Pc Upgrade For Vista

[opalhort]

My son would like to have his PC upgraded so that it can handle Vista on a dual boot set-up with XP.

current specs are:

MB ASUS P4PE2-X

RAM: 768MB --> will upgrade to 2GB

VGA: will get one to suit Vista and the Motherboard

CPU: Pentium 4, 1.6GHz

Two physical HDDs, 80GB each

Anything else we should look for?

Can this CPU handle Vista?

The PC is primarily used for gaming, surfing and homework using Office, which Vista version would be suitable?

Thanks for any input.

opalhort

[cdnvic]

You have plenty horsepower to run Vista. I'd recommend Home Premium for what you want. I'd also keep your XP on a separate partition just in case you have any compatibility issues with older games.

[cdnvic]

There's an upgrade advisor available from Microsoft that you can run on your machine to see where you stand in compatibility for an upgrade.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/...mg_id=10008VHb1

[opalhort]

I'd also keep your XP on a separate partition just in case you have any compatibility issues with older games.

Thanks cdnvic,

This is why my son wants a dual boot. Many of his friends who upgraded to Vista could no longer use some games and had to go back to XP.

opalhort

[opalhort]

Now a question which can only be replied to via PM!

Are there any known issues, apart from updates, if we use a "cheaper" version of Vista?

opalhort

[dave_boo]

First thing you need to do is run the compatability test already linked to. It will give a pretty good recommendation as to what version you should run. It will also tell you what components are compatabile, thus saving you the frustration of having to replace parts post install. For instance, I was in the beta test, and I tried to install it to my laptop....big mistake since the hdd controller driver wasn't signed. I found a hacked version of the driver that would at least let me install, but any disk access could be measured in literally minutes!

One thing you will definitely want to upgrade is the RAM. Anything less than 2 GiB and be prepared for mucho swap usage. That is much more important than even your 'slowish' processor.

If you want to run it with Aero, you're going to need a Geforce7xxx/Radeon1900/greater card that supports at least DX9. However, if I'm not mistaken, the P4 1.6GHZ model only came in Socket 423. That limits your upgrade options to only AGP models and none of the newer PCI-E ones. This may be a limiting factor. To get a PCI-E cad, you'd need a new motherboard, processor, and most likely new RAM (altough there are good socket478 boards out there that support DDR1, thus only requiring new mobo and processor).

The real question is "Why upgrade?" Vista offers nothing compelling over XP at this time and has compatability and driver issues. If your son wants the gee-whiz factor, look into Window Blinds and the skins they provide that are offered.

Gaming is MUCH better on XP at this point, and upgrading for office work and web browsing would be as silly as going from a Honda Click to a Ducati 996 for grocery shopping. Sure, both can get the job done, but one is way overkill.

The biggest issue with using 'cheaper' versions of OS is the spyware/viruses that could be so embedded in the code that you'd never get them out. I can not recommend going this route in good faith.

If it's the 'wow' factor that your son wants, download ftp://ftp.sh.cvut.cz/MIRRORS/kororaa/Koro...-livecd-0.2.iso, burn it to disk and reboot your computer. Most likely he'll be the only one of his friends running Linux, and he'll be safer online. Please note that this uses an older version of Compiz, so if you were to say install a proper Linux such as SuSE, it will have newer even fancier affects. Also of concern is that it works best with an nVidia card. It probably won't run if you're using onboard graphics, and ATI's Linux drivers are suspect.

[nikster]

The CPU is a tad too slow, the HDs are older models, the VGA needs to be upgraded, the memory needs to be upgraded.

Which begets the question: Why not just buy a new PC at that point?

[cdnvic]

Now a question which can only be replied to via PM!

Are there any known issues, apart from updates, if we use a "cheaper" version of Vista?

opalhort

Unless you know what you are doing or want to do complete reinstalls this is a bad idea. It'll also be the end of any help from me if this is the route you choose.

Shouldn't you be teaching your son something about honesty?

[dave_boo]

I couldn't sleep (oh the joys of being an insomniac!), so I thought I would post something backing up what cdnvic had to say, but I think for different reasons. I don't really care about the fact that Microsoft would lose a potential sale if someone bought a non-legit copy of their products. It's not as if there's probably more change in Bill's sofa than I make in a year. Rather, due to that company's record in regards to buisness ethics I would discourage taking the step hinted to by the OP. Reason being, by learning to be a brain dead Microsoft zombie (and I'm not calling anyone's children stupid), when they enter the workforce, companies are required to make sure that they continue forking money over to Microsoft since their employees know nothing else.

[RKASA]

There are a 1000 great version out there that which cost nothing and have great support networks, and the amount of learning that takes place is just unbeleavable. Reward yourself with a great adventure into the world of LINUX its free, it freedom, its learning. The first car my dad let me buy did not run. He said fix it.

[opalhort]

Now a question which can only be replied to via PM!

Are there any known issues, apart from updates, if we use a "cheaper" version of Vista?

opalhort

Unless you know what you are doing or want to do complete reinstalls this is a bad idea. It'll also be the end of any help from me if this is the route you choose.

Shouldn't you be teaching your son something about honesty?

Thanks for your reply and also thanks to everybody who has provided some good info.

No, cdnvic, we are not going that route. Three of my son's friends have cheap Vista and have nothing but problems and all have gone back to XP. I just wanted to learn about what kind of problems there are since the kids can't articulate clearly what the problems are.

In any case for now we have given up on Vista since his PC is to old. We will upgrade RAM and VGA so his PC can run faster with XP and he can use the many 'virtual' Vista programs available for free. He does have the programs already but they are very resource hugging and slow down his PC very much.

In fact he is only interested in the 'feel' and appearance of Vista rather than the OS itself.

As for honesty, cdnvic, you wouldn't know how much I hammer the meaning of honesty into my son's head; I'm VERY serious about that!

But here is an other point when it comes to games:

If you have a son and all his friends buy a new game every week for 100B and your son does not have the same games he'll be left out of his 'social circle'. Going legit with all the games at that rate is beyond our financial means.

So what is more important, the social well being of your son, or......?

As a parent we have to draw the line somewhere but at the same time educate our kids that it is wrong to do it this way.

Note: I'm talking about games only - not major things like OS etc.

As for Linux RKASA mentioned, yes it may be good but I don't think it is suitable for a 13yo kid who wants to play games, which usually don't run well on Linux.

opalhort

[cdnvic]

Try this first with XP. It basically makes an aeroglass interface on XP.

http://www.wincustomize.com/skins.aspx?ski...ibid=31&c=1

That skin is free but you Need WindowBlinds to run it which is $20 but has a 45 day free trial.

[opalhort]

Try this first with XP. It basically makes an aeroglass interface on XP.

http://www.wincustomize.com/skins.aspx?ski...ibid=31&c=1

That skin is free but you Need WindowBlinds to run it which is $20 but has a 45 day free trial.

Thanks,

I just showed your post to my son and his first words were "oh, this is cold coffee, I have all this already". And no, he certainly did not pay anything. Probably found a hacked copy somewhere.

Apparently he downloaded from somewhere and it is working but slowing down his PC - hence the requirement for a RAM and VGA upgrade.

opalhort

[dave_boo]

Now a question which can only be replied to via PM!

Are there any known issues, apart from updates, if we use a "cheaper" version of Vista?

opalhort

Unless you know what you are doing or want to do complete reinstalls this is a bad idea. It'll also be the end of any help from me if this is the route you choose.

Shouldn't you be teaching your son something about honesty?

Thanks for your reply and also thanks to everybody who has provided some good info.

No, cdnvic, we are not going that route. Three of my son's friends have cheap Vista and have nothing but problems and all have gone back to XP. I just wanted to learn about what kind of problems there are since the kids can't articulate clearly what the problems are.

In any case for now we have given up on Vista since his PC is to old. We will upgrade RAM and VGA so his PC can run faster with XP and he can use the many 'virtual' Vista programs available for free. He does have the programs already but they are very resource hugging and slow down his PC very much.

In fact he is only interested in the 'feel' and appearance of Vista rather than the OS itself.

As for honesty, cdnvic, you wouldn't know how much I hammer the meaning of honesty into my son's head; I'm VERY serious about that!

But here is an other point when it comes to games:

If you have a son and all his friends buy a new game every week for 100B and your son does not have the same games he'll be left out of his 'social circle'. Going legit with all the games at that rate is beyond our financial means.

So what is more important, the social well being of your son, or......?

As a parent we have to draw the line somewhere but at the same time educate our kids that it is wrong to do it this way.

Note: I'm talking about games only - not major things like OS etc.

As for Linux RKASA mentioned, yes it may be good but I don't think it is suitable for a 13yo kid who wants to play games, which usually don't run well on Linux.

opalhort

I wasn't 13 all that long ago, so I can understand where your son is coming from. However, trying to keep up with the Jones is never a very good idea! If his 'friends' can't keep him in the group just because he doesn't have the latest game, perhaps it's time to be searching out new friends. So, as you can see, I think that perhaps the social well being of your son is misplaced. The shallowness that his friends are allowed to demonstrate should be a clear indicator that perhaps a lesson in what actually needs to take precendence would serve him well. Otherwise it's possible that he'll end up being one of those who lives in a dump and has to eat 20 bhat noodles 2+ times a day so that he can afford a 6 year old BMW to impress his friends.

It seems very superficial for him to want Vista for only the look and feel, perhaps reminding him that looks aren't everything (use Paris Hilton as an example) and instead talking about stability, performance and safety as being more important is the way to go. While Vista is very stable, and at the moment fairly secure, a proper install of XP can be just as much so. However, the performance decrease you get even disregarding gaming is a step backwards.

[opalhort]

Now a question which can only be replied to via PM!

Are there any known issues, apart from updates, if we use a "cheaper" version of Vista?

opalhort

Unless you know what you are doing or want to do complete reinstalls this is a bad idea. It'll also be the end of any help from me if this is the route you choose.

Shouldn't you be teaching your son something about honesty?

Thanks for your reply and also thanks to everybody who has provided some good info.

No, cdnvic, we are not going that route. Three of my son's friends have cheap Vista and have nothing but problems and all have gone back to XP. I just wanted to learn about what kind of problems there are since the kids can't articulate clearly what the problems are.

In any case for now we have given up on Vista since his PC is to old. We will upgrade RAM and VGA so his PC can run faster with XP and he can use the many 'virtual' Vista programs available for free. He does have the programs already but they are very resource hugging and slow down his PC very much.

In fact he is only interested in the 'feel' and appearance of Vista rather than the OS itself.

As for honesty, cdnvic, you wouldn't know how much I hammer the meaning of honesty into my son's head; I'm VERY serious about that!

But here is an other point when it comes to games:

If you have a son and all his friends buy a new game every week for 100B and your son does not have the same games he'll be left out of his 'social circle'. Going legit with all the games at that rate is beyond our financial means.

So what is more important, the social well being of your son, or......?

As a parent we have to draw the line somewhere but at the same time educate our kids that it is wrong to do it this way.

Note: I'm talking about games only - not major things like OS etc.

As for Linux RKASA mentioned, yes it may be good but I don't think it is suitable for a 13yo kid who wants to play games, which usually don't run well on Linux.

opalhort

I wasn't 13 all that long ago, so I can understand where your son is coming from. However, trying to keep up with the Jones is never a very good idea! If his 'friends' can't keep him in the group just because he doesn't have the latest game, perhaps it's time to be searching out new friends. So, as you can see, I think that perhaps the social well being of your son is misplaced. The shallowness that his friends are allowed to demonstrate should be a clear indicator that perhaps a lesson in what actually needs to take precendence would serve him well. Otherwise it's possible that he'll end up being one of those who lives in a dump and has to eat 20 bhat noodles 2+ times a day so that he can afford a 6 year old BMW to impress his friends.

It seems very superficial for him to want Vista for only the look and feel, perhaps reminding him that looks aren't everything (use Paris Hilton as an example) and instead talking about stability, performance and safety as being more important is the way to go. While Vista is very stable, and at the moment fairly secure, a proper install of XP can be just as much so. However, the performance decrease you get even disregarding gaming is a step backwards.

You are very correct in what you say.

I should have phrased my post better. Our son does not become a social "outcast" if he does not have the latest games. Most of his friends are great guys who frequently visit us. Naturally they all talk about the latest games they got (cheap!) and our son is left out of the discussion if he does not have the same games. We do have a very strict rule about how much he can spend (all his games have to be paid from his allowance). So, if we insist that only legit games are allowed, it will take him a long time to catch up with his friends.

Sometimes parents have to compromise when it comes to 'peer pressure'

opalhort

[Gary A]

If I UPGRADE (?) my operating system, I want to see some advantages. I DON'T want to see a lot of compatibility issues. Someday I will likely upgrade, but not right now. I ran the Vista compatibility test and my computer has no problems, BUT, this and that won't work. My Ipstar Internet sucks and I frequently use my phone to get online. Most of the Nokia programs have problems according to that test. I thought Windows 2000 was real solid. I upgraded to XP Pro because of all the added driver support. Why would I want to downgrade to Vista?