Vista vs XP on my Z

Hey everybody

I don't want this to turn into Vista or xp bashing thread. I am considering down grading to XP pro from Vista. I really like vista, I have it running on my desktop (Vista 64), but that machine is very powerful (3.2 quad core, 8gb ram, 4870 Video Card). It works quite well and doesn't crash or bog down that system. I am finding that Vista on the Z is a little slower and feels a little more bloated. I am wondering what everyone's thoughts are comparing Vista to XP pro on the Z. Does it run faster for you? Is there any draw backs going to XP...I heard you have to do a restart when switch from stamina to speed which sucks a little but not a huge deal. Anyways, I would like all your opinions.

Thanks

 

I don't have a Z, but... here are a few things I recommend to run Vista better on your laptop.

- Disable Superfetch. This is kind of controversial, but... just try it both ways and see which you like better. Disabling Superfetch will cut down on hard disk access a lot.
- Get a fast hard drive. (Oh wait... you have an SSD, eh? That should be good...)
- Clean install (preferably) or at least remove bloatware.
- Move to 64-bit. If you have any 64-bit Vista install disc, you can use your 32-bit key to install it.

As for downgrading to XP on the Z... I'll let others comment on their experiences with that.

 

I install both xp and vista. I make three partitions on my hdd

C: 30G for xp
D: 60G for vista
E: remaining for Data

that is just my partiton scheme, you can change to bigger or smaller whaever you want just ensure 20G least for xp. and 40 least for vista. if you want to install more big software or games, you should leave more space for xp or vista.

I think that is a good middle course to handle current situation.
xp can be running faster on my z than vista, also xp currently has better compatibility for the game or software than vista. one the other hand, vista is a tendency and more beautiful, also MS will not suppot xp at sometime of future. so sometime I use xp, sometimes I use vista, depends on my needs.

 

For me, XP was the only option as I couldn't handle the very slow startup/shutdown/hibernate times in Vista. XP works nicely on the Z. As you mention, you need to reboot between Speed/Stamina switching, but that's not a problem for me personally.

As for the Sony utils on the Z, the only things missing in XP are:

- widget to give visual confirmation of the HDD protection (a driver is provided but you need to trust that it's working once installed).
- ability to power down DVD drive at will (I've read reports of problems recognising the drive again after it 'wakes up' in Vista, so maybe this isn't such a bad thing!)
- ability to set percentages for 'maximum CPU' in standard power saving options. There's a similar function in XP but it's not as fine-grained - you only get a few choices.

Although I haven't tried it myself yet, I'm reliably informed that Z's HDMI out works fine in XP too (contrary to some earlier rumours).

I enjoyed the eye candy while I had Vista on my system, and I'm sure I could get used to the annoyances I experienced such as the UAC warnings etc. If it weren't for the slow hibernate and wakeup times, I could even handle the slow startup and shutdown times, as I tend to hibernate my Z much more often than actually shut it down.

I'm hoping Windows 7 will achieve the responsiveness of XP together with the neat new features and eye candy of Vista...

 

I use mother earth Vista x64 and install XP using VMware. No partition. Dont like, then delete it just like a file.

If you are not into Linux, the get Virtual PC by Microsoft and its free.

 

Thanks everybody. I ordered the XP downgrade and I will see if I like. I would also like to try vista 64. I wish i wasn't so hard to get the drivers. It would be nice if sony just supplied them.

 

when you guys recieved your xp disc, do you use the same key on the bottom of the computer that you used to install vista? Did you notice the system was more responsive with XP. What is the average battery time you get with XP. I heard XP's battery managment works better, longer battery life I mean. I have also heard that XP is better with SSD drives so that is another reason I am thinking about going in that direction. I love the look of Vista and when I am working on a power house computer that needs 64 bit , there is no doubt that Vista is worth it, but we can only get 4gb on the Z anyways so there isn't a ton of reason to go to 64 bit (I know that 32 bit on uses 3.3gb) When ddr3 comes down, I can put 8gb ram in my Z and Windows 7 64bit comes out I might go to 64bit and enjoy the new eye candy.

Thanks for all your help

 

In HK Z comes with MS XP Pro SP2 Install disc. You don't haveto order it separately.

 

So it does use the same key on the bottom of the computer

 

I am not sure, I never open it and no other key label.
May be you don't have to enter the key and some files in the disc to make it become genuine.

 

I read that Vista is more efficient with cached memory.

I had Vista and I try putting in the key on the bottom of my laptop and I could not get it to work with a retail Vista.

 

does anybody else know. When you ordered your XP Pro CD did it come with a second CD KEY.

 

I never used the disc called XP downgrade disc.
just use any sony oem xp disc to install without entering key.

 

I have an xp disc that isn't from Sony. Will that work

 

if that is a sony oem xp that means that comes with any other models of sony PC should work.

the only issue is that probably you have integrated the ICH9 sata hdd driver to the cd so that the hdd installed can be recognized. or if you have a usb floppy driver, then much easier. you just copy the driver to a floppy, and install the driver during the installation of xp. the driver you can get from sony.com

 

I used the (UK/EU) XP downgrade disc provided with my Z, and didn't need to enter a key.

 

I need the modem driver for Windows XP. The one I downloaded off the sony site doesn't seem to work. Anybody know where I can get just the driver and not the Modem "package"

 

nevermind...I used the extractor tool and installed the driver manually.

Thanks