• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Windows Vista RC1 ATOS reviews

13Gigatons

13Gigatons

Diamond Member
RC1 is still considered beta but it's pretty well developed at this stage.

Answer the following question if you would.

1. What hardware did you install the RC1 on ?

2. Does Vista feel faster, slower or the same as Windows XP ?

3. Did you have trouble installing software and if so what software was it ?

4. Was there any new features that you loved ?

5. Was there any new features that you hated ?

6. Will Vista be worth $200 to $400 ?


Feel free to add anything else you want about the RC1, please stay on topic.

Edit: http://download.windowsvista.com/preview/rc1/en/download.htm

It's available to the public for download...hurry while you can get.

Edit 2: When the installer prompts you for the key, enter nothing and press next. You will then have the possibility to choose which edition to install.
 
1) System rig link is in my sig, but briefly: Opteron 170@2.7, 2048MB RAM (4x512), ASRock 939Dual-SATA2, X1900XT, Audigy 2, installed on a secondary 250GB IDE drive (other drives in the system are a 250GB SATA which is my XP primary, and an 80GB IDE)

2) Not quite as fast (mainly shutdown, but other things as well), but given all the changes and UI updates it runs surprisingly well. Fast enough to use as a day-to-day OS now (which is what I'm attempting to do right now).

3) Are we including drivers in this? If so, Creative's drivers go without saying...other than that, Visual C++ 6.0 (don't ask 😛). Everything else that I've tried so far (that I can think of) seems to work, ignoring ATI's lack of OpenGL support in their most recent drivers.

4) Media Center seems nice but I don't have a tuner at the moment and so can't really test it in depth yet...the new UI is nice and actually performs well now (and it sounds trivial, but I'm glad that Vsync is applied to all windows now)...haven't been using it that long, I'm sure I'll think of more.

5) Not really that I can think of...UAC is much less intrusive than in previous builds.

6) Hard to say. I'll be buying it for sure since my university has a license agreement and it'll likely be very cheap (XP+XP64 was $10). I'd be much more critical of it if I had to pay full price.

Edit (9/8): Just thought I'd add that I went to print an Excel file last night, and my printer driver dialog box popped up as usual even though I realized I hadn't looked for or installed drivers for it yet...it was installed automatically and the built-in one has all the features that I had in the printer driver for XP x64, so I'm quite impressed with that. (Printer is a Canon iP4000 if anyone cares.)
 

1. What hardware did you install the RC1 on ?

A64 (single core) 3200+, 1GB PC3200 RAM (2x512), ABIT NF8MoBo, GeForce 7800GS (AGP), installed on secondary 200GB IDE Maxtor; SB X-Fi XtremeMusic.

2. Does Vista feel faster, slower or the same as Windows XP ?

Actually it's running pretty much as smoothly. Of course I'm talking about just desktop apps; no games yet.

3. Did you have trouble installing software and if so what software was it ?

Nothing so far, in fact Vista installed in about 20 minutes (less than Beta 2). Both the X-Fi and the GeForce drivers have gone well on the first try.

4. Was there any new features that you loved ?

I like the general look. The gadgets actually work this time and they look sleek and uninstrusive. IE7 also runs better in Vista than in my XP partition.

5. Was there any new features that you hated ?

Nags to much; file structure is taking a bit to get used to; features like 'Run' and the command prompt are buried too deep in the menus in my opinion, but nothing too serious.

6. Will Vista be worth $200 to $400 ?

Not that we'll have much of a choice anyway, at least not us gamers who'll have to migrate to DX10 eventually.


Feel free to add anything else you want about the RC1, please stay on topic.

I must admit I'm impressed with performance as opposed to Beta 2, which I uninstalled after a couple of days as I found it bloated and unusable.
 
features like 'Run' and the command prompt are buried too deep in the menus in my opinion, but nothing too serious.
Click to expand...
I agree with you about cmd (although you can always pin it to the start menu). For run, winkey+r still works, and you can add run back to the start menu by configuring the start menu options (right-click taskbar, properties, start menu tab, customize, check run command (the options list is in alphabetical order)).
 
Originally posted by: stash
features like 'Run' and the command prompt are buried too deep in the menus in my opinion, but nothing too serious.
Click to expand...
I agree with you about cmd (although you can always pin it to the start menu). For run, winkey+r still works, and you can add run back to the start menu by configuring the start menu options (right-click taskbar, properties, start menu tab, customize, check run command (the options list is in alphabetical order)).
Click to expand...

Cool. I hadn't seen the 'pin to start menu' option, which works well. And I had forgotten about 'winkey+r'. Thanks.
 
1. What hardware did you install the RC1 on ?
Pentium4 Northwood 3.0wHT, 1GB PC3200 DDR Corsair XMS, ABIT IC7, ATI X800
GTO AGP, Maxtor 80GB SATA/150 & 160GB Seagate SATA/150

2. Does Vista feel faster, slower or the same as Windows XP ?
I'd say about the same, the interruptions kind of suck though.

3. Did you have trouble installing software and if so what software was it ?
AVG free does not work very well, I've had to remove and reinstall a couple of times. Trillian3.1 was funny with Beta2, but seems OK on RC1
I think my i875 chipset drivers are being flaky, but more investigation is needed.

4. Was there any new features that you loved ?
Window Switcher, and a few less interruptions
as has been mentioned the gadgets actually work now, adn a more polished look.


5. Was there any new features that you hated ?
No support for my ATI TV VE (yeah I know it's ancient and cheap)

6. Will Vista be worth $200 to $400 ?
No. It is nice, but $400! You can buy a new computer on Dell for that.
 
3. Causes my computer to shut down during installation of x64 edition during the unpacking/decompressing stage, around 18%, installed 32 bit pre RC1 fine tho and loved it.

EDIT: Running on AMD 4600, 2GB OCZ Gold DDR800, ATI X1800XT, Asus M2N-E
 
1. Athlon 64 3200+, 2GB Patriot PC3500 RAM (@PC3200 speeds), 6800GT, NEC ND-3550A DVD-RW, TSST H352A DVD-ROM, 80GB Western Digital HDD, 120GB Samsung SP1213N HDD

2. Not sure if it's faster, but it wasn't slower than XP in the desktop. Games are an entirely different matter (probbaly due to drivers).

3. Creative Audigy drivers would not install, even with Integrity Checks disabled. The installer would crash. I was using x64.

4. Aero is nice as is the DVD burning capabilities. The games panel will be useful when developers begin using it.

5. Not really. UAC has improved greatly and I no longer mind that. I do wish that Vista would tell me what's going on when something goes wrong rather than "It stopped working". Also, it installed a non-working driver for my Realtek WLAN card.

6. Vista will be worth the money when drivers for it are finalized and are performing well.

RC1 is definately cool and is fast for the most part; however, Creative's lack of working audio drivers for RC1 and poor game performance with nVidia's drivers have forced me to go back to XP. I wouldn't mind testing, but Creative and nVidia don't seem to have an avenue for reporting problems we're having. You could try Creative's forums, but no one from Creative pays much attention and only appears to tell people that the forums are for "customer to customer interaction only".
 
cannot get it to install? is there a trick to it? kees crapping out.... using skt 754, via sata, 1gb memory etc...

is there something i need to do like completely remove partitions, create a new one and then format...you dont get those options, at least I did not see any on the install from the DVD?

jC
 
1. What hardware did you install the RC1 on ?
See Sig. It's "Windows Vista Capable"

2. Does Vista feel faster, slower or the same as Windows XP ?
Same

3. Did you have trouble installing software and if so what software was it ?
Negatory, at least not yet

4. Was there any new features that you loved ?
i kinda like the sexy transparencys of aero. also 3d flip. the security features, while sometimes annoying, are helpful. also minesweeper got a major overhaul. Media center too

5. Was there any new features that you hated ?
UAC

6. Will Vista be worth $200 to $400 ?
To me, yes. The upgrade to Vista Ultimate is only $260
 
Originally posted by: akshayt
thinkdigit.com/forum , under technology I think, there is a link to ms website
Click to expand...

The link on that forum directs me to this page: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/preview/start.mspx

In which there is a lot of information, but I must be blind because I cannot find an actual download there. It says it is only available for people in the Customer Preview Program, but I think I am, since I got Beta 2 and a CD key. Any ideas?
 
Answer the following question if you would.

1. What hardware did you install the RC1 on ?
Abit AT8 32X Crossfire, AMD 4400+ dual core at 2.6GHz, 2GB G.Skill DDR500, Sapphire X1800GTO (single card for now), Seagate 7200.10 Sata2 250GB.

2. Does Vista feel faster, slower or the same as Windows XP ?
Feels about the same as XP Pro, games play perfect, (Quake 4, HL2, and Tiger Woods 2004 so far), it's nice and quick with no quirks yet that I can see.

3. Did you have trouble installing software and if so what software was it ?
Not yet ..... All drivers installed fine, AVG is working correctly, Firefox works fine, DVD shrink works fine, Nero 6 Ultimate works with the exception of Nero Express, AllTunes works fine, still have more to load later, will update if I run into problems.

4. Was there any new features that you loved ?
Don't know yet ....... will have to get used to it first.

5. Was there any new features that you hated ?
None so far.

6. Will Vista be worth $200 to $400 ?
I can see paying $200 but no more than that.

Overall I like it and plan to use it full time as my main OS unless I run into any serious problems.

 
1. What hardware did you install the RC1 on ?

Laptop in sig below >> VMWare Server running on Ubuntu 6.06 host.

2. Does Vista feel faster, slower or the same as Windows XP ?

Either the same or slower compared to WinXP Pro in the same scenerio.

3. Did you have trouble installing software and if so what software was it ?

USB thumb drive will not work (USB Mass Storage Device driver fails install)

4. Was there any new features that you loved ?

Haven't used it enough to see enough of the new features.

5. Was there any new features that you hated ?

Default interface is even worse than XP. The first thing I do is enable the Classic Start Menu.

6. Will Vista be worth $200 to $400 ?

Only for DirectX 10 required games and it would have to be quite a game to spend that kind of money.
 
1. P4 3.2 HT, 1.5GB PC3200 Value RAM 😀 6800 Ultra, Audigy 2 UXGA LCD
2. Slower, albeit faster than Vista Beta 2. Eats lots of memory; lots of background services that cannot be safely disabled
3. Have'nt yet installed much of it, Office, Adobe works. Don't plan to install games.
4. Yes, new mouse theme, finally something that differs from windows 95. Sidebar is improved, GUI Aero look is improved, Task manager is more power user oriented; lots of items in Control Panel. I see some changes form Beta 2, for example Programs menu on Orb is now showing items and folders
5. forced startup sound before log in
6. I'll get it free* from school

* I pay $200 per semester for computer use

EDIT. Also somebody told them how stupid is to put ZIP files as folders, like when you browse directory it will display list of folders and then lost of files alphabetically.
 
Originally posted by: ScottSwingleComputers
Originally posted by: akshayt
thinkdigit.com/forum , under technology I think, there is a link to ms website
Click to expand...

The link on that forum directs me to this page: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/preview/start.mspx

In which there is a lot of information, but I must be blind because I cannot find an actual download there. It says it is only available for people in the Customer Preview Program, but I think I am, since I got Beta 2 and a CD key. Any ideas?
Click to expand...

How do i join the Customer Preview Program to get my CD key?
I'm download the .iso as i type this.
 
1. What hardware did you install the RC1 on ?
Abit KV8, A64 3000+ (s754, 2Ghz), 1 GB DDR 400, 128MB FX 5200, 120 GB Samsung HD, Audigy 2 ZS

2. Does Vista feel faster, slower or the same as Windows XP ?
A bit slower for me - takes longer to start up and hard drive always seems to be doing something and I don't have a virus scanner installed.

3. Did you have trouble installing software and if so what software was it ?
GT Legends - would install, but wouldn't run cos Starforce couldn't install :|
Jedi Knight 2 - installed fine but always started up with dark display.

4. Was there any new features that you loved ?
Media Centre seems cool. I like the photo stuff. DVD maker seems very nice and I'm sure I'll be impressed with DirectX 10. Also like the Help which can be updated through the internet.

5. Was there any new features that you hated ?
Nothing to actaully hate. It's a bit annoying having to click through more options to adjust network settings, sound options, etc. but then I suppose Windows is going to more and more designed to help average joe users.

6. Will Vista be worth $200 to $400 ?
I think so. At the end of the day its a massive improvement over XP imo.


Only other think I'd like to say is that hardware support should be improved. For example, there's no support for my onboard 3com Gbit network card (which is nearly 3yrs old). Thankfully, XP drivers worked. But thats not what I'm concerned about. But it would be nice if MS provided more standard drivers for hardware, like network cards just like they did with video cards (standard VGA) and modems, so that, say with a network card, you would get some sort of network up and running even if it was only 10Mb speed.

Anyway, it's already looking really nice. And it shows that when MS are put under more pressure, like from google or apple in recent years, they really do still come out with great products.
 
Originally posted by: The J
You'll have a chance to sign up for a key within the next couple of weeks.
Click to expand...

Are you sure?
Is he sure people?
I would just HATE to have the DVD and can't install it....:frown:
 
Originally posted by: Cheex
Originally posted by: The J
You'll have a chance to sign up for a key within the next couple of weeks.
Click to expand...

Are you sure?
Is he sure people?
I would just HATE to have the DVD and can't install it....:frown:
Click to expand...

You can install AND use it without entering a key, except you'll have 14 days to get one and activate.

 
Some updates:

I love the 'Create DVD' option. It's sleek, intuitive and best of all, works wonderfully.

I dislike, however, the new 'slimmed down' (read: dumbed down) defragmenter. Is there a way of bringing the old XP GUI for it, or are we stuck with the 'streamlined' version? I dislike it as it gives me very little feedback; it just spins around while telling me 'this could take a couple of hours'. Ugh.

Overall, the more I use RC1, the more I like it. The only problem are Creative's craptastic X-Fi drivers, which are a snap-crackle and pop-fest (which doesn't happen at all in XP).

 
1. What hardware did you install the RC1 on ?
See home rig in signature

2. Does Vista feel faster, slower or the same as Windows XP ?
A bit slower - still a bit of a memory hog.

3. Did you have trouble installing software and if so what software was it ?
Trillian installs ok, but RC1 drops Aero down a notch when it runs. Haven't tried too much else so far.

4. Was there any new features that you loved ?
Backup/recovery center, interface, tabbed browsing in IE7, windows+tab

5. Was there any new features that you hated ?
UAC is annoying, but I'll reserve judgement until I see whether it has any true security value.

6. Will Vista be worth $200 to $400 ?
I'll probably get an NFR, so it's hard to say. I probably wouldn't upgrade until it came in a bundle with new hardware I was buying...
 
1. What hardware did you install the RC1 on ?

My Primary System

Athlon X2 4400+
Asus A8N-SLI Premium
2048 MB PC4000
eVGA 7800 GTX KO
Audigy 2 Platinum eX
FusionHDTV 5 Gold

2. Does Vista feel faster, slower or the same as Windows XP?

It feels faster; however, I don't have 1/10 of the programs installed or in use.

3. Did you have trouble installing software and if so what software was it?

Audigy drivers.

4. Was there any new features that you loved?

Media center, even though I can't get it to work with my FusionHDTV tuner. The card installed fine and the FusionHDTV program works perfectly. Media center even detects the card, but doesn't find any channels.

5. Was there any new features that you hated?

The sidebar. It is a waste of desktop space and system resources, as far as I am concerned.

6. Will Vista be worth $200 to $400?

Sure, just for the under the hood improvements alone.
 
1. What hardware did you install the RC1 on ?
1. AMD Opteron 165 Nforce 4 based system. 2gb Ram, X1800xt
2. Compaq V2000z (Turion 1.8) Ati 200m based, 2gb Ram

2. Does Vista feel faster, slower or the same as Windows XP ?
1. About the same
2. Feels a little more sluggish, BUT areo runs on the ATI 200m

3. Did you have trouble installing software and if so what software was it ?
1. Attempted to play a few starforce protected games... no go there. (no surprise either)

4. Was there any new features that you loved ?
I love the Power Management for the laptop. It works very well and it is sleek and simple. Also windows update works great!

5. Was there any new features that you hated ?
User Access Control must die! j/k

6. Will Vista be worth $200 to $400 ?
Definately worth a $100 upgrade. Not to sure about $200. I would be tempted to buy a new computer rather than buy the O.S. for $200.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top