Computer ?: Dual boot, XP over Vista

[texbaylea]

I am tired of Vista telling where I can and cannot go on my computer of which I am the sole user. I have obtained an OEM disc of XP Media Center that I plan to install in a dual boot configuration. I am looking for experiences with such a situation. Forewarned is forearmed! I hope!

This "access denied" message almost makes me do violent things to the computer.

Vernon

 

[LMTC]

Wow. I can't help you or I would, but you are adding to my list of reasons for buying used PCs. Late last year I bought 2 HP dual cores off ebay, each around 12-15 months old, but fine for our needs, each with XP, solely because of the negative I hear about vista. Can't buy refurbs from HP anymore, as even those that originally had XP are being set up with Vista after refurbing. I know there was similar flak with almost every new version, but I've been around since DOS, and I've never heard this much negative about a new version (ME came close, though the one unit I had with ME was fine). I am at this moment attempting to buy 3 off-lease machines with XP for a church I'm helping set up PCs, for just this reason.

I'll be very interested to see what this thread produces. I wish you well, as what you are describing would make me frustrated too.

 

[Diesel-ME]

I wonder if the so-called User Account Control feature is what is driving you (and most folks) crazy about Vista. You may want to start by disabling that feature....??... Follow this Google Search for more info.

~paul

 

[czechsonofagun]

I got myself a used laptop with XP - didnt feel like Vista either. For instance Adobe Photoshop 7.0, which contains everything I need to treat photos runs on it - but Vista requires CS 2 or better, WTF????

 

[texasjohn]

I've had years of experience with PC's, every OS for them to date. I have been surprised by the difficulties encountered with Vista. Many, but not all, have to do with its "security" scheme. It has been sufficient to encourage me and some of my buddies to begin planning on refurbishing some of our older machines and trying some Linux distribution. The theory is that it takes less resources, runs faster and the device drivers are there for older machines.

Here are some clues for you to research..use HELP...and the web to understand the details... too much to include here.

User Account Feature..can turn off/on, requires a reboot, learn what it does, when to use it and when not to.

make sure you are an ADMINISTRATOR. Make sure there are more than one ADMINISTRATOR users... else if you mess up a password you will have trouble

use right click and RUN AS ADMINISTRATOR (even for ADMINISTRATOR users)

there is a TRUE administrator account that is HIDDEN on most distributions for home use..Home Premium, for example...requires knowledge of command line interface..but, this is a TRUE back door to ADMINISTRATOR privileges, without passwords!

The fancy ASTRO interface is a huge CPU/GPU hog..about 8% CPU for its one HIGH PRIORITY process, I dropped it and went with a different one.

Learn about JUNCTIONS

I use AVAST for antivirus, COMODO for firewall, COPERNIC basic and COPERNIC DESKTOP SEARCH.

That said, you will STILL be extremely frustrated with Vista if you are used to being truly in control of your computer. BUT, these hints will give you lots to study...how you use the various features, etc, depends on your situation and needs.

Best wishes!

 

[texbaylea]

I've had years of experience with PC's, every OS for them to date. I have been surprised by the difficulties encountered with Vista. Many, but not all, have to do with its "security" scheme. It has been sufficient to encourage me and some of my buddies to begin planning on refurbishing some of our older machines and trying some Linux distribution. The theory is that it takes less resources, runs faster and the device drivers are there for older machines.

Here are some clues for you to research..use HELP...and the web to understand the details... too much to include here.

User Account Feature..can turn off/on, requires a reboot, learn what it does, when to use it and when not to.

make sure you are an ADMINISTRATOR. Make sure there are more than one ADMINISTRATOR users... else if you mess up a password you will have trouble

use right click and RUN AS ADMINISTRATOR (even for ADMINISTRATOR users)

there is a TRUE administrator account that is HIDDEN on most distributions for home use..Home Premium, for example...requires knowledge of command line interface..but, this is a TRUE back door to ADMINISTRATOR privileges, without passwords!

The fancy ASTRO interface is a huge CPU/GPU hog..about 8% CPU for its one HIGH PRIORITY process, I dropped it and went with a different one.

Learn about JUNCTIONS

I use AVAST for antivirus, COMODO for firewall, COPERNIC basic and COPERNIC DESKTOP SEARCH.

That said, you will STILL be extremely frustrated with Vista if you are used to being truly in control of your computer. BUT, these hints will give you lots to study...how you use the various features, etc, depends on your situation and needs.

Best wishes!

I, too, have a lot of experience with OSes, since CP/M 1.4. A command line interface holds no terrors, in fact I love it. I will follow up on the "true administrator" account. Thanks for that!! I still intend to proceed with the dual boot and perhaps also add Ubuntu to gain the experience with that distro.

I have always built my PCs and using a laptop has a frustration factor all its own.

I have one project that keeps me tied to Windows but once I get the desired experience with Ubuntu linux I may try setting up a virtual Windows machine to accommodate that project. The software I need for that is based on an older CAD package which seems to run best on 2000.

Thanks again.

Vernon

I will post more on this but it will not be until late August. Too much to do until then and I don't want to "upset" the laptop until I have time to fix any misssteps.

 

[texasjohn]

texbaylea, our paths seem to be parallel.... PM me for any specific questions you may have. I even have discovered that a user with ADMINISTRATIVE priviledges can just suddenly loose them.... reason unknown....thus, suggest you have a proper image backup procedure IMPLEMENTED... Acronis works well. It was this lost priviledges that caused me to find the back door.... most vexing!

 

[texbaylea]

texbaylea, our paths seem to be parallel.... PM me for any specific questions you may have. I even have discovered that a user with ADMINISTRATIVE priviledges can just suddenly loose them.... reason unknown....thus, suggest you have a proper image backup procedure IMPLEMENTED... Acronis works well. It was this lost priviledges that caused me to find the back door.... most vexing!

I just got a large external USB hybrid drive. Does Acronis work with similar drives?

Vernon

 

[rcrcomputing]

As you are installing XP AFTER vista is installed, you might be interested in this.

Install Windows XP in a Dual Boot with Pre-installed Windows Vista

Personally, I can't stand vista. Though I work on many systems that have it. I will NOT install it in a business environment.

 

[LMTC]

As you are installing XP AFTER vista is installed, you might be interested in this.

Install Windows XP in a Dual Boot with Pre-installed Windows Vista

Personally, I can't stand vista. Though I work on many systems that have it. I will NOT install it in a business environment.

Strengthening my resolve to keep buying off-lease and 18 month old machines just to get XP. On a volunteer basis I am helping several small churches (we are very rural) set up their first PCs and online services, and it's enough of a challenge to teach older folks how to use the PC to begin with....I'd probably quit if I had to learn/teach Vista as well.