, which is a godsend. It comes with additions/improvements to standard programs, like new games, and a DVD maker to expand on Movie Maker.

I haven't even scratched the surface, though. I'll post some more later.

EDIT: It comes out officially in the end of January. I was able to get one from MSDN, where all versions are out early.

[The Noob]

Sounds not so awful at all. :hmm:

I get it in march when i get a PC that can handle it. I would have not upgraded at all if there wouldn't be Direct X10. I need it. Now! :dead:

[andy_311]

I tried the trial version and it would'nt let me instal Norton got onto them and they told me there will be a patch out shortly,sod that I went back to XP and am staying there for a while anyway.

[nightdagger]

You have to get an AV program designed for Vista. I'm using Avast!'s free one right now.

[fredbass]

Nightdagger, I'm sure we'd appreciate to learn of any problems you have with it as well.

Thanks for posting.

[AG124]

Is there any support for the following floppy types?

5.25", 360 KB
3.5", 720 KB
5.25", 1.2 MB
3.5", 2.88 MB

Windows XP removed the ability to format these disks, but it could still read from and write to them. There was no support for the 2.88 MB ones at all.:nope: Of course, they are all obsolete (along with 1.44 MB disks:o) but I would still like to know.

[nightdagger]

I wouldn't know, I haven't tried any floppy, even 1.44.

The only problem I've had is that sometimes, WoW goes spastic and exits randomly.

[CCIP]

Holy moley, that's some fancy shell it's running if it takes up over 600mb :doh:

Naaah, I think I'll stick with my current plan and keep off Vista for as long as I can, preferably until I buy my next computer which is scheduled no sooner than in 1.5 years. I've always been a bit of a luddite as far as "if it works, don't fix it".

I guess a big factor will be how the whole DX10 thing goes. If it becomes a mandatory accessory sooner than I expect it, I guess we'll have no choice...

[nightdagger]

Even without the tons of games and crap that will only work with Vista, there are quite a few features that make it worthwhile, like the new versions of programs that are/will only be released for Vista.

[d@rk51d3]

The only thing that I'm not too keen on is the back door that is deliberately left open for various "law enforcement agencies" to access your files. I'm not too fussed about them checking out my PC, but if they can get in, what's preventing anybody else getting in?:hmm:

[Kapitan_Phillips]

I dont like the idea of having to use Vista enabled AV software. Too much control for Microsoft right there. And who wants to bet someone's going to find some way of enabling the versions on a DVD so you dont have to buy a product key? XD

[kiwi_2005]

Does this Vista have activation rubbish, ive never had to activate windows so dont know much about it but heard alot of ppl complaining, eg if u activate then change your harddrive you can't install windows again?!! Win2k and XP have been OEM versions which their was no need to activate. But when i buy Vista it will be a retail, so im expecting the worse.

Have they dropped this activation with Vista?

[bradclark1]

There is this about it.
Microsoft today talked to bit-tech in a bid to reassure the enthusiast community about the licensing terms of Windows Vista.

We previously read (http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=122346) that Vista could prove to be a nightmare for enthusiasts who upgrade often, with only one transfer to a new machine allowed and with the license tied to a particular system configuration in a way that was far more limiting than Windows XP.

A Microsoft spokesman from the Licensing Dept told bit-tech that this would not be the case. He told us that Windows Vista will not require a system re-activation unless the hard drive and one other component is changed. This means that enthusiasts will be able to swap CPUs, memory and graphics cards out without any worry about having to re-activate with MS, either on the internet or by phone.

Should you change the hard drive and another piece of hardware - for example for a major upgrade such as a motherboard change that requires a re-installation - Microsoft will allow you to re-activate up to 10 times. You will not, however, be able to have more than one machine activated concurrently.

Should you wish to activate more than 10 times, you could be busted, or Microsoft could choose to let you activate again at its discretion.

For hardcore system enthusiasts, keeping a ghosted, activated copy of Vista with no drivers could be a good way of being able to swap around components and machines with the minimum amount of hassle.

This would seem to clear up some of the confusion about Vista activation. Let us know what you will be doing over in the forums!

[nightdagger]

Pretty much. I don't like activating but I understand that it helps prevent casual pirates.

[fredbass]

Are you playing SHIII with Vista?

[nightdagger]

I'm installing it right now. I'll try to get it where StarForce doesn't install. I've heard SF won't work with Vista.

[Onkel Neal]

Oh, that's not good. Ubisoft better think over releasing a non-SF patch if Vista will not play SH3 :shifty:

[bookworm_020]

640 MB!:o Even with two megs memory that going to cause a hit on the FPS of SHIII! I'm going to stick to XP for as long as I can!

[bookworm_020]

640 MB!:o Even with two megs memory that going to cause a hit on the FPS of SHIII! I'm going to stick to XP for as long as I can!

[nightdagger]

I'm going to assume you meant 2 gigs lol.

SH3 doesn't use nearly enough memory to make it run slower on 2GB. On XP I usually had at least 800MB of random things running in the memory when I play(ed) games on it and the only difference is about 20 3DMarks in 06.

[bookworm_020]

I'm going to assume you meant 2 gigs lol.

OOPS!!!:doh: My mistake!

Can anyone guess what the RAM memory requirment for windows 95 was?

Just 4mb!:o

[Konovalov]

Oh, that's not good. Ubisoft better think over releasing a non-SF patch if Vista will not play SH3 :shifty:

I seriously hope that this is not going to be a problem otherwise there will be many fairly peeved SHIII players including myself come 2007. :nope:

Better yet I just hope that the following isn't true. :-?

I'm installing it right now. I'll try to get it where StarForce doesn't install. I've heard SF won't work with Vista.

[nightdagger]

Yeah, unfortunately this is what happened when I rebooted after installing SH3 (even after I put on a no-cd crack).
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/nightdagger/starforcepic2.jpg

[danlisa]

Did you try the Starforce Removal Tool?
http://www.onlinesecurity-on.com/protect.phtml?c=55

Try using the tool & then use your *cough* patch;)

[nightdagger]

I'm trying that right now lol.

[Kapitan_Phillips]

I always thought Vista looked suspiciously like Mac :hmm: :hmm: :hmm:

[Roads88]

I always thought Vista looked suspiciously like Mac :hmm: :hmm: :hmm:


Windows has looked like Mac since 3.0 :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[nightdagger]

There's a video on Google Video where a MS PA guy is talking about some of Vista's new features and a guy is doing them on OSX.

[SUBMAN1]

I just installed the full, final version of Vista Ultimate on my computer and it's great. It's a fast OS, a lot more polished than the betas, of course, but it comes with more features "out of the box" than any other OS I've seen, including some Linux distros.

If you don't mind, load up some of the sims on this board and find out what works and what doesn't. If it is not too much trouble of course. :D

-S

[nightdagger]

The Dangerous Waters Demo works fine. I'll see what else I can get.

Pirates! works but my video card that I overclocked in XP is running hot and it's artifacting like crazy. I guess it kept the settings but right now I can't put it back to stock.