Vista 64 bit

The early version of Microsoft Windows was 3.1.
Then Windows 95, then Windows 98, then Windows ME, (note we have now dropped the numbers and are now on letters,) then Windows 2000( back to numbers),some companies are still using this, then we jumped to XP, (I'm using XP Pro).
In each case, Microsoft rushed the new Operating System onto the market before all the bugs were sorted out, hence the "Service Packs",I have loaded service pack 3 into my O/S.
Every time a new O/S comes out, we are left to scrabble about for the new drivers to run our printers and scanners, as the new O/S, requires it's own unique drivers.
My tip is stick with your present O/S, if it works for you, and does what you want, and the time to change, is when Microsoft decide to no longer support the O/S you're using!

When it is time to change - perhaps you should consider buying a Mac - and be happy

Well I've read all your comments and as an x and retired employee of IBM who invented the PC, I have built over 400 PC's for the English expats and a few Spanish one's here in Spain from Windows 3.1 to XP Windows Vista is the best one yet, and I can only say the next one will be even better. I have tried them all, Linux, macs,and IBM and a few other non entities,
stick with Windows do you think Microsoft spend Billions just to make money? well I suppose they do but at least they do try. this was uploaded on a Vista Laptop.

I also have some engineering experience on PCs and I am surprised by (but do not dispute) the negative comments about Vista.

Normally when a new version of something as complex as an opperating system comes out it is very buggy, but it gets sorted out in reasonable time.

The only exception I can think of was Windows ME which was a dead loss.

I run XP on my PC. It was a bag of spanners when it first came out, but these days I have no problems with it at all.

One of my edicts is "Never fly (in) the MK1 version of anything", and under it, I have not moved to Vista. The bottom line is that my current complicator does all I need of it so there is no point in upgrading. When it breaks, I will build a 64 bit system, and that puts me in a quandry with OSs. XP64 is actually well proved, but there is a shortage of driver software for it. Vista would have been the logical choice, but if it's this bad---

Ho hum

There is a glitch in Vista that makes it forget ANY and ALL adjustment you can do to calibrate your monitor. I don't remember what actually causes it to happen, but after some specific action, all monitor adjustments reverts to "default". Microsoft knows about the problem, but they were unable to implement a fix in Vista SP 1. It's a drag,since I have to recalibrate my monitor just about anytime I'm working on pictures.

No way, would not have one as a gift!

Just for the record, I installed Windows 7 Beta onto a new drive on my fastest (but redundant) machine. It hung 3 times then finally installed very quickly and seemed to have all the drivers. Unfortunately it is extremely unstable - freezing dead quite regularly. Adobe Master suite will not install. Tried all the updates and now I have lost my network
Have given up on it.
I'm going to try the 64bit version just on a hunch. There has been talk of memory problems on the 32bit version (over 2GB).
This is all a bit unusual for me - I'm firmly in the 'don't upgrade until it breaks' camp.

The market disagrees:

oh well... the 64bit version of Windows 7 was even worse. Installation was a breeze - really impressed with that, but absolutely nothing else works.
XP pro it is then.

I spoke too soon.
I can't get any XP pro installation (boot) disks to work.
Any of you technical boys know of any issues when reverting to older operating systems?
The hard drive was brand new before I tried Windows 7.
The only installation disks that work are Vista and Windows 7.
Has Windows corrupted my lovely new hard drive? I've tried formatting it with the Windows 7 command prompt whilst booting from the CD.
And I've tried removing most of the memory (and swapping it around)...

Windows Vista and 7 are not backward compatable like me you will have to fit a new HDD and flick the battery out of the M/B and refit after a few mins.
Windows XP on as normal, job done.

After you can formatt your Drives that vista and 7 were on as backup drives.

Thanks Tel,
What's confusing me is I bought the machine with Vista and immediately wiped it clean and installed XP pro no problems ??

I think you will find most new PC/Laptops at the moment you can do what you did put XP on first time,(Microsoft new Vista was not liked) with putting windows 7 on you have taken that function away (cant go backwards) but trust me wack a new drive in flick the battery out and back in it will be ok for XP.

Shoudn't be necessary to bother with a new disk/removing battery:

When you boot from an XP CD, you have the option to delete partitions and to format the hard disk again. Cannot see that Windows 7 should be able to disable this function.

When you boot from a xp disk etc and it starts loading drives etc etc, it puts up a window saying No HDD fitted or detected please check hardware.

Mattmatic and I spent a lot of time on this trying to get the drives to see/find xp on a drive/HDD that had Vista on and failed.
Microsoft has one bit of software you can download that allows you to boot a xp disc on a vista Basic or Buisinss Vista only.