XP or Vista

I'm going to purchase a new computer shortly and I need some input. I'm currently running XP and I'm very happy with this OS but it's going to be difficult to find a computer with XP installed sooooooo is it difficult to switch over all my routes and the local folder to Vista? How does 06 run using Vista? I'm not looking forward to setting up a new computer and transfering all my stuff to the new one.

While I'm on the subject what's the better of these two: Intel Core 2 Quad (Q9300, 6MB cache, 2.5GHz, 1333 FSB) or Intel Core 2 Quad (Q6600, 8MB L2, 2.40 Ghz, 1066 FSB) and what does FSB stand for?

Do I really need Core 2 Quad since I've read where Trainz only runs on one?

Any recomendations on the brand of computer? I have a Dell now and have had no problems, it has a Pentium D and I just want to upgrade because my 8800GT card needs a faster processor.

Any thoughts, ideas or recomendations will be greatly appreciated.

FSB, Front Side Bus, Intel is coming out with a new cpu that isn't limited by it in about November time frame.

Dual core is the fastest available today but the new cpus are bencmarking about 25% faster.

Quad may or may not be useful it depends on if someone can figure out in the next four years how to use the extra cores.

I might be tempted with 64 bit Vista but that's just me at the moment.

The later versions of TRS2006 will run under Vista but TC is more recent so will probably run more smoothly under Vista.

Memory will be an issue hence the thought of 64 bit Vista.

Cheerio John

IMO Trainz run best on XP, then Vista 32bit, then Vista 64bit - in that order. My old Dell, Pentium 4 (3GHz) 6600GT (OC:d) and stoneage driver 84.21 beats the others. I believe it mostly comes down to the drivers that are not fully developed atm for Vista.

Vista 64bit is nervous with older games and sims, they do work, but play up and hang up alot. It helps to keep them outside the x86-folder for some reason. Vista 32bit is more stable in that fashion.

To install Trainz in Vista one must follow the instructions available here on the forum.

I'm not sure a quad-core 2,4GHz is going to out-perform the Pentium D, even with affinity set, since Trainz only runs on one core. A dual-core 3,2GHz would be better. Processor-bound games and sims can benefit from setting the AA and AF higher for the video-card, thus unloading the processor somewhat. Why not try that.

Biggest flaw in Vista is that you can't install the OS with more than 2GB of RAM. There's a workaround with the KB929777 but MS better crank out new installation-dvd's for this reason. If you buy a ready-built computer, this issue has already been taken care of. After the Hotfix and SP1, Vista 32bit can handle some 3,3GB of RAM and Vista 64bit 16GB of RAM.

I don't really want to talk Vista down, it has great potential, and I haven't fully tweaked it yet, but the fact that MS will support XP until 2014 say alot...

I belive Dell still offers XP, atleast as OEM.

Front Side Bus = data transfer bus that carries the information between CPU and Northbridge that connects to Memory and Video-card. The figure e.g. 1333 is the speed in that bus, usually megatransfers/second.

stouthm said:

I'm going to purchase a new computer shortly and I need some input. I'm currently running XP and I'm very happy with this OS but it's going to be difficult to find a computer with XP installed sooooooo is it difficult to switch over all my routes and the local folder to Vista? How does 06 run using Vista? I'm not looking forward to setting up a new computer and transfering all my stuff to the new one.

Any recomendations on the brand of computer? I have a Dell now and have had no problems, it has a Pentium D and I just want to upgrade because my 8800GT card needs a faster processor.

Any thoughts, ideas or recomendations will be greatly appreciated.

Click to expand...

Hi stouthm,

If you are happy with Windows XP, then stay with it.....Better the devil you know, than the devil you don't......
How are you going to purchase your new PC ?? Internet purchase or actually going to a computer store ??
It also depends on your budget of course, unsure how much computers are over there in sunny NJ, but prices to suit all budgets, I'm sure.
Also, what searches have you done on various websites, over here in the UK, XP is still quite extensively used by several well known companies. I purchased an Acer with XP as the OS and could have bought various other models as well, Dell included, so have a look round, I'm sure not everything is VISTA dominated just yet......:hehe:

Happy hunting....

Cheerz. ex-railwayman.

one word...

XP!!!!

Get vista and you will regret it, the same mistake it did last year.

Monday night I installed the DVD edition of Trainz 2006 on a brand new computer very similar to your first choice running Vista.

Since Trainz was my biggest concern for this PC, it was the first item that I installed after starting the computer for the first time. I skipped loading all security options for Vista until after Trainz 2006 was installed.

I set the compatability properties to run in XP and as Administrator.

The Content manager would not save imported custom content even though it had been committed.

I found a way around that by not backing out of the content manager; but jumping to running surveyor while still in CMP. It worked. I downloaded my entire old local file in one shot, committed it, then jumped to surveyor. It saved it all!

Sometimes its more important to be lucky than smart!

Richard

Ha! That was a lucky punch!:Y:

Haven't tried that - neither am I running TRS2006 in compability-mode, works anyway.

UAC is good when on the internet but stinks when it comes to installing programs and handling of files. (I'm close to shut it off.)

What most people don't know is that the "full admin account" is disabled by default in Vista so Administrator isn't really Administrator at first. It can be activated though, in an elevated command-prompt to get full controll of all the files, by someone with Administrator rights. (Did anyone understand this?)

@stouthm - do not fear Vista but if you're happy with XP, stick with it and you won't have to learn over again. Who knows, Vista with SP2 and 3 may become user-friendly - or it'll be abandoned.

I love XP and I'm at war with Vista, but I'm going to win...

Ferngren said:

Ha! That was a lucky punch!:Y:

What most people don't know is that the "full admin account" is disabled by default in Vista so Administrator isn't really Administrator at first. It can be activated though, in an elevated command-prompt to get full controll of all the files, by someone with Administrator rights. (Did anyone understand this?)

I love XP and I'm at war with Vista, but I'm going to win...

Click to expand...

Actually, I understand what you are talking about because I am a programmer and a network administrator.

In spite of that, I haven't spent five minutes on the Vista OS before this week. Why waste my time overcoming bugs that will eventually go away.

You are right! If people are happy with XP, then they should stay with it. My wife (also computer network engineer) and I considered stripping out Vista and replacing it with XP or running dual OS. We took the plunge into Vista instead.

But a person should not be required to have the knowledge of an MCSE to be able to run their favorite existing programs in Vista. Lack of backwards compatability was what keep many people from trying Vista.

By making the end user's needs a higher priority than forcing software upgrades means a user-friendly OS where you don't have to be smart or lucky. It just does it.

Thankz for all the replys. I'm going to stick with XP since it will be supported for another 5 years. I like my Dell but since they only offer one model with XP I did some searching on the web and found this interesting site: http://www.jncs.com/ I had a couple of questions so I called and was immediately connected with a person who I could understand and was very knowledgeable. I was also informed that we have until Jan 09 to order systems with XP, after that they will be very hard to get. I'm fairly certain that I will be ordering from these people in the near future. I just have to tell my wife somehow that I need a newer computer. I'm 63 1/2 and sometimes I feel like a little boy who has to get permission.

I'm bumping this because I think the web site I mentioned in my post is worth a look.

First, anyone get a feeling Micro$oft made this new system a lot less compatible than other operating systems, such as XP to force people to spend more money on programs that are required or needed? (Surely Microsoft wouldn't do that, would they now??)

------

Ferngren said:

Biggest flaw in Vista is that you can't install the OS with more than 2GB of RAM.

Click to expand...

So why have I seen Vista computers with 3GM and more of RAM?

Ferngren said:

I don't really want to talk Vista down, it has great potential, and I haven't fully tweaked it yet, but the fact that MS will support XP until 2014 say alot...

Click to expand...

XP is still available here (although rare) but I was given a date that seller(s) were suppose stop selling them by last June.

I belive Dell still offers XP, atleast as OEM.

Click to expand...

OEM = ??

Jimmyp4 said:

Get vista and you will regret it, the same mistake it did last year.

Click to expand...

And what mistake was that?

Originally posted by Red_RattlerFirst, anyone get a feeling Micro$oft made this new system a lot less compatible than other operating systems, such as XP to force people to spend more money on programs that are required or needed? (Surely Microsoft wouldn't do that, would they now??)

Click to expand...

The things Microsoft does sometimes leaves a lot to be desired, but then again most companies do things like that at some stage...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ferngren
Biggest flaw in Vista is that you can't install the OS with more than 2GB of RAM.

So why have I seen Vista computers with 3GM and more of RAM?

Click to expand...

You can install 32-bit Vista on systems with 3GB of RAM, or 64-bit Vista on systems with 3GB or more of RAM. There may have been an issue installing Vista on systems with more than 3GB of RAM in the Beta, but I can't find much on it at the moment.

Quote:
I belive Dell still offers XP, atleast as OEM.
OEM = ??

Click to expand...

OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer. Basically OEM software is a customised version of that software. It will either be Windows disks, and/or pre-installed software on computers from companies like Dell and HP/Compaq. Software like Ahead's Nero can also be sold as OEM with CD and DVD drives.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimmyp4
Get vista and you will regret it, the same mistake it did last year.

And what mistake was that?

Click to expand...

Probably the same mistake that XP was when it first came out...

Chris

psycho_aussie said:

...cut...

OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer. Basically OEM software is a customised version of that software. It will either be Windows disks, and/or pre-installed software on computers from companies like Dell and HP/Compaq. Software like Ahead's Nero can also be sold as OEM with CD and DVD drives.

...cut...

Click to expand...

OEM can also be a cheap version of the software, that,as you say, small companies use for their own installations. They generally come in a small box with the OEM EULA (End User License Agreement) stamped on the box, with a Shrink-wrapped CD and very small manual and case sticker of authenticity, compared to the retail versions that come in a big box with a very large instruction manual and a much larger price tag.

Captain_Collins said:

OEM can also be a cheap version of the software, that,as you say, small companies use for their own installations. They generally come in a small box with the OEM EULA (End User License Agreement) stamped on the box, with a Shrink-wrapped CD and very small manual and case sticker of authenticity, compared to the retail versions that come in a big box with a very large instruction manual and a much larger price tag.

Click to expand...

However the full package can be reinstalled on other computers, the OEM version is licensed to a sepicific computer only and you may need Microsoft's permission to run the operating system if you upgrade the machine's memory, video card, cpu, or disk drive.

Cheerio John

johnwhelan said:

However the full package can be reinstalled on other computers, the OEM version is licensed to a sepicific computer only and you may need Microsoft's permission to run the operating system if you upgrade the machine's memory, video card, cpu, or disk drive.

Cheerio John

Click to expand...

Before I say anything I would just like to stress that I do not recommend any of the things I am about to say, and I ahve not done them myself.

I have seen XP OEM installed on many different types of machine from one disk. "People" have achieved this by activating XP over the phone, as Micro$oft can't tell what sort of hardware you have. The telephone system may decide to ask some questions about how many machines this software is installed on, etc, but it is fairly easy to fool it into accepting the activation request.

May I just stress again: DO NOT DO THIS!

Let me clearify about the RAM and Vista;

I was talking about Home Premium for those figures - the most common. On Ultimate and Business RAM-ammount is higher, 128GB on 64bit and them OS are far more expensive.

The clean install-tango on a new computer goes; Install Vista with an old video-card, no sound-card and maximum 2GB of RAM. When done, boot from disk as per usual, go fetch KB929777 at Microsoft and install that, shut down, put the rest of the hardware in, including RAM and start-up. Then go Windows Update to get all the fixes, drivers and SP1. Since KB929777 was issued before SP1 it can't be installed afterwords. Crazy isn't it?

@Red_Rattler: Retailers here also claim XP can still be sold. I've ordered one - lets see how it goes...

Ferngren said:

Let me clearify about the RAM and Vista;

I was talking about Home Premium for those figures - the most common. On Ultimate and Business RAM-ammount is higher, 128GB on 64bit and them OS are far more expensive.

The clean install-tango on a new computer goes; Install Vista with an old video-card, no sound-card and maximum 2GB of RAM. When done, boot from disk as per usual, go fetch KB929777 at Microsoft and install that, shut down, put the rest of the hardware in, including RAM and start-up. Then go Windows Update to get all the fixes, drivers and SP1. Since KB929777 was issued before SP1 it can't be installed afterwords. Crazy isn't it?

@Red_Rattler: Retailers here also claim XP can still be sold. I've ordered one - lets see how it goes...

Click to expand...

It seems this problem depends on what motherboard etc one has, as I was able to install Vista 64bit without problem with 4GB ram installed earlier this year.

John

This is all true. Vista is a bit confused on some of the hardware on clean installs.

@stouthm - interesting link there. If I'm not totally wrong, MS has a "downgrading program" where you can switch back to XP if you have an OEM, Ultimate or Business Licence.

I think Vista was released to early, but lets hope they will solve all these compability issues.

i've said it before and i'm not going to say it again.

NEVER USE VISTA!!!!