Is it Time to Downgrade from Windows Vista?
Nine months after the much delayed, and much ballyhooed launch of Windows Vista, things are not looking good for Microsoft's new operating system. Since its release, users have lodged a litany of complaints against Bill Gates's new baby, including poor device and application compatibility, high hardware requirements, and frequent crashes. In order to sell new computers, which more often than not come with Vista pre-installed, PC manufacturers and retailers are now offering to downgrade customers back to Windows XP. The U.K. electronics retailer Dabs.com now offers to install XP onto new Sony VAIO computers instead of Vista, with the option to switch back to Vista in the future. As we reported last April, Dell has also begun offering XP as an option over Vista, and even Microsoft itself recently made it easier for partner PC-makers to roll machines back to Windows XP.
But, there's more bad news for the ailing operating system. DSG Internation, the company behind several large consumer electronics outlets in Europe (Dixon's, Curry's, and PC World among others) has been forced to severely discount Vista machines after lackluster sales. To add insult to injury, many mainstream manufacturers are now offering or preparing to offer the Linux operating system as an alternative to any flavor of Windows.
Microsoft's Service Pack 1 for Vista is now available in limited beta tests. This first system update is critical for Vista since, traditionally, most businesses wait for the the release of the first service pack before migrating to a new version of Windows. If user complaints are not addressed in this update, many consumers may choose to skip Vista altogether. Considering the fact that Microsoft just ended support for Windows 98 last May, it's possible people will remain with XP until something better comes along.
From Slashdot
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Laura @ Sep 25th 2007 2:19PM
Huh... imagine that.
After great frusteration several years ago, I uninstalled Windows 2000 back to Windows 98.
XP is great.
Why would I jump at the chance to be a guinea pig? No thanks.
Kat @ Sep 25th 2007 3:03PM
Now what do I do? Who do I contact? Is this going to cost me? And how much? HELP ME!!!!!!!!
Dr. Alfred Lightfoot @ Sep 25th 2007 3:11PM
I bought a new computer after getting rid of my Windows XP for the new Vista. MISTAKE !!!! Within the month, I had to pay a fortune to go back to XP because Vistas was a complete disaster; it wouldn't take a single one of the programs that I had on my XP. Now I am back with XP and have all of my programs. Microsoft is a monopoly while Bill Gates becomes the world's wealtiest man. Why doesn't the government do something about this monopoly? Vistas is the Edsel of 2007.
Chancem @ Sep 25th 2007 3:16PM
Any word if HP is also going to offer a roll-back to XP with an option to switch bak to Vista when it's fixed?
RI Carol @ Sep 25th 2007 3:17PM
I've been running Vista in a new laptop since May and no problems. My desktop still has
XP and I have issues with that. With VISTA maybe I am just lucky (so far).
Dan @ Sep 25th 2007 4:17PM
I have Vista and have had no problems at all. I run some very high end applications. The only issue I had was that my old scanner would not hook up to it but that is not a big deal since the scanner was getting old anyway and I needed to get a new one in any case. I love all the features of Vista and have no complaints. I dont understand everyones problems. It seems that most of the problems come from computer users that have extremely old hardware and software that should be updated anyway. You cant keep using your copy of MS Office 98 anymore. Get a new version. Keep up with technology people and you wont have any problems.
Ruth Gurney @ Sep 25th 2007 5:01PM
I would never switch. I am a blind user and my screen reader costs me big money each I do. Besides, i won't be anyone's ginnipig sucker.
.
wlm1 @ Sep 26th 2007 12:34AM
wait a minute. I like vista and find it's much more user friendly than xp. I actualy have 2 laptops one of each and Vista is nice.
Deborah @ Sep 26th 2007 11:27AM
I tried a new laptop with Vista and it kept crashing the first day, took it back, got another, crashed, crashed and crashed. It was hard to find, but I purchased XP instead. No problem. And, I found out that any games you had purchased and wanted to install on the Vista will not run and new games had to be purchased. Not for me!!!!
Irish @ Sep 26th 2007 5:28PM
Dan says: (((I have Vista...had no probs at all..very high end appli..love all the features..dont understand everyones probs...seems most of probs come from comp. users with xtremely old hardware/software...cant keep using your copy of MS Office 98 anymore. Get new version, keep up w/tech people...))) 1. People CAN keep using whatever they want. 2. Some can't afford time/money etc to "keep up" like you. 3. My system just doesn't seem to like the new kid on the block so I'll not fix what isn't broken, but I'm glad you're happy with yours. 4. "Most probs come from comp. users"? There wouldn't be users w/o the computers, ergo...and lastly...sometimes when you're paranoid they really ARE out to get you.
DAVID @ Sep 27th 2007 9:01AM
I put this computer together with 4g of ram
vista ulta 64 it would not transfer files.
from 32 bit, but it loaded 32 bit programs from the disk. I still use office 97 on it.the ram is very important with vista it uses 25% for storage
if you run out of ram you crash. and if your pwr supply is not big enough to handle all your addons you crash. video uses lots of memory.
be carful what computer you buy,if it is cheap
there is a reason,personaly I love windows vista ultmate.
Reg @ Sep 27th 2007 10:50AM
i'm an at-home user of Vista...and i HATE it!!! it's obxoniously incompatible with AOL, even with the Vista version of AOL....several times a day it crashes or freezes.....very reminiscent of Windows ME!!! i have a Gateway...how can i get XP back????
DD @ Sep 28th 2007 6:24PM
I have always had windows computers until last December, I switched to the MAC OSX and I love it. I really hated Windows98, thought XP was much better; thought 2000 was stupid. I would never go back to a windows computer -- ever. I had to buy a laptop for my daughter for college; a Dell with Vista; what a mess that OS is! I used it for a week, setting things up for her and transferring some files. I am SO glad I no longer have a windows OS!
Judy @ Sep 29th 2007 8:03AM
HELP! I hve Vistaon an Acer Laptop, how can I switch back to XP? My PC freezes up alot. Do I contact Acer or what?
john @ Sep 29th 2007 8:42PM
this is humurous to me, looking at some of you people on here, i bought a computer with vista and it crashed, so i take it back get another and crashed again, haha your an idiot, chances are you are doing something wrong, do yourself a favor, take some computer courses, and since you dont seem to have any common sense, make them microsoft certified classes, ha
Alfred @ Oct 2nd 2007 10:43AM
I am currently flirting with Ubuntu. Vista has been kind of a let down for me.
William Johnson @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:24PM
Windows Vista is a great operating system, All of my PC's (10 including 1 Windows Server System) run Windows Vista. The experience has been great and everything works flawlessly. Each system is custom built and i have all of them running x64 versions of the OS.
I run a total of 130 applications on each PC (except the server) and all have worked just fine. I also have an xbox 360 which works flawlessly with any one of my Windows Vista based PCs.
The answer is simple, If your hardware is from 2001 dont even attempt to run Vista on that pc, You will have a much better experience with Vista if your hardware is 2003 - current. Also, most of the issues people are having with Vista is hardware issues and thats not vista's fault it's your hardware manufacturer's fault for not providing you with drivers. As for applications not working it's all in the software that you use. If you use older versions of software like Adobe Flash, AIM, Adobe Reader and so forth those will not work, those have been updated.
The link below is the list of Certified For Windows Vista Applications.
https://winqual.microsoft.com/member/softwarelogo/certifiedlist.aspx
Also, here is the link for the "Works With Windows Vista" Applciation list.
https://winqual.microsoft.com/member/softwarelogo/workswithlist.aspx
Antoine @ Oct 3rd 2007 12:37AM
I am a 48 year old Marketing Executive who decided to finally build my own high performance computer this past May. I chose to buy Vista Ultimate 64 bit, and I could not be happier. In 4 months of all around applications, I have not had one crash or software application problem. There have been small documented problems, yes, but I have found Vista to be a more solid and more capable platform then XP. You do need to have fairly solid hardware and 2 Gigabytes of RAM in the Computer minimum though. Vista is fast, stable, and runs great on a new higher performance machine. I am by no means a "techie", but from the many problems encountered with Vista by a lot of folks, Vista's beautiful complexity may not be the correct choice of software for many, but I am keeping it, and enjoying it. 64 bit Computing is the future meeting today. Vista was the right choice for me.
Brandon @ Oct 4th 2007 12:02PM
I have been in the computer industry as a consultant for 11 years now. Every time there is an OS release from Microsoft there will be problems. The way Microsoft does things is this... "Lets release this and see what happens, we can fix whatever after we gage the response to the product." Windows Vista is a great OS, for the non-techie user. It is very easy to just do what you want to do, but try and network with it, try and program with it, try and do much of anything and you run the risk of causing issues. XP is great... Now, but think before SP1? What about ME? Does anyone remember that little baby? 98 was and is still one of the best OS's created, but its not enough anymore to fulfill the desired security needed for people today.
Jason @ Oct 4th 2007 2:01PM
I have Vista Ultimate x64 and I have had no problems except for a HP printer that wasn't supported (HP wasn't supplying drivers for it and never will supply drivers for it). Which I think HP wants people to buy new hardware because they have rediculous trade in credits for your old hardware. Even some of my older games work with it. I do have to say that with the 64 bit version there are a lot of older programs that will not work with it. Hopefully Microsoft will beef up their compatibility function for 32 bit applications.