Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate UPGRADE [DVD] [OLD VERSION]

Didn't know that you have to have 64 bit XP to upgrade to 64 bit Vista...

I originally loved Vista. I had no problems upgrading, which I have heard is a nightmare for most users... and everything ran quicker (and looks much better) than on XP... however, after 1-2 months of using Vista my computer is once again slowing and will often freeze for no reason. The firewall features are difficult to work with and the fact that not all driver updates are compatible with Vista is frustrating.

I'm running an intel core duo, with a 1.8 ghz processor, 160 gb hd and 1 gb of ram. I chose to upgrade despite advise to the contrary as i wanted to get ahead of the curve for once, and think that eventually almost everyone will buy this, so i might as well get it now.

The upgrade was surprisingly painless. It took about 3 hours or so for the install, plus a little extra to uninstall some programs. The main trouble comes after the install. Basically almost nothing works. I can get no sound at all on itunes from my sony laptop, despite 2 1/2 hours on the vista helpline trying to sort it out, and about a dozen reboots. Other programs have sound, just not itunes or media player. The quickbooks im running can't connect to the internet, nor can adobe acrobat. Also microsoft office won't work at all now. After about an hour or so on the helpdesk i managed to get my wireless printer working again.

As i understand it, its all about vista not having the right drivers packaged with it as yet. My advise then, its probably best to wait a couple of months until the next service pack comes out, but if you are really keen for the latest technology, as i was, then it can all be sorted out, provided you have a lot of time on your hands to sort it out. Id do it again, but then im seeing it more as a learning exercise. If i had deadlines to meet right now, i wouldn't.

Overall vista doesn't seem vastly different from XP. It does seem friendlier, and better constructed. The continual warning messages are annoying. Also annoying is the fact that it continually searches for pirate software on your computer, and tries to register anything in sight without your permission. For me, the extra technology, and the fact that everything in sight, from ms office to quickbooks seems to be launching new 2007 vista editions means that i would rather upgrade now, and keep trying to get back ahead of the curve for once. On reflection, if you've got the money, just buy a new pc, its easier. If you haven't, then all in all, id do it again. Hope that helps.

I've been using Windows Vista Ultimate for several months now, and I must say that I am extremely disappointed. I'm normally a big early adopter of technology, but Vista is just not ready for primetime, folks. Yes, it's basically Windows XP warmed over with a somewhat prettier interface (that is a me-too rip off of the Mac OS).

Beyond that, though, it actually has several bugs that make one wonder how this thing was ever shipped as production ready. Some of the bugs that I have noticed so far (and confirmed to be problems others are having):

* After going to sleep and waking up again, my computer loses its Internet connection (both wired and wireless). I have to manually run an "ipconfig /renew" command or otherwise refresh the adapters to be up again.

* Basic file copy and deletion operations take forever as the fancy, new file operation dialog says it's "calculating." This is almost unforgivable for an operating system to flub up such basic tasks.

* Vista haphazardly classifies certain folders as various multimedia views (pictures, music, etc.)--even when they are just regular files. Gee, I always wanted to know what the "album" and "rating" of a DLL or EXE file is. Despite attempts to correct the situation, Vista eventually loses the settings and reverts back to its signature craziness.

* The new security pop ups (UAC) often come up more than once for the same basic task, even something as simple as renaming a file. They are totally intrusive.

* Interface elements, such as networking, that were simple in Windows XP have been obfuscated with dumbed down and nonsensical interfaces that make it difficult to accomplish certain tasks.

* After installing and running many programs, I have received a dialog of Vista asking me if things "ran properly." As if I knew. I think things ran properly, but the fact that the dialog box comes up makes me question it. So which is it?

* File lists in folders now re-sort on the fly. Rename a file, and it will disappear right afterward if the file list is large enough.

And the list goes on and on. With the development time that went into this product, I'm quite disappointed. At this point, I sort of wish I switched to the Mac OS instead of buying a new laptop with Vista on it. If you get Vista, wait until the first service pack comes out.

I've been using Vista in the RC1 version since Fall '06. I liked it & got to know it, so I went for a retail version before the RC1 expired. This O/S isn't perfect, but nothing from Microsoft seems to be fully finished when it comes out; I did notice some useful changes/improvements done since the RC1 version. As with any new O/S, some patience & willingness to work thru problems is needed.

One can save a lot of $$$ by going to the Upgrade version over the Full Package, but there's a catch (or 2)....it wants to be run out of an existing O/S.....if you need to adjust disk partitions or do a clean install, here's the drill:
bootup with install disk, DON'T enter key code or choose to activate
you'll have access to the disk options
after install, run disk from within Windows, install AGAIN but you can enter the key code & request activation
Simple, but time-consuming......