Advice needed on Vista

[ultra1984]

I recently bought a new computer. It s a Dell Intel Core 2 Duo Media Centre PC Auto Back up. I have the option of upgrading to Vista not sure which version for the cost of P&P. What I would like to know is it worth it will I gain much and if I don't like it can I go back to windows XP. :hmm: PS: I do not understand much about computers

[Chaser32]

Windows Home Basic would most probably suit your needs. Check out this website to help you decide. There are a lot of improvements made with Windows Vista such as looks, functionality, and user interface.
http://www.google.com/pagead/iclk?sa=l&ai=BFI34elu8RZG_M53ChQOpmaHAA93bhyLBoPypA6Wu-3nQllEIABADGAMoAzgAUKn3wvoFYMm-uYfgo7QQmAH2hgGYAfePBqAB4o2z_wPIAQHIAvGESQ&adurl=http://www.newegg.com/msvista/Vista_Products.html%3FCMP%3DKNC-GoogleAdwords%26ATT%3DVista

[IronAces]

Basic is very basic, why not premium?

[ultra1984]

Windows Home Basic would most probably suit your needs. Check out this website to help you decide. There are a lot of improvements made with Windows Vista such as looks, functionality, and user interface.
http://www.google.com/pagead/iclk?sa=l&ai=BFI34elu8RZG_M53ChQOpmaHAA93bhyLBoPypA6Wu-3nQllEIABADGAMoAzgAUKn3wvoFYMm-uYfgo7QQmAH2hgGYAfePBqAB4o2z_wPIAQHIAvGESQ&adurl=http://www.newegg.com/msvista/Vista_Products.html%3FCMP%3DKNC-GoogleAdwords%26ATT%3DVista


As far as I know you just contact Dell and they just send you Vista, I do not think you have any choice.

[dudeking]

No you don't have a choice. I got a laptop with XP Pro and there sending me Vista business lol

[renegade600]

home premium is what most should get. home basic does not have the good stuff like the graphics. see this for a comparison (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/editions/default.mspx)

the business version does not have the multimedia stuff but most of it can be gotten elsewhere.

If you are getting a version with a laptop purchase see if they will let you exchange it. Some will for a price but it will be a whole lot cheaper that purchasing it new.

[ultra1984]

I recently bought a new computer. It s a Dell Intel Core 2 Duo Media Centre PC Auto Back up. I have the option of upgrading to Vista not sure which version for the cost of P&P. What I would like to know is it worth it will I gain much and if I don't like it can I go back to windows XP. :hmm: PS: I do not understand much about computers


No one has still answered my orignal question :dizzy:

[renegade600]

No one has still answered my orignal question :dizzy:

actually I did.

[ultra1984]

actually I did.


Sorry my mistake. :embarrass Would I be able to go back to XP if I wanted to!

[dudeking]

Not easily, so I'm going to say no.
But if you hated it that much you could, but it would not be as simple as just uninstalling vista.

[renegade600]

Sorry my mistake. :embarrass Would I be able to go back to XP if I wanted to!


you can but it will have to be a complete format and install. my advise is if or when you upgrade, make sure you have all serial and key numbers for all the software you currently have.

[ultra1984]

Thanks everyone for all your advice :happy:

[wolflmg]

If you go to this site, microsoft will tell you which vista would best fit your computer.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx

[Spider]

It s a Dell Intel Core 2 Duo Media Centre PC
You need Vista Home Premium or Vista Ultimate to have Windows Media Center (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/features/details/mediacenter.mspx).
Vista Home Basic and Vista Business do not have Windows Media Center (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/features/details/mediacenter.mspx).

[dudeking]

I'm really annoyed, business doesn't have anything. Not even photo gallery. And beacuse I'm getting it for free I don't really want to get anything else lol

[ultra1984]

If you go to this site, microsoft will tell you which vista would best fit your computer.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx

Thanks. I went to this link and Microsoft are telling me I can have Vista Home Premium. I went to the Dell website to build my own computer with the same specifications as my computer and chosing Vista Home Premium and it told me my operating system was incompatabile.!:disgust:

[dudeking]

The dell system doesn't work. When I got my laptop I had to phone them to order it.

[ultra1984]

The dell system doesn't work. When I got my laptop I had to phone them to order it.


Why have it, if it doesen't work? :hmm:

[wolflmg]

Thanks. I went to this link and Microsoft are telling me I can have Vista Home Premium. I went to the Dell website to build my own computer with the same specifications as my computer and chosing Vista Home Premium and it told me my operating system was incompatabile.!:disgust:


I never have liked dell, their tech support among other things lacks a lot. I like how the hp tech support works, a lot better.

[ultra1984]

I never have liked dell, their tech support among other things lacks a lot. I like how the hp tech support works, a lot better.


I only bought Dell as my husband decided they were good. I have never rated them myself and I am begining to wish I had never bought it. I have been reading lots of negative things on Dells own forums.:cry2:

[wolflmg]

I only bought Dell as my husband decided they were good. I have never rated them myself and I am begining to wish I had never bought it. I have been reading lots of negative things on Dells own forums.:cry2:


Yeah, I've heard a lot of other dell owners, say they don't like having dells either, even my dad says that he never is going to buy a dell computer again, even said one to one of the dell tech people.

[dudeking]

The software works, its the ordering system thats dead.
It says that it is incompatible what ever you pick.

My dell laptop has been great so far.

[wolflmg]

Just wait until you use dell tech, support. Anyone I've talked to, that's what made them decided they no longer liked dell.

[dudeking]

I hate tech support in general. Waste of time.

The talktalk tech support is appalling. When the contract ends were straight away from them :)

[Murf]

I would remind you that if you upgrade from XP to VISTA, and not a clean install, you will not be able to revert to XP and you will loose the CD Key for XP during the upgrade:

Posted by our Newseditor:

If you choose to purchase an upgrade version of Windows Vista to upgrade XP, you will no longer be able to use that version of XP. Either on another system, or as a dual-boot option. The key will be invalidated, preventing activation

From Vistas EULA found here (PDF) :

13. UPGRADES. To use upgrade software, you must first be licensed for the software that is eligible for the upgrade. Upon upgrade, this agreement takes the place of the agreement for the software you upgraded from. After you upgrade, you may no longer use the software you upgraded from

[wolflmg]

Not with hp.
Hp has both phone support and then for free you get 1-hour response e-mail and chat help. I have found it very useful and I have never had a problem with their computer. Unlike the dell desktop we have, which has a number of problems.

[Chaser32]

Try walking into a job, where the computer account manager signed a 5 year contract with del. Yeah = it sucks. It's ok, I am slowly undermining the machine, one at a time. Soon pinky, HP will take over the world. HA HA HA

[renegade600]

Try walking into a job, where the computer account manager signed a 5 year contract with del. Yeah = it sucks. It's ok, I am slowly undermining the machine, one at a time. Soon pinky, HP will take over the world. HA HA HA

its fun watching the cycle of computer purchasing. In the company I work for, the one plant went from ibm to gateway to hp to dell and now is switching back to ibm. They purchases about 400+ desktops every two year just for the one plant. I am glad they are getting away from dell.

As far as problems, we never had any major problems with ibm and hp but with gateway, we had to replace about a third of the monitors and with dell, about a third of the motherboards and about 20 percent of the power supplies.

[ultra1984]

I would remind you that if you upgrade from XP to VISTA, and not a clean install, you will not be able to revert to XP and you will loose the CD Key for XP during the upgrade:

Posted by our Newseditor:

If you choose to purchase an upgrade version of Windows Vista to upgrade XP, you will no longer be able to use that version of XP. Either on another system, or as a dual-boot option. The key will be invalidated, preventing activation

From Vistas EULA found here (PDF) :

13. UPGRADES. To use upgrade software, you must first be licensed for the software that is eligible for the upgrade. Upon upgrade, this agreement takes the place of the agreement for the software you upgraded from. After you upgrade, you may no longer use the software you upgraded from

What is a CD Key? So if I understand correctly if I send for the Vista upgrade I have to use it. I cannot keep it and wait and install it at a later date? Am I right? :dizzy:

[Chaser32]

A CD Key is a code you that will be provided to you when you purchase or recieve software that is copywrited. It allows you to use the software and validates your copy as yours.
Your not obligated to use it, but then why order it if your not. You can install it whenever you want.

[ultra1984]

A CD Key is a code you that will be provided to you when you purchase or recieve software that is copywrited. It allows you to use the software and validates your copy as yours.
Your not obligated to use it, but then why order it if your not. You can install it whenever you want.


I have only got untill March to send for the Vista upgrade at the cost of shipping and handling as they put it, but I want to wait awhile before I install it. I want to see what problems there are. I was watching someone on QVC selling it and he said it is so easy just put the disc in and it's all done for you. Ha Ha I run the Microsoft programme to see what would be best for my computer and it bought a lot of advice on things should uninstall, drivers I would have to look for,different sites I would have to go to ask advice from.! As you can proberbly tell I am hopeless with computers. I can't understand the answers to half, of the questions on here! :cry2:

[renegade600]

I have only got untill March to send for the Vista upgrade at the cost of shipping and handling as they put it, but I want to wait awhile before I install it. I want to see what problems there are. I was watching someone on QVC selling it and he said it is so easy just put the disc in and it's all done for you. Ha Ha I run the Microsoft programme to see what would be best for my computer and it bought a lot of advice on things should uninstall, drivers I would have to look for,different sites I would have to go to ask advice from.! As you can proberbly tell I am hopeless with computers. I can't understand the answers to half, of the questions on here! :cry2:


you do not have to install it immediately. You can install it at your own convenience.

[ultra1984]

you do not have to install it immediately. You can install it at your own convenience.

Thanks I will send for it then. I haven't got anything to lose!:thrilled: