[BabylenTatarsky]

This thread has probably been done at least thirty times, but this one's mine so read on.

Ok, this is my system: BabylenTatarsky's PC specifications
(that is what 3dMark06 threw out, so I figured it'd save me searching, typing and checking.)

This is what Windows Vista Advisor brought up:


It gave my System the all clear.

But it found some problems: (Ignore The Sims )



Hmm, doesn't look like anything major. Basically, will my computer still be as good (if not better) as it is now, if I install Windows Vista?

Also, you will have seen that I have a 64-bit processor, so would I be an idiot not to get a 64bit OS? I have 32bit XP and it's ok, but I've never tried 64 to compare. Also, are they seperate to buy, or are they both in the same box and you pick which version you want when installing?

I can't get an Upgrade version of Vista because I don't have a legit version of XP, so I don't wanna spend my precious money on something I'm gonna hate and end up not using. I saw a bit of Vista on TV though and it looks niiiice.

I use my PC to play Counterstrike: Source, listen to music, chat and surf online, download stuff , burn CDs and DVDs and to put songs onto my ipod.

I want Vista just because it's new and I know that if I don't get it now, for some reason or other, I'll probably end up with it.

I'm looking at the £369.99 pricetag on Play.com and cringing a bit.

I was also thinking of getting 4GB of RAM - I have my eye on some for £142.18 - that'd really get the best out of Vista, would it not?

Basically, I don't know if I should bother getting Windows Vista but am seriously considering it "just because it's new." So, advise me. Is it worth it? Will my computer be ok with it? Where would you recommend buying it from? etc.

Thanks a lot.

[Sandok]

If you upgrade your ram, that would defiantely help.. Having a dual core CPU too and I dunno if that AMD CPU will cope very very very well.

Right now, Vista isn't as great or perfect as XP but it's strarting of nicely. Personally, I think moving to Vista when SP1 comes out will be a safer bet but many people like the new Vista, and many don't. Compatibility is a problem as of now (thus the "wait and see" approach)

[EcPercy]

You should be fine with that system. I would go with Sandok's recommendation and add another gig of ram, but I think your CPU will be fine. I am running Vista on an athlon xp 2800+ (2GB ram) and the other system has a 2000+ (1GB ram) . It's still faster than XP on both systems.

[josh2thad]

my 3400+ and 1gb of ram runs fine, go ahead man

[dipstick]

I also agree, you should be fine with that rig. Also just a heads up that you don't need a winxp cd or an xp serial key to use a vista upgrade edition. I was able to install Vista Home Premium Upgrade on my bros pc as a clean install using the following method;
Boot off the upgrade dvd, format, and install the version you purchased without a entering a cd key (you can install any vista version like this but only choose what you bought!). Once its done installing, run the dvd again and upgrade from within vista(again, only choose the version you purchased!). That's it! Now you can activate it and have a 100% legal version while still being able to activate XP on another PC

Edit- After upgrading you can delete the Windows.old directory to save a few gigs of HD space

[Vampyromaniac]

He has an Nvidia graphics card. Has Nvidia made a decent Vista driver yet?

[dipstick]

Originally Posted by Vampyromaniac

He has an Nvidia graphics card. Has Nvidia made a decent Vista driver yet?

Well, I have no issues with nv vista drivers. In fact gaming is better on vista as it has taken care of all the micro stutters I could not get rid of in XP. Everyone's experience will vary of course

[BabylenTatarsky]

Originally Posted by dipstick

I also agree, you should be fine with that rig. Also just a heads up that you don't need a winxp cd or an xp serial key to use a vista upgrade edition. I was able to install Vista Home Premium Upgrade on my bros pc as a clean install using the following method;
Boot off the upgrade dvd, format, and install the version you purchased without a entering a cd key (you can install any vista version like this but only choose what you bought!). Once its done installing, run the dvd again and upgrade from within vista(again, only choose the version you purchased!). That's it! Now you can activate it and have a 100% legal version while still being able to activate XP on another PC

Edit- After upgrading you can delete the Windows.old directory to save a few gigs of HD space

Oh, thanks for the tip. It'll save me a few bucks.

Can you install Vista on two machines, with the same CD key?


As for the 'does Vista have drivers for Nvidia?' - Would I be better off waiting for a while or should I just dive in and keep my fingers crossed?

[dipstick]

Originally Posted by BabylenTatarsky

Oh, thanks for the tip. It'll save me a few bucks.

Can you install Vista on two machines, with the same CD key?

As for the 'does Vista have drivers for Nvidia?' - Would I be better off waiting for a while or should I just dive in and keep my fingers crossed?

No, just like with Windows XP you can only have a single activated copy. I mean you can install it on 1000 pc's but you wont be able to activate it But if you want to try other editions or see if a PC will run it okay, you can install it without a key and use it for up to 120 days (will require a reset every 30 days..up to 120 max)
As for the nvidia drivers; I would go in to it expecting a problem here and there but nothing crazy. It's a new OS and everyone is having issues, not just nvidia...that is for sure.

[Mousey]

Originally Posted by Sandok

If you upgrade your ram, that would defiantely help.. Having a dual core CPU too and I dunno if that AMD CPU will cope very very very well.

Right now, Vista isn't as great or perfect as XP but it's strarting of nicely. Personally, I think moving to Vista when SP1 comes out will be a safer bet but many people like the new Vista, and many don't. Compatibility is a problem as of now (thus the "wait and see" approach)

Rofl dude, 2 thing to consider

1. I am running Vista Ultimate (w/ aero and sidebar and all that flashy stuff) On a CELERON with 512MB Ram, and it runs like a dream, just stuttering very occasionally when i multi task heavily

2. Vista IS FINE how it is now, NO BUGS!!! Don't bother waiting for SP1 just get it, SP1 won't sort out a lot of the compatibility as that's gonna take fracking YEARS to get sorted as scripts are messed with and stuff.

[BabylenTatarsky]

Originally Posted by dipstick

No, just like with Windows XP you can only have a single activated copy. I mean you can install it on 1000 pc's but you wont be able to activate it But if you want to try other editions or see if a PC will run it okay, you can install it without a key and use it for up to 120 days (will require a reset every 30 days..up to 120 max)

Even if the two computers have the same IP address? Heh.

I should get paid tomorrow so might buy it. Ultimate, of course. Could someone answer my 64bit related question(s) please?

[kris23]

vista should run on your machine pretty well as is, but the more RAM the better as the OS uses idle RAM to speed itself up. 512mb is the minimum id actually try to run it at...... i HAD 1GB in my system and it ran like mad. 512mb......not so much but it still seems faster than XP. just dont multi task under 512mb like Mousey said. and i suggest getting either the retail copy of vista ultimate or just an OEM of home premium 32 bit since that 64-bit just isnt worth it yet.....

[Zelig]

The OEM packages are either 64-bit or 32-bit. Retail packages of ultimate include both the 32-bit and 64-bit discs, while home editions allow for shipment of the 64-bit discs if you pay for shipping costs.

Originally Posted by BabylenTatarsky

Even if the two computers have the same IP address? Heh.

I should get paid tomorrow so might buy it. Ultimate, of course. Could someone answer my 64bit related question(s) please?

Do they have the same hardware and MAC address as well?

Have you considered other versions besides ultimate? I don't claim to know which version is best for you, but don't waste your money just to get what is the "best" version.

Originally Posted by BabylenTatarsky

I can't get an Upgrade version of Vista because I don't have a legit version of XP

If my OS wasn't legit, I'd do my best to procure a legit OS. If I already had XP, I might not be inclined to buy Vista, but if you don't have either, not much point in getting XP.

The ram kit you linked was 2GB, did you mean you were thinking of getting 2GB, or of getting two of those kits? Either way, 2GB seems like the sweet spot for now, many newer games work much more nicely with 2GB installed. Also, you won't get use of a full 4GB with a 32-bit OS.

[jasonbourne]

if u get an upgrade copy of vista theres a work around way so u dont need to have windows xp installed on your system, just google it , its very easy i done myself

[BabylenTatarsky]

Originally Posted by Zelig

Have you considered other versions besides ultimate? I don't claim to know which version is best for you, but don't waste your money just to get what is the "best" version.

Hmm, I'm not sure. You're right though, I just picked Ultimate because it's the "best." That Advisor software I posted screenshots of suggested I get the Business version for some reason - I'll have to check them out and see which is most suited to me.

I figured Ultimate had everything so I couldn't go wrong, but no point shelling out on extras I won't ever use or need.

Originally Posted by Zelig

The ram kit you linked was 2GB, did you mean you were thinking of getting 2GB, or of getting two of those kits? Either way, 2GB seems like the sweet spot for now, many newer games work much more nicely with 2GB installed. Also, you won't get use of a full 4GB with a 32-bit OS.

I don't know what I meant - I just linked to a page I posted in an old thread. If I do upgrade I'll probably get 4GB just to avoid having to upgrade again in the near future.

Originally Posted by Zelig

The OEM packages are either 64-bit or 32-bit. Retail packages of ultimate include both the 32-bit and 64-bit discs, while home editions allow for shipment of the 64-bit discs if you pay for shipping costs.

Another reason to choose Ultimate.

Good to know that the box has 32 and 64 bit inside, I was scuttling around PC World trying to find the 64 bit OS'. Although, PC World is so über-crappy that it didn't even have Ultimate.


As for having a legit OS - hell yes. Now I can actually afford to have a legit version, I might as well keep it legal.

Thanks everyone for the replies, I think I'll order Vista in the next few days, along with s'more RAM.

Hmm, Ultimate or not? I better get comparing. Thanks again.

[dipstick]

You can use this chart to choose the right edition for you. Good luck
Windows Vista: Compare Editions

[Sandok]

Well guys I thought I'd also ask a question... Even though I gave advice in the beginning

I know OEMs are damn cheap... Here, in Switzerland, a retail Ultimate is 770 CHF and the OEM is 283... Quite a saving no?

Now I've heard that OEMs are tied to a specific mobo... I don't plan on ever changing my mobo but this is an important question nonetheless. Fact of fiction?

[Al_Vampyre]

Originally Posted by Sandok

Well guys I thought I'd also ask a question... Even though I gave advice in the beginning

I know OEMs are damn cheap... Here, in Switzerland, a retail Ultimate is 770 CHF and the OEM is 283... Quite a saving no?

Now I've heard that OEMs are tied to a specific mobo... I don't plan on ever changing my mobo but this is an important question nonetheless. Fact of fiction?

AFAIK, its fact but should you phone MS and tell them you have to replace your mobo because it was faulty/blew a capacitor or some other likely story then I would assume they'll reactivate without any problems but you never know for sure...

[Sandok]

Yay I heard about that too... Well the saving is over 50%... I guess I'll end up doing that

[Al_Vampyre]

Thats what I'm doing...my copy arrived yesterday is going on tonight...wish me luck (cos I went for the 64bit version of Home Premium)!

[Judas]

I'd say go for it, the realtek audio under vista is steller.... no issues at all...



All the other system requirements and program warnings are pretty much meaningless as there are now patches for everything listed there that i could see....

And the system will run it fine... i've got my little PIII 1ghz, 512mb SDRAM, 80gb IDE HD, Radeon 9550 and Creative Audigy PCI card running vista perfectly fine. Sure it scores a 1.0 as the lowest score, but it'll still play every game that was made for that machine, and works wonderfully under vista. Smooth as silk, and even appears faster then XP.

Only thing i'm missing is the ATI Catalyst driver on this vista machine, as the current 7.1 and 7.2's can't find any suitable "failed to find any installable components" hardware or something. And ATI is taking there freaking sweet time responding to my tickets with any correhent thought pattern that would be any sighn of intelligent life. Sorry, but i've submitted about 50 tickets, and i don't think a single one of them has every solved a problem i've had. Starting to drive me nutz.

I'd say go for it, get home premium, install freshly.

[Al_Vampyre]

Originally Posted by Judas

I'd say go for it, the realtek audio under vista is steller.... no issues at all...



All the other system requirements and program warnings are pretty much meaningless as there are now patches for everything listed there that i could see....

And the system will run it fine... i've got my little PIII 1ghz, 512mb SDRAM, 80gb IDE HD, Radeon 9550 and Creative Audigy PCI card running vista perfectly fine. Sure it scores a 1.0 as the lowest score, but it'll still play every game that was made for that machine, and works wonderfully under vista. Smooth as silk, and even appears faster then XP.

Only thing i'm missing is the ATI Catalyst driver on this vista machine, as the current 7.1 and 7.2's can't find any suitable "failed to find any installable components" hardware or something. And ATI is taking there freaking sweet time responding to my tickets with any correhent thought pattern that would be any sighn of intelligent life. Sorry, but i've submitted about 50 tickets, and i don't think a single one of them has every solved a problem i've had. Starting to drive me nutz.

I'd say go for it, get home premium, install freshly.

Is that 64bit you're talking about Judas...if it is you've just taking a weight off my mind mate!

May need help later on, when I'm doing my Vista install but I know the DH guys will be here!!

[Judas]

64bit vista? no, that cheaper machine i was discribing doesn't have 64bit tech available to it at all. 32bit home premium is currently on it now... nice little unit, even with a fully operational Aero Interface.

64bit wise, from what i can tell, while 64bit vista is coming along nicely, the realtek drivers appear to work just as good, with all the bells and whistles that 32bit vista has. However other driver development unfortuneatly DOES seem a little slower, but it's still moving on to getting better.

[Monkeyboy]

Originally Posted by Judas

64bit vista? no, that cheaper machine i was discribing doesn't have 64bit tech available to it at all. 32bit home premium is currently on it now... nice little unit, even with a fully operational Aero Interface.

64bit wise, from what i can tell, while 64bit vista is coming along nicely, the realtek drivers appear to work just as good, with all the bells and whistles that 32bit vista has. However other driver development unfortuneatly DOES seem a little slower, but it's still moving on to getting better.

Yeah, you're spot on about 64-bit driver availability. It seems some vendors were caught unawares by the appeal of Vista x64 and put their development of 64-bit drivers on the back burner, but you're right - the companies are catching up and every day someone else seems to get a driver out for their hardware.

[Al_Vampyre]

Well, it all went on fine, installed quite quickly too which surprised me, I have an issue with network connectivity but its seems to be a known issue with my mobo's onboard nic...there is a new driver which I'll try tonight to see if it resolves the issue.

Other than that, everything went ok, now to start playing with it!

[Monkeyboy]

Originally Posted by Al_Vampyre

Well, it all went on fine, installed quite quickly too which surprised me, I have an issue with network connectivity but its seems to be a known issue with my mobo's onboard nic...there is a new driver which I'll try tonight to see if it resolves the issue.

Other than that, everything went ok, now to start playing with it!

I had the same issue when I upgraded a friend's machine - the onboard NIC stubbornly refused to play - we tried various versions of driver.

In the end we just bought a cheap NIC from the local hardware store, installed that and it logged in fine as soon as we loaded the drivers for it.

[Judas]

if your on a home network, and wish to share files, make sure you go into the network sharing center, disable passwords and enable auto discovery.

[Vehicon]

I just made the jump to Vista last night. I used a few of the beta copies and wasnt liking it at all. BUT, i must say it runs pretty smooth in-games (BF2 & CSS).