Vista vs. XP in a new computer

Jon_Are · 03-18-2007, 06:55 PM

I'm considering buying a new PC very soon, but I'm not convinced that I want to jump to Vista just yet.

The reasons for this include:

1. I'll be networking three computers, two of which will still have XP. Not sure if this will cause problems or not (if the new one runs Vista).

2. The fact that Vista is so new.

3. Some software I use isn't the most current, and I foresee compatibilty issues with Vista. I currently use Microsoft Office 97, Microsoft Publisher 98, and some other stuff that may not play well with Vista. Don't really plan on updating any of these any time soon.

What I'm considering is this: Immediately wiping the new PC's hard drive clean and installing XP (I have a full-install XP disc I can use). Then continue on my merry way.

Is this a stupid idea? If so, go ahead and say so; I can take it.

Will I have any trouble re-installing Vista if I change my mind at a later date?

Thanks,

Jon

Chad Sunderland · 03-19-2007, 05:32 AM

Hi, I have just bought a Vista PC to run my home theater. I am networking with 2 XP PC's with no problems. So far, I really like Vista and have had no problems with software compatibility, but I am not using any of the programs you are.

Patrick_S · 03-19-2007, 11:18 AM

Doesn’t Microsoft still have a little application that you can run on your current PCs and it will tell you if the applications will run under Vista?

Edit: Here is the address to the application I mentioned in my post.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pro...deadvisor.mspx

jervis961 · 03-19-2007, 05:53 PM

I have a laptop and a desktop both running vista and 3 other computers running xp and no issues on the network. Funny thing is I was finally able to set up my usb printer via my networked hard drive with vista but still can't get it to work on the xp machines.

Bryan X · 03-19-2007, 06:10 PM

Quote:

1. I'll be networking three computers, two of which will still have XP. Not sure if this will cause problems or not (if the new one runs Vista).

I'm networking a mix of Vista and XP computers and laptops at home with no problem at all.

Quote:

. Some software I use isn't the most current, and I foresee compatibilty issues with Vista. I currently use Microsoft Office 97, Microsoft Publisher 98, and some other stuff that may not play well with Vista. Don't really plan on updating any of these any time soon.

Software compatibility is really your biggest concern. I had to upgrqade the following due to compatibility issues going from XP to Vista:

Microsoft Outlook XP (2002) - it will run, but it is a known issue that it will not remember passwords even if you check the 'remember password' box. (the other Office XP applications ran fine and I bought Outlook 2007 for $49 brand new through the academic discount program using my son to qualify)

Pinnacle Studio 9 - will not install and I haven't bought a replacement yet.

Roxio Easy CD Creator - will not install (can't remember which version). I downloaded the latest trial version of NERO and it works fine.

Adobe Photoshop Elements 3 - installed, but was buggy under Vista so I bought Photoshop Elements 5 and it works fine.

Zone Alarm - will not install so I'm crossing my fingers and using Vista's firewall until the new (free) Zone Alarm is ready -- it's currently in Beta.

Point being, check thoroughly which of your current software titles will and won't work with Vista and then make a decision on whether or not you want Vista. Even with the incompatibilities, I feel the upgrade to Vista, for me, was worth it.

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SethH · 03-19-2007, 06:47 PM

If you need a stop-gap for the Office applications you could certainly try OpenOffice. Ever since OpenOffice hit version 2.0 it is a very, very solid software suite and interacts well with MS Office files.

Jon_Are · 03-19-2007, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Here is the address to the application I mentioned in my post.

Thanks, Patrick.

Quote:

Pinnacle Studio 9 - will not install and I haven't bought a replacement yet.

Uh oh...this is going to be a big problem. I don't mind paying to upgrade, but I see by the Pinnacle site that the only Vista compatible version is a beta.

I need this software to work; in fact, transferring my home VHS movies to DVD more efficiently is a big part of the reason I'm getting a new PC.

Should I chance a Beta version? Or should I steer clear until a standard release is available?

Thanks to all,

JOn

Bryan X · 03-19-2007, 07:31 PM

Well, I have not heard ANYTHING good about Pinnacle Studio 10.x which is why I've held off on that purchase. I did download the trial Adobe Premiere Elements 3 as a replacement for Studio. It installed fine, but I had trouble getting it to actually burn the edited video. I haven't had a chance to troubleshoot it yet. I'll have to give it another go tonight and see if I can get it to work and let you know.

Update: I noticed there was a patch available for Premiere Elements 3 for Vista compatibility. So I downloaded it but it said it wouldn't install because I'm using the trial version....

Bye Bye Premiere Elements 3.

Ronsuave87 · 03-19-2007, 08:40 PM

I have a similar dilemma so I decided to post here too.

I have a athlon xp 3200+ with 1g pc2700 ram...

Will vista run alright on this machine?

Wayne Ernst · 03-19-2007, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronsuave87

I have a similar dilemma so I decided to post here too.

I have a athlon xp 3200+ with 1g pc2700 ram...

Will vista run alright on this machine?

It should be OK. I have 1 GB of Ram and the AMD XP 1800+ for my CPU. The performance is quite good. I'm using a video card with an ATI chip on it and 256 MB of memory. What video card do you have?