Computer (Windows) Question

Hey, all....

I just purchased a new laptop that has Vista loaded on it. I just plan to use the computer for a small home business startup, e-mail, and/or web surfing. Nothing else, really.

I thought I had read that you're much better off uninstalling Visa, then "downgrading" to Windows XP. Is that true? If so, what is the process? Would I work directly with Microsoft?

Thanks!

ABM

 

If you're using your laptop for email, and internet surfing, there is really no need to downgrade to XP. Vista has been attacked because of its shit compatibility with gaming. The latest service pack has really helped it out a bit. Unless you're coming across some big problems, I would stay with Vista. What are the specs of your laptop? Sometimes comapanies say that their computer is "Vista Compatible", but it may be the bare minimum. You'll need at least 512 MB's of RAM, and 15GB's of free space.

 

Here's what I found. (BTW, got a great deal on it today from Big Lots. Brand new -- $399)

 

That exceeds what's needed. I have 70GB, Geforce 5200, 512MB's, and I ran Vista fine. I prefer XP though.

 

Jesus, 400 for that? Link?

I'm looking for something similar; the lowest I ever find is 500.

http://www.biglots.com/Specials/WeeklyAd.aspx?sid=4427

There it is.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9052945&type=product&id=1218012528210

Something similar from bestbuy. The biglots one is much better though. Screen is a bit smaller, bigger hard drive, more RAM.

 

Ahhh, bummer. Go to this link and punch in zip 30106 right under "Wall-To-Wall Closeouts". That's the store I bought it from. Looks like a regional thing. (I was there 1/2 hour before they opened. Probably the only reason I was able to get one. They only had 5 available.)

http://www.biglots.com/specials/

 

Use http://www.newegg.com

They have some fantastic prices.

 

Yep, love that place.

BTW, here's where I find a lot of the deals I share in these parts:

http://forums.slickdeals.net/forumdisplay.php?f=9

 

What kind of small business are you running?

 

Heh, that's where I found the acer thing

http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=0&t=991375

 

My business partner and I are working with an artist to have prints made (commercially printed), then sold on eBay.

 

I had XP but got a Toshiba laptop with Vista Home Premium a year ago and I like it much better.

I don't play games though, just lots of music and photography stuff.

 

Yeah, like I said, Vista is perfect for that type of thing, but for games its shit.

 

I was told I should run this "decrapifier" on my system to get rid of all that unnecessary pre-loaded software which does nothing but slow the system down.

Anyone heard of this?

http://www.pcdecrapifier.com/

 

Check out the how it works section.

Couldn't you do that through the add/remove in your control panel?

 

Perhaps. I'm just wondering if all these programs will show up there, though. Not sure. Plus, I don't want to go removing stuff that i shouldn't be. I'm assuming this decrapifier program would only lead me to the absolute unnecessary stuff. I dunno.

 

Heh, small world. My wife and I have a small business where we make giclee reproductions (fancy made-up French word for big inkjet prints) of paintings for artists.

 

I'd love to discuss this with you. Do, or can you do, on-demand orders - shipped?

Have your guy PM my guy and we'll do lunch.

 

BTW, I have Office '97. Will I be successful in loading it onto this new Vista machine?

 

I have not read the rest of this thread yet, but generally it is a BAD IDEA to uninstall an operating system pre-installed on a laptop.

Unless you have a compelling reason to run XP (ie, specialty software or fancy printer/scanner/etc. with no Vista driver), just leave it alone.

If there are some aspects of Vista you don't like, you can disable or turn off most of them.