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-   -   VISTA nightmares (http://www.pets.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=61942)

hazelrunpack April 5th, 2009 10:28 AM

VISTA nightmares
 
My second Dell computer in four years bit the dust last week and I cleaned out my digital camera savings fund to buy a new computer. It has Vista on it. I'm distraught at what I've lost and need some suggestions about where to go from here. (Please keep in mind that going to hell is not an option...I appear to have already landed there :rolleyes:...so that suggestion isn't necessary :o Also, remember I'm broke now so I can't afford a lot of software. :sad:)

1. Windows mail is supposed to easily import Outlook Express files. Although I backed my email up religiously when I backed up my last computer, I can't get the contacts and the old email files to import--they just plain aren't recognized. No error messages--just no files imported. :shrug: Anyone know if there's anything I can do about that?

2. My Ipswitch WS-FTP program is not compatible with Vista. Does Vista have a file transfer protocol of some sort built in that would enable me to upload files to and maintain my website? :fingerscr If it has one, I haven't found it, yet...

3. Any idea why I can't download certain online games anymore, like [URL="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/10/04/opinion/main908623.shtml"]Sudoku[/URL] or the [URL="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/03/10/opinion/main543377.shtml"]Daily Crossword[/URL]? Haven't been able to download them even though I downloaded the newest versions of both Flash and Java :shrug: I can't tell if the problem is with the site or with my new software. :sad:

4. I won't even go into how I feel about Vista's photo editors, but if anyone has any suggestions as to how to change where images are imported to (My Pictures in a file stupidly named... :frustrated:) I'd appreciate it! Seems like Vista tries to do everything for you but I'd rather set it up to do it my way... [size=1] Yeah, I'm a fussy old bat. :o [/size]

Any suggestions for ease of transition or even for good reading material on Vista would be appreciated. I'd like to be fully functional again by 2010 but I'm not holding out much hope. :cry:

ancientgirl April 5th, 2009 12:49 PM

Hazel, I feel for you. My laptop came with Vista, and I have to admit it is a huge pain in the butt, but I've sort of grown used to it.

One of Vista's main pains is downloading stuff. It's constantly asking for permission to do so. Did it alert you something was trying to download?

My computer knowledge only goes so far. Doesn't Aslan work with computers? Maybe she can help.:shrug:

cell April 5th, 2009 01:14 PM

Download XP burn it to a disk and reformat and use that until Windows 7(?) comes out. My BF had vista on his new laptop and only kept it for around a month.

Dee-O-Gee April 5th, 2009 01:36 PM

Hey Hazel--

Poor girl :sad:

Point #2 - I got my FTP from Tuscow (link below) even though I work off of XP, Tuscow does have some freeware that's Vista compatible.

[url]http://www.tucows.com/search.html?search_scope=win&search_adv=0&search_size=&search_size_multi=b&search_terms=FTP&srch_pf=win&search_lib=[/url]

I have a website but it's for a 1974 antique British TR6 car hubby and I are restoring. :crazy:

Bina April 5th, 2009 01:52 PM

I'm going to put in another vote for downloading XP and re-formatting.
My current Dell was bought last year through my husband's office, they are still able to order "used" models with XP.
Good Luck!

rainbow April 5th, 2009 02:21 PM

Hazel, as you well know I am "the" computer dummy here but I just wanted to give you some :grouphug: :grouphug: and a whole lot of :pray: :fingerscr :goodvibes: :fingerscr :pray: :fingerscr :goodvibes:

hazelrunpack April 5th, 2009 02:51 PM

I'm back to crying again. Vista is worthless....especially if you have dial-up. I can't burn XP out to a disk at 24.4 Kbps dialup speed. It just took me 5 stinking hours trying to download 25 M of software that didn't turn out to be what I thought it was :cry:

This absolutely totally sucks. Vista has sent me back to ground zero--no newsletters, no website.... Lucky for you, due to the anonymity of cyberspace, you just missed a total meltdown. Much better to have saved the money and put it toward a functional digital camera system with some bells and whistles than to have bought this piece of crap and end up with a totally dysfunctional computer system. It's good for bulletin boards and putting pictures where I don't want them on the computer.

Congratulations Microsoft on another wonderful contribution to the world of home computers. :frustrated:

ancientgirl April 5th, 2009 03:04 PM

Hazel, I'm sorry you are having so many problems. I wish I knew more about programs to help you.

Dee-O-Gee April 5th, 2009 03:20 PM

1 Attachment(s)
[QUOTE=hazelrunpack;765373]I'm back to crying again. Vista is worthless....especially if you have dial-up. I can't burn XP out to a disk at 24.4 Kbps dialup speed. It just took me 5 stinking hours trying to download 25 M of software that didn't turn out to be what I thought it was :cry:

This absolutely totally sucks. Vista has sent me back to ground zero--no newsletters, no website.... Lucky for you, due to the anonymity of cyberspace, you just missed a total meltdown. Much better to have saved the money and put it toward a functional digital camera system with some bells and whistles than to have bought this piece of crap and end up with a totally dysfunctional computer system. It's good for bulletin boards and putting pictures where I don't want them on the computer.

Congratulations Microsoft on another wonderful contribution to the world of home computers. :frustrated:[/QUOTE]

As this is a brand new computer--was there any guarantees where you can take it back and buy a refurbished XP O/S?

I too am sorry that I'm not familiar with Vista and would love to help you avoid unecessary meltdowns [ATTACH]50354[/ATTACH]

hazelrunpack April 5th, 2009 03:24 PM

[QUOTE=klmccallum;765354]
Point #2 - I got my FTP from Tuscow (link below) even though I work off of XP, Tuscow does have some freeware that's Vista compatible.

[url]http://www.tucows.com/search.html?search_scope=win&search_adv=0&search_size=&search_size_multi=b&search_terms=FTP&srch_pf=win&search_lib=[/url]

[/QUOTE]

:thankyou: for that link, klmccallum. I've bookmarked it to look at later.

hazelrunpack April 5th, 2009 03:25 PM

[QUOTE=klmccallum;765381]As this is a brand new computer--was there any guarantees where you can take it back and buy a refurbished XP O/S?
[/QUOTE]

Best Buy doesn't carry anything with XP on it anymore. It's all this Vista crap :sad: And my other option was the place where they're trying to double-bill me. :shrug: Don't want to deal with them...

chico2 April 5th, 2009 03:31 PM

Aww Hazel how frustrating,when we got our new PC,we specifically asked for Windows XP to be installed.
Our computer-genius(friend of my sons)himself likes Vista,but he is a computer-expert.Good Luck:fingerscr

onster April 5th, 2009 03:51 PM

awwww hazel im so sorry ure going thru this frustration.

I thought a new pc would be the end of ure troubles :sad: (btw Dell reaaaally sucks IMO my friend's Dells are forever breaking down :frustrated:).

Maybe someone can send you a cd with XP burned on it? I would, I have loads of empty CDs but dunno where I could download a good copy :shrug: Wouldnt want to make it worse!!


This is pretty much why Im switching to a mac when my laptop finally dies. :grouphug:

hazelrunpack April 5th, 2009 04:43 PM

Anyone know if you can still even purchase the Windows XP Pro OS?

ancientgirl April 5th, 2009 04:48 PM

Hazel, when I got my laptop, I considered changing Vista to XP. I called Best Buy, and Geek Squad said they were able to do that. I decided against it because it was too expensive. I think they may still do that. I know my boss just purchased a computer and had to especially order it to come with XP.

Give Geek Squad a call.

[url]http://www.geeksquad.com/[/url]

hazelrunpack April 5th, 2009 04:53 PM

I'll call them tomorrow. The one guy there has been very helpful and is very knowledgeable. :fingerscr that they can do it...

Do you recall how much it was going to cost, AG? :eek:

ancientgirl April 5th, 2009 05:28 PM

Hazel, it was less than $300, but close to it.

hazelrunpack April 5th, 2009 05:31 PM

Ouch. That's about $300 more than I have budgeted right now :o

ancientgirl April 5th, 2009 05:35 PM

Yeah, that's why I still have Vista on my laptop. I've just learned to live with it.

hazelrunpack April 5th, 2009 05:39 PM

I may have to learn to limp along with it, too. :sad: But I'm not gonna be a happy camper! :frustrated:

Have you found any good 'I hate Vista' forums? :laughing: I'd love to join... :o

ancientgirl April 5th, 2009 05:50 PM

LOL, no I haven't found any forums.

It's hard to get used to, but eventually you will at least be able to use it without too much trouble. If you can get someone to set it up the way you want it, to allow you to do what you need, then you should be okay after that.

I still wish I had XP, but since I don't have that money to spend to change it back I have no choice. If the next Windows OS is like XP was, I may try to scrounge up the money to change it. But I'll wait until the iron out the kinks first.

The thing is, I was told after the summer Microsoft will no longer offer support for XP.

badger April 5th, 2009 07:00 PM

I don't have any suggestions for you about getting your email back. I've had to reload everything twice in recent months and lost the entire contents of OE in the process. You might try loading Gmail, which is way better, has more memory and stores your stuff on their servers so nothing is lost. You have to be invited, however; let me know if you'd like me to put in a word, all I need is your addy. I still use Outlook Express, in tandem with Gmail, because I cant be bothered to notify the bank, etc.

My techie downloaded Firefox for me the last time we had to reload Windows (XP) and I highly recommend it. Don't mess with the Vista, just download Firefox and use it instead, at least until you've gotten Vista sorted out. On my system, Firefox is faster and has fewer glitches (freezes, etc.).

Winston April 5th, 2009 07:26 PM

Its tough to find in some locations but I wouldnt pay more than 100.00 for it! if that! the thing too is you have to make sure its a legit copy because you wont be able to update anything from microsoft and unfortunately we need some of their patches...The other thing too is it would mean rebuilding your system? they will charge you if you dont know how to do it.

Hazel its really frustrating...I am standing firm! No Vista until I absolutely have too!

Alot of the origional cd's that you get with pcs have the extra software so it might be worth it to check out what the cd says!

Mat&Murph April 5th, 2009 08:37 PM

I hope you are feeling alittle better Hazel. I have never used Vista. Been to paranoid. I get my computer stuff at a guy I know through a friend, Got a great rebuild laptop for 200 with Windows XP Pro. But It is here in Oshawa. Wish I could be more help :grouphug:
and Drooly kisses from the boys

14+kitties April 5th, 2009 08:59 PM

Hazel - have you checked your emails? :rolleyes:

want4rain April 5th, 2009 09:51 PM

HRP, lemme do some asking around. i know a few people proficient in Vista. might be able to come up with some answers....

if i dont get back to you in a few days... my breast pump ate me.

-ash

Dee-O-Gee April 5th, 2009 09:56 PM

2 Attachment(s)
I'm the first to admit--I hate change :yuck:

I'm sure that once you speak with people that have had experience using Vista and get a better insight on the operating system--you'll move right along :thumbs up

It's just a learning curve Hazel--think positive [ATTACH]50376[/ATTACH]

If you are who I think you are--you're gonna set yourself on a mission to conquer your Vista Fiasco [ATTACH]50373[/ATTACH]

hazelrunpack April 5th, 2009 09:57 PM

Yes, as a matter of fact, I just did :D

Very helpful, although I'm too tired to try all the suggestions tonight! Thank your son-in-law for me :grouphug:

[B]T&C[/B], I'm still waiting for that link to load. Sigh... :o

[B]badger,[/B] I'm stuck with IE until I give up on Publisher. I still snail mail out a few newsletters...and then put it out on the web, so I need something that will handle both phases. Unfortunately, Publisher web files are not browsable by Firefox. :sad:

However, this whole issue might end up moot if I can't get my software to work. :wall:

[B]Winston,[/B] the software is on a disk I have, but it tries to do something that works with XP, not Vista--tells me it needs to run something by 'run as...' and that an administrator has to do it. But my account is the administrator account and I can't figure out how to get around it. :o :fingerscr I can find out when I call HP tomorrow...

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone. :grouphug: Just venting was actually quite helpful :laughing: At least I'm not threatening the machine with a sledge hammer any more and I've smiled at least twice since dinner :thumbs up

:p

:thankyou:

hazelrunpack April 5th, 2009 10:03 PM

[QUOTE=want4rain;765483]HRP, lemme do some asking around. i know a few people proficient in Vista. might be able to come up with some answers....

if i dont get back to you in a few days... my breast pump ate me.

-ash[/QUOTE]

:laughing: :laugh: Okay, so now I've out-and-out laughed tonight! This is an improvement! :thankyou: w4r, and give Alex a big kiss on the nose for me. :D

[QUOTE=klmccallum;765484]I'm the first to admit--I hate change :yuck:

I'm sure that once you speak with people that have had experience using Vista and get a better insight on the operating system--you'll move right along :thumbs up

It's just a learning curve Hazel--think positive [ATTACH]50376[/ATTACH]

If you are who I think you are--you're gonna set yourself on a mission to conquer your Vista Fiasco [ATTACH]50373[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]

Oy, you mean the panic was that apparent? :crazy: :D

I hate change, too...but when I changed to XP it wasn't nearly as traumatic as the change to Vista. :rolleyes: Still, I'm already making plans to get around the obstacles...and some of the dark despair and black clouds are rolling away. :eek:

It's not a learning curve, though--it was more like being in the lane when the semi sped through...a flattening experience. :laughing:

But you're right--in a month or two, I won't remember what all I've lost...so I'll feel better about it. See? Senility has it's up side! :thumbs up

:laughing:

Thanks for the pep talk. :o

hazelrunpack April 5th, 2009 10:05 PM

Oh, and M&M, you don't know how immeasurably helpful those drooly kisses were in the interim. :cloud9: Thank the boys for me, please! :D


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