Is it really worth the change over?

Secret_Window · 19 Jul 2007 at 12:44

I'm on Win XP Pro SP2, and I am using a Core 2 duo 6400, 2gb ram and an ati radeon x1950xt, I'm wondering if it really is worth me changing over to vista?

I have seen windows vista in action and it looks hot! I have no problems with XP, just that I would like something more updated.

My concerns about changing over are, obviously the different types of vista packages available and their differences, and the compatiability issues - especially in regards to my creative x-fi xtreme music sound card and my wireless network card.

Not only that, but is 64bit worth going for over 32bit considering the issue of finding 64bit drivers?

thanks

whitecrook · 19 Jul 2007 at 19:11

Secret_Window said:
I'm on Win XP Pro SP2, and I am using a Core 2 duo 6400, 2gb ram and an ati radeon x1950xt, I'm wondering if it really is worth me changing over to vista?

I have seen windows vista in action and it looks hot! I have no problems with XP, just that I would like something more updated.

My concerns about changing over are, obviously the different types of vista packages available and their differences, and the compatiability issues - especially in regards to my creative x-fi xtreme music sound card and my wireless network card.

Not only that, but is 64bit worth going for over 32bit considering the issue of finding 64bit drivers?

thanks

I wouldn't change over until you have to. Why go through all the hassle.

You said your self XP works fine.

dunker · 19 Jul 2007 at 20:41

i've gone back to xp32 sp2 after trying vista64 main reason for going back was my creative x-fi would just make hissy noises at me. vista does look nicer and did'nt feel any slower but i'm going to wait until i really need to install it again.

Glaucus · 19 Jul 2007 at 20:46

Depends if you need any features of vista.

If you do go to vista, there's no point going 32bit..

all signed drivers have to submit 32bit and 64bit. So unlike xp64 drivers aren't a problem.

hohum · 19 Jul 2007 at 21:11

Can still be a little problematic though... in that certain manufacturers decide to just release an unsigned 32-bit driver to claim Vista compatability, and then heavily delay (or not even bother with) producing a 64-bit driver. However I do agree, it's better than the situation that surrounded XP64.

Glaucus · 19 Jul 2007 at 21:27

hohum said:
Can still be a little problematic though... in that certain manufacturers decide to just release an unsigned 32-bit driver to claim Vista compatability, and then heavily delay (or not even bother with) producing a 64-bit driver. However I do agree, it's better than the situation that surrounded XP64.

There few and far between though.

whitecrook · 19 Jul 2007 at 21:30

hohum said:
Can still be a little problematic though... in that certain manufacturers decide to just release an unsigned 32-bit driver to claim Vista compatability, and then heavily delay (or not even bother with) producing a 64-bit driver. However I do agree, it's better than the situation that surrounded XP64.

Can you give an example? Tbh this sound like a piece of hardware you'd be better off without regardless..

mdjmcnally · 19 Jul 2007 at 21:43

My opinion is that if you need to ask if you should then you probably shouldn't.

Greenlizard0 · 19 Jul 2007 at 21:59

whitecrook said:
Can you give an example? Tbh this sound like a piece of hardware you'd be better off without regardless..

Sorry for jumping in, but I have a netgear usb dongle, and a skype phone which wouldn't work in Vista 64 due to the aforementioned problem

hohum · 19 Jul 2007 at 22:24

whitecrook said:
Can you give an example? Tbh this sound like a piece of hardware you'd be better off without regardless..

The Asrock 939Dual-SATA2 (and 939Dual-VSTA Vista ready variant) has a network controller managed by the ULi chipset. A driver is already included in both Vista 32-bit and 64-bit, however it is problematic (refuses to connect to anything unless you put the system into sleep, and then wake it up again). ULi subsequently released a driver that fixes this issue, but only for 32-bit. Due to ULi being bought by Nvidia, driver development for their chipsets pretty much stopped dead after a short while... so as a result if you want a NIC that works correctly under Vista 64-bit, you have to buy an add-in controller and use that instead.

My example is perhaps a bit extreme, what with the company being bought out... but you do see similar attitudes being adopted elsewhere, particularly when it comes to wireless adapters. Hopefully as time passes manufacturers will change their attitude and produce drivers for both Vista variants within a similar timeframe.

Secret_Window · 19 Jul 2007 at 23:12

Bugger I'm using a wireless usb adaptor (bought 4yrs ago), so that rules out 64bit vista. Guess, I am best off sticking with what I have.

Greenlizard0 · 19 Jul 2007 at 23:18

Secret_Window said:
Bugger I'm using a wireless usb adaptor (bought 4yrs ago), so that rules out 64bit vista. Guess, I am best off sticking with what I have.

Mm...not necessarily, I have long been thinking of getting an upgrade to mine, though haven't really found anything that would be suitable. I'm still on the lookout though.

I hate this vista driver issue I really do, can't wait for it to "die down" as so to speak..

whitecrook · 20 Jul 2007 at 00:07

greenlizard0 said:
Sorry for jumping in, but I have a netgear usb dongle, and a skype phone which wouldn't work in Vista 64 due to the aforementioned problem

But does it work in VISTA32 either? My guess is no.

As for the other poster with a ULi chipset NIC. Nice example.

But... I've never heard of ULi before what the heck is it, who makes it?

ASrock is a budget board and these things are bound to happen.

Stick with Decent hardware and these things shouldn't be a problem.

For NICS I have always used Intel / 3com / Dlink / Realtek and have never missed a beat with all sorts of OSes and combinations. Granted not tried vista on these things yet, but I expect they would be 100% supported.

Hessian · 20 Jul 2007 at 00:19

Please can someone create a sticky with all relevant information in, because there is at least one of this topics every day, asking the exact same thing. And yes I was one of those people that indeed asked, so maybe someone should write a sticky and hopefully that'll be the end of that.

hohum · 20 Jul 2007 at 12:45

whitecrook said:
But does it work in VISTA32 either? My guess is no.

As for the other poster with a ULi chipset NIC. Nice example.

But... I've never heard of ULi before what the heck is it, who makes it?

ASrock is a budget board and these things are bound to happen.

Stick with Decent hardware and these things shouldn't be a problem.

For NICS I have always used Intel / 3com / Dlink / Realtek and have never missed a beat with all sorts of OSes and combinations. Granted not tried vista on these things yet, but I expect they would be 100% supported.

ULi had been around for years, they were formerly known as ALi. Many manufacturers have used their chipsets at some point. The board being made by Asrock isn't the reason for no more driver support.