How reliable is Vista?

Did you ever have the feeling that something wasn’t quite right with your PC? Vista’s Reliability Monitor can validate your intuition and help you diagnose your computer’s ills. Or, if your PC is in the pink, it will tell you that as well.

The Reliability Monitor tracks failures that occur over time, then ranks your system on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 is best). A graph depicts the status of your system day-by-day. But you get more than numbers and a pretty picture: Daily listings of events like hardware and software failures paint a more detailed picture of problems that may have affected your system’s operation at a particular time. The events tracked by Reliability Monitor are:

• Software (Un)Installs: Software installations and removals including operating system components, Windows updates, drivers, and applications.

• Application Failures: Application failures, including the termination of a non-responding application or an application that has stopped working.

• Hardware Failures: Disk and memory failures.

• Windows Failures: Operating system and boot failures.

• System Clock Changes: Significant changes to the system time are tracked in this category. (This appears only when a time change occurs.)

• Miscellaneous Failures: Failures that impact stability and do not fall under previous categories, including unexpected operating system shutdowns.

To view the Reliability Monitor, click the Start menu, then right-click on “Computer” and select “Manage.” In the Computer Management console, click on the arrow next to Reliability and Performance in the left pane, then on the arrow next to Monitoring Tools, and then on Reliability Monitor.

You’ll see your system’s daily score at the top right of the screen. Recent failures are weighted more heavily than past failures, so you’ll see improvement over time once a reliability issue has been resolved. Icons below the graph point you to instances that were problematic: Yellow triangles with an exclamation point indicate minor problems; an x inside a red circle represents major troubles. Vista updates the Reliability Monitor once a day as long as the system was turned on.

The Reliability Monitor is more than just a tool for confirming how things are going. If you’re porting older applications to a new computer, or running them for the first time on Vista, Reliability Monitor can show you what’s going right and wrong. It’s also useful for tracking down errors and troubleshooting problems. As a first step, check the category the problem occurred in from the list above. Or click on specific dates to see determine when problems began. For example, Reliability Monitor might report that errors in a software program started occurring only after your last update. If the Monitor shows that hardware memory errors began after you installed more memory, you can check to see whether the new memory is faulty.

A low reliability number doesn’t mean system failure is imminent. If you see a 1.29 on your Reliability Monitor—as we did on a home system—don’t panic. In our case, that low number began climbing back up, albeit slowly, as problems resolved. What caused the score to drop in the first place was the gradual installation of old applications onto the new system, as well as attempts to patch problems, use incompatible utilities, and install hardware that lacked Vista patches. In fact, that system’s score has risen back to 7.22.

As with any new operating system, you’ll probably encounter some rough spots with Vista, especially at first. Reliability Monitor can help you get through them and maintain your computer into the future.

--Richard Fisco, Senior Project Leader

Comments

[Mark]

Iam having problems with new software (magellan gps) and lack of compatability with old microsoft WinMe OS ... supposed to work with XP and Vistas ... thank-you sooo much for these informtive blogs. .... I have spent years of frustration dealing with Microsofts crashing operating systems, beginning with Win95 and then Winme ... have no more patience or time to test Microsofts systems for them ... Bill Gates should pay us! ... Im buying a Mac !

[Arthur S]

I have spent more than 50 hours of my personal life over 1 year and 4 month of having Vista trying to resolve problems with and without Dell tech support. Amazing, when Dell technician turns off all of my (and MS) programs I even can move mouse and see on the screen-no delays!!!! Now my old PC with XP (7 years old) died. So, I tried to buy another one with XP, and found nothing. I was upset for a while and found solution-instead of buying MS beta version OS (Vista) to go with Apple. While I am writing this-I use Linux and feel really good.

[Sadric Amber]

Total Junk. Windows XP was much more stable. Even with Service Pack 1, Vista runs like a big fat hog. Maybe if they put it on Jenny Craig with SP 2 it might be better but in its current incarnation it is cumbersome. Also they still havent solved compatability issues. I am plagued with them even on new software. It is evident Microsoft is worried. No one is upgrading and they keep trying to relaunch it. They have also worn out the sales model of 30 different versions. No one understands the difference between Home Basic, Home "Premium" blah blah blah.

[Paul C]

I need to purchase a replacement laptop for home use. After reading all the negative experiences of Vista (and hearing similar comments from friends), I am considering a MacBook, but the cost is double a Windoows computer. Would you provide comments from experienced users of bot OS and Vista of the preferred approach

[L P]

I built my first computer about 4 months ago and when I did so I read review after review of Vista and how bad it is. So when I built my computer with an Asus Crosshair motherboard and AMD x2 6000 CPU, a massive NVIDIA Geforce 8800 GTS super clocked (of course) and 4 gigs of G Skill DDR2 800 ram, I listened to the reviews and went with the XP 64-bit version to take full advantage of the 4 gigs of ram. I had more problems than I new what to do with because there are more products on the market that are not 64-bit compatible than there are products that are not Vista compatible. Of course I waited, and struggled, until the Vista Sp 1 came out before I bought Vista 64-bit, but because I waited I had a massive head ache and a sick machine.
From minute one of Vista’s existence on my machine I have not had a single problem or with IE7. I can play any game I want, surf the net, check mail, and make sure my computer is protected, because I was smart enough to not go with the even more power hungry joke of software named Norton. That program pair with vista uses everything. I know because I helped my girlfriend’s computer illiterate mom buy a new laptop, with vista and the first thing I did was take of Norton. I added AVG and she has not had one single problem. She was a dedicated Mac user and now she loves her new comp and can use it just as well as the Mac.
Vista may be power hungry, but the people complaining about it are those who are still working off of win98 and are too cheap to up grade the rest of the computer. These same complaints about being power hungry came out with XP and they come out with the Next OS too. If you want the computer to do all these fancy things like media center and visual effects, the OS will take more and demand more because it is doing all of this work. I know that I have to have a 64 bit system to use all 4 gigs of ram and XP 64 was not cutting it.
Oh and to the idiot who calls himself a "veteran PC technician" if people cannot figure out that the Circular windows logo is a replacement for the start button, than it is they who should not be allowed near a computer. The reason 95% of your clientele that is upset with vista is upset because they don't know how to work a computer in the first place. I have never used Linux, but I could guarantee that those 95% could be sat down in front of a computer loaded with Linux and be dissatisfied. It is not always the OS it is sometimes the operator. I’m not say vista is perfect but if you need everything spelled out for you and spoon fed then vista might not be for you.

[Arthur S]

I have Vista for one year on my 2 dual core Intel....PC. It is a disaster. I just read comments from top to bottom trying to find any positive comments on Windows Vista-just want to know any reason to have it. That is XP will no longer supported in 5 years from now (probably). I changed three (3) routers, 4 antivirus software, my Retrospect backup (compatible w/ Vista) is not fully compatible yet, but I have to use it. To make Windows media player to work always had to uninstall bitdefender (?!?!?!). VAN from Citi if anybody knows-doesn't work with Vista, which reduces (for me) actual security level for a few orders. 2 year old MP3 player can only work properly on my old XP computer. HP printer will never get driver for Vista. I would say 90% of my programs simply do not work on Vista.

So, now I have Vista with no antivirus/firewall software on this PC to work with Office 2007, and I have Linux Ubuntu on the same PC to work with everything else.

[Breetai]

I'm kinda disappointed with Consumer Reports lack of honest independence review of Windows Vista. The only thing Vista's really good for are empty promises. There's no upgrade with Vista it's just an effort from Microsoft to help Vendors sell more expensive equipment.

Think about this for a second, Apple's EULA refuses to let their OS be sold separately from their Hardware and Linux does not have corporate desktop support just server support. They are the closest thing to competitors Windows has and they're both disqualified because neither is actually really competing with Windows. Apple is competing with HP & Dell not Microsoft and Linux is all open source and not a corporate competitor.

Granted my "Vista Experience" made me switch to Ubuntu.

[Larry A]

I am a computer professional. Microsoft has put a lot of effort into creating a revenue generator; customer's needs notwithstanding. They have totally changed navigation, look and feel, usability and not for the better. Not even a change to the classic start menu mitigates the "improvements" Microsoft has foisted on us. I use Linux, XP and OS X regularly and Vista has the poorest ease of use among them. To Vista's credit, it has "borrowed" many features from OS X and Linux.
From one geek to another: if you like Vista, you can have it.

[Greg W]

I am not surprised.

Before I bash Microsoft, i do have to thank them for opening up such a profitable career. I am a veteran PC technician. Customer service is my most important company policy. This should be the same for Microsoft but it is not. Who is Microsoft's beta testers? YOU! You talk about XP support will soon be gone, so go with Vista. What support have you really received for far for other operating systems by Microsoft? You get an automatic security update overnight, and the next morning your computer boots to a blue screen. Please, I would rather they end the support now.

Here is the deal. They average person that uses a computer is used to XP. They are used the the 'start' menu. They are used to add/remove programs. They are used to outlook express. Funny things is that with Vista, all this is changed. Instead of 'start', you have a circle that a large amount of people will have no clue what to do with. And leave it to Microsoft to to bring us IE7 which is has an enormous amount of bugs. Funny how when they fix old problems, they create new ones. Kinda funny how Microsoft has yet to follow the W3C standards when everyone else seems to do a pretty good job of it.

Take Vista and put it next to the same machine that instead has XP. The XP machine will out perform the Vista 3 to 1.

I said earlier I am all about customer service. I don't feel I am doing a good service to my customers if I sell them a machine with Vista. 95% of the clients that have upgraded to Vista or purchased a new machine with Vista have been more than just upset.

Microsoft is a company that is completely out of touch with its client base and I really don't think they care.

The bottom line is Vista is resource intensive, sluggish, buggy, confusing, and not anything like what Microsoft had promised it would be.

...Now there are some really smart features with Vista and it does allow for alot more RAM. Give it another year and it will be a decent O/S. Until then I would not even come close to recommending.

[B.]

I use Vista at our church for an on screen program. The program is put together and checked (saved, computer shut down, computer turned on, program reopened)everything is fine. When it's time to run the program on Sunday there are problems.

Not only is it embarrassing, it's frustrating.

I'm going back to XP.

[MacAttack]

I purchased an HP 8100e dual core with Vista in November. I have two other computers that have XP on them. Vista took a little bit of time to learn and to navigate. Same thing when XP came out. I only have a few programs that will not completly work with Vista even when they are rolled back to XP or 2000 in admin settings. New service packs will hopefully fix that. Same thing when XP first came out. Basically what I am saying is that with all new O/S problems are present when the program rolls out. Vista is not perfect and it has more than few annoying problems. Would I choose XP over Vista....In a heartbeat!

Unfortunately there will come a time when Microsoft will no longer support XP. Same with 2000. Windows 98...Good Luck! So people can complain about Vista and say that they will never get it an keep XP. One problem, when you have problems there will be no support or drivers or service packs to fix your problem. A good example..Want cable internet? You'd better have an operating system that is not older than Windows 2000. If you do have 98...Then no cable internet for you. Same thing will happen soon with 2000. So give Vista some time and most of the problems should be worked out just like XP when it first came out.

[jackie]

i bought a vista and i am not pleased with it. iwish i had know iwould not have bought this vista.is there anything we can do about this.

[Roger]

Is it Windows Vista or your applications that are causing the problems?
I’m an independent technology consultant with seven years of computer support experience. Last year, I purchased an e-machine for my son and a Dell laptop for my wife. We experienced software problems on both computers, which had Vista pre-installed. I had to remove a Roxio product from the laptop before I could use Vista’s backup feature to back up the hard drive to DVD. I had to remove a registry entry from the desktop computer before I could use Dragon Naturally Speaking with Microsoft Encarta Student Edition. Unfortunately, software developers can’t guarantee that applications that were developed for Windows XP will work with Vista. Other than the problems mentioned above, Vista works well for us because I use applications that were created for Vista. In addition, I recommend that you have at least 2GB of RAM on your Vista computer. Also, Microsoft regularly issues updates to resolve known problems. For example, I recently received an update that resolved a conflict between Symantec Live Update for Ghost version 12 and Windows Live One Care.

Roger

[Rick]

I use both Mac's and PC's for business and personal use. I considered buying Vista but after reading the horror stories about it I think I'll wait a few years. I currently run XP Professional on 7 Dell machines and also run XP Professional on two Intel Mac's. The Mac's actually run XP the best. One Mac uses Boot Camp and the other is using Parallels. Both Mac's are faster than all of the Dell desktop machines. Personally, I would recommend buying a Mac. I have been using Mac's since 1984 and have always been happy with them. Now that they run Windows, I will run Windows XP on the Mac's if needed and no longer buy other Windows machines. This saves me a lot of aggravation with viruses and Windows related problems. I simply use Windows for any "Windows Only" programs that I have and prevent internet access and email on the Windows side of the Mac. Email and internet access is only allowed on the Mac side. This virtually eliminates the possibility of viruses. You can buy Apple Mac's with Windows XP and OSX Leopard preinstalled from MacMall and other dealers. The world is a better place thanks to Apple.

[JosephVanRiper]

I work as a senior software engineer in a primarily Windows-oriented environment.

We're slowly, if grudgingly, moving to Vista, mostly with the understanding that we don't have a choice in the matter; in time (over a matter of years), support for the earlier operating systems will be removed, for understandable reasons.

This said, Microsoft needs to fix a great many problems in Vista, from everything I've read in professional forums, and from my own experience with the operating system.

From personal experience, I find copying files across a network using Windows native network protocol (SMB, as in copying something to \\machine\share\folder) to be extremely spotty. I have found myself waiting for over 10 minutes for a 3 meg file to copy across a relatively fast VPN, while Vista presents a message indicating that it is 'calculating disk space'... not even attempting to copy the file.

The Vista operating system looks beautiful. Necessarily so, as you will spend more time looking at it than using it, for all the time it makes you wait while it does something unnecessary for you.

Vista breaks Microsoft's tradition of attempting to make their operating systems backwards compatible, such that older software continues to work. This means some software titles will not work with Vista, until (unless) the vendor updates their software to work properly in Vista. Make sure the software you require works in Vista before you buy.

I recommend that most home users wait another year or two for Microsoft to release a service pack (or two, apparently their first one isn't working out so very well; it apparently prevents you from successfully rebooting your machine, unless Microsoft fixed this) to address the many problems associated with this rushed operating system.

In the meantime, insist on XP when purchasing a new computer.

[pMay]

Vista vs Win Xp....I just ordered a new computer from Dell yesterday and elected to have Win XP installed. My reason for this had nothing to do with the reliability/unreliability of Vista, but was made because of how my computer is used. I do a lot of graphic art and have purchased a truck load of plugins that will not or never will work with Vista. Many of these plugins are made by individuals and will not be upgraded to work with Vista. This included older versions of Jasc PSP. Vista will be releasing a Service Pack 3 that is supposed to take care of many of the issues folks are having, but I could not be given assurance that I would be able to use my computer in the way I need. I was also told that come June, 2008, Microsoft will no longer license Win XP, so Dell will no longer sell the program. This will not effect those would have it already, although support will no longer be offered. I have had a computer for 10 years and have yet asked Microsoft for any type of support and actully only installed SP2 last year and it has been available for several years. Now, it is also my understanding that if you buy a computer with Vista installed on it, you cannot remove it and install Win XP, but you can remove Win XP and install Vista. It has to do with how the computer is built, I forget what part. My new computer is a Inspiron 530with Inspiron 530 Intel Core 2 processor with Quad Core Technology, 500GB HD and 4GB memory. I hope this information will be helpful to those trying to decide what to purchase.

[Darryl C]

October 2007 a dear friend of mine (not a computer wizard - 78 years young) asked me to recommend a new computer and of course install it and show him how to use it too. At the time I had a choice between Windows XP and Windows Vista..... Thanks god I chose Windows XP, with all the problems that Vista users are writing and talking about he would have had me on the phone 24/7 with support issues...

[Brian Cargill]

Vista is a horrible, horrible operating system. I am currently using three versions of windows including Vista and XP. The older version of windows is the most stable of the three; XP is a little fancier but has a few problems (driver conflicts, for one) and Vista is a total mess. The security, while I am sure is much improved, makes some of the simplest file management operations very cumbersome and sometimes impossible. In response to this, I bought an iMac. I am in love again.

[Matthew R]

I am very unimpressed with Windows Vista. I understand it is new. but after 6 months of having it, every time I want to close any page of Internet Explorer, Internet Explorer has an unexpected error and needs to close and then it restarts Internet Explorer. This happens every single time I close it. No kidding. Windows Vista also tries hard to look like a Macintosh OS. I have an Apple powerbook G4 laptop 1.33ghz and after having it 4 years and upgrading 2 operating systems, Macintosh is always stable with no problems. I do not recommend Windows Vista to anybody. It took several years for Windows XP to become somewhat stable. Macintosh is a so much more stable pick.

[Dan]

i need a new pc so i got a vista never again vista sucks
going back to x p the next pc will be a dell
the might get it right

[Tawana Jones]

I have the vista system and of coarse you are going to have problems with anything thats new if you don't know all the ins and outs on how its run.Give vista a chance,It's brand new as with all the other progams that you had to learn when they came out. Thank you.

[J. Onslow]

In the past year I have looked at replacing my AMD K6 III with Windows 98SE, (purchased in 11/99) and based on the above comments I think I will stay with what I have. It may be slower and I do have some issues now and again, however never anything I cannot fix, and find a fix for. So for now I just have to find a new printer that is still compatible with windows 98.

I will keep my money and have less frustrations.

Long Life
Jim

[Steve]

I have been having numerous issues with a Vista machine I bought from Dell in August (XPS 720, gaming rig essentially). About 2.5 months ago I began getting video driver errors that would hang up in various gaming applications (TF2, EQ2, etc.) These error messages grew in frequency to the point that I can no longer play *anything*. Then the problem began occurring when I was web browsing as well, and my machine will crash out after some 10 minutes of use. After 8 hours with Dell's customer support (which I found to be excellent, btw) I am basically waiting for MS to work out this known issue to magically transform my rig back to a working computer. As it stands now, it is a $3k paper weight.

[AG]

Ive had Vista since May of 07, and I have never had a problem with the system. My computer has never crashed, I never lose files, and the computer runs smoothly.

[Conley]

I don't understand why everyone is so upset with vista.
I have had it with my new computer since July and I haven't had one problem with it. Actually, I went from xp back to 98 and winme because xp ran the system very sluggish. Well, honestly, I believe that vista is the best OS system to date. Here is why.
The simple fact that new support is on horizon for it.
Plus everyone going to xp is in for a rude awakening.
There will be no support for xp, and that will have everyone
that is "afraid of change" that is running xp even more mad.
They will eventually have to eat their words and go back to vista. I am sure that Gates has figured that one out already.

So, I am inclined to say.

STOP being babies and accept change.
No OS is perfect.

[Mike D.]

A friend of mine received his first laptop a year ago as a present loaded with Vista. Being a new user he had many issues with the system. Constant loss of files, troubles navigating, sporadic system crashes, it even blue screened on him a couple of times. He called me to help him fix an issue he was having where the system would consistently reboot every thirty seconds. It was crazy! Ive never had such a short window to identify a problem and rectify it. I tried everything I could think of for being mostly self taught and talking with some IT friends of mine and finally ended up wiping the hard drive and reinstalling. It was the only thing i had time to do in my 30 sec. window. I had many reminders and flash backs to my brief stint with Windows ME and decided Vista DEFINITELY is not worth the hassle. In time they may be able to sufficiently cure Vista's short comings but for now and probably the next 2-4 years of its life cycle it just turns your pc into a $1,500-$4,500 dollar paper weight.

[Ivan]

It took 4 years for Microsoft to improve XP and call it Vista. I'd like to know what improvements were made.
1) System runs slower in Vista
2) You practically need 3 GIGs of RAM to run it.
3) Security doesn't allow you to navigate freely within its own system
4) Forget about finding drivers for old equipment.
5) Crashes are about 1 once every 4 hours.
6) Memory cache is non existant
7) Freeing up unused memory, well MS thinks that everybody has lots of RAM.

I went to an Apple store to see the Macs, and could not believe how stable and smooth there OS is.

What really puzzles me is that you actually have to pay to install this garbage on your machine...oh by the way, once you buy a computer with Vista, and you don't like it, good luck getting XP on that machine...strngly recommend a no go on this!!!.

[Chris L]

It is interesting reading all of these comments. The vast majority are negative posts with maybe one or two positive posts. There does seem to be a pattern though. People complain about how much memory that Vista requires - is it surprising to have to use more?

Try and run XP on and old 133mHz machine with 16 mB of RAM - doubt you can. I will offer the same challange to OS X - run it on an Apple machine that was put out 10 years ago.

I purchased a new computer about 10 months ago with Vista Home Permium on it. 2 gB of RAM, 3.2 gHz Dual Core processors and a 256 mB graphics card and have not had any issues with it. I had to get a new scanner, but it was 5 years old anyway (how long should I expect hardware support?). I have changed graphics cards to a 512 version and added 2 more gB of RAM, and of course everything runs better but I did because I have a couple of PC games that are real system hogs and will not run on an older system (should I be upset with this or enjoy the better graphics, sound and game play?).

Now, I do know a bit about messing with the insides of computers and also the use of memory management in software, but I have a number of friends that request advice concerning issues with Apple products and XP - usually because they are trying to mess with stuff they do not understand. When asked my advice on if they should upgrade to Vista, my answer is yes, if you are going to buy a new machine, and no if they are keeping the old.

I am not saying that everyone issues with Vista is user related because there is not an operating system out there that is perfect, but I imagine there is a lot of issues due to lack of knowledge. I have 2 development environments installed on my machine, connect to multiple TVs in the house, connect to my XBox 360 and have been able to set all of this up with relatively little issues (I have had more issues at work with our Dell laptops running XP and drive failures and then trying to get the environment set up correctly again).

Anyway, Vista is not for everyone, just like OS X and all the Linux hybrids are not either, but give it a more time and then everyone will be spouting the same remarks aimed at the next OS put out by Microsoft and how Vista was great in comparison.

[William Darr]

I've been a MS customer since 1984 and Vista is the most miserable OS so far devised. Rates in there with ME. I've been tracking crashes, hangs backup errors (one good back up in 6 months)and the problems are now too numerous to mention in this forum (printed my log today 137 pages of errors, hangs and crashes, ect, ect, ect. I see now my loyalty to MS for these years was a vain exercise.

New software has difficulties and is understood by compentent users but the resources Hp and MS use to train their techs ( I use the word loosely)to stonewall their customers and try to upgrade you to special services (HP
$157.00 per incident) would be better utilized developing an OS that works and sports wide spread compatabilty.

I spend at least a hour a day attempting to find answers or get support from Best Buy, HP or MS. As a stock trader this is costing thousands per hour. These guys just don't get it and have nothing to offer but do a recovery. HO HUM, big yawn

MAC here I come, as far as I'm concerned these guys are history and have lost my business forever.

BD

[henry cothern]

I am a novice as far as where computer programing knowledge is corcern. Even from this point it is very obvious that MS Vista O/S has avariety of problems that Microsot needs to address. Vista problems are evedently many and serious enough that another O/S producer is using these many problems to promote its' product. It seems also that Microbesoft and those computer makes such as Dell,who push this Vista O/S on the buyers of their product have little interest in solvig Vista's problems.Windows 98 compared to Vista is a far better O/S.My personnal feeling th at if one is looking for a good O/S then they should not buy or get the Windows Vista O/S

[David]

OK, Vista is pretty - but does it really need to make your computer run so sluggish? I mean, really, does Bill Gate$ really need to control everyone's computers? Another thing, this is the biggest software maker in the WORLD. They at elast could come up with something that works as well as Linux.
I have also seen that Micro$oft has a habit of copying work others have worked so hard to put out there (Apple, Linux, ect.)
Bottom line : I will NEVER install Vi$ta just as I am always forced to install OSes that are bloated and gaudy.

[Janet N]

Vista is about the most usless piece of software yet since the Millenium version. I utterly despise it, can't do a thing with it and can't wait to go back to XP.

[Rob R.]

I've been running Vista since it was first released to manufacturing. In the first half of 2007, there I had various issues with drivers either being unavailable or unstable. Now I have all the drivers I need except for a Canon MultiPass multi-function printer for which Canon has decided not to release Vista drivers.

Vista is ultimately a graphically pleasing (the Windows Aero visual interface is quite nice) but technically disappointing successor to Windows XP. Vista is slower (I've benchmarked this several times), requires more resources (processor, memory, video), and the new security enhancements are spear-headed by "UAC" (User Account Control).

Unfortunately UAC is a mediocre attempt to emulate Unix user access rights escalation (Mac OS X is based on Unix by the way). So while Windows Vista now prompts one to "Allow" system access to programs which attempt to access or modify certain system settings and files, many programs I've encountered provide no meaningful information on exactly what program is trying to gain said access. I installed an Adobe Acrobat Reader security update for which Windows prompted me with something like "09dsfsdj.tmp is trying to access your system... Allow? Cancel?" If I didn't know better, "09dsfsdj.tmp" certainly sounds like it could be a virus trying to do something. So ironically, UAC may have prevented me from installing an important security update to my computer because of the horribly inadequate description presented by UAC. One step forward, two steps back?...

So on the one hand, all of the new Vista security features are quite desirable on paper, but it seems that it will take some more time for 3d party software vendors to "catch up" to Vista and actually make proper software and installers that will provide meaningful information via Vista's UAC.

Then there's also the long list of features that were supposed to be included with Vista (as promised by Microsoft over several years) that didn't make it in time to be released. Such a large company as Microsoft seems desperately incompetent if they can't deliver on their promises despite having delayed the Vista release by 2 or more years.

Ultimately Microsoft missed the big picture. They focused so much on security - which all users want - but security is a "behind the scenes" kind of thing. Corporate customers will see security as a feature, but personal users have little use for it other than keeping computer viruses from sprouting up on their PCs to cause frustration which is often followed by expensive support calls. Other than an eye-candy face-lift to the graphical interface, there's little difference between Vista and XP. It strikes me that all of the performance enhancements in Vista are really an effort to try to bring Vista performance closer to XP performance, and I believe Microsoft has fallen short of that.

[dennis]

For those of you interested in getting a computer w/o vista, there are several sites out there that allow you to customize your setup to include xp. For instance, if you want a dell laptop (inspiron 1521 specifically), you can get that with xp. Beyond dell, most of the mainstream brands are all vista offerings (HP, Lenovo, Sony, Toshiba, etc). Try sites like:

http://www.pcsforeveryone.com/,

http://www.ibuypower.com/mall/lobby.htm.

http://www.pctorque.com/

You can also find used laptops at

http://www.usanotebook.com/index.php

Used has the downside of being "used" but you can get machines cheaper and with xp. Local vendors around your area may have xp machines but that can be chancey to find. Check out the computer mags for ads that allow you to customize a machine. Chances are they will offer xp in the online config.

If you want to try linux, be careful with laptops because linux may not detect all of the h/w with every machine. There are few h/w standards with which laptops comply with so it does become a hassle if you have to go searching for drivers or workarounds. Linux is a decent OS but it is something more geared towards advanced newbies. Understand Linux is an OS base but that there are literally hundreds of the same versions out there, all with their little subtle differences. You will find people devoted to their versions so asking for advice can be confusing. The more popular versions are opensuse, ubuntu, pclinuxos, and perhaps fedora. Besides opensuse, the others mentioned do have what are called live CD's. Try those first before installing anything to make sure all of your h/w does work or, if not, make sure that you are comfy doing a little research to fix problems. Understand that in Dec 2007, Linux is not a prime player just yet. It is not an idiot's OS. You can not just be a "knuckledragger" and get away with it. Windows and Mac are more "idiot" friendly. I say those terms not to denigrate anyone but just that this is the it is.

[Welder Guy.]

Vista is (in my opinion) complete and utter junk. If I knew I would have this many problems and incompatible software issues, I would have stuck with XP.

Remember what happened to Bill Gates in the South Park movie?

Get Vista and you will have a deeper appreciation for that scene.

[frustrated girl]

I got a laptop with vista and it absolutely would not allow me to download or install anything at all, and I've tried everything with the security because it always says that I do not have permission to install anything. It's driving me mad!

[wendy]

Yea, vista has big issues, so did XP when it came out, thousands of bugs and everyone wanted to stay with windows 98 (still the best) but eventually XP will not be supported and you will HAVE to run vista, that is untill their new release of yet another version coming soon down the pike...LINUX? hey, Lindspire (lindows) is Linux with an interface that looks just like windows, and CHEAP and the user agreement is reasonable...check them out...or Unbunto, FREE...Linux has many easy to use interfaces now...and yes, many people are migrating to apple...oh well microsoft, snooze, ya loose

[Pam]

I just just recently ordered my new computer with the vista. After reading these comments, I think I'm going to call & cancel. Upgrading the xp is sounding better all the time. Vista sounds like a complete nightmare that I would have no patience for.

[William Clements]

I purchased a hp media center m8020n with vista and have had trouble ever since. hp has replaced the mother board twice. why! they say the system is coruppted by non compatible software and hardware.well it is all micro soft or hp.
hp support is like talking to a brick wall. they know absolutly nothing about their products.they are also rude and non responsive to their customers.

[Michael Blank]

I have bought a laptop and a desktop, both with the new Vista system. Other than the fact I had to make sure I had extra RAM, I have not encountered any issues with Vista. It does seem to hog memory, but as improvements are added to operating systems, this is an expected outcome. I have to say that I am happy with Vista.

[Hirbod]

VISTA IS JUNK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FOR NOW.

[Angry user]

Vista is an unpredictable frustrating headache. A repairman dream come true. Going to MAC!!

[franklin carmichael]

vista is a total disaster in my opinion. I have spent over $1,000 dollars on service calls to fix security issues with my computer. There are also shut down problems and system freezes I am encountering. The backup system does not work. I am using a computer whiz for my service, and he reports many people are switching off of pc to mac. He helped me make my decision. I am buying a mac. If I could sue microsoft for the wasteed timme and money, including launching what in my opinion is a faulty product, I would due so. I guess Gates is spending lot's of time remodeling his house, collecting art and managing his foundation, and my guess less on other matters.

[d.mauthe]

cannot connect to browser after hooking up router. any suggestions.d-link 704up. d.m.

[Graham]

Windows Vista and XP are both page file hogs.
Find your Virtual memory settings in Control panel and be sure to set them both for the same amount in multiples of 1024 IE.1023 fails in virtual 1024 works 2040 fails 2048 works.
You will notice an immediate speed increase in almost all aspects of computing IE printing Internet email scans networking.
I run my system at 3072 in both minimum and maximum and it works perfectly.
The default setting in both operating systems is incorrect so you are running no virtual at all.

[Graham]

I bought Windows Vista Home Premium and had a few update drivers for Scanner Printer etc updates I needed to look for which was the same when I installed XP.
I use a Dual Core 2.41 gig hrz with 2 Gigs of ram and it runs absolutely perfectly never a problem.
A lot of people try to upgrade to Vista using their old comps this system is written for Dual core with the dual processors.

[Albert G. Hughes Jr.]

Vista seems to work except for Backup/Restore Extreamley Unreliable a Diaster: Purchased alternate Backup due to Frustration It seems Microsoft only Knows how to Reinstall and Pray Hard Faults in DDr2 Ram seems to be another Problem You dont even Know its Happinning till you check. The Mac Looks better every day { HP Media Center 7747C 2.13 Dual Core } I refuse to purchase Ultima I tired of chaseing carrots, I have already zinged by symantic I have had enough of Bill Gates Its Pretty Bad when you Know more than the help Lines HP Included I Walk away and wait for them to catch up as I say Mac Looks Better every Day it all come down to your breaking point !

[Trish B]

Having purchased 2 new computers this past month - I'm at wits end with Vista. I shopped for machines with XP, but they are few and not readily available. I decided to move forward with a Vista machine and I regret having spent the money.

With Vista you must have massive memory for the system to operate at any reasonable speed. I can't tell you how many times the system has shut down entirely without warning - talk about frustration!!! There is nothing end user friendly about this program - did Microsoft listen to any end user feedback, from those that would actually be utilizing the system and programs?! If this is what MS has to offer as its latest and greatest...they need to go back to the drawing board.

[Rose]

Going back to XP. Well atleast until Microsoft can get it right. Most busy professionals do not have time to dig around for answers to problems that shouldn't exist in the first place.

[steven singer]

DEFINATELY NOT WORTH THE MONEY FOR A PERSONEL HOME USER. I ALSO HAVE NO SOUND AND CANT FIND A SOLUTION.

[Don]

Is Vista compatible with Pogo games, and how much storage, and memory will i need on my new computer?
Does the same theory apply on a new laptop?

[Aaron M]

I'm surprised that there is not more mention of Linux in this blog. While I understand that Windows dominates the desktop space, Linux (with the KDE and Gnome desktops) has come a long way.

Linux's cost, security, and stability far outweigh that of Windows, though the learning curve for Linux is far steeper and will likely remain so for the foreseeable future. However, for basic web browsing, word processing, email, and other such day to day functions, Linux is hard to beat.

Not to mention that most of the "new" features in Windows Vista and IE7 are all things that Linux and Firefox have been doing for years.

How about some props for the penguin, eh?

Aaron M