Windows Vista

[Jon Moen]

Have a look at this for Folder settings:

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows- ... der-types/

[Mitch Drumm]

Jon:

I looked at that link a bit yesterday and more thoroughly today. Unfortunately, the recycle bin folder doesn't have a "customize this folder" option. I tentatively have my folders under control, other than the recycle bin.

I took a look at the "bags" section of my registry as mentioned in that link, to possibly do a registry hack. Unfortunately, my registry does not have a numbered series of bags as shown in the link. I have only bag 1, which apparently applies to the desktop, not to the recycle bin.

So the search goes on. I will have to find out if the recycle bin can be rebuilt in Vista as it could in XP.

[Ken Mizell]

Wiz,

Couple of quick questions:

1/ Using the Files and Settings Wizard - Can I copy the files and settings to a CD, DVD, or backup driver, and then load them into the new computer which will have Windows Vista Home Premium?

2/ I've been using Avanquest System Suites Professional, v8. I love it. I just ordered the same program, v9 upgrade (it should be in the mail now). Will that work with Windows Vista? I note that the system requirements for v8 includes Windows Vista 32 bit. I see where computers are coming with Windows Vista Home Premium 64 bit with SP1. Will System Suite 9 work with the new Vista?

Thanks.

Ken

[Wiz Feinberg]

Wiz,

Couple of quick questions:

1/ Using the Files and Settings Wizard - Can I copy the files and settings to a CD, DVD, or backup driver, and then load them into the new computer which will have Windows Vista Home Premium?

Yes

2/ I've been using Avanquest System Suites Professional, v8. I love it. I just ordered the same program, v9 upgrade (it should be in the mail now). Will that work with Windows Vista? I note that the system requirements for v8 includes Windows Vista 32 bit. I see where computers are coming with Windows Vista Home Premium 64 bit with SP1. Will System Suite 9 work with the new Vista?

Yes, SS v9 does work with Vista. According to the product requirements description for v9, it only works under Windows XP, Windows Vista 32-bit, not 64 bit OSes.

[Ken Mizell]

I guess Vista only runs under 64 bit, right?

I suppose I'll have to find some other utility and internet security/anti-virus program huh that will run on Vista? Any recommendations for a good comprehensive program (similar to SS v9)?

[Wiz Feinberg]

I guess Vista only runs under 64 bit, right?

Wrong! Vista is available in both 32 and 64 bit versions. Most people have the 32 bit version. Most software that runs on Vista only works on the 32 bit version. Specialized hi-end programs are written to run on the 64 bit version.

I suppose I'll have to find some other utility and internet security/anti-virus program huh that will run on Vista? Any recommendations for a good comprehensive program (similar to SS v9)?

Here I can help you! I recommend Trend Micro Internet Security 2009, which is Vista Certified and does everything you need, in one package that doesn't cost too much. You can read the details on my above mentioned page and even download a 30 day trial version from it.

[Ken Mizell]

Wiz - Thanks for the info. I'm sure this info is helping both others and myself.

I've noticed that all the the computers at the stores right now have Windows Vista Home Premium 64 bit versions. Actually, every one of the computers in the sales papers in todays newspapers had the 64 bit version.

Is the Vista OS switchable from 64 to 32 bit, and/or vice versa? I admit, I don't have a complete understanding of the 32 vs 64 bit thing, other than 64 bit must be better or something.

I'm hoping that getting a new computer with Windows Vista will be an adventure, and not a journey down a long, rough, dirt road.

[Chip Fossa]

Just an hour or so ago, I right-clicked Recycle Bin to clean it up, and mistakenly hit DELETE.

Hitting 'delete' deletes the entire recycle bin. Poof! Gone from your desktop.

You can get it back, but like a lot of Vista stuff, it ain't that easy to find.

There is actually a dedicated section without having to search furthur on the web called 'deleted recycle bin'. I typed that in, and that exact link popped up.

The big question, though - what is the point of deleting the recycle bin?

This is just another nuisance. I'm half blind as it is and hardly pay any attention to repetitive moves I've come to know; or thought I knew.

[Wiz Feinberg]

Is the Vista OS switchable from 64 to 32 bit, and/or vice versa? I admit, I don't have a complete understanding of the 32 vs 64 bit thing, other than 64 bit must be better or something.

Vista 64 bit OS only runs on 64 bit hardware, using signed drivers and can address tremendous amounts of RAM. 32 bit OSes are limited to addressing under 4 Gb of RAM.

A 64 bit OS demands that all hardware devices have signed 64 bit drivers, or those devices will not function properly, if at all. This include audio cards, video cards, printers, scanners, network cards, among other items that connect to the main bus.

32 bit programs may work normally on a 64 bit OS and hardware as long as they don't try to communicate directly with the hardware. This means that CAD programs will not usually run on 64 bit computers unless you get a 64 bit version. Ditto for Photoshop.

Legacy 32 bit sound cards will probably never run in a 64 bit computer.

Basically, 64 bit systems work best with all new 64 bit hardware and software. This means that you will most likely have to upgrade all of the 32 bit programs you used to run on your previous computers to 64 bit versions, if they even exist. You will have to replace your printers and scanners and get brand new audio and video cards and software if you do A/V editing. Some plug-in devices may be updatable by the manufacturers and you will have to get new signed drivers to use them.

Windows Vista DVDs come with both the 32 and 64 bit versions on disks. If your computer has 64 bit hardware you may have to stick with the 64 bit OS, or get all the required drivers in 32 bit versions. Visat 64 contains an optional function to install and run old programs in XP SP2 32 bit compatibility mode. This will trick them into running, but possibly with limitations. Again, if a 32 bit application tries to speak directly to the hardware it will fail on a 64 bit system.

Full 64 bit systems running 64 bit software, with lots of RAM, will blow away 32 bit computers running the same programs. 64 bit appears to be the way computers are going to be made and marketed. Prepare yourselves.

[Ken Mizell]

I'm really confused about which way to go. I need a new computer - that's for sure. This Vista stuff, and all the nonsense that goes along with it kind of scares me. I'm computer literate and use them at work and at home a lot. I've been messing with them since all we had was MS DOS, then Windows 3.0. I'm not afraid of computers, however I don't have a bottomless pit of money available. I planned on $1,000 for a computer (more or less), and I figured I'd have to buy new versions of a couple of programs like Photoshop Elements and MS Office apps. What I don't like, is having to buy a new printer when I have an excellent condition older printer that works just fine. Additionally, it would appear that some of the programs I use are only available in 32 bit version - and that includes new versions. I even tried using a web site where I could custom configure a HP computer, and the only thing I could was select the 64 bit version of Vista. Every computer in the papers now has the 64 bit version. Is this some sort of plan or conspiracy designed to make us buy lots of new computer stuff? Could be. I guess I'll figure out what to do soon.

[Wiz Feinberg]

I'm really confused about which way to go. I need a new computer - that's for sure. This Vista stuff, and all the nonsense that goes along with it kind of scares me.
...
I planned on $1,000 for a computer (more or less)...

Ken;
You can build a Windows XP SP 3 computer for well under a thousand dollars, including all the hardware and the OS. I invite you to look over my Tiger Direct page and use the links or search box to look at barebones computer bundles and the various versions of Microsoft operating systems available.

Or, you can buy a fully assembled Systemax tower from Tiger Direct, with a keyboard, mouse, Intel E2200 CPU, Intel DQ35JO mATX Motherboard, 1 Gb of PC6400 Memory, 80 Gb hard drive, CD burner, with Windows XP Professional installed and activated, for $549.99, plus shipping. I looked at the options and for $90 more you can triple the RAM and get a 500 Gb SATA 3 hard drive. This is item number BTO 989828 at Tiger Direct.

Needless to say, all of your programs will run on 32 bit XP Pro!

[Ken Mizell]

Hey Wiz,

Thanks for the direction. I went to Tiger Direct and and worked up a couple of possibilities using the "configure" feature (I love that). I built up super computers - one with Intel Core 2 Quad for $927, and one with AMD Phenom Quad Core 9550 for $891. Not bad at all. I like it.

I noticed that I couldn't select a sound card when configuring. That's odd. I wrote them a note about that.

Question: What is the advantage of MS Windows XP Pro SP3 over the XP Home Edition? Do you know if Internet Explorer and Outlook Express comes bundled with the OS?

[Wiz Feinberg]

Hey Wiz,

I noticed that I couldn't select a sound card when configuring. That's odd. I wrote them a note about that.

Question: What is the advantage of MS Windows XP Pro SP3 over the XP Home Edition? Do you know if Internet Explorer and Outlook Express comes bundled with the OS?

Ken;
I guess you can just buy your preferred sound card at the same time and save on shipping by having it included in the main case box.

Internet Explorer and Outlook Express are basic components included with all versions of Windows, from W95 through XP. In fact, the bundling of Internet Explorer with Windows was the subject of massive lawsuits against Microsoft, in the late 1990's.

Note, that development and shipment of Outlook Express has ended with the version included in Windows XP. It has been replaced with either Windows Mail (Vista), or Windows Live Mail, which is an optional upgrade for users of XP and Vista.

Windows XP Professional any version is more robust than XP Home Edition and SP3 makes some computers work faster and network better, but other than a few under the hood enhancements there is not much visible difference from SP2. One big difference with SP3 is the extension of mainstream support to sometime in 2014. Mainstream support for XP SP2 is scheduled to end in 2010.

Regarding XP Pro vs Home, if you are not networking computers, don't share files, don't need remote desktop or group policies, or want to run as a Power User, XP Home is just fine for you.

Microsoft has always had two main sections for their operating systems. One for consumers and the other for businesses. When Windows 3.1 was released for consumers there was version 3.11 for businesses, called Windows For Workgroups, with networking protocols included. When Windows 95 came along for consumers the business world received Windows NT 3.x. About the time that Windows 95 OSR 2 was released, Windows NT 4.0 was made available for businesses, in both server and workstation versions.

Shortly after Windows 98 came out, Windows 2000 Professional for workstations and Windows Server 2000 were released to the business world and web hosts. The successor to Windows 2000 Professional is XP Professional (and Server 2003) and the successor to it is Vista Business or Enterprise (and Server 2008). All of the business versions have advanced networking and security components and fine-tunable security and encryption policies.

[Ken Mizell]

Wiz - Thanks for all the helpful information. This has helped me out a lot. It has been almost 9 years since I've bought a new computer. Lots of changes since then. With the type of computer (processor) I'm getting, I'll be able to upgrade to Vista someday, if/when needed. I'm running a P4 1.5Mhz with 640MB RAM. It often starves for memory, and mine uses that expensive RDRAM. I shut my other applications just to get Photoshop Elements to run, and it's still sluggish. It's time for me to get up do date. Thanks again.

[james sluder]

Jack,

I have XP on my Desktop computer, never had problems with it all the years I've had it. XP is bullet proof in my opinion!

I bought this Acer laptop with Vista and it has been nothing but trouble from day one!

I got a new vista ,top of the line,,wireless laptop it's nothing but junk ! Cannot burn cd's ! So im looking for an xp program so i can reformat it !
I have 2 xp's & both work great !

Just my 2 cents worth !