Vista Compatibility Testing

[Gamesoul Master]

I figured I'd start this thread just to mention a few things. I ran the program that you can find here, which will run a scan on your computer to report if your computer can run Vista, and give specific details on the components that may have problems. Very nice scan. It told me I could run the Business edition, and then told me a bunch of different things that will cause problems (including my video card not being able to run Aero, which was an obvious one). Just thought I'd share a few of the details... I encourage others to run this test and post here some of the more interesting details.

The general statement it gave me after the test:
- "Windows Vista Business, a good choice for your PC, is designed specifically for small and mid-sized organizations with advanced backup, new security tools, comprehensive networking and dedicated resources to help keep you up and running. You can upgrade from your current version of Windows and keep your files, settings and programs. Consider Windows Vista Ultimate to combine the best business and entertainment experiences available."

Here's what it had to say about the driver for my sound card (no HD sound in Vista?!)
- "Your system is configured for high-definition audio, which does not work with Windows Vista. You might lose audio capability if you install Windows Vista. Contact your computer manufacturer to see if an upgrade is available."

This one pissed me off. Its statement on Nero 6 and Alcohol 120% (I don't have Nero 7 because it has no significant improvements, and was actually slower for me than Nero 6 and had severe problems with audio codecs... I couldn't even burn a standard Audio CD!)
- "Before you upgrade to Windows Vista, uninstall this program. After upgrade, this program will be blocked from re-installing due to known compatibility issues. Please visit the vendor's website for possible solutions."

Well, there were many other things it had to say, like a bunch of hardware and programs that it either had no information for, or has compatibility issues that *may* be able to be fixed (if the manufacturer/vendor has made an update for Vista-compatibility). This was a $1000 computer a year ago, but I sort-of figured a bunch of the hardware wouldn't be compatible. I was actually expecting worse results. XD

[Truth Unknown]

If you get the latest of Alcohol, it will work. Nero 7 finally included Vista support, and I think a small update for 6 may surface. Sound Card, well If it is Creative Brand, don't hold your breath. Creative is struggling in the beta drivers and unclear if if a Final will be out for the Vista Release.

As for everything else, Hardware is Hardware.

[Deleted]

Well, lets see. Business works as far as system requirements go, but Home Premium and Ultimate complain the lack of TV Tuner (I have a real tv thank you very much) and the lack of TV output on gfx card. But I don't watch tv ever, so it's a moot point.

It doesn't recognize my cable modem, which kind of sucks, but then again, the modem sucks as well. And of course Audigy 4 needs new drivers which will of course come about 2 years after vista is out. I'm also Alcohol 120% and Nero 6 user (I have Nero 7, but there was something in it that I didn't like, so I downgraded). Also, PowerDVD needs reviewing, it may not work as expected.

But really, all is pretty much what I expected. Even Billy Gates can't magically snap his fingers and make every piece of hardware and software work with it instantly. Hardware vendors have to do some work too, if they can't get their product working on it (but others can) can you really blame Vista for it?

I'm not sure what you expected.

Also, I gather that you use XP now? How was the hardware and software compatibility on it when it was on beta/RC#. Probably not 100%. Yet, now you happily use it. You totally sold out.

[Gamesoul Master]

@herra: LMAO... I love how you think I happily use XP. I only started using it a little under 2 year ago (well after SP2 came out), and that was with great reluctance. Even now, if it wasn't for greater/singular compatibility with some programs/drivers, and updates to the OS, I still wouldn't be using XP. It slows down the computer, it has compatibility issues with older programs, it's ugly (one thing that I very quickly fixed... my computer has the complete appearance of win2k)... the very few things that XP prevails over win2k in are a few small features that make things a little easier... that's it. About once a week, I have to stop myself from wiping the computer clean and fresh installing win2k... do not mistake me for a happy XP user.

I expected that almost nothing in my computer would support Vista. So my expectations were lower than the result. That means I was slightly impressed, not disappointed. Sound cards are cheap... I'm not concerned about those. Nero... I saw the update for (which was released just this month), and Alcohol 120%... meh, not so necessary. So running Vista for me is no big deal (I wouldn't want Aero anyway, so if I can't run it I don't care).

There is really no need for you to lecture me on compatibility. I know the work it takes to achieve it, and I also know that for such a major OS release, a lot more of that work should've already been taken care of. More care should've been put into compatibility. Microsoft spends all this time, scraps a bunch of once-key features, and gets set to release something that puts a shiver in people's spines. The initial release of XP was beautiful compared to what Vista's release will look like. But this is all my opinion. Obviously other people look for other things in their software, and I'm sure there are a couple people out there who are really looking forward to Vista's release.

[patrickp]

Hm. when I tried to run your checker in W2K, GM, it came up with 'Sorry, you must run setup on Windows XP SP2 or Windows Vista.'

They _really_ want to encourage people to buy Vista, don't they? And it occurs to me that, of the two OS options they offer to run the checker - if you're running one of them, you already know...

[Gamesoul Master]

LOL... That's a really good point. I've been thinking the same thing about the "encouragement" to buy Vista (hell, "pressure" would be a much closer word to express what they're doing). But with that checker... it'd be practical for a Vista Basic user especially... to see if they could use a better version. And maybe good for people who get a good version and come across problems, to see if their computer is actually compatible with the version they have.

Yeah, I forgot to mention that only XP or Vista users can run the tool... I was thinking too much about my results... :/

[patrickp]

No, I mean that of the two OSs you can run the tool under - if you're running one of them, you already know how your kit will work under Vista because it already is...

[Deleted]

hoshikuzu said:

@herra: LMAO... I love how you think I happily use XP. I only started using it a little under 2 year ago (well after SP2 came out), and that was with great reluctance. Even now, if it wasn't for greater/singular compatibility with some programs/drivers, and updates to the OS, I still wouldn't be using XP. It slows down the computer, it has compatibility issues with older programs, it's ugly (one thing that I very quickly fixed... my computer has the complete appearance of win2k)... the very few things that XP prevails over win2k in are a few small features that make things a little easier... that's it. About once a week, I have to stop myself from wiping the computer clean and fresh installing win2k... do not mistake me for a happy XP user.

I expected that almost nothing in my computer would support Vista. So my expectations were lower than the result. That means I was slightly impressed, not disappointed. Sound cards are cheap... I'm not concerned about those. Nero... I saw the update for (which was released just this month), and Alcohol 120%... meh, not so necessary. So running Vista for me is no big deal (I wouldn't want Aero anyway, so if I can't run it I don't care).

There is really no need for you to lecture me on compatibility. I know the work it takes to achieve it, and I also know that for such a major OS release, a lot more of that work should've already been taken care of. More care should've been put into compatibility. Microsoft spends all this time, scraps a bunch of once-key features, and gets set to release something that puts a shiver in people's spines. The initial release of XP was beautiful compared to what Vista's release will look like. But this is all my opinion. Obviously other people look for other things in their software, and I'm sure there are a couple people out there who are really looking forward to Vista's release.

And there is really no need for you to lecture me about lecturing you, which wasn't really a lecture to begin with. You must realize that the summary of each of your post that even mentions Vista reads "nothing works in it, vista sucks", which just bugs me to no end. I can understand if you have actually tried it for more than a couple of minutes and didn't like it, but if you are basing your whole opinion on this test thing and what you've read from the internet, it's just not right to jump to such conclusions.

Just reminds me a lot of all the "discussion" that went on when XP was introduced to the masses, and people dumped it after a few minutes because the default theme is so bubbly and blue. I mean come on, that's just an excuse, had they known that it can be changed, would it have made a difference to them? (Probably not, their mind was set even before they had tried it, which is kind of the point here). Not to mention how big of a fuss the SP2 release made, all those incompatible softwares. Seeing threads in every single forum how "SP2 SUX DON'T INSTALL" was really fun fun. Even after a year after it's initial release people still wouldn't install it using the compatibility issues (which had obviously been fixed ages ago) as an excuse. It's just very tiresome.

On the other hand, atleast your posts are grammatically correct and readable, (though maybe a bit overly verbose), unlike so many of those "OMG BLUE BUBBLY" ones. ;D

Anyway, keeping an open mind has never hurt anyone, just not too open or your brains might fall out.

edit: And just for the record, XP has always worked faster for me than 2K.

[Gamesoul Master]

My opinions are based on Microsoft's released information. And for me... there really is absolutely no reason to get Vista. Not one. XP only holds me with a few good reasons, and Vista doesn't have any of those. One could argue for the games that will eventually require DX10 (which is a ways down the line), but I don't really play new PC games. Implementation of Aero is nifty, but I've always been the kind of person who likes to stick to what works and what I know... and for me, the interface will not really provide me with much (if any) more feeling of convenience than what we currently have. WMP11 and IE7 I already have, and don't need Vista for those. The programs it comes with are of little to no use for me. The one feature I would be interesting in (Media Center) I can have by installing XP-MC2005, which is more than enough for what I would use it for.

I suppose I will leave it at this: Vista has a lot of interesting new features, and a whole slew of problems that Microsoft could've very easily avoided (which angers me)... but it's not a bad OS. Many people will find it to be very cool and useful. It's just that I won't be one of those people. It's not that I don't have an open mind to using it... it's just that I can see directly from what Microsoft has said about it that it would be a lot of money, a lot of hassle, and not worth *my* time. I will stick to win2k and XP for quite a few years. Maybe far down the line, Vista will become useful for me. Maybe not. All I know is... from the official information, that possibility is a few years down the line.

[Deleted]

I'm not one of those people who blindly upgrade to new OS either. I'll probably change to Vista when XP support ends, unless of course I can get my secondary box working order (missing ram and a spare hd) and try it out and actually like it.

The most important "feature" of Vista for me is that it's supposedly the most secure Windows yet, but we'll see how it all turns out. Don't want to jump to conclusions on that either. ;D

[Gamesoul Master]

Yeah, I keep hearing about that security, but it also seems that Microsoft is going to more extremes than they have been with XP, and they've already been pissing me off enough about their "Genuine" crap-line they've been pulling on people. I have a real copy of XP, but ya know what...? Microsoft won't let me activate it because it's already been activated a few times on a few different machines. That was the result of me rebuilding my computer many times... twice I got a new case and motherboard. So they've had enough, and I had to use a crack to activate my copy of XP. And then when that starting causing problems, I switched over to using a Corporate key... so no Genuine Windows for me. I'm afraid that even if I wanted to get Vista, it would kill my wallet, as I know my current computer will not be my last... not by a long shot. I will continue to rebuild it here and there, and every few times I'll have to buy a new copy of Vista. I really hope for everybody's sake that they revise that plan by the time it comes out (since I'm not going to assume that it's set in stone... they may realize it's too unrealistic and change it).

I'll switch to Vista when all of these requirements are met:

- All my hardware is good enough that Vista fully supports it.
- All of my games are supported and run at full speed, as they do in XP and Win2k.
- All the software I use is fully supported, either internally or through some other reasonable means (like an update patch or a compatibility mode).
- Software come out that *require* either DX10 or Vista... ones that I would definitely make use of or play (in terms of programs, this would mean that they are superior, in my opinion, to what I already have).