Something tell me that there is more to this story.
Posted on 03/01/2007 2:18:04 PM PST by CedarDave
Pardon a vanity, please. So many articles are coming out about Vista horrors (I'm on Shadowace's Tech ping list) I need to ask a question and get assistance.
My out-of-state sister, a complete computer newbie with absolutely no knowledge of how they work or why except how to save a Word document at the office, went and ordered one from Dell last month so she can get email and do some web browsing when she retires later this year.
They sent her one with a Vista OS and what she is finding out is the almost no one can help her do the most minimal of tasks -- friends who know about XP can't assist and even her new high speed internet provider says they do not support the Vista system. They put the cable modem in and that was it. Her wait time on technical assistance from Dell has been lengthy and she has trouble understanding the techies from India (no one ever told her how to shut down a computer so she had problems trying to startup after using the "off" button a few times).
However, she told me today that, BTW, they sent her an XP OEM disc with the computer!! I'm planning on calling Dell for her and see if the XP system version can be installed (maybe it is already, I don't know).
Do I want a dual boot or should I just have the Vista OS un-installed and have her run only XP? Comments anyone?
And, no, she isn't going to buy a Mac.
After testing my current machine, which Vista upgrade said was perfect, I bought and downloaded Vista Home Basic. It wouldn't work. So I just decided to stay with XP for the next few years. Got my money back, no problem and that is that. Just my experience with Vista upgrades. I don't know much about OEM installs.
For me, and I am more computer savvy than the average end user it was a negative experience.
For myself, I bought a copy of XP Home last month so that when I get a new one this summer, I have it available to load as I expect copies of XP to be as scarce as hen's teeth. I know MS is going to support XP for years to come, but getting a new computer with XP is difficult now as the dealers sell only Vista. So an answer to this question will be useful for me then, too.
You can imagine then how frustrating it is for her. She's already had to reinstall the OS!!! I'm trying to help, like with setting up email, but the system has a new email client called Windows Mail that no one else knows about. If I can get XP installed on her machine, I'll bring her over to Mozilla Thunderbird which I use.
The former sounds like it'd be a tech nightmare to set up. I'd opt for the latter IMHO.
Something tell me that there is more to this story.
what is the question? to Vista or not to Vista?
What technical problems is she experiencing with Vista? Maybe I could help?
OK, so it should be at least a new enough machine capable of running it... now we at least know that much... I believe she should be learning Vista now, Since it's a new computer I would use the Vista OS, make sure it has enough memory 1GB+(2GB is even better especially if it uses integrated video)
I know this will be of no help after the fact but....your sister woiuld have been a prime candidate for a Mac. Really.
Based on her needs and the fact that it probably would have been the last computer she ever bought...for a few dollars more...it would have been worth it.
Not really. I think the problem with re-installation of the operating system came because of the way she shut down the machine. Or she may have put something other than the intended password in when it asked for one and she couldn't get in to change it; I just don't know. She doesn't know what she is doing and knows no one that can help her as no one knows Vista. Even the Cox internet folks have told her to call Dell for assistance in setting up a second email account. I went online for her today via Webmail and Cox right up front has this warning about Vista:
Note: Cox High Speed Internet does not currently provide technical support for this operating system.
I would like her to get Thunderbird as an email client, but even if she doesn't, if she had XP lots of people know how to configure Outlook Express.
Indeed. Chuck the Vista, buy a copy of XP Pro to install. Format the whole mess and start over.
When Vista is ready for Prime Time...in about five years...she can switch over.
I agree. I am guessing they are using the USB part of the modem and there probably isnt any driver support for it yet, she should go get a ethernet cable and plug it in and see what happens. As far as the rest pretty much everything is where it used to be on XP just a finer polish to it.
Start with the Start button. She is a sixtyish year old lady that has always fought with electronics (had a hard time with the VCR). The cable company came and installed a cable modem, but said they wouldn't help her with her wireless modem because she didn't buy it from them. So she stands up at a small table by the TV to use the laptop. She's in AZ and I'm in NM.
When she get's home from work this evening we are going to talk and if she actually has an uninstalled OEM version of XP, I would like to get Vista off of the machine and have Dell have her use only XP. I already told her to send the machine back. Maybe I can get Dell to send her one with XP only already on it.
Well I think you should go ahead and install XP if thats what she is used too, however I would also leave Vista on so she can play around with it and get used to it. I think she would really enjoy Vista if she gave it a little time, I have become quite the Vista fanboy over its features and usually I am not so emphatic over something like this.
Vista is a good OS it does however take about a week to get used to it fully. After the initial "shock" you will notice that your productivity will increase and your experience will overall be better.
it's NOT that much different than XP, IF the person knows how to operate XP with any experience then moving to Vista shouldn't be a problem at all. Also, Microsoft has online classes, IF that is something that she is interested in.
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