Vista Ultimate x64 installation results

Before I clean installed Vista x64 on my dv2000 I downloaded the drivers from the HP site, expanded it and saved it in a directory then copied that to my thumb drive.

Intalled Vista x64 without problems, used the whole drive for the program. The most common hardware problem right off was the card reader, sound driver, bluetooth driver and the video driver. Updated the drivers from the pre-download drivers and did fine, no more unknown devices.

Loaded most of my previous programs but then since they were 32bits it ran on compatiblity x86 mode. Two versions of IE7.. 32 and 64. Most add-ons like macromedia from web sites don't run on IE x64 mode.

Almost loaded all the programs then wham.. Musicmatch not compatible with Vista warning came up. Installed the Pinnacle USB PCTV Pro Stick and that's also not compatible with Vista. Kinda disappointed because those were the two programs I really wanted to function with it.

I noticed Vista actually ran slower than XP. But the most annoying part is that whenever I installed a program it kept asking me the dreaded security questions of if I really want to install said program. Even when connected to the internet and a reputable web site wanted to install the required program to run the graphics/videos it will ask for that "do you trust the program".

The Windows Explorer is not very intuitive, you have to go a lot of hoops just to find the right directory. The graphics, though nice, were cluttered. The Aero Window Directories on the Desktop looked nice but the fonts were so small had to rely on the icons to run a program.

At the end I went back to Windows XP and couldn't be happier. I'll wait until Pinnacle, Musicmatch and Apple (ipod) comes out with compatible programs that will work with Vista.

 

You're not the first...won't be the last. You might have had better luck with x86, but in the end it all boils down to what you feel more comfortable with. The security in x64 is tighter than x86 and I generally find UAC too intrusive in both versions.

That said, some folks like the Pelican Bay approach. I'll probably jump back on board after the shakedown cruise, but for now I'm still using XP 80% of the time.

 

You can turn off UAC under the user manage accounts option, but I agree, it is a pain and a bit of overkill. The PC-MAC commercial probably influenced me the most (have you seen it? the security guy in sun glasses next to the MAC actor).