Installing Windows Vista

J

James Kosin

I'm going to install Windows Vista on a machine (maybe this weekend) and
need some tips.

I've got a 160G hard drive (blank), the current system has two 20G hard
drives running Windows 2000. I know I need to do a clean install, and
have already printed someone's great instructions on how to do this.

I'm planing on retiring the two 20G hard drives for now; unless Windows
Vista doesn't work out for me.

Now the questions:
(1) Anyone have any compatibility issues with older hardware and
Windows Vista? I have a Tyan Tiger 133 motherboard with 2 - PIII slot
one CPUs installed.

(2) Will I need to download any drivers from manufacturers sites after
the install? To support the older graphics card, etc.

(3) How much time does it take approximately? I may need to budget my
time, I've got two kids that need great attention and they LOVE helping.

(4) Will I easily be able to transfer the license, if I purchase a new
computer? This one is beginning to show the beatings it is getting from
the kids while I'm at work.

Thanks,
James
 
M

Mike Hall - MVP

James Kosin said:
I'm going to install Windows Vista on a machine (maybe this weekend) and
need some tips.

I've got a 160G hard drive (blank), the current system has two 20G hard
drives running Windows 2000. I know I need to do a clean install, and
have already printed someone's great instructions on how to do this.

I'm planing on retiring the two 20G hard drives for now; unless Windows
Vista doesn't work out for me.

Now the questions:
(1) Anyone have any compatibility issues with older hardware and Windows
Vista? I have a Tyan Tiger 133 motherboard with 2 - PIII slot one CPUs
installed.

(2) Will I need to download any drivers from manufacturers sites after
the install? To support the older graphics card, etc.

(3) How much time does it take approximately? I may need to budget my
time, I've got two kids that need great attention and they LOVE helping.

(4) Will I easily be able to transfer the license, if I purchase a new
computer? This one is beginning to show the beatings it is getting from
the kids while I'm at work.

Thanks,
James
Click to expand...


You would be well advised to stay with Win 2000. It is too old. I would
think twice before installing XP on that machine, let alone Vista. Save your
money..

--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=newswhelp&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx
 
J

John Barnes

Sage advice. Save and buy a machine with Vista installed. Save money and
frustrations. Odds are against finding drivers for what is probably old
peripherals also.
 
J

James Kosin

Well, despite the concerns; I've managed to install Vista on my
computer. I have to get a newer network card; since the network card is
not supported.
Other than that, and it took hours to install; I really like Vista.

I'll keep everyone posted; since I have 30-days to decide weather I
truly like it and want to keep it installed on this computer.

-James
 
J

James Kosin

James said:
Well, despite the concerns; I've managed to install Vista on my
computer. I have to get a newer network card; since the network card is
not supported.
Other than that, and it took hours to install; I really like Vista.

I'll keep everyone posted; since I have 30-days to decide weather I
truly like it and want to keep it installed on this computer.

-James
Click to expand...
Day 2:
(1) Got a new network card and managed to get the Internet
connection up. BOY WAS THAT A MISTAKE. Vista had 30 some odd updates
to download and install, but great news, Vista found my sound card
installed drivers for it. Also found my Logitech webcam and installed
drivers.
(2) Next stop will probably be to get a newer video card.

-James
 
M

Mike Hall - MVP

James Kosin said:
Day 2:
(1) Got a new network card and managed to get the Internet connection
up. BOY WAS THAT A MISTAKE. Vista had 30 some odd updates to download
and install, but great news, Vista found my sound card installed drivers
for it. Also found my Logitech webcam and installed drivers.
(2) Next stop will probably be to get a newer video card.

-James
Click to expand...


Whatever problems you have, or upgrades you have to do, the very last thing
you can blame is Vista..

--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=newswhelp&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx
 
J

James Kosin

Mike said:
Whatever problems you have, or upgrades you have to do, the very last
thing you can blame is Vista..
Click to expand...
I'm not putting any BLAME on Vista.
I'm actually LIKING it very much.

Some important observations so far:
(a) It boots much faster than Windows 2000 or even XP. Even on my
older system.

(b) I'd expect updates regardless, maybe I'm surprised there aren't
more updates than that with all the negative stuff flying about about Vista.

(c) My system needed a change, Windows 2000 may not be supported for
too much longer and IE 6 is long since going away as a trend on the
Internet. Everyone has this obsession with bigger and better.

(d) When I originally built my system; I made sure it was ahead of the
curve; so to speak. Not many people can actually say they have a TRUE
DUAL processors for a personal workstation.

-James
 
M

Mike Hall - MVP

James Kosin said:
I'm not putting any BLAME on Vista.
I'm actually LIKING it very much.

Some important observations so far:
(a) It boots much faster than Windows 2000 or even XP. Even on my older
system.

(b) I'd expect updates regardless, maybe I'm surprised there aren't more
updates than that with all the negative stuff flying about about Vista.

(c) My system needed a change, Windows 2000 may not be supported for too
much longer and IE 6 is long since going away as a trend on the Internet.
Everyone has this obsession with bigger and better.

(d) When I originally built my system; I made sure it was ahead of the
curve; so to speak. Not many people can actually say they have a TRUE
DUAL processors for a personal workstation.

-James
Click to expand...


Depending upon which version of Vista, your DUAL processors may have little
value

Up to and including Home Premium, there is support for Dual core processors
but NOT for Dual processors..

--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=newswhelp&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx
 
J

James Kosin

Mike said:
Depending upon which version of Vista, your DUAL processors may have
little value

Up to and including Home Premium, there is support for Dual core
processors but NOT for Dual processors..
Click to expand...
Which version supports Dual processors...?
 
J

James Kosin

Mike said:
Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise..
Click to expand...
I'll check which I have... I don't remember off the top of my head.
But, believe it may be Ultimate; since my brother bought several copies
from a company locally (GOING OUT OF BUSINESS SALE)... He installed one
copy on a P4 1.6MHz and it doesn't score much better than my dual PIII
666MHz system on the processor speed rating on the Cube Scale
performance tests with Vista.

James
 
J

James Kosin

Mike said:
Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise..
Click to expand...
What is the price or upgrade path from Premium to Business, Enterprise,
or Ultimate?

I've got Premium installed.

Thanks,
James Kosin
 
M

Mike Hall - MVP

James Kosin said:
What is the price or upgrade path from Premium to Business, Enterprise, or
Ultimate?

I've got Premium installed.

Thanks,
James Kosin
Click to expand...


Not particularly cheap..

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Windows-Ultimate-UPGRADE-Version/dp/B000HCTYTO

--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=newswhelp&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx
 

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