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I'm possibly tempting providence, but I hope that thanks to a new modem/router and finally getting around to using a new computer I've had in the box for about three years, my internet problems are over (touch wood). It's Vista, so I might yet be swearing - but so far so good, as I learn my way round this different set up.
It's very late so I'm off to bed.
Angharad.
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Ahhhh, a 3 year old
new outdated computer. It'll still work nice though. Hope Vista doesn't drive ya crazy. Every time you tell it to run a program or check for an update, it'll freeze and ask you if you are sure you want to do that. Among other things. As soon as you can, make sure you get to Micro Soft and update the thing. Vista has as many patches and security fixes as any of the other Micro Soft units. Especially Defender, which is part of Vista.
windows 7
Windows 7 comes out on 10/22 and it is much better than Vista.
Hugs,
Jenna From FL
Moderator/Editor
TopShelf BigCloset
Hugs,
Jenna From FL
Moderator/Editor
TopShelf BigCloset
It is a long road ahead but I will finally become who I should be.
There are a couple of sites
There are a couple of sites out there that will give you step by step instructions on how to disable the bulk of the extremely annoying "features" (I.E. Bugs) that Vista has, putting it closer to XP in look and feel. Also be sure to do all the service packs, as already mentioned.
Be sure you have at least 1 gig of ram, preferably two. if you don't, invest the $50 or so on more memory.
I'll get a life when it's proven and substantiated to be better than what I'm currently experiencing.
The joys of Vista...
If you've got any version other than Basic, you'll need plenty of RAM.
Unless you disable User Account Control, you may need the most recent graphics driver, otherwise the transition to the 'Secure Desktop' where it asks for your password for permission to continue will take ages.
Talking of User Account Control, it basically stops programs trying to write files within C:\Windows or C:\Program Files once they're installed, or trying to write to the Registry. On the one hand, it does make the computer more secure, as there's less chance of malware doing 'naughty things' to your computer. On the other hand, many programs written before Vista came along expect to be able to write to those directories / the registry (it was never recommended, but since there was nothing to stop developers doing it, they did it!)
The best advice regarding UAC is to 'suck it and see' - some people will rarely experience the prompt, others will have it nagging them multiple times a day. It is possible to disable UAC, but unless it's popping up frequently, keep it enabled.
If your copy of Vista doesn't have SP1, get it installed. As with many versions of Windows, the 'vanilla' version wasn't quite ready, and SP1 does fix a lot of annoyances / bugs. Needless to say, make sure you've got a decent antivirus package installed - if you haven't already bought one, Kaspersky and Eset are both good without using up vast quantities of system resources.
Optional extra - download one of Firefox / Opera / Safari / Chrome - for most sites they're better than Internet Exploder.
--Ben
As the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, then only left-handers are in their right mind!
Clear Vision
Greetings
I've had Vista Home Premium installed on one of my computers without any real problems.
Yes, it does ask if you really mean to install new programs and will not allow you to add data folders in the Program Files folder.
Have fun.
Brian
vista sp2
Hi, just to let you know that vista sp2 is out and available from Microdoze. They don't advertise it but it's been up on their site for some time and it fixed my problems, no more lockups and white screens. Vista has become as reliable as XP, finally. Hugs to all, keep up the good work and Erin, where is the next chapter of 'Special delivery'?
Carol Anne