Yeaaa, Vista Beta Downloads Are Back!!

Just got the Micosoft e-mail today. Downloading now

I finally get to test this thing out.


Only thing that sucks is the update advisor said my graphics card isn't good enough for aero.

If I like it, I'll update my HP desktop too, which I know has a GREAT graphics card.

 

Can you post what you do and don't like? So far the major things I've seen are Aero which some people ohh and ahh about, but other than that I've heard NO real benefit to upgrading (other than perhaps it will be more secure, although some interesting security posts recently say otherwise).

 

I did a vista ready test at pcpitstop.com and it says Vista requires 1 GB of memory. I have 2 GB. Will it run okay on my computer? My laptop can handle up to 4 GB of memory. My video card is 128 MB's and thats what Vista requires. Would I need to upgrade my video card?

The test showed my laptop will run Vista.

 

you should be good to run vista

the only thing that failed on my machine was the video card(sis Mirage)

 

Yea, I'll probally post a review about it tomorrow.

WOW, I only heard it requires 512MB, now it's 1GB? I guess nobody really knows until the final version comes out.

Video Cards will probally keep alot of customers from buying vista or company like NVIDIA & ATI will clean up.

 

You might want to just wait a while and download RC2(build 5744) - which is supposed to be the final build before RTM.Although I have read that it wont a full public release as RC1 was.
http://download.windowsvista.com/preview/rc2/en/download.htm

 

After I did the test at pcpitstop. I went to microsofts site and downloaded the vista tester. It said I could run Vista with no problems. It recommened Vista Business Premium or something.

It did come up with a lot of software issues for my dvdburner(nero), synopis(sp) mouse pad, a link audio, and things like that.

 

That is odd. The Xpress 1100 is a better graphics solution than the 200m, right? Maybe it is just a lack of driver support, or you don't have 128MB of ram allocated to video?

 

OK, I just installed sucessfully.

I had to convert my FAT32 to NFTS using the command prompt. VERY SIMPLE AND FLAWLESS. I only did this to my C: drive partition.

First thing I notice is that VISTA feels more like an APPLE or LINUX OS. Very smooth. I think microsoft it doing some serious bitting when it comes to design.

Second thing I noticed right away is the STARTUP menu, which does not expand but stays in the same box. I actually like this better, makes clicking the wrong app by mistake almost impossible.

My Norton AntiVirus 2002 did not work properly (driver issues) so I'm using AVG free edition instead. Maybe Norton 2006 works but I think it's to bloated for my taste.

TASKMANAGER is more Detailed but not by much. Everything seems to be running as fast as XP. I have 2GB ram installed. Uses more than 500MB ram at anygiven moment tho. Not a problem for me. But if you only have 1GB then it might be.

SIDEBAR is nice but I really don't need it running. I'm not that into sidebar and wiget type of apps. Sidebar doesn't seem to slow things down tho.

I was surprised at how few DRIVERS I had to load ...

A couple PCI flash mem drivers ...via auto net search
Touch PAD .... via Acer web site
Bluetooth doogle ...via my driver cd
Cam driver .... via auto net search
Card reader and one or two more acer drivers .... via Acer web site.

Yes, life does go on without any acer "E" apps.

Vista is the most user friendly windows ever, maybe a little bit too user friendly for a die hard nerd.

Games are the same line-up except Chess Titans, a 3D chess game which I love playing. Media Center is almost the same as in XP. Finally a DVD Maker.
Defender is included. There is ALOT more features (most you will not use) added on.

Transparencyon the IE windows doesn't phase me. I don't like or dislike.

I have no clue to as why .....but graphics on vista seem FAR BETTER than on XP. Not just on the desktop but even on websites.

LAG almost doesn't exist. But programs (windows vista apps not third party) seem to non respond more frequent. But it seems to get much less frequent the more I open them and fix minor bugs. NOT A SERIOUS PROBLEM AT ALL. Otherwise programs seem to run as fast as you click on them.

Recent items is back I miss that on XP. (Maybe it did exist on XP but I just didn't select that option)


There is alot more to be reviewed, but so far I really like vista, and yes I would choose to upgrade it over XP. But I'll probally wait at least a year after it's released.

I'll keep Posting as I explore Vista some more.

Now the task of loading my programs onto Vista, I hope the newest ActiveSync works. I'll also try to run programs that are in my "OLD WINDOWS" file. (Created during install)

OH YEA, The default security is EXCELLENT. You even have to allow download or CD/DVD apps too whether to be installed. EVERYTIME.

Here is my vista score, the main score is as high as the lowest sub score

DA*M B.S GRAPHICS CARD!!!!!!

 

is this rc1? I was skeptical at first, but based on your review, maybe I will upgrade.
"I have no clue to as why .....but graphics on vista seem FAR BETTER than on XP. Not just on the desktop but even on websites. "
Can you kind of assume as whether this is due to the cleaner interface/skin/theme or some other reason? Better management of graphics card or anything of that sort?

 

Hey miner, do you think as a fellow v3000 user, I could run Vista adequately with my system? The one thing im concerned with is the ram, i have the 1gb that came stock with the laptop.

 

No. The Xpess 1100 is nothing more than a rebranded Xpress 200M. They both run at 300Mhz. OTOH the Xpress 1150 runs at 400Mhz.

 

Yes, For now 1GB should do fine but I think down the line(perhaps a year or so) 2GB will be needed as apps get more complex and thereby use more resources. On the V3000z, most of the components are recognised and the drivers work. For some I used the XP drivers(media card reader, chipset, Quicklaunch) and they still work without any problems. Even sound works with the basic default Vista driver but it does not recognise the microphone since there arent any Conexant HD audio drivers for Vista yet, I tried using the standard XP drivers but it caused lot of distractions(noise) with the microphone as well as audio. In any case with the right drivers Vista shouldnt have any issues with the V3000z and for now I felt 1GB RAM offered acceptable performance. It does not feel too much slower than XP but it does use a lot more RAM.

 

THanks again miner..

I was also wondering if this release is 'stable' enough to be an everyday use OS, instead of a 'test it out and see how it all looks' release.

 

It'll be disabled as of June of next year here. So make sure you are planning on reinstalling or getting the full version of Vista before then.

Me? I'm sticking with WinXP and Linux. Vista's got way too much DRM way too deep in it for me to abide by.

 

Hmm I think that might be the real kicker for me to make the full move to Linux, the problem is every time I think that I end up getting a new PC that has windows on it, and then I get a game that I just love playing and...

We'll see.

 

You need not worry about ram for vista I don't think, I hear it's a huge ram hog, but there's also a feature called windows readyboost, which allows you to plug in a USB flash drive, and vista will use that as if it were ram. This is my understanding anyways, correct me if I'm wrong. You could always go out and buy one of those mini 8Gb flash harddrives, and there you have it, 8 gigs of ram.

 

As for ram usage, it seems to be down considerably in 5600 from 5384. Supposedly, 5744 is even better.

My issue right now is the Synaptics touchpad on my Compaq. It simply will not work for anything. Tried the original recovery disc driver, the HP website one and the Microsoft Update one. All I get are bad installation errors, even when running them in compatibility mode. Even Windows Defender is blocking the Synaptics "Enhancement" software on startup. This is odd, considering that it all worked on 5384.

As for AVG Antivirus, it has had issues in both builds because the UAC blocks it on startup. I have to load the Control Center manually after every boot.
This is ironic, considering my error report responses from MS say that they are working with Grisoft to find a solution but have none yet. My test was to disable the UAC and then it worked.

Of course disabling a Windows security feature is not really a fix for a "security" problem. lol

 

OK, Everything was going PERFECT!!

All media players worked (quicktime, winamp, realplayer, itunes etc
WORKS 2001 with Streets & Maps & Word loaded worked.
Outlook 2001 worked
Skype, AIM, Yahoo messenger, Trillian etc: all worked.
My bluetooth doogle worked.
Even photoshop CS2 worked ok. (A VERY VERY slow install tho)

firefox and netscape worked flawless

AVG had issues so I used AVAST AntiVirus instead and worked great!!

Most other programs I tried worked as well.

Even tho it said my Graphics Card wasn't good enough, AERO WORKED just fine. However when I would Multitask too much, it would shut Aero feature off until my memory becomes free again. (or something like that)


OK NOW HERES THE BIG PROBLEM. SHOULD ONLY BE A BETA PROBLEM THO.

Say Goodbye to ACTIVE SYNC and Hello to a Sync app that is intertwined with Vista OS.

This is what made me uninstall Vista. The Sync on Vista doesn't work with Outlook yet. Meaning no sharing contacts, tasks, etc: AND NO EXCHANGE SERVER. I need Exchange and I also need to sync my WM5 smartphone to outlook.

I tried to Bluetooth contacts, tasks and other stuff, but I had to do it ONE by ONE which is a pain. I NEED SYNC.

The new Vista Sync feature does seem nice and look as if will have alot more options than Active Sync. (ie: I notice it has network option), but I will miss the simplicity of Active Sync.

AGAIN ONLY BETA. I'm sure it will work with outlook just fine after released.

I was willing to keep Vista on my notebook if it wasn't for SYNC problem.

I really like Vista, and also think the security in Vista is amazing.


There are a few minor problems by design, like Security center bugging you like you never seen & I had to search the net to find out how to unhide folders. (It's not the same as XP or earlier).


PARDON MY NON TECH LINGO

 

Interesting. I have not encountered this problem yet with my 200M, unless I run any Java applications (which temporarily disables aero for whatever reason).

I have heard that if your graphics score goes below 2 then you will lose aero capability. Mine is at 2.5. Not too great, but the 200M is hardly the best notebook gpu.

 

wonders why yours is at 2.5? Mines is at 3. We both have same 200M.

But wait I think mines is really 1100, but I haven't install latest drivers. ????

 

uh um, would someone happen to host the latest build5728 from vista?
i m on RC1 but did not get an "invitation" for this latest build

cheers ...

 

I'm running the beta catalyst driver from ATI, which is probably a mistake. The Catalyst Control Center seems to be just a huge resource hog.

 

Vista does have a feature called ReadyBoost that will help speed up your system, especially on a system with 512MB of RAM. I have only used it on my 1 gig system, and I didn't notice a big difference. But technically, it does not see the flash drive as RAM per se. What it actually does is set aside a system file on the flash drive that it uses as a cache and cuts down on the need for the hard drive pagefile. The reason most systems are slow is because so many resources get diverted to the hard drive's pagefile, and hard drives don't read/write nearly as fast as flash memory. But there are also requirements for ReadyBoost, so you can't just buy any old flash drive; it has to be a certain speed or better. But most flash drives these days I believe are fast enough.