Windows Vista's biggest problem

Mon, 06/18/2007 - 09:00 — Ciprian

In the last few weeks we ran a poll on our site, asking our readers to point out what is Windows Vista's biggest problem. Due to the fact that our site does not have high traffic we managed the gather only 534 votes. However the results are pretty conclusive.
Our readers pointed out that, after approximately 6 months, Windows Vista has two main problems: the lack of proper drivers (36% of votes) and lots of application compatibility issues (36% of votes).

We have been using Windows Vista since it was launched and, based on our experience, we agree with our readers.

Driver problems

Since Windows Vista's launch, the drivers have been a big issue. Lots of hardware components (old and new) had no drivers for Windows Vista or, even if they had, their quality was very poor. One of the most prominent examples is Nvidia. When the GeForce 8800 graphic cards were launched, they were labeled as "Designed for Windows Vista". It is only natural that many people asumed the graphic cards would work well with this operating system. Unfortunately that was not the case, as the Nvidia drivers had lots of issues. There were numerous posts on Nvidia's official forums commeting the bad state of the drivers. Some users even built internet pages such as nvidiaclassaction.info to gather evidence for a class action suit.
Since then, Nvidia worked hard on the Windows Vista drivers and released many new and improved versions. However, their latest driver - Forceware version 158.24 - still has plenty of issues. For example, popular games such as World of Warcraft have low frame rates while others crash during play or have corrupted textures.

Nvidia is not the only company that has these issues. Other big hardware manufacturers such as Creative, renown for their sound cards and sound systems, have similar problems. When Windows Vista was launched, their drivers were mostly in beta stages. Even though they released so called "final versions", their drivers had plenty of issues. Lots of users complained on the official forums and, after a while, Creative announced the ALchemy Project - a project that aims to offer complete DirectSound3D support for Sound Blaster X-Fi products in Windows Vista. Unfortunately, old sound cards such as the Audigy 2 series are not yet supported. Due to lots of users' request, they started the development of ALchemy for Audigy sound cards. However, according to Creative, this products will be offered as a "low-cost" upgrade.

Having bad drivers is always better than having no drivers. Even today there are companies that do not offer Windows Vista compatible drivers for their hardware. For example, Mustek - a company famous for their scanning solutions, has still no drivers ready, not even in beta stages. Since the launch of Windows Vista and until today their driver download page has remained unchanged. The only thing they bothered to do was to state that "Currently we don’t provide drivers or updates for Windows Vista". They have no forums and when we sent an e-mail asking for some feedback regarding Windows Vista drivers we received no answer.

Unfortunately Mustek is not the only example. There are other companies doing the same thing and lots of customers suffer.

Application compatibility

Drivers are not the only problem. Lots of applications do not work either on the new Microsoft operating system. That's because many software developers created applications that function only if the user has full administrative privileges. With the introduction of UAC (User Access Control) and other system changes, lots of old applications have problems. The most prominent example of an application that was incompatible with Windows Vista is iTunes. Whenever the Windows Vista "Safely Remove Hardware" feature was used, it corrupted the user's iPods, requiring a full restore. Also, iTunes text and graphics had display issues with Windows Vista. However, upgrading to iTunes v7.2 or higher solves these issues.

Lots of other applications had or still have problems. Most of these problems are encountered with applications that install legacy drivers in order to function. These applications can be CD/DVD burning utilities, VPN applications, virtualization solutions or even security suites. Other applications just refuse to install even though they could work on Windows Vista. This problem is due to the poor design of their installer. For example, some applications ask for the installation of Microsoft.NET Framework version 1.1 or 2.0. They won't install even though Windows Vista has a newer version of .NET Framework.

Conclusion

Just like with any other new operating system, problems are inherent. What matters most is that both hardware manufacturers and software developers act in a proactive way and offer the required support to their customers in a timely manner. Unfortunately, Windows Vista's launch revealed many problems even though Microsoft released it to computer hardware and software manufacturers, business customers, and retail channels, months before it was released worldwide to the general public.

Hopefully, both computer hardware and software manufacturers will fix their issues as soon as possible. And, maybe, they will learn from their mistakes so history won't repeat itself with every new release of a major operating system.

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Comments

Wed, 09/05/2007 - 17:08 — Ciprian

Compatibility mode

Try to run the programs you are having problems with in the so called "compatibility mode". This guide should help.

Thu, 09/13/2007 - 19:56 — Anton (not verified)

HP Photosmart C3180 printer

I am unable to install the above printer on to my HP Pavilion dv6000 (only a few weeks old), no matter what I have tried. I get the same error: To install driver software an interactive window station is required!! Can anyone explain this to me. A call to the seller, and HP support, has not solved the problem. In fact it would seem that HP support do not know what they are talking about.

Sat, 09/22/2007 - 06:58 — Anonymous (not verified)

Hp 6300 scanner

I too have been stuck without a vista driver for my Hp 6300 scanner. Hp does not have a driver and suggest to go an purchase another Hp scanner with vista driver.

Hp has lost a customer. I will purchase another scanner, but it won't be an Hp. In addition, neither will I purchase any Hp equipment. I am through with them.

Sat, 09/22/2007 - 21:49 — Anonymous (not verified)

Hello ! Im from Sweden and I

Hello !

Im from Sweden and I have an brandnew HP Laptop with Windows Vista , and I have soo much problems with Vista
that I decided to go back to Win XP , im a advanced user since 15 years and this is the worst operativ system I know.

MVH
Peter Bengtsson

Wed, 09/26/2007 - 19:14 — Anonymous (not verified)

windows vista keeps saying this copy of windows is not genuine..

i have a laptop and i have had problems with it since the first month i had it....everytime i activate it a few weeks later it doesnt work and says that this copy of windows is not genuine and i try to access with reduced funtioanlity but it wont bring up the internet or the number so that i can call hewlett packard and reactiviate it...please help me if you can ....thanks so much..

Wed, 10/24/2007 - 05:00 — sybilg (not verified)

windows vista sucks

and so google toolbar,they always give us all information for the usa when we need canada info. i had so many problems with windows vista i hate it.microsoft should provide us with a cd to fix all the errors on our computer. they suck and so does microsoft and so does bill gates for inventing a software and didnt know how to solve the problems,yet there are no solutions for fixing it.so we suffer.i never had a problem untill i got windows vista. as far as im concerned windows xp was better.

Wed, 10/24/2007 - 15:21 — stevie (not verified)

Windows vista deleting duplicate files and removing shortcuts

I recently bought a laptop and not being a computer whizz have quickly came across a couple of problems....Firsly, I find the mouse on the laptop tricky to use and whilst trying to get to grips with it have managed to copy files into different locations !!
I dragged my favorites folder and into music in error !!! and now have favorites on desktop and in music??????when i delete the one in music it deletes the original from desktop?????? how do i delete the copy i have created leaving the original??????

Also i have deleted various pictures downloaded from my camera...but have noticed various shortcuts which have been left behind?????when io try to delete these shortcuts it says error picture not at this location please find location and try again . The picture is deleted and therefore doesnt have a location...so how do i delete the shortcuts??????
I have tried F5 etc........can someone help me!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Fri, 11/02/2007 - 22:52 — judy.com

Compatibility with vista

I read quickly through the commects and may have a solution. If it is already posted forgive me. Right click on the application and left click on properties, Click on compatibility and run as what ever operating system your software likes

Thu, 11/15/2007 - 07:57 — Anonymous (not verified)

ITS WORTH IT

First of, vista in my opinion, in spite of its flaws, is the most powerful operating system around. It’s a giant step up from XP and a million times better than apple's "leopard". I speak from experience because I use Vista Business for my job and Vista premium for my personal laptop, and have found them both to be very powerful and AMAZINGLY secure. Also for all you "haters", you should've known that when you buy the latest and greatest software, it’s probably a good idea to do the same with the hardware, because other wise, it’s like putting a Lamborghini engine in a beat down pinto. Granted it is irritating when your drivers take a crap on you, but the first generation of ANYTHING has problems, Microsoft is working hard to get these problems solved, and my estimation is that in a year or so, this new software, should be problem free (or close)
P.S.
I don’t work for Microsoft

Tue, 12/11/2007 - 11:04 — Wingeing Swiss bloke (not verified)

Problems with sofware and drivers

I found installing drivers difficult and I am almost at the point of returning to XP.

I have a mini DV Sony camera, which I bought less than 2 years ago. There are no Vista drivers for it. I still have not tried an iLink Firewire cable to see if it will work with my new tower computer (I haven't got round to buying a cable yet) but I think Microsoft has really shot itself in the foot with Vista.

Many Codecs do not come pre-installed with Vista and so I had to hunt around to get my machine to be able to read all the various MPEG formats.

When I try to burn more than 1 CD or DVD in one session, the computer crashes for no apparent reason.

Since sofware is more expensive than the computer itself, I don't think most people want to replace the whole thing in one go.

Even anti viral software is temperamental. Norton security which comes with it, is useless. AVG Internet Security 7.5 works OK with it but I have still had a lot of viruses even with that and Spybot plus Spyware Doctor running. I am convinced the reason for these Viruses and Trojans are security bugs in Vista.....

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