uninstalled

I installed Vista (32 bit version) and to be honest, I really liked what I saw. It is more sophisticated and less cartoonish than its predecessor. Unfortunately, I had to uninstall it almost as quickly. Why? Drivers, for the most part. Or, rather, lack thereof. Although my printer driver was available through Windows updates, I couldn't send anything to the printer, no matter what I did. I can't use most of my mouse functions because the driver is not compatible. My GeForce 6200 only has 64mb of RAM available (instead of 256mb) because nVidea's Vista compatible driver doesn't work with TurboCache yet. My Microsoft Intellitype Pro keyboard doesn't even have a compatible driver and you manufactured the thing! How can this OS be properly beta tested in any way if one cannot use their hardware or perform even simple funtions like printing because there just aren't any drivers out there, not even for your own products? Also, I was annoyed more than I can say by the User Account Control, especially when trying to install software. I agree that more security was needed but this is too much. It added a few extra clicks to everything I tried to do. It adds up. But, when it is disabled, one keeps getting reminded that their computer security is in peril by the Security Centre to the point of having to choose between the lesser of the two annoyances. So, my beta test lasted just a couple of days before I'd completely had it and accepted that it's like fighting a losing battle. I had to get back to my work . So, I'll wait to try Vista again when more of the driver and security feature bugs are worked out. Probably when it's in its SP2 production.

Be sure to forward your valuable feedback to MS. This is not a managed newsgroup and comments made here do not reach MS.
"LW" wrote in message

I installed Vista (32 bit version) and to be honest, I really liked what I saw. It is more sophisticated and less cartoonish than its predecessor. Unfortunately, I had to uninstall it almost as quickly. Why? Drivers, for the most part. Or, rather, lack thereof. Although my printer driver was available through Windows updates, I couldn't send anything to the printer, no matter what I did. I can't use most of my mouse functions because the driver is not compatible. My GeForce 6200 only has 64mb of RAM available (instead of 256mb) because nVidea's Vista compatible driver doesn't work with TurboCache yet. My Microsoft Intellitype Pro keyboard doesn't even have a compatible driver and you manufactured the thing! How can this OS be properly beta tested in any way if one cannot use their hardware or perform even simple funtions like printing because there just aren't any drivers out there, not even for your own products? Also, I was annoyed more than I can say by the User Account Control, especially when trying to install software. I agree that more security was needed but this is too much. It added a few extra clicks to everything I tried to do. It adds up. But, when it is disabled, one keeps getting reminded that their computer security is in peril by the Security Centre to the point of having to choose between the lesser of the two annoyances. So, my beta test lasted just a couple of days before I'd completely had it and accepted that it's like fighting a losing battle. I had to get back to my work . So, I'll wait to try Vista again when more of the driver and security feature bugs are worked out. Probably when it's in its SP2 production.

Drivers not being included are the hardware manufacturers fault - not Microsoft's. Unfortunately, most hardware vendors with the exception of a few do not publicly release their beta drivers for a beta operating system, and if you contact them regarding it they will tell you that Vista has not released and they only support released operating systems. I know, it's very frustrating, but that's part of beta testing.
Driver support is getting better, although you would think drivers for every piece of hardware ever made should included on that 3.0GB+ ISO image :)
-- Jeff Warren
"LW" wrote in message

I installed Vista (32 bit version) and to be honest, I really liked what I saw. It is more sophisticated and less cartoonish than its predecessor. Unfortunately, I had to uninstall it almost as quickly. Why? Drivers, for the most part. Or, rather, lack thereof. Although my printer driver was available through Windows updates, I couldn't send anything to the printer, no matter what I did. I can't use most of my mouse functions because the driver is not compatible. My GeForce 6200 only has 64mb of RAM available (instead of 256mb) because nVidea's Vista compatible driver doesn't work with TurboCache yet. My Microsoft Intellitype Pro keyboard doesn't even have a compatible driver and you manufactured the thing! How can this OS be properly beta tested in any way if one cannot use their hardware or perform even simple funtions like printing because there just aren't any drivers out there, not even for your own products? Also, I was annoyed more than I can say by the User Account Control, especially when trying to install software. I agree that more security was needed but this is too much. It added a few extra clicks to everything I tried to do. It adds up. But, when it is disabled, one keeps getting reminded that their computer security is in peril by the Security Centre to the point of having to choose between the lesser of the two annoyances. So, my beta test lasted just a couple of days before I'd completely had it and accepted that it's like fighting a losing battle. I had to get back to my work . So, I'll wait to try Vista again when more of the driver and security feature bugs are worked out. Probably when it's in its SP2 production.

Agreed, although I have found some beta drivers by doing a search on "beta" or "Vista" on these websites. Some of them just don't display them on the general drivers downloads page.
"Jeff Warren" wrote in message

Drivers not being included are the hardware manufacturers fault - not Microsoft's. Unfortunately, most hardware vendors with the exception of a few do not publicly release their beta drivers for a beta operating system, and if you contact them regarding it they will tell you that Vista has not released and they only support released operating systems. I know, it's very frustrating, but that's part of beta testing.
Driver support is getting better, although you would think drivers for every piece of hardware ever made should included on that 3.0GB+ ISO image :)
-- Jeff Warren
"LW" wrote in message I installed Vista (32 bit version) and to be honest, I really liked what I saw. It is more sophisticated and less cartoonish than its predecessor. Unfortunately, I had to uninstall it almost as quickly. Why? Drivers, for the most part. Or, rather, lack thereof. Although my printer driver was available through Windows updates, I couldn't send anything to the printer, no matter what I did. I can't use most of my mouse functions because the driver is not compatible. My GeForce 6200 only has 64mb of RAM available (instead of 256mb) because nVidea's Vista compatible driver doesn't work with TurboCache yet. My Microsoft Intellitype Pro keyboard doesn't even have a compatible driver and you manufactured the thing! How can this OS be properly beta tested in any way if one cannot use their hardware or perform even simple funtions like printing because there just aren't any drivers out there, not even for your own products? Also, I was annoyed more than I can say by the User Account Control, especially when trying to install software. I agree that more security was needed but this is too much. It added a few extra clicks to everything I tried to do. It adds up. But, when it is disabled, one keeps getting reminded that their computer security is in peril by the Security Centre to the point of having to choose between the lesser of the two annoyances. So, my beta test lasted just a couple of days before I'd completely had it and accepted that it's like fighting a losing battle. I had to get back to my work . So, I'll wait to try Vista again when more of the driver and security feature bugs are worked out. Probably when it's in its SP2 production.

On Wed, 21 Jun 2006 11:35:03 -0700, LW wrote:

I installed Vista (32 bit version) and to be honest, I really liked what I saw. It is more sophisticated and less cartoonish than its predecessor. Unfortunately, I had to uninstall it almost as quickly. Why? Drivers, for the most part. Or, rather, lack thereof. Although my printer driver was available through Windows updates, I couldn't send anything to the printer, no matter what I did. I can't use most of my mouse functions because the driver is not compatible. My GeForce 6200 only has 64mb of RAM available (instead of 256mb) because nVidea's Vista compatible driver doesn't work with TurboCache yet. My Microsoft Intellitype Pro keyboard doesn't even have a compatible driver and you manufactured the thing! How can this OS be properly beta tested in any way if one cannot use their hardware or perform even simple funtions like printing because there just aren't any drivers out there, not even for your own products? Also, I was annoyed more than I can say by the User Account Control, especially when trying to install software. I agree that more security was needed but this is too much. It added a few extra clicks to everything I tried to do. It adds up. But, when it is disabled, one keeps getting reminded that their computer security is in peril by the Security Centre to the point of having to choose between the lesser of the two annoyances. So, my beta test lasted just a couple of days before I'd completely had it and accepted that it's like fighting a losing battle. I had to get back to my work . So, I'll wait to try Vista again when more of the driver and security feature bugs are worked out. Probably when it's in its SP2 production.

Its not that bad, drivers are always a pain in any new OS especially Betas. Printers are a pain in the bum on a fully supported OS let alone a Beta. You got too much trick stuff on that PC, try bog standard PS2 keyboard and Mouse and a cheap 128 Video card
UAC can be disabled and you can set it up to give you the option of logging in as full admin (as opposed to user admin) if you wish. Also the security centre (which I find extremely annoying on XP also) can be disabled and prevented from running although its a bit trickier than merely disabling the service in XP.
Hacks are here which make Vista Beta acceptable.
http://www.chris123nt.com/guides/5365/
Actually now I have got rid of the major annoyances I like it very much.
BTW this NG is not run by MSFT it is just on their servers. They may monitor it but most of the posters in here are just beta testing like yourself and have nothing to do with MSFT. If you want a rant at MSFT use the feedback system in Vista not this NG.
Jonah

I guess I'm pretty lucky, I have a combination of hardware that works with Vista. Although I had to use XP drivers in some instances but I got everything to work. I forget but I think I used the XP sound driver and the network driver.
The only thing that doesn't work is my network printer, this is temporary I'm sure, I'll have it figured out sooner or later. But the printer still works when it is hooked up locally using XP driver.
I also have a GeForce 6200 but 128 MB RAM and runing at 1600 x 1200 and it looks pretty. However there is no access to the advanced feature that nVidia provides but again I think it's a matter of time.
My first installation went relatively smooth, then I swapped motherboard and ram but took a significant amount tweeking to get eveything to work.
So to make a long story short, I think it depends on what hardware you have and the amount of patience you have to figure things out. The safer hardware to own are from manufacturer who supply drivers to microsoft for distribution.
Hope this helps, Mario
"LW" wrote in message

I installed Vista (32 bit version) and to be honest, I really liked what I saw. It is more sophisticated and less cartoonish than its predecessor. Unfortunately, I had to uninstall it almost as quickly. Why? Drivers, for the most part. Or, rather, lack thereof. Although my printer driver was available through Windows updates, I couldn't send anything to the printer, no matter what I did. I can't use most of my mouse functions because the driver is not compatible. My GeForce 6200 only has 64mb of RAM available (instead of 256mb) because nVidea's Vista compatible driver doesn't work with TurboCache yet. My Microsoft Intellitype Pro keyboard doesn't even have a compatible driver and you manufactured the thing! How can this OS be properly beta tested in any way if one cannot use their hardware or perform even simple funtions like printing because there just aren't any drivers out there, not even for your own products? Also, I was annoyed more than I can say by the User Account Control, especially when trying to install software. I agree that more security was needed but this is too much. It added a few extra clicks to everything I tried to do. It adds up. But, when it is disabled, one keeps getting reminded that their computer security is in peril by the Security Centre to the point of having to choose between the lesser of the two annoyances. So, my beta test lasted just a couple of days before I'd completely had it and accepted that it's like fighting a losing battle. I had to get back to my work . So, I'll wait to try Vista again when more of the driver and security feature bugs are worked out. Probably when it's in its SP2 production.