XP Professional is doing wonders for me right now. business and personal use.

whats so beneficial about Vista? Or, whats gonna be good about it?

im not sure i think it will be more good for greedy bill gates so you cant put it on more then one michine or hack it as ez as it was for xp so ya could use it on more then one michine and still get there updates im sure it will still come packed with all the window vulnerability hole fetures that windows comes with

sounds good

Even tho Linux distros need some work, they are better for the user than Vista will be. For vista you need a whole new computer, Linux will run on your old 486.

My 2 cents

Vista will run on ur current computer if it is newer.

An interesting article can be found here, which definately does not describe Windows Vista as the way forward.

Vista is not a way forward it is just a new look.

Vista is full of flaws. Here are the biggest ones.
1) From what I know it will only work w/ 64 bit achitechure
2) Requires High amounts of Ram.
3) Requires alot of graphic processing power.

If you wanted to run it on a computer youve had for awhile just forget it. So far Im guessing only the last year and a half's will be able to work it semi decently. I think they reccomend 512 Mb RAM so you'd better have 1Gb of it

So what you are saying is my brand new (well 1 year old) computer with a P4 will not run vista... Now that is a load of bull crap...

I think there will be a 32-bit version of windows vista.... one of the 7 (!) available...

Actually, I believe the flawish, buggy, ridiculous Windows Vista is the BETA one. From what I hear and have researched, the new one will require a modern computer with a mediocre amount of system resources, but it won't require a brand-new "mini-supercomputer". Also, Windows Vista is supposed to be much more secure and supped up than any of the previous version. For a seldom occasion, I am supporting and encouraging Microsoft because they've been working hard to fortify their Operating Systems and have been doing a moderately good job; however, I do wish they would end the nuissance BETAs (the BETAs directed to compete in the "Toolbar & Search Engine Wars") and put Windows OneCare back into BETA because it is by no means ready to compete against even Norton let alone Kaspersky or NOD32.

Lol, i would like to quote more of those replyes, but i'm too lazy to do so...
First, yes, Vista is still a Beta.
1Gb of ram? not even close, sorry... at least 3 or 4 to get full potential.
Graphics? you would have to invest like $500 to get an OK for the graphics.

My brother haves Vista. His specs are:
Athlon 64 Dual Core 4GHz, 2Gb ram memory (DDR only), a NVidia Gforce 4 7800 with 256 mb graphic card, and 250 Gb of HD (Overall Specs)... pretty much, dont you think?

The problem is that for Vista, he don't meet even half of the requirements for full potential.. he gets a 3 rating out of 7 I think.

But, if you can get a good rating, you will have a nice OS. It haves a lot of things that makes it very usable, but again, i don't know it very well yet, because its still a beta...

here is what MS has to say about what you need via the "Beeb"

notice the 15 gig space requirement for the uber-bloat
(I have a 8gig HD )
from what I've read they have cut out a lot of the "stuff" that would
have made it worth while. (hard to say that with a straight face)
just to get it ready to release before 2010
includes a nice pic of Herr Gates

I'm pretty sure my system will run vista, my question is where can I get it?? Is it only available for testing to a limited number of people??

AMD64 3700 2.21GHZ
1.5GB RAM
BFG 6800oc GT PCIex16
80GB WD HD

If you want to see whether your computer is Vista capable, there is a tool that you can download here:

Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor Beta


Note: It's a beta tool, so don't use it to make upgrades to your system. Just use it as a guide. Read the FAQ Here .

Hate The Vista Hype? How To Stay Happy With Windows XP

Think Windows Vista will bring more hot air than benefits? This article is for you. Here's how to get the most out of XP for a long, long time -- including ways to get some of Vista's hot new features on XP right now.

By Preston Gralla
TechWeb

Jul 12, 2006 09:00 AM

http://techweb.com/article/showArticle.jht...cleId=160300002

Having tested Windows Vista Beta 2 personally, Heres what I think about it. Now my computer's specs arent all that high class, its a Toshiba Satelite laptop with a 1.5 ghz, 756mb ram, 64 dedicated video ram (intel graphics extreme 2), 40gig hd (60 gig external for music etc). Now what you'll notice is if any of you have tried Vista beta 1 that This would have been far to slow for anything. I've been in forums hearing complaints how on a 1gig 3ghz system it was still bumpy. Well that is true but it is pretty fast. Alot of things actually seem more stable but really the ram I would recomend is 1gig because I'm ussually using up around 700mb resourse. Processor you'll want around 2.0 ghz because if it overloads you'll freeze frequently (copying and pasteing large amounts of data does that). With my graphics, even trying to force glass it is impossible. In my case I couldnt even use Windows Movie Maker and in Media Center I couldnt play videos and I noticed that Media Center was really slow. Another thing to add is that battery life is minimum. I'd say on a 2hour battery you'll get about maybe 20 - 30 minutes depending on what you have set for your power settings. If you have it on full power than you'll get about 10 - 15 minutes but for me I had it set on balanced and that gave me the 30 minutes and I would ocationally get around 40 if it was on the Toshiba Power Saver setting. Another thing you want to keep in mind is that not all programs will work. AOL and AIM 5.9 absolutely wont work. Dont try and hack it I've already tried and looked around it wont work. On most games sound wont work, and for games you may be thinking that its a video hazzard but its not. Its full screen so nothing else should be taking up the video resourses, or at least to much. Programs such as Norton Anti Virus wont work, Though I heard you could download something to fix the problem.

But enough of the technical detail, over all I think its an amazing system if you have a 128mb graphics card and 1gig of ram with a 2ghz processor . For me, I simply got rid of it and switched back to XP because there really wasnt that much special stuff. The only thing I noticed was the the explorer was different, had a search bar at the top, you really had only 2 themes, the task bar was different. The start menu was different meaning it had a games option and a search bar, and when you clicked all programs it just switched and it would expand. And then you add media center and DVD maker and besides that theres nothing really special about it unless you have glass and a high graphics card so you can do everything. I recommend it only if you have a high graphics card because then wheres the fun if you cant make things flip and fly lol. Or media player look like a piece of art.

Conclusion is that no, its really nothing all that special, sure security has increased alot with the new Windows Defender and firewall but you can download that for XP, And if you want all the glass and cool look then download Vista Transformation Pack, And if your so hyped up about it, and you want the 3d flip then get the trial of TopDesk, 30 days and then pay 10 bucks and get it, Nothing can get glass on xp though except Windows Blinds but thats what, 30 bucks? And nothing can change the explorer and you cant get the search in the startmenu, you cant get the large icons with the cool bubble effect and you absolutely can not get Media Center for anything but Windows XP Media Center Edition, and Vista, But for everything else it seems possible so if I was any of you, I'd just download freeware and shareware to get the black bar or possibly the glass and bootscreen etc. Windows XP was a bigger hit yes, it had everything new you could imagine and was unbelievably reliable. But Windows Vista is the same, but you need high specs or at least adverage. Its not special yet but it is still in beta 2 and I would still definately recommend it if if you have the 1gig, 2ghz and 128 video ram.

And Questions just ask me, I'm sure I'll have an answer.

Mod Edit: Email address deleted to prevent Spambot harvesting.

Vista works on my 32 bit laptop with only 512 mB of RAM. It has an onboard graphics card with 128 mB of VRAM. After tweaking the performance options it worked just fine.

Yes, it's buggy. That's why it's Beta software! But each build has seen great improvements in it's reliability. In fact, build 5456 is stable enough for me to use it as my primary OS on my desktop. I'll be installing build 5472 onto it today.

Vista is a huge step forward for Microsoft. It addresses the security issues that weren't addressed in XP. It's also easier for folks who know little about computers to work with. And yes, it's got a bunch of fancy innovations that will make the experience much nicer. They have used some of the old code (from XP) in Vista - but they have rewritten the main parts. For example, check the event viewer in XP - then check it in Vista - wow! what a change!

Finally, everyone has an opinion of what's good and what's not good with it. But that's a decision that you've gotta make for yourself. And the only way to do it is by trying it!

512 MB RAM on a plain XP HE is a waste. Try 2 GB for Vista to use it comfortably. But I shall wait till the last release if it will work with the final release for a cost. of many $ Other wise my XP media center 2005 is good enough for me for the next 4 or so years.
2 GB RAM and 2.8 GHz.., I should be able to run both U think? I hope so! I am tired of waiting for Longhorn/Vista and my other 2 machines being Sp 1 XP required me to do something A.S.A.P. so I got the HP solution.....lol
So Sarge what unit did you serve with?

SERIOUSLY! whats up with all this BETA SOFTWARE BETA THIS BEAT THAT! Its all crap. ok here are the differences of windows vista.

1. BETTER GRAPHICS
2.YOU CAN SEE THROUGH WINDOWS
3.The start bar is black

OMG! SOOO MUCH! It has all the same programs as windows xp or pro. I mean what kind of ediot would actually go and buy the software for like $200 when it comes out? If you ask me they made windows vista just t make money. THATS BUSINESS

darn lot of read, 4 pages for a paragraph and a half to find out I have done about all I want to get these Vista like products. Thats why i like to be able to post just the info that supports th eidea or thread. But rules need to be followed. And the power toys has M$ certified dis approval with more instructions for those of us using earlier power toys.
My older gateway desktop like I posted some where else is going on ebay. Why because it won't last as it is a Oct. 2001 build. My laptop is goin gto get sold localy (I hope) for a big loss. But I should be able to buy a new laptop from the proceeds of both sales. And Vista isn't going to be part of the new prize. Why like any new product give it time to correct the flaws! And M$ will need several years to do that. ANd by then the hackers will require the present monthly patch department to work overtime. All this hype for what? I guess I need to wipe the dust of my live Linux CD and get use to it! UGH........ Or face the truth if it is going to take till 209or longer to get Vista produced then I might be to old to bother with going online. Or dead! lol. And what no mention of Apple and their answer to Vista! Count on it!!!
So for now it is wise to relax and put this Vista idea to rest. Why because even M$ doesn't know much about their dream OS! The only ones (the writers) are getting mileage out of the subject. Sorry if the truth hurts! Well it was suppose to be IE 7 preview image. Guess I can't get it right yet. Sorry about that too.Click to view attachmentClick to view attachment

do we really have to go through all this when we have linux running just fine with my old p3 system!!

The point here is that Vista is being designed - as have most of the Microsoft OS's - for the general user. NOT for those who know a bunch about computers.

If Linux works for you - why bother switching?

Agreed... Windows is designed to work properly and easily for the newest computer user.

i have install vista on a second computer,it stats are. mercury M/B amd 1800 duron 1.35 GHz,512 mb ram,40 gig hard drive,128 mb nvida fx 4000 vidieo card. it like using xp with 256 mb of ram.no areo glass.good for a basic user.emailing,and searching the web.