Are you thinking of upgrading your Windows system to run Vista, Microsoft's latest operating system? "Don't do it!" says Tim Weber, Business Editor of the BBC News website. He tried and had huge problems.
Says Weber, 'It took me one day to get online. The detail is tedious and highly technical: reinstalling drivers and router firmware didn't work, but after many trial and error tweaks to Vista's TCP/IP settings, I had internet access. Once online, Creative's website told me that my sound card was a write-off. No Vista support would be forthcoming.'"
If you are thinking of upgrading your present computer to Vista, I'd strongly suggest that you first read Tim Weber's article at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6407419.stm.
Tim Weber is certainly not the only person who has had problems upgrading his modern PC to Vista. You can find hundreds of similar horror stories by using any search engine. Start first with this link: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=vista+upgrade+problems&btnG=Google+Search.
I wrote an article about a month ago describing my experiences with Vista. I had no difficulties simply because I took "the easy way out." I purchased a new, powerful computer with Windows Vista pre-installed at the factory. I did not go through the problems of upgrading from an earlier version of Windows. Having read all the horror tales about upgrade fiascos, I'm glad I chose to purchase a new computer with Vista pre-installed.
You can read my earlier article at http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2007/02/a_few_thoughts_.html.
Windows XP is already a dead product. There will be no more upgrades for XP, and even the vital security updates will stop in about two years: April 2009. In short, all of us are going to face a choice sooner or later: switch to Vista or to Macintosh or to Linux. There are good arguments for each of those choices.
Anyone choosing to remain with Windows should start thinking about upgrading. However, I wouldn't rush into it, and I certainly would never upgrade an existing system. Sooner or later, you will decide to purchase a new computer. I'd suggest that you upgrade to Windows Vista or Macintosh or Linux at that time, not now.
I will add a personal comment: I have had this powerful Windows Vista computer sitting on my desktop for a month now, alongside two older Windows XP systems, a Macintosh, and a Ubuntu Linux computer. The new Vista system has the most powerful hardware of all my computers: a dual-core 64-bit processor (essentially two high powered central processors on one chip), 4 gigabytes of RAM memory, a 500-gigabyte hard drive, a very sophisticated video board, and even the capability to record, edit, and create television programming.
Even with all that power, I am not using the new system very much. I find that I prefer my older Windows XP and Macintosh OS X systems.
Your mileage may vary.
An additional caution: ensure that the software you can't live without will work on Vista. I am not upgrading at home until Vista-compatible versions of TMG and iTunes are released. I am not upgrading at work either. I have just ordered 4 dozen Vista-certified laptops on which I will be installing Windows XP because most of my major applications (such as financial ledger and timekeeping) are not yet Vista-compatible even though I am running versions released in the last 12 months.
Posted by: Regina Gualco | March 04, 2007 at 09:33 PM
I agree there is really no reason to upgrade if XP is working just fine, but I don't know why there are so many problems. I upgraded my 2 year old laptop and the biggest complaint I had was the time it took to download vista and install it. If I would have purchased it at a store, the time would have been cut in half. I only had one compatibility issue. HP doesn't provide Vista drivers for my scanner. It will still work using the basic drivers in Vista, but some of the functions I had with XP won't work until HP pushes out their own software. My biggest complaint was how slow the laptop ran on the one gig of ram that came with the laptop. I added another gig and it worked fine...it seems the memory sweet spot is 2 gigs - at least for my laptop. Everything else worked fine. Maybe I'm the exception, but again, there really is no reason to upgrade if XP is doing ok.
Tim Agazio
www.genealogyreviewsonline.typepad.com
Posted by: Tim Agazio | March 04, 2007 at 09:44 PM
>>> even the vital security updates will stop in about two years: April 2009 <<<
This is not correct. Yes, "Mainstream Support" does end on 4/14/2009. But security patches continue in "Extended Support" which doesn't expire until 2014. We have lots of time.
Windows 2000 is still receiving security patches and it entered "Extended Support" mid 2005.
Posted by: Russell | March 05, 2007 at 03:17 AM
I was on PC's since the DOS days, since before the web, when the only genealogy info was on Compuserve's genealogy forum. I moved to a Mac at the office 4 years ago, but kept my Dell at home since The Master Genealogist held all my data, and I couldn't find a Mac program to compete w/TMG's comprehensive features. Once the Intel Macs came out though, I knew there was light at the end of the tunnel. A few weeks ago, I got my new 24" iMac, installed Parallels, which allows you to install XP on the same machine. By the end of the FIRST evening I had XP running in its own window, I installed TMG, imported my data, and had TMG running perfectly on my Mac, along with 2-3 other Windows programs that I've grown to like & need.
After reading the horror stories above, it certainly seems a better time than ever to move to move to Mac!
Posted by: Chris Bain | March 05, 2007 at 06:48 AM
Just purchased a new lsaptop with Vista and already have some doubts about the good fonctionability of the unit. I find that none of my aplications are working with Vista. (Quickbooks, WordPerfect and God knows what else ...) I was using a very old version of Family Tree Maker (version 6.0) and need to upgrade by purchasing the new version 16. I am wondering if it will be compatible with Vista though. Does anyone have any information about that? Thanks
Posted by: Annemarie | March 05, 2007 at 07:42 AM
I agree that you will probably have a number of problems with upgrading an existing computer to Vista. I bought a new Toshiba laptop with Vista Home Premium installed and it worked well for the most part. The absolute worst part for me was the User Account Control and permissions system that I had to learn. After many cases of not being able to access files I had created myself, and the incessant popups asking me if I was sure I wanted to run a program, I turned off UAC. I bet a lot of people will do that, especially if you are the only one using the computer.
A second problem that I had never seen mentioned in any reviews is that Vista does not support the old Windows help system. If you are still using an old program from the 90's that uses the .hlp files, you will not be able to access the program's help. You will have to settle on using the program without any help or buy a new version of the program.
Some existing programs also do not work well with the new aero interface, but they will work OK if you use the "Classic View" selection in the "control panel>personalizations>window color and appearance" screen. Of course you then miss out on the aero eye candy, which to me is no big loss.
Posted by: Charles Weese | March 05, 2007 at 08:49 AM
Wow! I'm in for a treat. I'm not as computer savvy as some of these people and already I think I'm in trouble. I spent more than I cared to for my Dell XP with a Vista compatible sticker. I can't afford to buy a new computer for another 5 years. (Ask my wife,the chancellor of the exchequer!) Sounds to me I should just stay with the XP for a while. I know next to nothing about the Mac and absolutely nothing about Linux. I'm in trouble, I guess.
Posted by: Sal. Franco | March 05, 2007 at 10:26 AM
The SOP of the techies I know has always been: Do not ever buy MS's newest OS until at least the first service pack has come out.
From what I've been reading in various places, Vista is little short of a complete disaster for most heavy users and no service pack is going to fix the inherent problems of compatibility.
I'm beginning to wonder if Gates-&-the-boyz haven't shot themselves in the foot at long last? Even my hard-core MS user techie is talking about Mac in the future. (words I never thought would come out of her mouth!)
In the meanwhile, she will keep what I've got (with XP installed) running for as long as possible.
Posted by: Penny Hayes | March 05, 2007 at 11:05 AM
Remember when XP first came out? Same questions/concerns were brought to light after the initial release. There were problems, yes, but most of us figured out how to use XP and there were patches and service packs to help us out. I'm sure this will be the same.
Personally I have a 3 year old computer with XP. It runs great and I've only had one major problem. I will probably stay with this until I'm ready for a new computer, in a couple of years. At this time I'm sure my favorite programs will have Vista compatible versions. I usually like to update my programs to the newest versions when I buy a new system. There usually seems to be less problems and the programs usually work faster.
Posted by: Annamari | March 05, 2007 at 12:02 PM
Reply for AnneMarie "...using a very old version of Family Tree Maker (version 6.0) and need to upgrade by purchasing the new version 16. I am wondering if it will be compatible with Vista though. Does anyone have any information about that?..."
I've heard from other users that FTM 16 works with Vista. I have Windows 2000 and FTM 16 works ok except for copying and pasting Notes. I unistalled FTM 16 and reinstalled the previous version for W2000. After reading all the comments about Vista, I think I'll wait awhile before upgrading...Does anyone know if Dragon Naturally Speaking 6.0 runs ok on Vista?
Posted by: Paula | March 05, 2007 at 05:01 PM
I will be dragging my feet kicking and screaming all the way "/ it was only about two yrs ago that I FINALLY upgraded from win98 to XP ... and still don't see any reason why I had to "/ other than my $$$$$$ in someone else's pocket "/ super charged hog wash ! I doubt if I'll ever use the capacity of what I had and/or have now ... and I am on this baby every day :)
Posted by: Ken Hedgpeth | March 06, 2007 at 12:19 AM
-->/ it was only about two yrs ago that I FINALLY upgraded from win98 to XP ... and still don't see any reason why I had to "/
You should have LONG ago because Windows 98 is the absolute worst operating system ever released... by ANY company.
-->The SOP of the techies I know has always been: Do not ever buy MS's newest OS until at least the first service pack has come out.
It's always been that way with MS... h&ll, they couldn't even get Windows 95 out when it was supposed to and had to change the name of the OS (it was originally scheduled for release in 1992). Fortunately with any/all Linux releases you have all the Linux gurus going over the OS with fine toothed combs, and the kinks/bugs get reported and fixed right away instead of having to wait for a company to decide to code and release the patch. That's what's great about open source!
Posted by: Melissa | March 06, 2007 at 02:29 PM
As one who upgraded an existing PC to Vista, I too would recommend buying a new PC with Vista rather than upgrading. Vista exposed every hardware and driver weakness in my old system, and I ended up replacing memory, my boot hard drive, and video card with one that was DirectX9 compatible before my system was stable and I was able to take full advantage of new features of Vista.
Two other (potential) problems were mentioned in earlier posts:
1. Old Windows Help not supported; check out the solution offered here: http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article07-500
2. Family Tree Maker on Vista. It is running fine for me after applying this update for people now using Family Tree Maker 2005, 2006 or 16: http://www.familytreemaker.com/vistaupdate/Default.aspx (Make sure you follow the directions closely!)
Posted by: John | March 10, 2007 at 10:50 AM
The best way to install Windows Vista seems to be this:
http://www.toxicjunction.com/get.asp?i=V1797
Posted by: Kathy Amoroso | April 28, 2007 at 02:34 PM
WHY VISTA SUCKS:
1. Dragon Naturally Speaking won't run on Vista 64 bit OS!!
2. You need WAY MORE than 1GB RAM to run Vista if you plan on actually opening any applications, such as browsing the web or checking email. Why does Microsoft lie and tell you that you only need 1GB RAM? I've found I actually need 3GB of RAM to be able to use Adobe Photoshop on Vista! (System specs: 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 2.22 GHz)
Posted by: Sarah Haley | September 23, 2007 at 03:36 PM
I have a new Dell with Vista and I found that Word 2007 does not recognize Windows mail so I have to copy and paste a document to email and then send it - cumbersome to say the least. The directions to correct this were beyond my computer skills. My flat bed scanner would not work with Vista so had to get another but Canon gave me a nice discount.....my only comment is that its a challenge for the gray matter and maybe I need it at my age!
Posted by: Sally Vaun | November 05, 2007 at 04:39 PM
I thought the family tree maker Vista update was for the purpose of making older versions of Windows XP FTW compatible with the new Vista FTW? Now, I am thinking that I misinterpreted? Am I going to lose my Windows XP FTW files? Help!http://www.familytreemaker.com/vistaupdate/Default.aspx
Posted by: Helen Davis | January 14, 2009 at 08:18 PM
Some basic hardware supported under XP is not supported under vista You need a much faster CPU and much more memory to get the same results that XP gets on lesser hardware Slow..
Posted by: r4 | November 11, 2009 at 03:50 AM