Vista 1st impression

[SLO-BOB]

Just bought a Vaio loaded w/Vista. I was very hesitant considering all the internet hyperbole, but decided to do it anyway. This, considering similar criticisms were leveled at XP years ago. I use my computer mostly for communication via e-mail and entertainment such as pictures, burning discs, and movies. I am by no means an expert-just an average consumer/user.

So far, so good. There are some adustments, but overall I'm not dissatisfied. I was a little thrown because it has no icon for getting on my network. I guess it just does it on it's own as I can communicate with other computers on my network and print. One nice thing, maybe particular to this laptop, is the very fast start-up. I push the on button-its on.

I'll update as I learn more.

[azasadny]

Out NetGear VPN client won't run under Vista, so I stayed with WinXP, but I'm using Office 2007 and it's great!

[id10t]

Might wanna read up on the DRM issues...

http://www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/~pgut001/pubs/vista_cost.html

[SLO-BOB]

Originally posted by id10t
Might wanna read up on the DRM issues...

http://www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/~pgut001/pubs/vista_cost.html

It's a little over my head but, I get the jist- sort of. Does this mean I can't play streaming audio (MP3s) from my laptop, to a media center and out my stereo?

[legion]

Let me know if the DRM is as bad as I've heard.

[HardDrive]

Originally posted by id10t
Might wanna read up on the DRM issues...

http://www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/~pgut001/pubs/vista_cost.html

Juvenile.

DRM is a Microsoft invention? They are the ones to be blamed for irritating DRM issues? BS (and you know it).

[SLO-BOB]

Originally posted by legion
Let me know if the DRM is as bad as I've heard.

Maybe worse. After reading the article posted above I hooked up my Plextor DVD burner, which I purchased solely for burning backups of my CDs and DVDs. Using the preloaded Roxio software and some 3rd party copyright-be-gone software I gave it a try. It would read, but not recognize the blank DVDs when it came time to write. Then I tried to load my tried and true Roxio Media Creator 7. This is what I got-



Hard to see through the bad quality but it says" This program is blocked due to compatibility issues" I used the same methods to copy my "print screen" in times past with good results. For some reason it looks bad this time. A Vista problem? Also, I can't open my Adobe photoshop which I use to convert the "prnt scrn" pdf to a jpeg. Another Vista problem?

I don't plan on sticking around to find out. The pos is going back to Best Buy tomorrow. Hopefully they won't sock me for the 15% restock as it won't use my software (or hardware for that matter) like they said it would.

Guess I'll have to nurse my XP unit along.

[BGCarrera32]

Cool...we went from "I'm not dissatisfied" to "the pos is going back tomorrow" inside of 6 posts.

[SLO-BOB]

Originally posted by BGCarrera32
Cool...we went from "I'm not dissatisfied" to "the pos is going back tomorrow" inside of 6 posts.

That pretty much sums it up. Didn't take long did it?

Like I said, I'm an average guy with modest needs. It couldn't even handle that. Shame.

[MichiganMat]

My friend, there is another way:

http://www.apple.com

[campbellcj]

FWIW I have discovered that just about everything works OK if you download the latest updates. For example, Roxio is now up to version 9. The only annoying issue I have right now is that Winamp won't burn CD's like it did on XP; it uses the Nero burning engine and that crashes on Vista. I assume they'll fix it shortly.

From what I've read and experience firsthand, I agree with the position of not attempting to upgrade any existing machine over 1 year old. The hardware resource and compatibility issues would be very frustrating otherwise.

[Paul_Heery]

Originally posted by SLO-BOB
I don't plan on sticking around to find out. The pos is going back to Best Buy tomorrow. Hopefully they won't sock me for the 15% restock as it won't use my software (or hardware for that matter) like they said it would.

Let us know how that works out.

I predict that Best Buy will not accept any responsibility for the incompatabilities or shortcomings of Vista and will only allow your return WITH the 15% restocking fee. It that is the case, you will probably be better off keeping the laptop and buying a copy of XP from Newegg for $90.

[k9handler]

I have had no issues, purchased an Acer with Vista basic loaded. I upgraded the RAM on the computer and went to Vista Premium and it's nice and easy to navigate between operations. No DVD issues as the burner is working well with both applications (Vista and NTI).

[Porsche-O-Phile]

One more vote for the apple or the penguin.

[SLO-BOB]

Originally posted by campbellcj
FWIW I have discovered that just about everything works OK if you download the latest updates. For example, Roxio is now up to version 9.

That's what came preloaded on the latop. Unfortunately, it's not anywhere near as good as 7. More unfortunate, 7 won't load at all (as shown above). Nine will not work with Slysoft to copy Cds/DVDs.

K9-You state that yours works fine. Can you copy "premium content" DVDs? I on't get into copyright issues on this thread, but I back up all of my copywrite protected CDs and DVDs. Vista seems to interfere with that.

[id10t]

HardDrive - not trying to be juvinile. I pay good money for hardware, should I choose to pay good money for software it damm well either let me use my hardware in any way I want, or let me modify the software to use my hardware. Granted, I may be lacking the coding skills to do it, but at least I have that option. And unlike others, I say all this and *don't* use windows or apple.

[legion]

This seems appropriate here:

http://www.pvponline.com/article/3248/fri-apr-06

[cashflyer]

Looks like my next system will be purchased without an OS.
I'll load XP-Pro myself. Better the devil you know......

[john70t]

Videos which once played fine on both Divx and Media Player (a ME machine), now look like giant blobs of color on XPpro (both players).
"Something" corrupted the legal files.

[erics944]

Same old stuff....same conversation was had when xp came out. It sucks....stuff not compatable...blah...blah...blah....

Vista was in beta for how long? Blame the thrid party software and hardware companies for not developing compatible drivers. They had plenty of time to develop them, and they chose not to.