My impressions of Vista after 4 months

I have been using Vista for 4 months now. All in all, I like the OS
(after disabling UAC). Aero is slick and performance is great. However,
I am plagued by annoying issues with device drivers and general
instability. A few examples are:

1. Explorer crashes a couple times a week. Usually after selecting a
file in an "Open File" dialog, but also sometimes just when starting
explorer.

2. My wireless intermittently fails where I cannot see any access
points. Vista says it detected a problem but it could not be fixed. I
have to reboot to fix it.

3. My wireless has problems detecting access points that do not
broadcast an SSID. I typically have to refresh my network list several
times to see the access point.

4. About once a week, my video driver fails on boot. I have to reboot to
fix it.

5. I use dual monitors. Vista still gets confused from time to time
which side my second monitor is on when coming back from hibernate.

6. Periodically, the search feature in explorer incorrectly shows no
results. For example, type "txt" in the search field and it doesn't show
any files even though there are files named readme.txt and notes.txt in
that directory.

Vista has been out for over a year now. I know a lot of my issues are
due to third party drivers (Intel and NVIDIA mostly). However, it is
ultimately Microsoft's problem when their OS simply does not work with
existing mainstream equipment.

Explorer crashes seem to be a common problem and this is unacceptable a
year after release. I know a lot of people are waiting for SP1, but
Microsoft themselves are downplaying the importance a service pack. How
long do I have to wait for Vista to be stable?

-Anton

"Anton Hinds" <no.email@please> wrote in message
news:%...
>I have been using Vista for 4 months now. All in all, I like the OS (after
>disabling UAC). Aero is slick and performance is great. However, I am
>plagued by annoying issues with device drivers and general instability. A
>few examples are:
>
> 1. Explorer crashes a couple times a week. Usually after selecting a file
> in an "Open File" dialog, but also sometimes just when starting explorer.
>
> 2. My wireless intermittently fails where I cannot see any access points.
> Vista says it detected a problem but it could not be fixed. I have to
> reboot to fix it.
>
> 3. My wireless has problems detecting access points that do not broadcast
> an SSID. I typically have to refresh my network list several times to see
> the access point.
>
> 4. About once a week, my video driver fails on boot. I have to reboot to
> fix it.
>
> 5. I use dual monitors. Vista still gets confused from time to time which
> side my second monitor is on when coming back from hibernate.
>
> 6. Periodically, the search feature in explorer incorrectly shows no
> results. For example, type "txt" in the search field and it doesn't show
> any files even though there are files named readme.txt and notes.txt in
> that directory.
>
> Vista has been out for over a year now. I know a lot of my issues are due
> to third party drivers (Intel and NVIDIA mostly). However, it is
> ultimately Microsoft's problem when their OS simply does not work with
> existing mainstream equipment.
>
> Explorer crashes seem to be a common problem and this is unacceptable a
> year after release. I know a lot of people are waiting for SP1, but
> Microsoft themselves are downplaying the importance a service pack. How
> long do I have to wait for Vista to be stable?
>
> -Anton



Ive had mine about as long as you have.. It is stable enough for me, it just
has many
features and restrictions that truly suck.

I have pulled my old computer out of retirement, had it put back in working
order,
and populated with Windows 2000.

I'll use this Vista computer for whatever emergency use it is good for.

"HLS" <> wrote in message
news:rDD0j.1758$ ...
>
> "Anton Hinds" <no.email@please> wrote in message
> news:%...
>>I have been using Vista for 4 months now. All in all, I like the OS (after
>>disabling UAC). Aero is slick and performance is great. However, I am
>>plagued by annoying issues with device drivers and general instability. A
>>few examples are:
>>
UAC is such a PITA that it's permanently swiched off now - with UAC switched
off Vista is no less secure than XP (which doesn't have UAC & I have 2 PCs,
one with XP Home & one with Vista Home Premium).
Regards Mike.

Anton Hinds;519865 Wrote:
> I have been using Vista for 4 months now. All in all, I like the OS
> (after disabling UAC). Aero is slick and performance is great. However,
> I am plagued by annoying issues with device drivers and general
> instability. A few examples are:

Chances are that many of the problems you're experincing could be
related to the fact that you have UAC turned off. UAC is only really am
annoyance when you're first setting up your computer, or if you are a
tinkerer. If the latter, then turning of UAC is a bad idea anyway.

Anton Hinds;519865 Wrote:
> 1. Explorer crashes a couple times a week. Usually after selecting a
> file in an "Open File" dialog, but also sometimes just when starting
> explorer.

In the 4 months you've been using Vista, have you completed a full
Windows Update, and how often do you check for updates? In the first few
months, I checked daily. Auto Update still checks daily for me now, but
usually only finds an update maybe one or twice a week.

Anton Hinds;519865 Wrote:
> 2. My wireless intermittently fails where I cannot see any access
> points. Vista says it detected a problem but it could not be fixed. I
> have to reboot to fix it.
>
> 3. My wireless has problems detecting access points that do not
> broadcast an SSID. I typically have to refresh my network list several
> times to see the access point.

The wireless issues with Vista have been fixed in previously relased
updates.

Anton Hinds;519865 Wrote:
> 4. About once a week, my video driver fails on boot. I have to reboot to
> fix it.

Again, do you have the latest drivers?

Anton Hinds;519865 Wrote:
> 5. I use dual monitors. Vista still gets confused from time to time
> which side my second monitor is on when coming back from hibernate.

I don't use dual monitors, so I can't help there. It may also be
related to your drivers.

Anton Hinds;519865 Wrote:
> 6. Periodically, the search feature in explorer incorrectly shows no
> results. For example, type "txt" in the search field and it doesn't show
> any files even though there are files named readme.txt and notes.txt in
> that directory.

It's possible that the folder you are trying to search does not appear
in the index. Open Control Panel, click on "System and Maintenance",
then click on "Indexing Options". Click "Modify". Click "Show All
Locations". Make sure that there are check marks in the appropriate
drives, and that there are no exclusions listed.

Anton Hinds;519865 Wrote:
> Vista has been out for over a year now. I know a lot of my issues are
> due to third party drivers (Intel and NVIDIA mostly). However, it is
> ultimately Microsoft's problem when their OS simply does not work with
> existing mainstream equipment.

The only time Microsoft is responsible for hardware drivers is if the
hardware is Microsofts own. It is NOT a Microsoft problem if a third
party vendor such as Intel or nVidia drags their feet in providing Vista
drivers.

BTW, I've been using Vista x64, for nearly a year now, and have never
had any problems with nVidia's drivers.

Anton Hinds;519865 Wrote:
> Explorer crashes seem to be a common problem and this is unacceptable a
> year after release. I know a lot of people are waiting for SP1, but
> Microsoft themselves are downplaying the importance a service pack. How
> long do I have to wait for Vista to be stable?

You don't have to wait any longer than it takes you to re-enable UAC
and install the proper drivers for your hardware...


--
dzomlija

____________________________________
Peter Alexander Dzomlija
Do you hear, huh? The Alpha and The Omega? Death and Rebirth? -And as
you die, so shall I be Reborn-...

- ASUS A8N32-SLI-Deluxe
- AMD Atlon 64 Dual-Core 4800+
- 4GB DDR400
- ASUS nVidia 6600
- Thermaltake Tai-Chi Watercooled Chassis
- 1207GB Total Formatted Storage
- Vista Ultimate x64
- CodeGear Delphi 2007'http://dzomlija.spaces.live.com/' (http://dzomlija.spaces.live.com/)

"...ultimately Microsoft's problem when their OS simply does not work
with
existing mainstream equipment."
A lot of older hardware is supported while a lot is not.
The older the hardware the less likely it will ever get Windows Vista
support.
It is a problem for users, hardware manufacturers and Microsoft.
However it is the hardware manufacturers responsibility to create
drivers for their hardware.
The manufacturers decide which if any hardware they need to support
based on their perception of their customers needs balanced with
needed resources and other factors.
If the manufacturer decides not to support hardware there is nothing
anyone can do.
However what you can do...
Contact the manufacturers of hardware you want Windows Vista support.
The customers and not Microsoft pay for the products so the customers
desires probably weigh more than Microsoft.
Did you verify Windows Vista compatibility of your essential hardware
and software before purchasing Windows Vista?

Some of your other issues may be resolved by updates.
Have you installed all the latest updates from Microsoft?
Make sure you have the latest drivers.
Manufacturers are still updating their drivers with newer Windows
Vista drivers always being released.

UAC shows often initially when installing hardware and software and
configuring the computer.
After that UAC is rare.
I rarely see UAC prompts.
If you see UAC after the initial set up is completed you may not be a
typical user or are using older/poorly written software.
Some have reported problems using software with UAC disabled when the
software was installed with UAC enabled.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org


"Anton Hinds" <no.email@please> wrote in message
news:%...
>I have been using Vista for 4 months now. All in all, I like the OS
>(after disabling UAC). Aero is slick and performance is great.
>However, I am plagued by annoying issues with device drivers and
>general instability. A few examples are:
>
> 1. Explorer crashes a couple times a week. Usually after selecting a
> file in an "Open File" dialog, but also sometimes just when starting
> explorer.
>
> 2. My wireless intermittently fails where I cannot see any access
> points. Vista says it detected a problem but it could not be fixed.
> I have to reboot to fix it.
>
> 3. My wireless has problems detecting access points that do not
> broadcast an SSID. I typically have to refresh my network list
> several times to see the access point.
>
> 4. About once a week, my video driver fails on boot. I have to
> reboot to fix it.
>
> 5. I use dual monitors. Vista still gets confused from time to time
> which side my second monitor is on when coming back from hibernate.
>
> 6. Periodically, the search feature in explorer incorrectly shows no
> results. For example, type "txt" in the search field and it doesn't
> show any files even though there are files named readme.txt and
> notes.txt in that directory.
>
> Vista has been out for over a year now. I know a lot of my issues
> are due to third party drivers (Intel and NVIDIA mostly). However,
> it is ultimately Microsoft's problem when their OS simply does not
> work with existing mainstream equipment.
>
> Explorer crashes seem to be a common problem and this is
> unacceptable a year after release. I know a lot of people are
> waiting for SP1, but Microsoft themselves are downplaying the
> importance a service pack. How long do I have to wait for Vista to
> be stable?
>
> -Anton

Be sure to check out my Vista Year in Review:
http://adacosta.spaces.live.com/blog...DB!16644.entry
--
Andre
Blog: http://adacosta.spaces.live.com
My Vista Quickstart Guide:
http://adacosta.spaces.live.com/blog...3DB!9709.entry
"Anton Hinds" <no.email@please> wrote in message
news:%...
>I have been using Vista for 4 months now. All in all, I like the OS (after
>disabling UAC). Aero is slick and performance is great. However, I am
>plagued by annoying issues with device drivers and general instability. A
>few examples are:
>
> 1. Explorer crashes a couple times a week. Usually after selecting a file
> in an "Open File" dialog, but also sometimes just when starting explorer.
>
> 2. My wireless intermittently fails where I cannot see any access points.
> Vista says it detected a problem but it could not be fixed. I have to
> reboot to fix it.
>
> 3. My wireless has problems detecting access points that do not broadcast
> an SSID. I typically have to refresh my network list several times to see
> the access point.
>
> 4. About once a week, my video driver fails on boot. I have to reboot to
> fix it.
>
> 5. I use dual monitors. Vista still gets confused from time to time which
> side my second monitor is on when coming back from hibernate.
>
> 6. Periodically, the search feature in explorer incorrectly shows no
> results. For example, type "txt" in the search field and it doesn't show
> any files even though there are files named readme.txt and notes.txt in
> that directory.
>
> Vista has been out for over a year now. I know a lot of my issues are due
> to third party drivers (Intel and NVIDIA mostly). However, it is
> ultimately Microsoft's problem when their OS simply does not work with
> existing mainstream equipment.
>
> Explorer crashes seem to be a common problem and this is unacceptable a
> year after release. I know a lot of people are waiting for SP1, but
> Microsoft themselves are downplaying the importance a service pack. How
> long do I have to wait for Vista to be stable?
>
> -Anton

Comments inline...

> In the 4 months you've been using Vista, have you completed a full
> Windows Update, and how often do you check for updates? In the first few
> months, I checked daily. Auto Update still checks daily for me now, but
> usually only finds an update maybe one or twice a week.

I ran Windows Update when I first got my computer and it runs everyday.
I am definitely getting the patch Tuesday updates since I have to reboot
Wednesday mornings.

> The wireless issues with Vista have been fixed in previously relased
> updates.

I have all the updates and even the updated drivers from the manufacturer.

> Again, do you have the latest drivers?

Yep.

> It's possible that the folder you are trying to search does not appear
> in the index. Open Control Panel, click on "System and Maintenance",
> then click on "Indexing Options". Click "Modify". Click "Show All
> Locations". Make sure that there are check marks in the appropriate
> drives, and that there are no exclusions listed.

The folder was My Documents. Which is in the index. Like I said, it only
fails sometimes.

> The only time Microsoft is responsible for hardware drivers is if the
> hardware is Microsofts own. It is NOT a Microsoft problem if a third
> party vendor such as Intel or nVidia drags their feet in providing Vista
> drivers.

I used the words "ultimately responsible". I can go into business making
monster truck tires for compact cars. From a business perspective, is it
my fault that they don't make cars with wheel wells big enough for my
tires or the car manufacturers fault? It is ultimately the company that
makes the products responsibility to ensure their product works or it
will fail in the market.

In order for Vista to succeed they need buy in from manufacturers.
Without it, Vista will fail.

> BTW, I've been using Vista x64, for nearly a year now, and have never
> had any problems with nVidia's drivers.

I have a NVIDIA GeForce 8400GT and I have problems.

> You don't have to wait any longer than it takes you to re-enable UAC
> and install the proper drivers for your hardware...

I have the latest of all drivers and I fail to see how turning off UAC
can cause the OS to be unstable.

-Anton

"Anton Hinds" <no.email@please> wrote in message
news:%...

> Vista has been out for over a year now. I know a lot of my issues are due
> to third party drivers (Intel and NVIDIA mostly). However, it is
> ultimately Microsoft's problem when their OS simply does not work with
> existing mainstream equipment.
>
> -Anton

No it is not Microsoft's problem it is the equipment manufacture that writes
the drivers.

Anton;
"In order for Vista to succeed they need buy in from manufacturers."
And obviously many manufacturers have as is demonstrated by the many
people that run Windows Vista successfully.
Windows Vista runs well for me on two older computers.

Your example is at least partially flawed.
If the tires are marketed for compact cars, it is up to the car
manufacturers to manufacture cars that meet the required specification
of the tires if they desire their customers use those tires.
If the compact car manufacturers will not, consumers will not or at
least should not purchase tires incompatible with their compact car.

However in following your example, some compact car manufacturers have
made cars that can use the tires and sold the tires with their compact
cars.
Some people purchase the tires without taking much into consideration
and complain to the compact car manufacturer that some tires will not
fit their compact car.
Others modify their compact cars to accommodate the tires and have
results varying from great success to complete failure.
The difference in success and failure is often the research done
before purchasing the tires.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org


"Anton Hinds" <no.email@please> wrote in message
news:...
> Comments inline...
>
>> In the 4 months you've been using Vista, have you completed a full
>> Windows Update, and how often do you check for updates? In the
>> first few
>> months, I checked daily. Auto Update still checks daily for me now,
>> but
>> usually only finds an update maybe one or twice a week.
>
> I ran Windows Update when I first got my computer and it runs
> everyday. I am definitely getting the patch Tuesday updates since I
> have to reboot Wednesday mornings.
>
>> The wireless issues with Vista have been fixed in previously
>> relased
>> updates.
>
> I have all the updates and even the updated drivers from the
> manufacturer.
>
>> Again, do you have the latest drivers?
>
> Yep.
>
>> It's possible that the folder you are trying to search does not
>> appear
>> in the index. Open Control Panel, click on "System and
>> Maintenance",
>> then click on "Indexing Options". Click "Modify". Click "Show All
>> Locations". Make sure that there are check marks in the appropriate
>> drives, and that there are no exclusions listed.
>
> The folder was My Documents. Which is in the index. Like I said, it
> only fails sometimes.
>
>> The only time Microsoft is responsible for hardware drivers is if
>> the
>> hardware is Microsofts own. It is NOT a Microsoft problem if a
>> third
>> party vendor such as Intel or nVidia drags their feet in providing
>> Vista
>> drivers.
>
> I used the words "ultimately responsible". I can go into business
> making monster truck tires for compact cars. From a business
> perspective, is it my fault that they don't make cars with wheel
> wells big enough for my tires or the car manufacturers fault? It is
> ultimately the company that makes the products responsibility to
> ensure their product works or it will fail in the market.
>
> In order for Vista to succeed they need buy in from manufacturers.
> Without it, Vista will fail.
>
>> BTW, I've been using Vista x64, for nearly a year now, and have
>> never
>> had any problems with nVidia's drivers.
>
> I have a NVIDIA GeForce 8400GT and I have problems.
>
>> You don't have to wait any longer than it takes you to re-enable
>> UAC
>> and install the proper drivers for your hardware...
>
> I have the latest of all drivers and I fail to see how turning off
> UAC can cause the OS to be unstable.
>
> -Anton

On Tue, 20 Nov 2007 10:55:59 -0500, Anton Hinds <no.email@please> wrote:

>I have been using Vista for 4 months now. All in all, I like the OS
>(after disabling UAC). Aero is slick and performance is great. However,
>I am plagued by annoying issues with device drivers and general
>instability. A few examples are:
>
>1. Explorer crashes a couple times a week. Usually after selecting a
>file in an "Open File" dialog, but also sometimes just when starting
>explorer.
>
>2. My wireless intermittently fails where I cannot see any access
>points. Vista says it detected a problem but it could not be fixed. I
>have to reboot to fix it.
>
>3. My wireless has problems detecting access points that do not
>broadcast an SSID. I typically have to refresh my network list several
>times to see the access point.
>
>4. About once a week, my video driver fails on boot. I have to reboot to
>fix it.
>
>5. I use dual monitors. Vista still gets confused from time to time
>which side my second monitor is on when coming back from hibernate.
>
>6. Periodically, the search feature in explorer incorrectly shows no
>results. For example, type "txt" in the search field and it doesn't show
>any files even though there are files named readme.txt and notes.txt in
>that directory.

I have had all those problems with Windows XP - except for the Search problem,
since I long ago switched to the free program "Agent Ransack" for searches,
which also runs fine on Vista.

I generally have less stability problems with Vista than with XP.

The only Vista problem I have is that I change settings in programs, and then
they revert back by themselves....

Ken