Vista's growing pains leave room for XP

David Daoud ran into trouble when he started using Vista, the new version of Windows that Microsoft Corp. and PC makers have spent millions of dollars advertising since it came out six months ago.

He said it short-circuited key software programs he counts on: Quicken for balancing his checkbook, Lotus Notes e-mail and a networking program that connects his home to the office. His Sony camcorder also doesn't communicate with the PC properly.

Such problems are part of the normal growing pains that come with every major upgrade to the Windows operating system.

To ease those pains, some consumers are seeking out machines equipped with the more compatible Windows XP. That's prompted some PC makers and retailers to give the older operating system more room in their product lines.

[ShiftyLookingCow]

"He said it short-circuited key software programs" That was weird.

[edit] My problems with Vista, it takes a lot of memory(disabled Sidebar) and UAC is unnecessarily annoying at times(esp when comp is being used 100%, screen simply goes blank for sometime) other than that its fine and very stable.

[marinelife9]

My printer wasn't compatible it's an older printer but it worked well for me for years.

Also I hate that Vista doesn't have net send. And it doesn't have fax manager in the typical Home basic offering.

[Lord Anubis]

that's strange. My laptop has 2gigs and core 2 duo and the whole bar and GUI usually fades away for no reason. After that it tells me. "WINDOWS EXPLORER HAS STOPPED WORKING" and it tells me it will restart and advice me of any solutions. They have yet to find the solution. :(

[Daz]

I got vista when it first came out it wasnt so good then but now its much better because of the updates and i play xp games and use xp programes (not every single thing will work thought)

[VirusE]

I have vista 64 and i honestly have had little problems with it.

[Loopy]

I had vista and i honestly had lots problems with it.

[PS360WII]

honestly I just don't care for Vista due to the requirements for it to run somewhat okay. I wouldn't mind if this became the Windows Me and everyone goes back to XP.

That will not happen though. Or I should say that will not be an option.

Edit: I say this because you can have a PC that has Vista installed on it and made for Vista to run on it and it'll be nice and slow but you can upgrade it to XP and bam you have a fine running machine

[devi8i]

how true you are...... XP will stay on my PC for at least another year.

[BIadestarX]

Wait for Windows Vista Service Pack 1 or 2.
I currently have a windows vista machine at work and home since my line of work requires me to test the programs/web apps we develop. But I don't use it as my primary development/work/Personal use box, I use XP. One must understand that windows XP had the same issue when it was first released. Lots of hardware don't have the appropiate driver and many applications people are trying to run on vista werent writen for vista and therefore are unreliable.
If you have a set of software and tools, games, etc that you must use a work or home... don't do what some people do.... Verify by going to the vendor website that the application or software works with Vista... sometimes they release patches or updates that will allow the application to work... if you are not sure if it works... DONT DO IT.
Vista is not just a windows XP update... it was made from the ground up and though they tried to make it backwards compatible and Microsoft has lots of money they don't have the resources to test the thousands or millions of applications and tools that are out there... Each software vendor should or will eventually patch their application to run properly on windows vista.

[MarioFromTexas]

It's so easy to use, I think most people that have these problems are people with older computers or camcorder, printer, fax.

[zonetrooper5]

I'm staying with Vista until at least next year, maybe into 2009. As for Vista, there are basically no good games out for it, its buggy and its just XP but nicer. I am gonna wait until a service pack one comes out.

[junk56]

really? i never knew.
trust me, xp is here to stay for another 2-3 years.
i have yet to meet somebody in person with windows vista.