Vista - which version?

[sj33]

I'm pretty sure in this case at least, you must install XP fully first and activate it before you can upgrade.

[eastyy]

is there a first play thread for vista?

well ok first impressions anyway

[Hohum]

Wait, I thought Upgrade versions let you do a clean install off a newly formatted drive, as long as you supply an old windows CD during setup? That's how it's always been.

There's no reason to get Full over upgrade, if you don't mind the minor inconvenience of inserting an old windows CD before you install (takes 10 secs).

That was changed. To use the upgrade copy of Vista, you must have XP already installed and activated, and run the installer from within windows.

Also regarding OEM copies - yes, they are cheaper, but you should bear in mind that once you install and activate an OEM copy it will be tied to that PC. You will not be able to use the same copy on a different PC at a later date, you must repurchase it. Microsoft were quite lenient with regards to OEM copies of XP in that you could transfer to another machine if you rang them, but this won't be the case with Vista.

As for 64-bit, it will be the better version to get once drivers are more readily available. It also has some features the 32-bit version does not, such as patchguard to prevent any modification to the O/S kernel by dodgy software/viruses etc. I also remember reading that only the 64-bit version will be able to play bluray/hd-dvd video at full resolution, however this was a while ago and I don't know if it is still the case.

[sj33]

Also regarding OEM copies - yes, they are cheaper, but you should bear in mind that once you install and activate an OEM copy it will be tied to that PC. You will not be able to use the same copy on a different PC at a later date, you must repurchase it. Microsoft were quite lenient with regards to OEM copies of XP in that you could transfer to another machine if you rang them, but this won't be the case with Vista.

As far as Microsoft is concerned, new motherboard = new PC. Assuming we aren't going to be changing motherboards twice a year or something silly, this isn't a problem. Even if you buy 2 OEM copies of Vista over a period of time, it's still cheaper than buying 1 retail copy.

[Hohum]

Indeed, I will personally be getting OEM when I build my next PC, as it doesn't affect me. It only really affects the hardware enthusiasts who are drastically changing their PCs every few months. Also, the retail packages don't even include the 64-bit disc, you have to request it after purchase! Ridiculous, how do they expect people to start shifting from 32-bit at a decent rate when they can't be bothered to supply an extra disc in the box... a lot of people just won't bother and use the enclosed 32-bit version instead.

[ChrisF]

What driver was that for? Someone has just this moment told me that the majority of software works perfectly well on 64bit?

It was for my wifi adapters. I tried several. One by Linksys, one by Belkin, and one by Netgear. Couldn't get any of them working! Might be a different tune now the consumer version of Vista's out but back last year they weren't released.

[sj33]

Driver support, for the 64-bit version in particular, can be annoying depending on what gear you got. All my gear works luckily thankfully, though the X-Fi drivers are barebone.

Rememeber XP64 drivers usually work fine in Vista 64-bit, as long as they are signed and/or WHQL'ed.

[EvilBoris]

As far as Microsoft is concerned, new motherboard = new PC. Assuming we aren't going to be changing motherboards twice a year or something silly, this isn't a problem. Even if you buy 2 OEM copies of Vista over a period of time, it's still cheaper than buying 1 retail copy.

Xp would recognise 3 or so hardware changes then ask you to reactivate. So this isn't the case with Vista?

[sj33]

Xp would recognise 3 or so hardware changes then ask you to reactivate. So this isn't the case with Vista?

I think XP worked on a 'points' system, whereby each component was worth a certain amount of points, and you only had so many points before you had to reactivate. If you couldn't do that online, you had to phone them. As long as it's the same machine, it's no problem. Microsoft do take into account people who upgrade a lot, and it's always been the deal that new motherboard = new machine. So you could change, for example, your GPU as many times as you wanted, and give them a call if you hit problems and explain to them what was changed.

Same basic deal with Vista, except they aren't going to be as lenient with motherboard replacements as they apparently used to be.

[Zanza]

Another major difference between Ultimate and the Home versions is that ultimate can support two processors, while the home versions can only support a single processor. Although that probably only affects a very small percentage of computer users.

Ultimate does have one nice advantage other than remote desktop support, and that is access to the 'ultimate extras', which currently includes a texas holdemup game and DreamScene which lets you set a video as your windows wallpaper. The 'ultimate extras' may not be worth the extra money at the moment, but in the long run I'm sure Microsoft will release some interesting apps/games/services for ultimate users.

[Supergoal]

Indeed, I will personally be getting OEM when I build my next PC, as it doesn't affect me. It only really affects the hardware enthusiasts who are drastically changing their PCs every few months. Also, the retail packages don't even include the 64-bit disc, you have to request it after purchase! Ridiculous, how do they expect people to start shifting from 32-bit at a decent rate when they can't be bothered to supply an extra disc in the box... a lot of people just won't bother and use the enclosed 32-bit version instead.

Is this true? I keep hearing the complete opposite on other forums.

[Hohum]

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Full Edition DVD (Includes 32-bit DVD and info on obtaining 64-bit DVD) - Retail

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=SW-047-MS

[MartyG]

Most appropriate place for this I guess, Komplett are doing the 32 bit basic version of Vista OEM for £57 + postage: http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.asp?sku=330706

[Mofoman]

Get the Ultimate version, it is by far the superior operating system and has all the stuff you need for the upcoming five years.It has support for multiple processor setup's and also has the advantage of having superior networking functions to premium.The Oem version is only forty quid dearer than Premium so the best choice is Ultimate. Trust me, the Ultimate version has everything you will ever need from an Operating system, and with running a PC business Microsoft has sent me email's telling me they will have exclusive update's for the ultimate version of Vista that will not be available or usueable on any other version of Vista, what this is I don't know yet, but you can bet there will be some pretty good incentives down the line to make you choose the ultimate version.

Also, the way things are looking at the moment, a co processor PC may be very, very attractive once they get down to 45nm processor's. These system's will become very , very attractive as the increase the core's over the next five year's, and are already being used in Mac Pro's.

Trust me on this one, Ultimate will have you covered for everything that come's out in the pc world for the next five to seven year's at least. Although you may not want to use some of it's function's now, you may in a couple of year's, I mean I bet some people never thought they would need Dual core at one point.

Link for Ultimate here.64 bit version. 64 bit computing will also take off sometime in the next few year's with the majority of all processor's now supporting the format.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SW-041-MS

[sj33]

Do remember you can upgrade to Ultimate at any time with the Windows Anytime Upgrade option.

I don't think multiple processors will be big anytime soon, but that's an option if it does.