***Official Vista Thread*** Keep it here.

This thread will be updated frequently.  Please keep game performance discussion here as well as any other Vista related topics.  I'll start by answering a few of the questions I keep seeing pop up.

Can I run Vista?

If you have concerns please install and run this Vista Advisor.  http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=42B5AC83-C24F-4863-A389-3FFC194924F8&displaylang=en

At this point, it is very very close. 

http://www.gamespot.com/features/6164940/index.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=multimodule&tag=multimodule;features;title;1

I have been using the 64bit Version with no problems.  It has been great.  To squash a few rumors I would like to start with, Yes Creative and Nvidia both have drivers that are working perfectly fine on 2 PCs I have been using.  One is an AMD the other is an Intel.  As of right now it is my understanding that part of the WHQL certification process means if you are putting a driver for Vista up in 32 bit you HAVE to offer a 64 bit version.

Here is a comparison of features http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/choose.mspx 

No.  Click on Vista Advisor Link. 

It will first arrive on Windows Vista this winter with the release of Shadowrun.

For those planning on buying Vista in the near future, you should look into getting OEM versions of the OS. The biggest difference would be the OEM versions do not include the fancy box or manual, but it will save you a TON of money. Current OEM prices for Vista full (no upgrade versions):

• Vista Home Basic $99 (full version retail: $199)
• Vista Home Premium: $119 (full version retail: $239)
• Vista Business: $149 (full version retail: $299)
• Vista Ultimate $199 (full version retail: $399)

Overall you have to ask yourself.....Are you really willing to shell
out $200 for a box? I have to admit, the Vista Ultimate box is the
sexiest box for software ever made....but I always go OEM. Perhaps I
can find a place that sells the boxes seperately on eBay for a few
bucks one day.

I should also mention that since it's OEM, you will not be eligible for Microsoft support via phone/chat/e-mail...They will tell you to contact the dealer that sold you the computer with Vista on it (As far as they know you just bought a new computer with it pre-installed).     Not a very big deal at all since I've never had to contact Microsoft support, but some people not very computer savvy may need it.

If the file did not have DRM in the first place, Vista's DRM will not mess with it.

No.

So far it is expected to launch with "Shadowrun".  We can expect pricing to be intact with Xbox 360 model as it uses the same Gamertag.

http://www.dailytech.com/Underneath+Microsofts+Universal+Audio+Architecture+/article5821.htm

1. Boot from the Windows Vista Upgrade DVD and start the setup program.
   
2. When prompted to enter your product key, DO NOT enter it. Click "Next" and proceed with setup. This will install Windows Vista as a 30-day trial.
   
3. When prompted, select the edition of Vista which you have purchased and continue with setup.
   
4. Once setup has been completed and you have been brought to the desktop for the first time, run the install program from within Windows Vista.
   
5. This time, type in your product key when prompted.
   
6. When asked whether to perform an Upgrade or Custom (advanced) install, choose Custom (advanced) to perform a clean install of Vista. Yes, this means that you will have to install Vista for a second time.
   
7. Once setup has completed for the second time, you should be able to activate Windows Vista normally. You can also delete the Windows.old directory which contains information from the first Vista install.
   

There's no telling why Microsoft left this loophole wide open with Windows Vista Upgrade DVDs, but this means that any retail upgrade DVD can be used as a fully functioning full retail copy of Vista.  :D

Start, Control Panel, User Accounts and Family Settings, User Accounts, Turn User Account Control On or Off.

Un check *Use User Account to help protect your computer*, then hit OK.  It is quite displeasing that a feature so useful but so annoying will be disabled by most.  Hopefully Microsoft can fix this some how in the future.

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=33&threadid=2000598&enterthread=y  Great information here

Any questions or helpful information will be updated.  Any problems with solutions found will be updated. 

All discussions and questions about Vista go in this thread and other posts outside of this one will be locked..

Thanks,
-Moderation team

Nice. I have a question, will Live for windows come out tomarrow? I want to play Uno on my PC!!!Halo2_Norad

lol, we want Crysis, you want Uno!  :P

If I buy the full version of Vista home premium, would i be able to install it on my other computers as well? like 1 or 2 because other microsft software lets you install up to 3 computers. I know this is a stupid question, but i have yet to find the answer. Any help would be great, thanks!

Here is a couple extra things to add that have been asked of me:

Will Vista's Mysterious DRM create havoc with my downloaded files? (MP3s Videos, Etc.)

If the file did not have DRM in the first place, Vista's DRM will not mess with it.

Will Vista prevent BitTorrent from running?

No

If I buy the full version of Vista home premium, would i be able to install it on my other computers as well? like 1 or 2 because other microsft software lets you install up to 3 computers. I know this is a stupid question, but i have yet to find the answer. Any help would be great, thanks!

Arcanefelix

Technically no, the license you buy only allows you to put it onto 1 computer at a time, whether the software is lenient enough to allow you to install it on other computers is a different story however, I wouldn't chance it though.

Vista Ultimate has this special deal where you can buy up 2 licenses of Vista Home Premium for 50 bucks each, if that helps

Is there any truth to the rumor that MS is gonna make use of the fact that you don't actually "own" your OS when you buy Vista but rather you are "renting" a service? (Read the complete EULA for Vista). I heard they were going to try to implement a way to make people pay a certain amount each year (what amount I don't know) to "re-activate" in order to keep using Vista. Like I said, this is just a rumor I've heard going around some tech circles but I'd like to know if anyone has heard any more about it.1Lonehawk

All the way back to the Windows 3.11 era you never did 'own' the OS, you just own a license to use it, This is the same with Macs as well so Mac fanboys can be quiet. As for the whole 'renting' thing, I bet it's more of a fearmongering tactic by Microsoft Haters to keep people from using Vista, anyway it not like there is anything keeping them from doing the same thing to XP as well

• Vista Home Basic $99 (full version retail: $199)
• Vista Home Premium: $119 (full version retail: $239)
• Vista Business: $149 (full version retail: $299)
• Vista Ultimate $199 (full version retail: $399)

Is it true that OEM versions don't inlcude bot 32-bit and 64-bit versions of vista? I thought I remember reading that somewhere. I don't plan on getting Vista until after I upgrade (sometime right before Crysis comes out) and I'm still not sure which version I should get.nappy65_basic

mikemil828 wrote: "All the way back to the Windows 3.11 era you never did 'own' the OS, you just own a license to use it, This is the same with Macs as well so Mac fanboys can be quiet. As for the whole 'renting' thing, I bet it's more of a fearmongering tactic by Microsoft Haters to keep people from using Vista, anyway it not like there is anything keeping them from doing the same thing to XP as well"
How exactly would they implement that with XP? Could they reach into my computer and shut it down if I didn't re-activate something that doesn't at this point ever need any more activation? I don't understand that statement.

That's a good point about EULA's. I'd actually forgotten about that. My bad.
1Lonehawk

Where else? A future service pack, seeing how many people seem to love Service packs, to the point of postponing purchasing a OS until one comes out, that will be the best place to put them......if they were going to do something like this, which they aren't. I wouldn't put too much thought into these conspiracy theories. All Windows OS Launches have this 'Sky is falling' talk in the beginning, only when people really start buying the OS will the Chicken Littles of the world will pipe down

Is it true that OEM versions don't inlcude bot 32-bit and 64-bit versions of vista? I thought I remember reading that somewhere. I don't plan on getting Vista until after I upgrade (sometime right before Crysis comes out) and I'm still not sure which version I should get.nappy65_basic

Only Vista Ultimate has both the 32-bit and 64 bit version in the box, no other version retail or otherwise comes with the 64 bit version in the box, you have to send away for the 64 bit version. Anyway, concerned whether you should get 32 or 64 version, your best bet would be to get the 32 bit version, although the 64 bit version would probably run better, it would have a lot less support because Microsoft anticipated that guys like these would throw a hissy fit should Microsoft had dared to force 64 bit processing down their throats

My question is, does XP Pro 64 version have more or less problems than the regular 32 bit version?1Lonehawk

Here is another thing to add

This shows the difference between OEM and Retail

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070130-8730.html

For those planning on buying Vista in the near future, you should look into getting OEM versions of the OS. The biggest difference would be the OEM versions do not include the fancy box or manual, but it will save you a TON of money. Current OEM prices for Vista full (no upgrade versions):

• Vista Home Basic $99 (full version retail: $199)
• Vista Home Premium: $119 (full version retail: $239)
• Vista Business: $149 (full version retail: $299)
• Vista Ultimate $199 (full version retail: $399)

Overall you have to ask yourself.....Are you really willing to shell out $200 for a box? I have to admit, the Vista Ultimate box is the sexiest box for software ever made....but I always go OEM. Perhaps I can find a place that sells the boxes seperately on eBay for a few bucks one day.

I should also mention that since it's OEM, you will not be eligible for Microsoft support via phone/chat/e-mail...They will tell you to contact the dealer that sold you the computer with Vista on it (As far as they know you just bought a new computer with it pre-installed).     Not a very big deal at all since I've never had to contact Microsoft support, but some people not very computer savvy may need it.
SuperBeast

This is a great post and to me the strongest motivator on upgrading making the decision easy.  I chose not to use the Upgrade path because I do not like that you can not do a clean install.  For the record, I have seen NO difference as far as compatibility between 32 and 64 bit versions .  I have been beta testing since June 06.  64 bit was an easy choice for me. 

I'd like to ask what the difference is between a 32 and 64 bit version. Also how will I know which one I will be getting?Koinuboy

The 64 bit version gets all the benefits of 64 bit processing and the 32 bit version will have be compatible with more software. All versions except OEM will have both 32 bit and 64 bit versions, just not out of the box, Microsoft puts a 32 bit version in every box and if you want you can send for the 64 bit version.

Another nice tidbit to add: BEWARE: Vista Upgrade Invalidates XP KeyKrall

1. Boot from the Windows Vista Upgrade DVD and start the setup program.
   
2. When prompted to enter your product key, DO NOT enter it. Click "Next" and proceed with setup. This will install Windows Vista as a 30-day trial.
   
3. When prompted, select the edition of Vista which you have purchased and continue with setup.
   
4. Once setup has been completed and you have been brought to the desktop for the first time, run the install program from within Windows Vista.
   
5. This time, type in your product key when prompted.
   
6. When asked whether to perform an Upgrade or Custom (advanced) install, choose Custom (advanced) to perform a clean install of Vista. Yes, this means that you will have to install Vista for a second time.
   
7. Once setup has completed for the second time, you should be able to activate Windows Vista normally. You can also delete the Windows.old directory which contains information from the first Vista install.
   

There's no telling why Microsoft left this loophole wide open with Windows Vista Upgrade DVDs, but this means that any retail upgrade DVD can be used as a fully functioning full retail copy of Vista.  :D

Heres your Fix!

[QUOTE="Halo2_Norad"]Nice. I have a question, will Live for windows come out tomarrow? I want to play Uno on my PC!!!Taijiquan

lol, we want Crysis, you want Uno! :P

[QUOTE="Krall"]Another nice tidbit to add: BEWARE: Vista Upgrade Invalidates XP KeyTaijiquan

1. Boot from the Windows Vista Upgrade DVD and start the setup program.
   
2. When prompted to enter your product key, DO NOT enter it. Click "Next" and proceed with setup. This will install Windows Vista as a 30-day trial.
   
3. When prompted, select the edition of Vista which you have purchased and continue with setup.
   
4. Once setup has been completed and you have been brought to the desktop for the first time, run the install program from within Windows Vista.
   
5. This time, type in your product key when prompted.
   
6. When asked whether to perform an Upgrade or Custom (advanced) install, choose Custom (advanced) to perform a clean install of Vista. Yes, this means that you will have to install Vista for a second time.
   
7. Once setup has completed for the second time, you should be able to activate Windows Vista normally. You can also delete the Windows.old directory which contains information from the first Vista install.
   

There's no telling why Microsoft left this loophole wide open with Windows Vista Upgrade DVDs, but this means that any retail upgrade DVD can be used as a fully functioning full retail copy of Vista.  :D

Heres your Fix!

You see guys? You can stop freaking out and relax, Microsoft isn't out to get you and if they were they aren't particularly doing a good job of it.

I have two questions as I installed Vista Premium. One, my IE7 does not work (however my FF does). What do I need to do to make it work? Second, the right side of the screen seems to be cut off. Like, I only have half a scroll bar, ect. Now I tried adjusting the screen over but then its just black so I know it's not an alignment problem. What gives?VetteMan85

Are you, uh sure you installed it properly, because IE7 should work fine, As for your other problem, it's sounds like a video card problem, do you have the latest drivers? Are your video settings set correctly?

thanks for posting this man, cleared up a lot of things about vista i was worried about. props 4 u!frost_mourne13

Np, hopefully this clears up some rumors on Vista and also helps keep the forums cleaner.

It should also be noted, that if you buy the OEM version of Vista, it is tied to your motherboard! Which means if you want to switch from AMD to Intels new core duo or their 45nm proccesors that are coming out... or even a new socket, you will not have a working OS.

Very bad for users who upgrade and change parts! For gamers, I highly suggest NOT purchasing the OEM version.SnakeIRye

This is not noted because this is infact incorrect.  When you do a major overhaul, if you are required to phone in and activate it is the same XP and any prior OS (EULA was the same).  Retail and OEM differences= OEM has no box, no manual, no Microsoft Support.  

ok if i downloaded some songs from limewire, and its on my vista machine, will i get killed for it?frost_mourne13

:D, let us know if you do!  I am sure you are obtaining these legally which is a good thing.  I have ALOT of media and have had 0 problems. 

Edit, do people really still use Limewire?

My question is how does Vista improve my home computing experience?

I can't think of a single time I've asked myself: "Gee, if I could only have x feature on Windows XP, I would gladly shell out $300 for a new operating system."

I think Microsoft, like most technology-based companies is suckering people up for an upgrade when no upgrade is really necessary.  People have convinced themselves they must constantly upgrade because the advertising and peer pressure tell them so. 

Sure, some high-tech computer industries might benefit from this, as well as the few people who always buy the latest and greatest hardware every year, but for the rest of the 90% of us, is there really any advantage in spending $100-$400 on a new operating system?

My question is how does Vista improve my home computing experience?

I can't think of a single time I've asked myself: "Gee, if I could only have x feature on Windows XP, I would gladly shell out $300 for a new operating system."

I think Microsoft, like most technology-based companies is suckering people up for an upgrade when no upgrade is really necessary.  People have convinced themselves they must constantly upgrade because the advertising and peer pressure tell them so. 

Sure, some high-tech computer industries might benefit from this, as well as the few people who always buy the latest and greatest hardware every year, but for the rest of the 90% of us, is there really any advantage in spending $100-$400 on a new operating system?

KirinIchiban

I'm not sure if I can really answer this question, because I paid nothing to get my legal version of Vista Business. But I can tell you this, within 2-3 years almost all new software and all new games are going to built solely for Vista, and that Microsoft OSes generally don't drop in price all that much. What you should really be asking is 'Is it worth it to spend 100-400 bucks now, or spend 100-400 bucks later?' And that is a question only you can answer.

How many people are acctually going to buy Vista anytime soon? I live in Japan right now, and the really big stores had a midnight release sale for Vista the other day. But guess what, 3 people waited in line for it infront of Big Camera (Huge electronic store) in Osaka second-largest city in Japan 2.3 mil people.

Is the intrest really that low?

Now I dont know about all of you, but I will not get it unless I have to.

My question is how does Vista improve my home computing experience?

I can't think of a single time I've asked myself: "Gee, if I could only have x feature on Windows XP, I would gladly shell out $300 for a new operating system."

I think Microsoft, like most technology-based companies is suckering people up for an upgrade when no upgrade is really necessary.  People have convinced themselves they must constantly upgrade because the advertising and peer pressure tell them so. 

Sure, some high-tech computer industries might benefit from this, as well as the few people who always buy the latest and greatest hardware every year, but for the rest of the 90% of us, is there really any advantage in spending $100-$400 on a new operating system?

KirinIchiban

Good questions and points you have raised.  I would like to say, I paid $122.99 for Vista 64 Home Premium.  This is roughly what I paid 5 years ago for XP give or take.  You will be using Vista at some point rather you see the benefits now or not. 

1. Help files actually stepping you through the process (not telling you where to click but showing you)
2. Able to see what programs you regularly run at particular times and then prepare things so it starts quicker
3. There's no more sluggishness once it comes out of sleep/hybernation (I'm told anyway)
4. Dumps graphics management on the graphics card, not the CPU
5. Finally introduces raise priviledge level linux (and Mac?) users enjoy. Dubbed User Account Control
6. There's parental control including control over what Games can be played (R16 not allowed or whatever)
7. Fast User Switching now available for Domain users
8. ReadyBoost and ReadyDrive (basically speaking enables Windows to dump some cache in Flash instead of the HDD to speed things up)
9. Internet Explorer 7 runs in protected mode, apparantly it means it has as much rights to the O/S as say Firefox would
10. Windows Backup has been given a proper overhaul and made much more powerful and easy to use (uses imaging etc)
11. Instant search, far far quicker than XPs
12. right click on a network share - map network drive
13. idividually change the volume of any app from the audio mixer
14. install raid drivers from HDD/USB/Anything during setup!
15. process manager shows process's location, description, and has a *much* better resource monitor amount of free space etc shown on mapped drives
16. *huge* thumbnails.. useful for my photo's folder
17. translucent gui - not just the obvious explorer blur - install sisoft sandra to see a good example
18. really nice preview icons for avi's.. xp had this, but they're ultra hi-res in vista
19. ever seen the 'genie' effect when minimizing in OSX? Vista has something similar, but more toned down. effective, but not over the top
20. Boots equally as quick as my xp install.
21. Vista x64 contains
22. PatchGuard preventing programs from patching the kernel
23. Address space layout randomizer, ensures system files load at random memory locations instead of being loaded to the same location (Good defense against attackers)
24. DirectX 10

These are just a few.  Sure you can do some of these with XP but not at the cost of extra resources.  imo and I am a power user, I play games, I get alot of media, do alot of encoding exc... with Xp it has been out for so long that is simply just is bloated.  All the updates, all the programs.  Vista is completely redesigned.  It was said to make Vista, it was one of the most expensive engineering projects in History.  (Beating the Manhattan Project exc).  There is so much more under the hood here we haven't even seen. 

I am having issues with the installation process and maybe one of you guys could help me.  I get all the way to the completing upgrade step (which is the last one) and an error occurs around 65% finished which re-installs XP.  Any suggestions.  My computer is new and compatible and there was no issues with my software or hardware that would mess up the installation.  Man this sucks!

How many people are acctually going to buy Vista anytime soon? I live in Japan right now, and the really big stores had a midnight release sale for Vista the other day. But guess what, 3 people waited in line for it infront of Big Camera (Huge electronic store) in Osaka second-largest city in Japan 2.3 mil people.

Is the intrest really that low?

Now I dont know about all of you, but I will not get it unless I have to.

botanisk

Seeing that most of the Japanese PC game market is eroge that doesn't quite require direct x 10, well that's kind of to be expected

This may sound like a dumb question, but I've never had a strong enough computer for PC gaming until now (always been on consoles).

I recently purchased a new powerful Dell with Vista home premium. Can I play games that say they are for Windows XP, on my Vista OS? Or do I have to wait for games that are Vista only. I would like to play Total War, Medieval II (for Example)

Thanks.
sithdadco

Most XP games will run decently, but not at their full potential until the respective developers patch their games to better support Vista