Should I Switch From Vista to XP?

I am currently having problems that I believe is directly connected to the fact that I am using Vista.

I just received my Dell M1530 today (two days before the projected delivery date) and I am trying to use a utility program that will allow me to connect to my GPS GOLF GURU (a gps unit used to measure distance and keep score while on the golf course). The utility allows me to download courses to my GOLF GURU however, when I activate my utility program, it states it is trying to connect to the internet, fails, then trys again. Sometimes it will try a different port but always fail to do so.

Before I received my Dell, my brother used his laptop to connect to my GOLF GURU and did it with no problem. He was using XP.

Could Vista, in all it's "greatness" be affecting my golf utility program? I did put my utility program in a firewall exception file, but it still did the same.

I am also trying to run Civilization 4 (sorry but I am a big fan since the first one) and the only way I can get that to run on my Dell with Vista is to minimize the screen, then maximize and the program activates. If I don't, I get a black square where the game should be and broken sounds.

Should I switch to XP? Will swithing to XP affect my gaming abilities? I only have a 2.0 processor and really Civlization is all I want to play.

Thank you

 

well if these things run on xp and wont run on vista it sounds like you may be better off with xp.

 

Try temporarily shutting off your firewall and using the built-in Windows firewall instead. That way you'll know for sure if it's a firewall problem. (If so, XP or Vista won't matter.)

As for Civ 4... you might try running it in XP Compatibility mode. (Right-click the shortcut, Properties, Compatibility tab.)

Also check if there might be an update available for either program to address Vista compatibility.

 

Switching back to XP will have it's pros and cons. Sure your golf utility program will probably run and Civ 4 will definitely run with ease, but you'd be switching from the latest and most-up-to-date Windows OS to one that is already in the process of being gradually phased out. This could have numerous security consequences for you, especially if you become too dependent on XP and are unable to switch to Vista anymore. Did your Dell come with SP1 installed? It really fixed a lot of problems for me.

What would suit you is the dual-boot option. For me, installing Vista alongside my XP install was relatively simple, and it made my life a lot more flexible since I prefer web browsing/listening to music/watching DVDs in Vista, but prefer gaming in XP. However, I don't know how complicated installing XP after you already have Vista installed will be. It should be doable, but it might require a lot of technical knowledge...

 

I know first hand that Civ IV works fine on Vista without any tweaks necessary, so it's definitely your computer.

 

If you have doubts about Vista then go XP. Hope you find drivers for it.

 

If you got the laptop, took it out of the box, powered it up, and started using it right away.. maybe not the best plan. The way they load these machines can be terrible. I do recommend re-installing Vista from any kind of recovery DVD they provided. A clean install without the bloatware will definitely help. Also I recommend checking Dell's website for any updated drivers.

 

May I suggest that you switch from golf to tennis?

 

switching from vista to xp with a "vista computer" may not be that easy. as a matter of fact you have to look for the right drivers for it. go to dell website ---support and try to see if your machine has the drivers. i would also try to call the support center (of dell) because if i am not mistaken you should have the possibility to get a xp cd for free. i read somewhere that people buying laptop with vista have this kind of option... if anyone knows about this, pls post the reply here cause i m pretty courious

 

thank y'all for the much needed info.

I found out that it is not a firewall issue because the gadget is connected through a usb cable (or at least thats what I was told).

The more i use Vista, the more I like. Still trying to understand it but I am having fun finding out the new things it offers.

The golf gps manufacturer is working on software to help me.

thanks yall

 

Not really worth it. :twitcy: Linux, on the other hand... :yes:

 

As to Civ4, Vista always told me it was known to have problems with Vista. It didn't for me, but apparently it does sometimes. Whether it'll work perfectly - I don't know. Just because it works well for one person doesn't mean it will for another.

It's good that the golf software manufacturer is working on an update. Most companies don't do that for their software, unless it was released pretty shortly before Vista came out.

If you do decide to dual-boot (XP will run perfectly with the XPS 1530, just download drivers from Dell first - or at the very least, the Internet drivers), EasyBCD is a very good software (and free) that you can use to install operating systems after Vista is installed. I managed to get it to work with DOS, so XP ought to be comparitively easy.

 

Just stick with what ya got, Windows 7 is around the corner so both XP and Vista will be obsolete.

 

yes, switch..