Windows Vista: Choosing the right one for you

Ive used all the Vista versions,Im presently using Vista basic but playing games has been very easy.

Ive got some older games on there like Freelancer, Nechwarrior 4,Mechcommander 2 as well as some newer games.

Just started using dosbox and the games seem to be doing fine.

I don use Medi Center either as I had a copy of nero 7 Im using.

Vista install was easier and faster than XP and so far its been far more stable.

Just the video driver issues with performance were a problem but thats changed recently.

The UAC can be "tamed" by changing 2 registry values. I have done this now, and I like the results... no annoying "Do you want to allow this" popup. Of course I want to allow it! I requested that the operation be done in the first place...

I like the video quality in the DVD/TV playback using Nero 8. Media Center was not clear. This could be because i don't have a hi-end TV card installed. I use a WinTV USB adapter

I left UAC on as I havent found it to be that annoying and hasnt caused any issues for me.

The overall security in Vista is very good and ive had no incidents since ive started using it.

XP has also been good but over time a few more issues than Ive seen with Vista so far as far as malware and viruses/trojans.

I built 3 Vista systems over a 5-day time period. The UAC drove me crazy. I Googled for a solution and in Google's great fashion, I found the fix. The UAC is not disabled, it is just not so in your face. Microsoft's Live OneCare is good both in XP and Vista. I have tried most of the 3rd party AV and firewall programs, free and not free. Live OneCare has been the most transparent and less invasive protection i have found. For Spyware and other Malware, Glarysoft's free utilities are great. Delete your temp files and cookies often. Glarysoft with do this for you. I also like CCleaner too. My systems have been totally clean for over a year on this regimen

Ive done about 100 Vista system installs since last year and had almost zero issues with UAC and newbies are far better off with it.

I use AVG virus very low cpu usage and no issues.
I also use Asquared Free for malware,viruses and trojans along with CCleaner and Tweaknow Registry cleaner.

Vista with its firewall and Defender is already doing a pretty good job...

Does this registry change only a prompt for a program you have previously approved or just any program? The latter could be a bad thing.

jonmcc33,
after installing all the Vista updates and working with Vista for over 2 months now, this UAC mod is not necessary any longer, in my opinion

I use my computer mainly for gaming and movies, the components I have put into my system (see my sig) work fine with the xp I have but things like the memory, cpu and graphics cards say 'designed for Vista'. I was thinking of changing over to Vista but have been scared off by talk that most of the games brought out during the xp era do not work on this new Vista systems. Can anyone who does use things like Steam 1.6, counterstrike source etc put my mind at rest as I think my computer will be greatly improved if I took the plunge. Thanks

Very professional! Serious price reductions as of 3/08 My new 'pute came with Ultimate,has worked perfectly with many freebee installs. RESTORE built in to os makes it worthwhile (I think this is Vista,not just ultimate)

uac disable

I still have to start,disable uac,restart every time i shutdown. Still think it's unneeded when running your programs,your computer,your entry,especially offline! Could a newbie install this code? Using glarysoft utility,comodo f/w,a/v(threatfire),iobit defrag on Vista Ultimate,Every thing great,so far,except temperatures. c2d/2.13ghz 2gb hd400gb 8600gtxxx articpro7

why would anyone downgrade to Vista? I think Vista is just Beta version of Windows 7 to make money

Tmagic650 #47....After 2 months UAC finally doesn't show any more,but if you've seen my posts, I've made myself OTHER problems I'm hoping somebody answers!.........Don

drjulian,
make sure you have installed all the Vista updates including Service Pack 1. UAC still comes up once in a while, but I am used to it now. Also, I use Windows Live OneCare in Vista for spyware and virus protection. Make sure you use utilities like Glarysoft's Utilities or CCleaner once in a while. Check for updated Vista drivers for sound and other hardware on your system

Too Late!.........I did it again!

Thanks tmagic,using Glarysoft,CC Cleaner,Comodo Firewall,Boclean(Comodo),Threatfire A/V. Best program I've found lately is Auslogics Disk Defrag,really fast,free. Updates OK,but I keep bunging things up myself.The other problems I posted were nuisances (that nobody answers!) now I've lost my sound. Oh well,maybe if I post elsewhere,I'll get answer. Thanks again....Don

Yes Don,
if you could post your Vista problems in other relevant parts of this site, it might be better. I use O&O Defrag, it is not free...

instead of vista i use windows 95

You must be a real computer user, speeding along at 433MHz with a nifty 64 MB of RAM and a 10GB hard drive.. I'm jealous!

Lol ! ...........

Suppose speakers work better if green lead PLUGGED IN?

WINNER!........(Low IQ of the week Award)............Don

I do computer repair and have had several customers very unsatisfied with vista. I think I've wiped vista and installed xp on at least 30 machines these customers bought from best buy, wal-mart, etc. Seeing vista and using it myself as a test run, seems the only thing it really has going for it is the cool looks. But in the process I've found Brickopack Vista, which will make over your xp with a vista type look. Not only is it free, but it has satisfied hundreds of my customers since all they really wanted was the cool look of vista in the first place