Just bought a PC with Windows Vista... advice needed! Should I take it back?

[kelnet]

At the end of June, Microsoft announced that it would continue to support XP until 2014, even though they have stopped selling it.
So, if you're happy with XP and don't need a new system for a while, then there's no need to worry about Vista for some time.

[ramblinmike]

Originally Posted by bradpdx

...We'll see, but I don't buy the line that Mac viruses will flourish once the market share is sufficiently large. We may see a non-zero number of viruses, but not many...

I totally agree. It's really nice having the peace of mind that programs can't install themselves on OS X. Especially if they modify important stuff. That said, I'm sure people are dumb enough to install a shady program and then put in the admin password. Once those viruses are out in the wild, SOMEBODY is going to be getting them. But they won't be as widespread as crazy MS viruses. And even with increased market share, virus programmers are then going to have to make two versions of each virus, one for mac and one for Windows. Not even most software makers are willing to do that yet! Fact remains, a virus programmed for windows will have the greatest chance of spreading, and that's what they're aiming for. Unless they have a grudge against Macs.

[kelnet]

Originally Posted by ramblinmike

I totally agree. It's really nice having the peace of mind that programs can't install themselves on OS X. Especially if they modify important stuff. That said, I'm sure people are dumb enough to install a shady program and then put in the admin password. Once those viruses are out in the wild, SOMEBODY is going to be getting them. But they won't be as widespread as crazy MS viruses. And even with increased market share, virus programmers are then going to have to make two versions of each virus, one for mac and one for Windows. Not even most software makers are willing to do that yet! Fact remains, a virus programmed for windows will have the greatest chance of spreading, and that's what they're aiming for. Unless they have a grudge against Macs.

Plus, why would a hacker even bother creating a virus that will reach less than 4% of the world's computers. The old saying about safety in numbers sure doesn't apply with computers.

[Whisperer]

Good points guys, but truth is, I decided to keep it.
It hasn't given me any troubles, and I really like Vista now that I have spent some time with it.
Thanks for the answers.

[imwjl]

Originally Posted by kelnet

At the end of June, Microsoft announced that it would continue to support XP until 2014, even though they have stopped selling it.
So, if you're happy with XP and don't need a new system for a while, then there's no need to worry about Vista for some time.

You better read the fine print before saying things like that. It is Extended Support and not Mainstream Support that goes to 2014. Extended Support has been paid support, and has required agreements purchased within 90 days of Mainstream Support ending. Most of these details have traditionally been found under or off of the URL below.

http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle

I have customers with financial, HR and payment systems that cannot always be retired completely, and one of our vendors said their bill for either the Extended Support or the specific fix (not sure which) was over six figures. I am quite sure most I hear blabber about their never leaving XP were also saying they were never leaving Win2K, and also not very likely to pay Microsoft $249 for a single support case let alone big money.

The best solution for bridging old and new is to use virtualization because all new hardware does well with it. I have no choice but to use and know 5 platforms but my VM strategy might help people going to Vista or a Mac.

I use a same XP Virtual Machine that works equally well as a guest OS with multiple hosts (Vista, Server, Mac, Linux). I also use a Linux VM that works equally well. It gives me whatever one could possibly need in about any environment, spares hardware costs both $ and mental, and allows about any application I could imagine to be used.

Vista and UNIX-style operating systems have some advantages many many not think of and both work fine, yet there's a lot of software that works with an older Microsoft environment that many may not be able to or may not want to part with. What I described allows it all with the highest possible security, reliability and convenience.

[pengipete]

Rather that getting in to the Vista v Mac v XP v Linux debate, I can try and help you with the issues.

Tell us what the problem is with the "guitar port" and there's probably a simple cure. Is this a USB device cos if it is you most likely need new drivers for Vista? Give me some details and I'll see what I can find.

Not sure what you mean about the hard-drive though - perhaos you could clarify the problem and I'll see if there is an actual problem and related solution.

I'm very familiar with Vista and do a lot of work on computer related forums s I can also ask around if the problem is beyond me.