Does Vista break less often than Windows XP

[gplracer]

I have been using Windows XP since it first came out. Although usually after a year or so things get out of whack. First it is usually video codec issues. My media player will now not play mpeg files. Then it is a slow down and other odd occurences. The easiest way to fix these things is to back up my files on the other hard drive and do a reinstall. I wonder if Vista is less prone to these types of things?

 

[Seppe]

well i've been using vista x64 hp since july and never noticed any sort of performance loss due to time. but im sure that there are people here who have used it since release and could tell you more about this. for me it works and i dont think i will have to do a format any time soon.

 

[corkyg]

I have a desktop and a laptop each with XP Pro, and another desktop and laptop each with Vista Ultimate. I can't answer the question because none of them "break." So, I give them both high marks for reliability.

 

[lxskllr]

I've never had any problems with 2kpro and up Windows, that wasn't caused by me 1 way or another.

 

[Skeeedunt]

Originally posted by: corkyg
I have a desktop and a laptop each with XP Pro, and another desktop and laptop each with Vista Ultimate. I can't answer the question because none of them "break." So, I give them both high marks for reliability.

Same. I remember the "yearly reinstall" from back in the day, but honestly haven't had to worry about it in the last few years. Of course I probably install less random crap these days too...

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: gplracer
I have been using Windows XP since it first came out. Although usually after a year or so things get out of whack.

If I was you, I'd stick with XP until MS quits supporting it, which was like 3 months ago...

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: VinDSL

Originally posted by: gplracer
I have been using Windows XP since it first came out. Although usually after a year or so things get out of whack.

If I was you, I'd stick with XP until MS quits supporting it, which was like 3 months ago...

Um... you do know that they are making SP3 and have said that they will support it until 2009 at least I think.

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: TheStu
Um... you do know that they are making SP3 and have said that they will support it until 2009 at least I think.

Hi, Stu!

All MS is doing is injecting Vista DNA into the XP dinosaur, a little at a time...

It's a sucker's game!

XP Pro purists should quit updating right now...

I'm still running SP1 on one of my machines - no new fangled stuff for me!

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: lxskllr
I've never had any problems with 2kpro and up Windows, that wasn't caused by me 1 way or another.

Same

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: lxskllr
I've never had any problems with 2kpro and up Windows, that wasn't caused by me 1 way or another.

Never had a drive puke, a virus, PSU failure, or anything?

Hold on! Let me get my rubber boots...

 

[n7]

I actually do find Vista more durable, if that's possible.

I've put my current install thru an absolute beating of installing, uninstalling, crashing (due to tons of OCing - & the instability during testing), & it's still going strong.

Truth be told, my XP installs tended to get messed up after a while, something i've yet to find with Vista.

It's possible it's coincidence, but i do not believe so actually.

It seems it takes a lot more to mess up or "break" Vista IMO.

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: n7
Truth be told, my XP installs tended to get messed up after a while, something i've yet to find with Vista.

It's possible it's coincidence, but i do not believe so actually.

It's NOT your imagination!

Vista is self-tuning and self-repairing, if you will - intentionally and by design.

"Truth be told" Microsoft DOES listen to customer complaints, particularily enterprise admins!

They're very open and honest about the shortcomings of Win9x-XP in CHANNEL9 videos including all the things mentioned above and more...

 

[nerp]

The only time I've ever had the OS itself get mangled in such a way to necessitate a reinstall is through my own ineptitude and willingness to run the installer of some horrendously written piece of software or codec/service etc. Some apps use long hooks to function and leave some open wounds behind.

 

[stash]

Originally posted by: VinDSL

Originally posted by: gplracer
I have been using Windows XP since it first came out. Although usually after a year or so things get out of whack.

If I was you, I'd stick with XP until MS quits supporting it, which was like 3 months ago...

XP is currently in mainstream support, and will stay there until April 2009. It won't reach end of life until April 2014.

http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?p1=3223

 

[blackangst1]

Originally posted by: VinDSL

Originally posted by: lxskllr
I've never had any problems with 2kpro and up Windows, that wasn't caused by me 1 way or another.

Never had a drive puke, a virus, PSU failure, or anything?

Hold on! Let me get my rubber boots...

And what exactly do any of those 3 have to do with the OS?

 

[blackangst1]

Originally posted by: n7
I actually do find Vista more durable, if that's possible.

I've put my current install thru an absolute beating of installing, uninstalling, crashing (due to tons of OCing - & the instability during testing), & it's still going strong.

Truth be told, my XP installs tended to get messed up after a while, something i've yet to find with Vista.

It's possible it's coincidence, but i do not believe so actually.

It seems it takes a lot more to mess up or "break" Vista IMO.

This has been my experience as well.

As far as video codecs...just as in XP you can use K-Lite/Media player calssic (best choice IMHO), VLC, or use the Vista Codec pack, which works well also.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: VinDSL

Originally posted by: lxskllr
I've never had any problems with 2kpro and up Windows, that wasn't caused by me 1 way or another.

Never had a drive puke, a virus, PSU failure, or anything?

Hold on! Let me get my rubber boots...

Those would be cases of it failing do to me. Off the top of my head, I've had 1 virus problem, and 2 overclocking errors that required a reinstall. I can hardly blame MS for them.