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Offline JohnMatrix

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Re: Help us buy a new computer!
« Reply #25 on: January 25, 2009, 05:10:32 PM »
Quote from: LC EFA on January 25, 2009, 05:50:53 AM
You mean beside its colossal appetite for resources, and instability ? 

If you don't like its "appetite for resources", turn off features like Aero that take alot of resources.  If its unstable, actually get a computer that meets the system requirements. 
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Offline JohnMatrix

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Re: Help us buy a new computer!
« Reply #26 on: January 25, 2009, 05:10:57 PM »
Quote from: jinxmchue on January 25, 2009, 05:07:17 PM
Besides sucking the big one?

Have you ever used it?
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Offline jinxmchue

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Re: Help us buy a new computer!
« Reply #27 on: January 25, 2009, 06:01:32 PM »
Quote from: JohnMatrix on January 25, 2009, 05:10:57 PM
Have you ever used it?

Yes, and so has everyone else I know who says it sucks.

Quote from: JohnMatrix on January 25, 2009, 05:10:32 PM
If you don't like its "appetite for resources", turn off features like Aero that take alot of resources.  If its unstable, actually get a computer that meets the system requirements. 

Do you work for Microsoft or something?
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Offline LC EFA

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Re: Help us buy a new computer!
« Reply #28 on: January 25, 2009, 06:17:15 PM »
Quote from: JohnMatrix on January 25, 2009, 05:10:32 PM
If you don't like its "appetite for resources", turn off features like Aero that take alot of resources.  If its unstable, actually get a computer that meets the system requirements. 

Aero isn't why it sucks down more resources than it should.

Oh don't worry about "meeting the system requirements" , those are more than adequately covered. Am I expecting too much from their 64 bit platform ?

None of the windows versions I've ever used have been even close to "stable" until after the second service pack. Or in some cases the third (NT4WS was one of these).
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Offline Chris_

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Re: Help us buy a new computer!
« Reply #29 on: January 25, 2009, 06:27:36 PM »
Quote from: JohnMatrix on January 25, 2009, 05:10:32 PM
If you don't like its "appetite for resources", turn off features like Aero that take alot of resources.  If its unstable, actually get a computer that meets the system requirements. 

Mine is the top of the line Sony LT39U preloaded with Vista and maxed out on memory -- and Vista is still bloatware, nagware, annoyware, freezeware and crapware.

Which of course still makes it better than Office 2007 -- which is like being the best yodeler in Compton.

[youtube=425,350]jOh6Nh8w6f8[/youtube]
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Offline JohnMatrix

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Re: Help us buy a new computer!
« Reply #30 on: January 25, 2009, 06:34:19 PM »
Quote from: freedumb2003 on January 25, 2009, 06:27:36 PM
Mine is the top of the line Sony LT39U preloaded with Vista and maxed out on memory -- and Vista is still bloatware, nagware, annoyware, freezeware and crapware.

Which of course still makes it better than Office 2007 -- which is like being the best yodeler in Compton.

[youtube=425,350]jOh6Nh8w6f8[/youtube]

Remove the bloatware you don't want.  Not really a big deal.
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Offline JohnMatrix

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Re: Help us buy a new computer!
« Reply #31 on: January 25, 2009, 06:35:24 PM »
Quote from: jinxmchue on January 25, 2009, 06:01:32 PM
Yes, and so has everyone else I know who says it sucks.

Do you work for Microsoft or something?

Nope, Ive just had vista for over a year and have never had a single problem with it.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: Help us buy a new computer!
« Reply #32 on: January 25, 2009, 06:41:34 PM »
Quote from: JohnMatrix on January 25, 2009, 06:34:19 PM
Remove the bloatware you don't want.  Not really a big deal.
I don't expect a packaged product to require removal of pieces which may or may not adversely affect something else.  That is like suggesting you need aftermarket brakes to properly stop your automobile.

I am tech savvy and could probably do it, but I really don't like to waste my very precious free time trying to outguess OS developers.  Also my wife is tech knowledgeable but not in a position to fix instabilities resulting from my screwing around.

I bought a complete computer, not a ****ing Heathkit.
 
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Offline Chris_

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Re: Help us buy a new computer!
« Reply #33 on: January 25, 2009, 06:42:28 PM »
Quote from: JohnMatrix on January 25, 2009, 06:35:24 PM
Nope, Ive just had vista for over a year and have never had a single problem with it.
How much time did you spend making it so you did not have a single problem with it?  By your own admission you aren't running it out of the box.
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Offline JohnMatrix

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Re: Help us buy a new computer!
« Reply #34 on: January 25, 2009, 08:27:14 PM »
Quote from: freedumb2003 on January 25, 2009, 06:42:28 PM
How much time did you spend making it so you did not have a single problem with it?  By your own admission you aren't running it out of the box.


since i upgraded from 32 bit xp to 64 bit vista, i just formatted my HD and installed it.  I already had all the vista 64bit drivers on an external HD.  I chose not to install extras like windows mail in the installation.  I turned off UAC as soon as I used it the first time.  That was over a year ago.  I have not had a single problem since.
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Offline rich_t

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Re: Help us buy a new computer!
« Reply #35 on: January 25, 2009, 08:29:49 PM »
I am running Vista.

I haven't had any problems with it at all, other than it won't run an older DOS program that I like.
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Offline JohnMatrix

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Re: Help us buy a new computer!
« Reply #36 on: January 25, 2009, 08:44:38 PM »
Quote from: rich_t on January 25, 2009, 08:29:49 PM
I am running Vista.

I haven't had any problems with it at all, other than it won't run an older DOS program that I like.

try this
http://www.hackszine.com/blog/archive/2007/01/play_msdos_games_on_vista.html
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Offline Eupher

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Re: Help us buy a new computer!
« Reply #37 on: January 25, 2009, 09:40:37 PM »
I bought a new Gateway about a year ago and it's got Vista on it. We've got a 6-year old Dell and a 4-year old Dell notebook on our home network. Both the older computers have XP.

Wanna talk a major-league pain in the ass? Try configuring these computers so they can talk to each other. The XP guys aren't the problem - they're just fine. But Vista and its "gotta ask the admin for permission to do EVERY ****ing thing" and its refusal to talk to other computers without bludgeoning it to death forced me to bring the software boys over to the house a couple of times.

These guys were reasonable and it wasn't like I was shelling out hundreds (like you do with Geek Squad), but we're talking hassle city.

I guess I could've just shitcanned Vista and installed XP, but that's yet another process I just didn't want to hassle with (at the time). In retrospect, with a new computer, I'd probably shitcan Vista and install XP.
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Offline Rebel

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Re: Help us buy a new computer!
« Reply #38 on: January 25, 2009, 09:48:23 PM »
Matrix, if you don't think there's anything wrong with Vista, maybe you need to contact Microblows. They have, apparently, come to the realization that it sucks ass.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: Help us buy a new computer!
« Reply #39 on: January 25, 2009, 09:48:24 PM »
Quote from: Eupher on January 25, 2009, 09:40:37 PM
I bought a new Gateway about a year ago and it's got Vista on it. We've got a 6-year old Dell and a 4-year old Dell notebook on our home network. Both the older computers have XP.

Wanna talk a major-league pain in the ass? Try configuring these computers so they can talk to each other. The XP guys aren't the problem - they're just fine. But Vista and its "gotta ask the admin for permission to do EVERY ****ing thing" and its refusal to talk to other computers without bludgeoning it to death forced me to bring the software boys over to the house a couple of times.

These guys were reasonable and it wasn't like I was shelling out hundreds (like you do with Geek Squad), but we're talking hassle city.

I guess I could've just shitcanned Vista and installed XP, but that's yet another process I just didn't want to hassle with (at the time). In retrospect, with a new computer, I'd probably shitcan Vista and install XP.

And don't get me started on SyncCenter vs. ActiveSync.  I have had to reinstall SyncCenter 3 times when it just couldn't see my PDAPhone for no good reason.  And you can't realy diagnose it.  In wanting to do everything for you it nothing well.
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Offline JohnMatrix

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Re: Help us buy a new computer!
« Reply #40 on: January 25, 2009, 11:17:56 PM »
Quote from: Eupher on January 25, 2009, 09:40:37 PM
I bought a new Gateway about a year ago and it's got Vista on it. We've got a 6-year old Dell and a 4-year old Dell notebook on our home network. Both the older computers have XP.

Wanna talk a major-league pain in the ass? Try configuring these computers so they can talk to each other. The XP guys aren't the problem - they're just fine. But Vista and its "gotta ask the admin for permission to do EVERY ******* thing" and its refusal to talk to other computers without bludgeoning it to death forced me to bring the software boys over to the house a couple of times.

These guys were reasonable and it wasn't like I was shelling out hundreds (like you do with Geek Squad), but we're talking hassle city.

I guess I could've just shitcanned Vista and installed XP, but that's yet another process I just didn't want to hassle with (at the time). In retrospect, with a new computer, I'd probably shitcan Vista and install XP.

Turn UAC off.  It takes about 2 minutes.  Not really difficult.  If you can't find out how to do it on your own (by using "help" in windows), google it.

1.Click to open User Accounts.

2.Click Turn User Account Control on or off.  If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

3.Select the Use User Account Control (UAC) to help protect your computer check box to turn on UAC, or clear the check box to turn off UAC, and then click OK.

Really not a problem.

« Last Edit: January 25, 2009, 11:20:42 PM by JohnMatrix »
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Offline Chris

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Re: Help us buy a new computer!
« Reply #41 on: January 25, 2009, 11:22:51 PM »
In my brief experience w/ Vista (out of the box - the GPO didn't allow any system changes) it only ran decently if you had a good (2.8 Ghz) dual-core processor and at least 2 Gb of ram (preferably more).  Anything less, and it ran like crap.
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Offline Eupher

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Re: Help us buy a new computer!
« Reply #42 on: January 26, 2009, 08:39:38 AM »
Quote from: JohnMatrix on January 25, 2009, 11:17:56 PM
Turn UAC off.  It takes about 2 minutes.  Not really difficult.  If you can't find out how to do it on your own (by using "help" in windows), google it.

1.Click to open User Accounts.

2.Click Turn User Account Control on or off.  If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

3.Select the Use User Account Control (UAC) to help protect your computer check box to turn on UAC, or clear the check box to turn off UAC, and then click OK.

Really not a problem.



The software guys introduced me to UAC. Right now it's turned off and will stay off. One of the big headaches was, with UAC turned on, I - as administrator of my own computer - wasn't allowed to install a program into the folder "Program Files."

What kind of bullshit is that?

I liken Vista to being like McAfee or even like AOL - it consumes your computer and clogs up every aspect of it with what THEY think you need to make your life easy.
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Offline JohnMatrix

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Re: Help us buy a new computer!
« Reply #43 on: January 26, 2009, 09:06:24 AM »
Quote from: Eupher on January 26, 2009, 08:39:38 AM
The software guys introduced me to UAC. Right now it's turned off and will stay off. One of the big headaches was, with UAC turned on, I - as administrator of my own computer - wasn't allowed to install a program into the folder "Program Files."

What kind of bullshit is that?

I liken Vista to being like McAfee or even like AOL - it consumes your computer and clogs up every aspect of it with what THEY think you need to make your life easy.

Then, like McAfee and AOL, remove what you do not want. 
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Offline Eupher

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Re: Help us buy a new computer!
« Reply #44 on: January 26, 2009, 09:12:10 AM »
Quote from: JohnMatrix on January 26, 2009, 09:06:24 AM
Then, like McAfee and AOL, remove what you do not want. 

Ummm, how about just use an alternative program that doesn't hog as many resources, doesn't conflict with so much, and is otherwise a better program?

But back to the point.

For me, Vista was/is a pain in the ass. Your mileage may vary.
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Offline thundley4

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Re: Help us buy a new computer!
« Reply #45 on: January 26, 2009, 09:46:31 AM »
We have 4 Dells, the first one bought about 8 years ago.  I learned that the best thing to do is get a new computer up and running to make sure everything works, then reformat and reinstall Windows, (whichever version), and only install the included programs that are needed and wanted. Dell installs a lot of trial ware that is unneeded, IMO.
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Offline Eupher

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Re: Help us buy a new computer!
« Reply #46 on: January 26, 2009, 10:18:17 AM »
Quote from: thundley4 on January 26, 2009, 09:46:31 AM
We have 4 Dells, the first one bought about 8 years ago.  I learned that the best thing to do is get a new computer up and running to make sure everything works, then reformat and reinstall Windows, (whichever version), and only install the included programs that are needed and wanted. Dell installs a lot of trial ware that is unneeded, IMO.

Agreed on the trialware. They choke you with all that crap. Next time around, your approach is EXACTLY what I'm going to do.
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Offline Thor

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Re: Help us buy a new computer!
« Reply #47 on: January 26, 2009, 01:03:13 PM »
The problem with that is having to BUY a copy of Windows so it will run right. The major manufacturers never include a virgin copy of Windows with their systems. Since I typically build my own systems, which have run great, the biggest cost is finding a reasonably priced legitimate copy of Windows. Ebay & Pricewatch have them, but still, it's over $100. :(
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Offline jinxmchue

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Re: Help us buy a new computer!
« Reply #48 on: January 26, 2009, 01:29:26 PM »
Quote from: thundley4 on January 26, 2009, 09:46:31 AM
We have 4 Dells, the first one bought about 8 years ago.  I learned that the best thing to do is get a new computer up and running to make sure everything works, then reformat and reinstall Windows, (whichever version), and only install the included programs that are needed and wanted. Dell installs a lot of trial ware that is unneeded, IMO.

Unfortunately, companies aren't always including the discs for the operating systems anymore.  We got this computer a few years ago and never got any XP discs with it.  I kind of wonder if they stopped doing that so people wouldn't be able to do what you suggest.
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Offline thundley4

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Re: Help us buy a new computer!
« Reply #49 on: January 26, 2009, 02:50:39 PM »
I bought the last Dell at Walmart when they first started selling them about 2 years or so ago, and it came with all the installed software on disks.  I know that some other companies don't do it, but I thought Dell was still doing it.
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