Eric the Red

I have been using Windows XP 64 bit edition for some time on my computer, and due to some shotty hardware support I decided to give Windows Vista 64 a shot. I reformatted my computer so that everything was fresh and shiny. What was my “experience”:

1. Graphics: I use a nVidia GeForce 7900 GT. I downloaded the Vista-64 bit drivers from nVidia, and installed them. The result: Windoes Vista refuses to use the correct drivers. The Windows XP-64 drivers worked perfectly.

2. Networking: I use a D-Link DWA-160 USB network adapter. It worked perfectly under Windows XP-64. Windows Vista recognizes the adapter as a USB device, but it is not recognized by the D-Link installer. Vista refuses to accept the Vista 64 driver from D-Link through the device manager driver update menu or using the Ad/Remove Hardware feature.

3. Audio. The RealTek drivers for Vista (Downloaded from RealteK) do not function. The speakers make a mechanical “thud” rather than the sounds they are supposed to make. The audio was perfectly functional under XP-64.

4. Service Pack 1: I attempted to install Vista Service Pack 1 (downloaded from Microsoft). The service pack crashed the system after 30 minutes.

5. Other Devices: I attempted to load drivers from a memory stick (brand new). The stick took approx. 30 minutes to be recognized, and was inaccessible from “My computer” as a device.

The verdict: I decided to re-install windows XP-64. I simply cannot afford to have a dysfunctional computer. Vista is a piece of software that belongs in the garbage can rather than on peoples desktop PCs. I would encourage anyone who is considering it to stay as far away as possible. Look at other alternatives, such as Macs.