Windows XP or Windows Vista?

Edward Wright2 · 2007-05-14T01:50:12+00:00

I have a quick question for the group. Which operating system actually holds up better? Windows XP or Windows Vista? I've been hearing some chatter from certai…

Jack Jackson51 Newcomer

2 messages
joined Mar 2008

#21 · May 14, 2007

Just one thing. Those total amateurs who bought some bottom-of-the-barrel "I just need basic internet" rig a few years back—you know, the ones with an 800MHz processor, maybe 32MB of video memory if they were lucky, and 128MB of RAM—they didn't even deserve Windows Vista. And then there are the other idiots who have brand-new, high-end setups but still insist on using old tech. Honestly, what’s worse is that they actually recommend retro stuff like XP to other people. I don't know, maybe their parents just failed them when they were kids, but here is what I have to say to them:
SHUT YOUR MOUTHS. IF OLDER IS SO MUCH BETTER, WHY AREN'T YOU ALL RUNNING WINDOWS 95???
YOU ALL CRITICIZED XP THE MOMENT IT DROPPED, AND NOW YOU'RE ACTING LIKE SOME KIND OF EXPERTS.
I BET AT LEAST 70% OF YOU NEVER EVEN INSTALLED VISTA IN THE FIRST PLACE, YET YOU KEEP SPUTTERING THE SAME NONSENSE YOU READ FROM "EXPERTS" IN SOME PATHETIC TECH MAGAZINE.
real !!!!!!!!!!!!

THE WINNER:
Windows Vista

John Palmer4 Active Member

50 messages
joined Oct 2008

#22 · May 14, 2007

Hey, maybe tone down the intensity a bit? Cut back on the caps lock and let's try to keep things a little more civil.

Thanks!

Karen Garcia5 Member

10 messages
joined Jan 2012

#23 · May 14, 2007

I don't get how anyone claims Windows Vista runs "faster." Faster at opening windows? Or what? On the exact same machine, there's no way my Computer is going to boot up any quicker than my Computer. I guess Windows XP is just a solid OS for the average user. If you want Windows Vista, just install it and see if you actually like it. I don't see why you'd even need to ask someone before installing 😕

redheron12 Regular

306 messages
joined Aug 2008

#24 · May 14, 2007

John Palmer4 said:Maybe tone down the attitude—cut back on the sarcasm and work on being a bit more civil.

Thanks!

Look, man, the drinks are on me—just let me know when and where.👍

Charles Evans Member

12 messages
joined May 2007

#25 · May 14, 2007

Thomas Hernandez21 said:I honestly don't get how anyone claims Windows Vista runs "faster." Faster at what? Opening windows? Speeding up a cursor? It's the exact same hardware! There is zero chance that my Computer is going to outperform my Computer just because of the OS. Honestly, Windows XP is a rock-solid operating system for the average user. If you really want to try Windows Vista, just go ahead and install it—then you can decide for yourself if it actually suits you. I don't see why anyone needs to ask permission to install 😕

If we’re going to dive into the nitty-gritty details, let's talk about boot times. On my desktop, I can literally get up, head to the restroom, and by the time I'm back, it's still finishing its startup routine. Meanwhile, Windows Vista boots up in about a minute and change. And let's talk software performance: Windows Movie Maker runs incomparably faster on this than it ever did on XP. Either it's noticeably quicker, or it's just the same speed—any given program or feature is either a leap forward or it isn't.

Linda Davis2 Member

15 messages
joined Feb 2012

#26 · May 14, 2007

Jack Jackson51, sorry... but I think you're being totally unreasonable here!
Sorry...😁

redheron12 Regular

306 messages
joined Aug 2008

#27 · May 14, 2007

Charles Evans said:If we’re talking specifics—it honestly boots up way faster than Windows XP. On my desktop, I can step away for a quick bathroom break and by the time I’m back, it’s still finishing up—whereas Windows Vista gets through the boot process in just over a minute. Plus, Windows Movie Maker runs incomparably smoother than it did on XP. It either feels much faster, or at least just as snappy, regardless of which program or feature you're using.

Man, it does not boot that fast... maybe it feels that way at your house, but in a corporate domain environment? It’s a nightmare. It takes forever to stabilize—and every few days, it kicks me into a temporary user profile because it can't load my actual one. Sometimes it sees the network but misses the gateway, sometimes it's the other way around... or nothing works at all. Then you deal with license server issues, HASP drivers, and so on and so forth. And when it finally tries to save a profile? That's the real punchline—everything just fails when you need it most.

Charles Evans Member

12 messages
joined May 2007

#28 · May 15, 2007

redheron12 said:Man, what a total nightmare... maybe it works fine for you at home, but here at the office? It’s a complete disaster! It takes an absolute eternity just to get everything stabilized. Every few days, it kicks me out into some freaking temporary user profile because it can't even locate the actual one... then there are the networking hiccups where it picks up the connection but misses the gateway, or vice versa, or sometimes it just ignores both! And don't even get me started on the license server issues and those constant HASP driver headaches... it's just one thing after another. And when it actually tries to save a profile? What a joke. Everything is constantly glitching out!

It worked perfectly for me at home and on the two different networks I've used so far. Smooth sailing all the way.

Nancy Edwards4 Newcomer

4 messages
joined Jun 2007

#29 · May 15, 2007

Windows Vista 4 ever, how could anyone say Windows XP is better? There's no way... they clearly spent six years pouring everything into Vista

Karen Garcia5 Member

10 messages
joined Jan 2012

#30 · May 15, 2007

So, just because something takes a long time to make doesn't mean it's actually good. 😕 Go ahead, try searching for "malware creation software." 🤣

Robert Baker2 Newcomer

8 messages
joined Dec 2007

#31 · May 15, 2007

Calling it an improvement over Windows XP is a stretch... even if they had spent a decade refining it, it still wouldn't hold a candle to XP... perhaps the interface is slightly more aesthetically pleasing, but one could easily take the look of Windows Vista and apply it to XP to achieve a similar effect...

The fundamental issue remains the sheer number of flaws—the antivirus software being a prime example—and it will be quite some time before all these bugs are actually patched... by then, we'll likely already be moving on to 🧐 😁

Rebecca Booth12 Newcomer

5 messages
joined Jun 2006

#32 · May 15, 2007

I am still running Windows XP, and quite frankly, I have absolutely no intention of migrating over to Windows Vista anytime soon.
www.xp-tips-usa.com is our dedicated site where we host all sorts of useful tricks and optimizations specifically for XP.

silverorca13 Newcomer

5 messages
joined May 2007

#33 · May 15, 2007

we aren't ready for Windows Vista yet lol. i've had it on my second PC for ages now and gotta say, it’s a total beast. mad props to the devs for putting in 6 years of work, but honestly? Windows XP still hits different. give Windows Vista at least another year or so. drivers are a mess right now and if you're running a cracked game, it probably won't even work. if you're rocking an older rig, just stick with XP

neontinker8 Newcomer

5 messages
joined May 2007

#34 · May 16, 2007

Man, I gotta say, the whole process of installing Windows Vista and then trying to get my actual software running was... well, it was a total headache. Like, seriously, I don't even know why Vista won't play nice with certain programs. First off, I did the whole installation thing online, and then I had to actually call Microsoft to get an activation code. And ugh, I had to wait two whole days just for them to get back to me because you can only reach them during business hours, right? So, finally, I think I'm golden, and then—boom—I try to install AutoCAD and it tells me Windows Vista doesn't support it 😲. Then Photoshop wouldn't even finish installing 😠. I didn't even bother trying anything else after that. Plus, the OS itself took up 40GB, which feels like way too much since it's not even offering anything significantly better than Windows XP. I mean, if you ignore all these "little issues" that basically stop me from doing any actual work, then Windows Vista is fine, I guess. Luckily, I've still got my old laptop running Windows XP that I use for everything important, so this new one with Windows Vista is pretty much just sitting there being used for stupid stuff right now. I know you can technically do a dual boot with Windows XP on the new machine, but honestly, I just don't feel like dealing with the hassle when I already have a workaround. I really hope they come up with some compatibility fixes soon for all these broken programs. Since I'm definitely no tech genius or anything, I can't help but wonder... maybe I messed up the AutoCAD installation? But I'm pretty sure I did it right. 🤔

Edward Wright2 NewcomerOP

3 messages
joined Nov 2011

#35 · May 16, 2007

So, for the time being, Windows XP is the superior choice. Right now, at least. Once a year or two rolls by, we’ll probably all end up migrating over to Windows Vista. I suspect we won't have much of a choice once games start requiring DirectX 10 and other similar tech—hm... But until they actually figure out all those bugs, release a handful of service packs, and finally put together some decent drivers for Windows Vista (and by that, I mean everything), I’m staying firmly planted on Windows XP.

Cheers,

Karen Garcia5 Member

10 messages
joined Jan 2012

#36 · May 16, 2007

neontinker8 said:The whole process of installing Windows Vista and trying to get certain programs running—which it apparently doesn't support for some reason—was honestly pretty annoying. I did the installation online first, then I had to call Microsoft to get an activation code (had to wait two days since you can only reach Microsoft on business days). Once I thought everything was finally set, I tried to install AutoCAD and got a message saying Windows Vista doesn't support AutoCAD 😲 , then Photoshop wouldn't even finish installing 😠 , so I didn't bother trying anything else. Plus, Windows Vista took up 40GB, which seems like way too much given it doesn't offer anything significantly better than Windows XP. If you ignore these "glitches" preventing me from using the software I actually need, Windows Vista is okay, I guess. Luckily, I have an old laptop with Windows XP that I use for work, so this new one with Windows Vista is basically just for wasting time right now. I know you can dual-boot Windows XP on a new machine, but I don't feel like dealing with the hassle when I already have an alternative. Hopefully, they figure out compatibility fixes for these programs soon. Since I'm no computer expert, I wonder if I messed up the AutoCAD installation... but I think I did it right. 🤔

I don't know if this is some kind of joke... but if it isn't, maybe just go see a doctor. 🤣

neontinker8 Newcomer

5 messages
joined May 2007

#37 · May 16, 2007

Thomas Hernandez21 said:I don't even know if this is some kind of joke... but if it isn't, then seriously, go get help. 🤣

Look, since you're an admin, maybe—just maybe—you could try acting a little more professional? I mean, I'm obviously no tech guru or whatever, but I was just explaining my experience with Windows Vista and how those specific programs won't run (I have no clue why they aren't working, they just aren't!). Instead of being such a jerk about it, it would’ve been way more helpful if you actually explained what was so "funny" about what I said, where I messed up, and how to fix this whole "joke" situation. But hey, I'll just leave you to it—in your own style, I guess. "Go learn some manners."

Karen Garcia5 Member

10 messages
joined Jan 2012

#38 · May 16, 2007

neontinker8 said:Since you're an admin, maybe you should try acting like a professional once in a while. Look, I’m no IT expert. I just described my experience using Windows Vista and how certain programs won't run—I don't know why they aren't working, they just aren't. Instead of mocking me, it would actually be more helpful if you explained exactly what was so funny about my post, where I went wrong, and how to fix this "mess" you claim I'm making. Best regards in your usual style—"go learn some manners."

Look, hold on a second... There’s so much noise over there that I honestly found it hard to believe you were being serious. You've got all kinds of trolls running around. Anyway, here's the explanation:

I used to download Windows Vista online first.

That was the first mistake right there. Updates mess everything up 99% of the time. They just create a total wreck. You really need to go with a clean install. Move your important files to a separate partition, put Windows Vista on another one, and then just move everything back once you're done.

I guess Windows Vista doesn't support AutoCAD.

It works for me. I use it every single day... 2007.

So Photoshop couldn't finish installing. I guess.

I use PlayStation 7 when I need to, and the radio works just fine.

Even Windows Vista alone took up 40GB.

So... Windows Vista comes on a single DVD, right? The installer is only about 2.5GB. If you end up with 40GB after everything is unpacked, that would mean some pretty insane compression is happening under the hood. Doesn't that seem a little excessive to you? 😁

All those issues you're having are probably—actually, they're definitely—caused by a botched OS installation.

Just do a clean install. You'll probably see better performance that way, I guess.

neontinker8 Newcomer

5 messages
joined May 2007

#39 · May 16, 2007

Thomas Hernandez21 said:Wait, hold up a second... there’s just so much nonsense on there that I honestly found it hard to believe you were being serious... like, for real. There are all kinds of trolls and agitators hanging around that place. But alright, fine, here’s the deal:

Look, I’ve learned this the hard way, okay? When you actually know your stuff—like, when you’re an absolute expert in a field (kind of like how you are in this area)—it becomes almost impossible to wrap your head around why someone who knows nothing, or even just a little bit, doesn't get it. Or why they ask such incredibly stupid questions. It’s just... it's frustrating, I guess. Take me, for example. I speak Italian because I actually lived over there for a while. And honestly? It drives me kind of crazy when I hear Americans trying to speak Italian, butchering the words and getting everything wrong while they're clearly trying their best. Like, it's super annoying, you know? But hey, whatever. They're getting by, and I'm not about to go around making fun of them or anything. I mean, I won't. Probably.
That’s basically how I handle things too—just hacking away at my Computer and messing around with Windows Vista, trying to get certain programs to actually work. I try to install stuff, I mess up constantly, whatever... but I guess you learn something from all the mistakes, right? And yeah, okay, maybe 40GB sounded like a massive amount to me, so that's why I brought it up... but now I realize that because I probably botched the installation, I can't even get AutoCAD or Photoshop to run. I'm really hoping your explanation actually helps, because if I can't figure this out on my own, I'll have to go find some actual pro help—and definitely not the kind of "help" where people just laugh at me because I don't know much about Windows Vista. Take care. 👋

placidmaker11 Newcomer

7 messages
joined Oct 2009

#40 · May 16, 2007

What do you guys think? Should I pull the trigger on installing Windows Vista on this rig, or is it going to be a total disaster? Will it actually run smoothly?

hard drive - 250 GB
GPU - Nvidia GeForce 7600 gt
CPU - AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual Core Processor 4200
2 GB RAM
😕

Windows XP or Windows Vista?

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