Windows Vista alternative?

Question

I got a free upgrade to Vista when I bought my laptop. I was just about to install it, but now I'm having second thoughts. The upgrade is for the Basic Version. I've read, all over, that many people are having problems with Vista because it uses up too much memory with all the graphics and/or there is not enough compatible software. I saw this video on download.com yesterday...

http://www.cnettv.com/9710-1_53-26097.html?tag=bubble

I already downloaded the sidebar thing and it looks great and is very helpful. I also put the alt tab thing on, which also helps a lot. Now, I'm thinking of converting everything (the last thing they talk about on the video). Does this look like it's risky an would it be worth the risk? It does look pretty cool. Do you have any suggestions if I do try it? I was thinking maybe backing everything up and creating a restore point? I think this would be a good alternative, for me at least, until Vista gets all the bugs out and is capable of running more software

How does that program/upgrade in the video look? Thanks for the help.

Answer 1

I will stick to Xp, cause it works for me at the moment. No reason to switch to Vista, knowing that it will waste your Pc's resources, and you won't get anything but annoyed by the stupid rights management. If you're looking for the good looks, which I can agree is better than XP, their is couple of softwares at the moment that can change the look of your Xp to Vista, so you'll have Xp that is looking just like Vista. Look for Vista Transformation Pack, i have tested it, and kind of liked it. Vista will get it's chance in the future with the service packs and off course new computers with more CPU, Ram and better graphic adapters.

Answer 2

Whenever you are curious about a major software upgrade simulate it with a virtual machine (a good one is parallels, which is handy since you can also demo it for a short period of time, rather than buy). You can have a virtual machine running Vista and still have your XP operating system untouched. If you decide you like it, apply your virtual desktop over your real one. If not than delete it or keep it as a compressed file for intermediate or later use.

Answer 3

Yes there are modern os's other than windows!
I personally have found ubuntu (www.ubuntu.com) to be stable, virus free, easy to use and in general terms way bettter than Windows XP ever was for me
The only thing is that I have never used Vista so it might be really good, but is it good when you compare Ubuntu's price ($0) to Vista (lots and lots of hard earned cash)
So theres a choice. I thought I'd share my experiences to see if they help.

Answer 4

I would make a recovery disc too so that way if u decide to install vista and it doesn't work you could format it and reinstall the old operating system
but if you install vista its not going to let you go back to your old operating system unless you format it its like this say you have Nero 6.6 and you want to go to 7.0 that will work ,but after u install 7.0 you can't go back to 6.6 because its still on your registry

but be for you try this option make sure that u have the old operating system's disc proceed with caution.
creating a restore point well not work on this .
because if you install vista and decide to restore to another point or time than vista will still be your operating system

Answer 5

I think you answered your own question, wait, don't upgrade. I personally don't see any new feature in Vista that I must have. Yeah it looks nice, different, but it's just another operating system. You can see the problems coming if you upgrade. Chow

Answer 6

i would wait till the last day, and basic does not take that much to run, its the lower end vista.

Answer 7

F8 continuously reflects the menu if no longer then your workstation producer has disabled it study your workstation guide to the finest thanks to enable the F8 determination it might want to have a bios placing to assist or a particular keyboard sequence on startup see microsoft advice for elimination