?I hate Vista

[renormalised (Carl)]

I've got a new iMac and I'll never go back to a PC unless I have to. At least not one with Vista on it. XP Pro is about as far as I want to go....Vista isn't worth it.

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Below is a list of installed applications on my Vista Home box which I use all day, every day - WITHOUT problems. My machine has been running nearly continuously since 3rd November, 2006. I have re-booted it maybe twice in that time, and only once because I was forced to. I run multiple apps at the one time and as you can see I run a fair amount of graphical (read: resource hungry) software along side my usual defaults such as browser and mail apps.

Why you guys are having problems is the big question. All of the listed apps here WORK on my system, so I can't believe the problems most claim to be having. Remember that a working system comprises of more than just the operating system - so maybe you guys suffer problems related to proprietary hardware supplied by the likes of HP, Dell and others. If there's something I avoid like the plague, it's proprietary hardware that relies on proprietary modifications to standard OS software that otherwise works just fine.

The stuff that is highlighted is what I use every day in the pursuit of my astronomical interests. It all works.

Note at the end a list of the hardware installed. It 'aint exactly a barnstormer - and this configuration is now quite old. I only have 1Gb of RAM installed and it all still runs just fine.

ABSoft - Neat Image Version 5.85 *
AcroTray - Adobe Acrobat Distiller helper application. Version 8.1,0.2007051000 *
Adobe Acrobat Version 8.1.0.2007051100 *
Adobe Device Central CS3 Version 1.1.0 *
Adobe Dreamweaver CS3 Version 9.0.0.3481 *
Adobe Extension Manager Version 1.8.169 *
Adobe Flash CS3 Version 9, 0, 0, 494 *
Adobe Illustrator CS3 CS3 *
Adobe InDesign CS3 Version 5.0.1 *
Adobe LiveCycle Designer Version 8, 05, 2073, 1, 374024 *
Adobe Photoshop CS3 CS3 *
Adobe Systems Incorporated - Flash Video Encoder Version 2.0.0.494 *
Adobe Systems Incorporated. - Acrobat Distiller for Windows Version 8.1.0.2007051000 *
Adobe Systems, Inc. - Bridge Version 2.0 *
Adobe Systems, Inc. - Bridge Version 2.1.1 *
Adobe Systems, Inc. - Shockwave Flash Version 9,0,115,0 *
Adobe Systems, Incorporated - ExtendScript Toolkit 2 Version 2.0.1.75, Build 49..290796 (Thu Jun 14 2007 16:29:00) *
Adobe(R) Creative Suite Stock Photos CS3 Version 1.5.0.466 *
Advanced Micro Devices Inc. - Catalyst Control Centre Version 2.0.0.0 *
Alexander Roshal - WinRAR archiver Version 3.71.0.0 *
AntispamSniper Version 1, 0, 0, 1 *
Apple Inc. - Bonjour Version 1,0,4,12 *
Apple Inc. - iTunes Version 7.4.3.1 *
Apple Inc. - QuickTime QuickTime 7.4.1 *
Apple Inc. - Safari Version 3.1.1 (525.17) *
Apple Mobile Device Service Version 1, 14, 0, 0 *
Apple Software Update Version 2.1.0.110 *
ATI External Event Utility for Windows Version 6.14.10.4176 *
ATI Technologies Inc. - Catalyst Control Centre Version 2.0.0.0 *
Auriga Imaging - REGISTAR Application Version 1, 0, 0, 1 *
Belarc, Inc. - Advisor Version 7.2x *
Blurb, Inc - BookSmart Version 1.9.2 *
CACE Technologies - WinPcap Version 4.0.0.901 *
CameraMonitor Application Version 1, 0, 3, 0 *
Carina Software - Voyager 4 Version 4.0.6 *
ContentCopier Version 1, 0, 0, 0 *
Cor Berrevoets - RegiStax Version 4.0 *
Create and edit drawings, flow charts, and logos by using Draw. *
Create and edit presentations for slideshows, meeting and Web pages by using Impress. *
Create and edit scientific formulas and equations by using Math. *
Create and edit text and graphics in letters, reports, documents and Web pages by using Writer. *
DeepSkyStacker Version 3, 1, 0, 0 *
easyHDR *
filezilla Version 3, 0, 9, 3 *
GIMP 2.4.5 *
gimp-win-remote.exe *
Global Rent A Scope - GRAS Info Center Version 1.0.0.0 *
Google Earth Version 4.2.205.5730 *
Google Inc. - Picasa Version 2.7.0 *
HDRsoft - Photomatix Pro Version 2.05.0014 *
Helios Software Solutions - TextPad Version 5.0.3 *
Imagenomic LLC - Noiseware Professional Edition Version 2.6.0.1 *
ImagesPlus Version 2, 0, 0, 0 *
Imaginova Canada, Ltd. - Starry Night Version 6.2.1 *
Kaspersky Anti-Virus Version 6.0.2.621 *
Knife Edge Software - RealFlight G3 Version 3.00.053 *
Macromedia Dreamweaver MX 2004 Version 7.0.1.2181 *
Macromedia Extension Manager Version 1.6.062 *
Macromedia Flash Version 7, 2, 0, 581 *
Macromedia Inc. - Fireworks Version 7.0.2.295 *
Macromedia Licensing Service Version 2.65.0.1 *
Macromedia, Inc. - Shockwave Flash Version 7,0,19,0 *
Macrovision Corporation - InstallShield (R) Version 11.00 *
Macrovision Europe Ltd. - FLEXnet Publisher (32 bit) Version 11.3.5.1 *
Manage databases, create queries and reports to track and manage your information by using Base. *

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

and continued:

Microsoft (R) Windows Script Host Version 5.7.0.6000 *
Microsoft Corporation - digital locker assistant Version 1.6.5 *
Microsoft Corporation - DirectX 8.1 Sample Version 8.13 *
Microsoft Corporation - Internet Explorer Version 7.00.6000.16386 *
Microsoft Corporation - Messenger Version 8.1.0178 *
Microsoft Corporation - Windows Defender Version 1.1.1505.0 *
Microsoft Corporation - Windows Installer - Unicode Version 4.0.6000.16386 *
Microsoft Corporation - Windows Version 1.0.0.1 *
Microsoft Research - WorldWide Telescope Version 2.1.06.1 *
Microsoft® .NET Framework Version 2.0.50727.312 *
Microsoft® .NET Framework Version 3.0.4506.25 *
Microsoft® Visual FoxPro® Version 6.0.8450.0 *
Microsoft® Windows Mobile® Device Center Version 6.0.6783.0 *
Mozilla Corporation - Firefox Version 2.0.0.14 *
Mozilla Corporation - Thunderbird Version 2.0.0.12 *
Nebulosity *
Nokia - Connection Manager Version 2, 1, 0, 0 *
Nokia - Get Connected Wizard Version 1, 0, 0, 0 *
Nokia Application Installer Version 3, 0, 0, 0 *
Nokia Lifeblog Version 2.5.224.0 *
Nokia Multimedia Player Version 1, 1, 0, 0 *
Nokia One Touch Access *
Nokia Software Installer Version 1.6.33.0 *
Nokia Software Launcher Version 1.6.80.0 *
Nokia Software Updater Version 1.3.2.28890 *
Nokia. - PC Connectivity Solution Version 3.0 *
NokiaMusicManager Version 6, 0, 1, 0 *
OpenOffice.org 2.2 *
OpenOffice.org 2.2 Version 1.09.9129 *
Opera Internet Browser Version 9.21 *
Perform calculation, analyze information and manage lists in spreadsheets by using Calc. *
SKYLab Astronomy Software - STAR Atlas Pro from SKY:Lab Astronomy Software Version 6.1.1 *
SONIX - tsnp2std Version 1, 1, 3, 9 *
StartCCC *
Sun Microsystems, Inc. - Java(TM) Platform SE 6 U5 Version 6.0.50.13 *
The Wireshark developer community, http://www.wireshark.org/ - Wireshark Version 0.99.6a *
Time Information Services Ltd. - PC Sync Version 2.00 *
UFRaw *
unopkg.exe *
VideoLAN Team - VLC media player Version 0.8.6.0 *
Virtual Moon Atlas Expert *
Virtual Moon Atlas Light *
Virtual Moon Atlas Pro *
WinAVI Video Converter *
WinAVIcmd *
Wizards to adjust .NET Framework security, assign trust to assemblies, and fix broken .NET applications. Version 1.0.5000.0 *
Zero G - LaunchAnywhere Version 4.5.2.0 *

Operating System System Model Windows Vista Home Premium (build 6000) Enclosure Type: Desktop Processor a Main Circuit Board b 2.00 gigahertz AMD Athlon 64
128 kilobyte primary memory cache
512 kilobyte secondary memory cache
Board: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. K8M800-8237
Bus Clock: 200 megahertz
BIOS: Award Software International, Inc. FA 01/04/2005
Drives Memory Modules c,d 214.75 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
80.24 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4163B ATA Device [CD-ROM drive]
3.5" format removeable media [Floppy drive]

ST3320620AS [Hard drive] (320.07 GB) -- drive 0, s/n 5QF1KHLB, rev 3.AAE, SMART Status: Healthy 1024 Megabytes Installed Memory

Slot 'A0' has 512 MB
Slot 'A1' has 512 MB
Slot '' is Empty
Local Drive Volumes


c: (NTFS on drive 0) 214.75 GB 80.24 GB free
Network Drives None detected
Users (mouse over user name for details)
Printers
local user accountslast logon xxxx 28/05/2008 4:52:59 PM (admin)
xxxx 31/08/2007 4:17:22 AM
local system accounts
Administrator 3/11/2006 12:03:34 AM (admin)
ASPNET never
Guest never

Marks a disabled account; Marks a locked account Adobe PDF Converter on Documents\*.pdf Microsoft XPS Document Writer on XPSPort: Samsung ML-1610 Series on USB001
Controllers Display Standard floppy disk controller
IDE Channel [Controller] (4x)
VIA Bus Master IDE Controller - 0571
VIA Serial ATA Controller - 3149 ATI Radeon 9600 / X1050 Series [Display adapter]
ATI Radeon 9600 / X1050 Series Secondary [Display adapter]
HRT 720 [Monitor] (14.9"vis, February 2002)
LGE L1710S [Monitor] (17.1"vis, March 2004)
Bus Adapters Multimedia Microsoft iSCSI Initiator
VIA Rev 5 or later USB Universal Host Controller (6x)
VIA USB Enhanced Host Controller (2x) Realtek AC'97 Audio for VIA (R) Audio Controller
Communications Other Devices


isatap.{44A48867-7AEF-4032-9C4A-BB65861491FF} isatap.{5FB5B3E3-F89E-4984-AEC8-2886640171CC} isatap.{5FB5B3E3-F89E-4984-AEC8-2886640171CC} isatap.{E2D4136F-315F-408D-AAF3-2BCA3A3BCC3F} Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Ethernet NIC primary Auto IP Address: 10.1.1.2 / 24
Gateway: 10.1.1.1
Dhcp Server: 10.1.1.1
Physical Address: xxxxx
Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface Networking Dns Servers: xxxxxxxx
HID-compliant consumer control device
USB Human Interface Device (3x)
HID Keyboard Device
Standard PS/2 Keyboard
Apple Mighty Mouse
Generic USB Hub
USB Composite Device
USB Root Hub (8x)
Generic volume shadow copy
Nokia N95

[allan gould]

Well I finally got an email confirming that HP will be sending their disc to UPGRADE the o/s on my 2133 to XP. With this I should be alright as Ive seen that the PC is lightning fast with XP installed but slow with a butchered Vista they put on it.

Originally Posted by danielsun

Well I was just about to start a thread about Vista but you beat me to it.
I have Vista business with 2gig processor and 4gig ram which I think is more than capable but I can't understand why my laptop after extensive problems getting my laptop to finally run my mount and cameras it ran perfect for one night only.Then last night with out doing anything different my laptop decides to freeze and stall again and then tell me I have ASCOM driver errors and it swicthes the com ports.
Now I my planetarium software is doubled over and I now once again have to uninstall everything and reinstall to get it all going again.

I am pretty sure it's a Vista issue because my camera software has no problem on my Mrs XP.

I can't take much more of these crashes!!
I am also seriously considering UPgrading to XP pro.

[RB (Andrew)]

LOL Chris,

I almost deleted your post thinking it was a spammer trying to sell Nokia Phones on here, until I saw it was your post.

[renormalised (Carl)]

Chris, count yourself lucky. Most people have had poor to horrible experiences with Vista. I don't like proprietary software/hardware combo's either. Too much hassle and they're usually poor hacks of what would be good software and hardware.

[gregbradley]

I have found Vista a nightmare for using new astro hardware like a new camera or a filter wheel.

It seems to fight you every step of the way so something that should be simple like run an installer doesn't work and there are work-arounds to get the hardware installed.

I have tried to install an upgraded driver for a camera only to have it go into a continuous flashing on and off loop once clicked on that could only be stopped by removing the laptop battery.

A filter wheel which the manufacturer "claims" is Vista compatible wouldn't work under Vista if you paid it.

Vista is not the way to go at all for astronomy and XP is the preferred system.

Even little things like the extra feature on the mouse drag where it can activate a slider. Really annoying if you are using Photoshop and move a slider to adjust something and then you leave your hand on the touch pad and move it slightly then the slider moves wildly and all your adjusting is out the door.

No thanks.

I predict if Microsoft brought out another product as bad as Vista it will have serious financial difficulties within 2 years despite its massive size as a company.

Greg.

[tornado33]

Thanks for posting up that list of software that works under Vista, Chris. I will soon be having to get used to Vista as I will need to use the 64 bit Ultimate version on an upcoming pc upgrade.
Scott