99% of all Vista Questions answered here...

the-void

the-void

the-void

Permabanned
Joined
3 Dec 2006
Posts
1,396
Should I get 64 or 32 Bit Vista?

Microsoft will not sign manufacturers 32bit drivers if they have not created a 64bit version as well. So the lack of driver support that hampered XP64 should not be as much an issue this time. However, you may need to bear in mind the following.

Vista64 requires all its drivers to be digitally signed. Unlike Vista32 you will not be able to install drivers that have not been digitally signed by MS or a trusted third party.

Also some applications may not function under Vista64 because Automatic Registry Redirection and File Redirection is not available on Vista64. This is another improvement on security for the platform but may cause applications to lose their settings each time or even breaking the application all together. Only a minor issue as software is rewritten for the Vista platform, but worth looking into if you are dependant on a particular piece of software.

At this point you may be thinking about shying away from Vista64 and staying with Vista32. It is worth remembering that the next version of windows after vista will be 64bit only. So if you buy 32bit windows now, you will not be able to upgrade to the next version of windows when it comes out.

Vista32 can only address up to 4Gb of RAM.
4Gb sounds a lot, until you consider it is only double the 2Gb that currently seems the sweet spot for building a new machine. I imagine that in 12-18 months there will be machines hitting that 4Gb barrier.

In answer..

Do you have to install unsigned, legacy and beta 32bit drivers or have any critical programs you need that cannot run under 64bit vista?

Yes? Then you need 32bit Vista.

Do you require a future proof version of Vista that offers additional performance and security at the expense of some legacy applications and all unsigned/beta device drivers

Yes? Then go with 64bit Vista

Links

Software Compatibility under Vista
http://www.iexbeta.com/wiki/index.php/Windows_Vista_Software_Compatibility_List#FTP



Should I get OEM or Retail?

The answer to this question is how much can you afford because the OEM Vista is a lot cheaper than Retail Vista, but this comes at the cost of more stringent licensing restrictions and limited support from Microsoft

Benefits of Vista OEM.

* Considerably cheaper than Retail

Drawbacks of Vista OEM

* No direct support from Microsoft
* Limited upgrade path - no machine / machine transfers (or motherboard upgrades)
* Only contains Vista32 or Vista64 NOT both.

There seems to be a belief amongst some people that Microsoft will still honour a motherboard change on OEM Vista as they did with OEM XP. Good luck to you. It took a lot of effort to get Microsoft to change its mind and offer the option of machine-machine transfer (and Mobo upgrade) on the RETAIL version of Vista.

** Important News about RETAIL Vista Home Premium Version ***

It has been discovered that the RETAIL Vista Home Premium only contains the 32Bit Version and instructions to obtain the 64Bit Version. Whilst you are still entitled to the 64bit version, you have to send off your product key to Microsoft and wait for them to send you the 64bit version.

See here.
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17683611

Link to the Microsoft website to order the 64bit version of Home Premium Retail.
http://www.windowsvista.com/1033/ordermedia
(Credit to cookie12)


In answer..

Are you planning to change motherboards and wish to try/change between Vista32 and Vista64?


Yes. Then you need RETAIL

Are you happy to save a few quid, commit to either Vista32 or Vista64 and are absolutely positive you are never going to upgrade your motherboard?

Yes. Then you need OEM


Links

Microsoft EULA agreements
http://www.microsoft.com/about/legal/useterms/default.aspx



What Edition of Vista should I get?

There are four main editions of Vista to consider. Home Premium, Business , Enterprise and Ultimate. All of varying prices and all offering different functionality. All do share some common ground. However Vista Enterprise is only available to volume license customers (however I have included it here for reference, and because you can get its features by buying ultimate)

Functionality provided by all editions of Vista.

* User experience - The new visual interface
* Increased Security
* Search & Organisation - Enchanced column box's and instant search
* Internet Explorer 7
* Sidebar & Gadgets
* Performance - Superfetch, ReadyBoost
* Windows Backup - Unified windows back and restore centre
* Networking - Increasing security and making networking easier
* Windows Sideshow - Ability on a laptop to check documents without booting windows.
* Speech recognition
* Help and Feedback
* Windows Photo Gallery
* Windows Update

Additional functionality provided by Home Premium

* Family Safety Settings - Parental controls
* Windows Mail
* Windows Calender
* Windows Media Player
* Windows Movie Maker
* Windows Media Centre
* Gaming - DX10

The Home Premium Edition does NOT contain the additional functionality provided by Business/Enterprise

Additional functionality provided by Business Editions

* Support for group policy
* Remote Desktop
* Ability to join a domain
* Image based deployment
* Offline File and Folders
* Client Side Caching
* Encrypting File System

The Business Edition does NOT contain the additional functionality provided by Enterprise and DOES provide the functionality of Home Premium with the exception of Media Centre Functionality, Windows DVD and HD Movie Maker.

Additional functionality provided by Enterprise

* Bitlocker Technology - Hardware based encryption
* Subsystem for Unix Based Applications
* Ability to run four Virtual Operating Sessions

The Enterprise Edition does NOT contain the additional functionality provided by Home Premium but DOES contain the additional functionality provided by business.

Additional functionality provided by Ultimate

Basically everything all in one package. All the common features, plus all the additional features of Home Premium, Business and Enterprise.



In answer..

Is dependant on what functionality you require, where you are installing, and how much you are prepared to pay for that functionality. This is for you to decide

I have not included Home Basic because I cannot imagine anyone purchasing this as an upgrade.


Links

Home Premium
Business
Enterprise
Ultimate

Business/Enterprise with Home Premium comparison

Which Edition

Other Useful Links

Questions and Answers Regarding Windows Content Protection
http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/w...-protection-twenty-questions-and-answers.aspx

How the Vista Performance Score is calculated
http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsvista/pages/458117.aspx

---------
** If I have made any errors, omissions or feel I need to add something, let me know and I will update as necessary. ***
 
Last edited:
I have a couple of questions that would contribute to the other 1%!!

First: Flip Feature

Just seen a couple of vids on youtube to see how it works. They show the user flipping through the windows when they are in 3D mode. Question is, when they are in 3D mode can you select the actual window that you want with the mouse rather then flipping to get to it? It'll be a real shame if you couldn't do that.

Second:Start up

How long does Vista take to boot? I heard it was meant to be significentely faster then XP, is this true?

Thanks for the info
 
manoz said:
First: Flip Feature

Just seen a couple of vids on youtube to see how it works. They show the user flipping through the windows when they are in 3D mode. Question is, when they are in 3D mode can you select the actual window that you want with the mouse rather then flipping to get to it? It'll be a real shame if you couldn't do that.
Click to expand...

Yes, you can click to go to the window. There's also an icon in the quick launch bar by default. When you click on it, it goes into flip3d mode until you select a window.

Second:Start up

How long does Vista take to boot? I heard it was meant to be significentely faster then XP, is this true?
Click to expand...
It's certainly loading much quicker after login for me. In XP I'll be waiting over a minute after logging in to actually start a web browser. Can start it straight away in vista without noticeable 'lag'. This may just be because it's recently installed and it's rather subjective, of course.
 
The link for the EULA is the retail version only, might be worth noting that.

When I get time, I'll do a similar thing for Vista licencing

Burnsy
 
the-void said:
The Business Edition does NOT contain the additional functionality provided by Enterprise/Home Premium
Click to expand...
the-void said:
Additional functionality provided by Home Premium
.
.
.
* Gaming - DX10
Click to expand...

Does this mean that it's not possible to game on vista? Or does it just not support DX10?
That would be a real pain in the arse because I can get the business version free through uni, but without gaming what's the point in a computer :eek: !!! :p
 
Emlyn_Dewar said:
Nah, you can game on Vista Business, it has DX10, just not the Media Centre stuff, not sure what else it's missing.
Click to expand...
So if I were to get business and use vlc to play all videos, winamp to play music, and picasa2 to view my photos, i'm sorted? Nothing else i'm missing out on right? (over Home Premium)
 
Vista Business has all the features of Ultimate minus:

1. The parental controls
2. The Media Center Stuff. Keep in mind it does have windows media player 11 - without dvd playback - and and ofcourse you can also use your own media player like vlc or mpc
3. The Movie Making HD and DVD Maker (they are really basic tools)
4. The Bitlocker functionality (that's a little weird, I expected microsoft to include this in a "business" version)
5. Themed slideshows. Only has classic and fade options.
6. Some weird functionality that has to do with simultaneous multiple user interface languages installation and some unix tools that the enterprise/ultimate editions have
7. And ofcourse the Ultimate Extras

In my opinion it has everything you really need and it only misses useless junk. It's the best edition for previous XP Professional users.
 
Last edited:
Wh1t3w0lf said:
2. The Media Center Stuff. Keep in mind it does have windows media player 11 - without dvd playback - and and ofcourse you can also use your own media player like vlc or mpc
3. The Movie Making HD and DVD Maker (they are really basic tools)
Click to expand...

Dont N versions not have all those anyways?
 
Yes the N versions of Vista Business go a step further and also miss the Media Player 11 entirely.

Obviously there isn't a N version of Home Premium and Ultimate as that would be pointless! (their advantages almost solely rely on the Media Player/Center components)

The-void please correct this

the-void said:
The Business Edition does NOT contain the additional functionality provided by Enterprise/Home Premium
Click to expand...

as it's not true for he Home Premium part. Vista Business does include Windows Mail, Windows Media Player, Windows Calendar, Windows Photo Gallery, Windows Movie Maker standard and ofcourse DX10.

Oh and I forgot, Vista Business doesn't have themed picture slideshows! Edited my first post to reflect this!
 
Last edited:
MY question is actually on the fact every time you try to open a program it tends to ask you to allow it! There isnt an option that I can see easily to just say Allow always but is there anyway to prevent this happening, it is getting a bit annoyin tbh!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom