Is this a 'sign' of things to come for Vista?

We're not saying a sign in some little computer shop in Milford, New Hampshire is an indication of popular opinion, but there's a reason those presidential candidates always end up in small towns on the campaign trail. Whatever the case may be, the folks at A&D computer are here to help... uninstall Vista from your PC. Hey, uninstalling unwieldy OSs is all well and good, but personally, we'd like to know more about this notebook repair.

[Superprime @ Feb 1st 2008 9:38AM]

Vista takes a lot of crap because of the drivers. It's the hardware manufacturers fault that they don't come out with good drivers not Vistas

[Ashley Allen @ Feb 1st 2008 9:40AM]

Really who would want to do this?

I've had vista for about 10 months now and not had a single problems, it's way better than XP.

[Patrick @ Feb 1st 2008 9:39AM]

Ah...just what I like with my morning cup o joe.

A big heaping bowlful of FLAMEBAIT.

[Demaar @ Feb 1st 2008 9:40AM]

TBH, I'll be upgrading to Vista as soon as I get a new video card (currently using onboard because I'm crazy) and double my ram. Also the service pack'll wanna be out too.

That is, unless XP's third service pack does something new and interesting...

[Duscrom @ Feb 1st 2008 9:43AM]

Better give em business so they can afford a second W... that Upside down M isn't fooling anybody..

[el faro @ Feb 1st 2008 9:45AM]

Is that cartoon guy flipping us off?

[Nate @ Feb 1st 2008 4:24PM]

(cue banging head against wall)

[wrabbit @ Feb 1st 2008 9:46AM]

I think it's less of a comment on the quality of Vista and more an acknowledgment of a need some users may have. Imagine Joe Noname buying a new PC in Walmart with Vista pre-installed and deciding they want to go back to the familiar XP, but they don't know anything about installing OS, so they go to a place like this.

[PynkFloydd @ Feb 2nd 2008 3:11PM]

I agree! I think Vista got hit by the perfect crapstorm. I think a lot of users that are used to customizing things towards their liking (and/or people not caring to relearn a new OS), hardware companies dropping the ball and PC manufacturers loading it with all kinds of crapware contributed towards bad press.

From reading comments, the people that build PC's that installed it...love it. The people that happened to get it with their new laptop complete with buggy drivers and loads of crapware...hate it (mind you, those are usually the same types that rarely upgrade drivers).

I actually installed Vista on an old laptop (single core Celeron 1.2mHz) and it really did improve the experience and speed. XP took twice as long for things to open and allowed me to multitask half as much. Granted, this is without Aero (the laptop won't support it). My custom build desktop only uses Vista Ultimate and I've NEVER had a problem.

[Wolfticket @ Feb 1st 2008 9:46AM]

I upgraded to Vista from XP Pro for the media centre component. Probably wouldn't of done it otherwise. I agree that its still a bit buggy, although not nearly as bad as most people make out. Lookin forward to SP1.

[ByronGman @ Feb 1st 2008 9:47AM]

I've used Vista for about 6-7 months now and its only crashed about 8 times, mostly because I use NVIDIA Beta drivers instead of stable builds.

I have no idea why would want to to get rid of Vista. Sure its not perfect, but its a fine successor to XP in my opinion and can only get better with time. Frankly, the only thing that annoys me is the redundant permission windows, but you click so many of those things anyway whats one more?

[kj @ Feb 3rd 2008 5:28PM]

just turn off the user accts, and it wont ask you for permission anymore

[Gygaxis @ Feb 1st 2008 9:50AM]

Who would trust a 30 year old cartoon George W Bush to fix their computer?

[Ty @ Feb 1st 2008 9:51AM]

Must be a slooooowww fucking day huh Josh?

[Carbonize @ Feb 1st 2008 9:55AM]

Makes you wonder how much they charge to format your hard drive (something XP can do on install) and install XP? Better yet do you get the copy of XP? Have to supply it or are we talking fell off the back of a bit torrent?

[looseinthedeuce @ Feb 1st 2008 9:56AM]

The cartoon guy looks like a cross between George W. and ALF.

[SDreamer @ Feb 1st 2008 10:06AM]

I've got Vista for almost a year on my laptop, and I've done some reinstalls similar to what they offer for some people on their laptops. I gotta say, there are some computers out there without XP drivers now, and are pretty much Vista only, wouldn't be surprised if most of the computers coming now will only have Vista drivers. Vista ain't bad from what I've experienced, and all I have is good things to say about it, lol. From what it seems, the Vista hate is lowering now, but it's true that Vista doesn't startup as fast as XP, or probably doesn't perform well on hardware designed for XP, but with some of the extras in it, I prefer Vista over XP. That's just my opinion anyways.

[Richy @ Feb 1st 2008 10:03AM]

Hmm, I can see where they're coming from. I used my GF's 4 month old Vaio laptop for the first time in a while last night. I couldn't believe how slow (the pre-installed) Vista was on it! She'd been complaining for a while, but I thought that it was just that she was used to the XP way of doing things.

I think I'll wait and see what SP1 does to the performance. If it's still rubbish, I'll 'upgrade' it to XP (assuming Sony let me have all the drivers for the trackpad, camera, BT etc.)

[John Delaney @ Feb 1st 2008 10:09AM]

Seriously, there are those of us out here using Vista with no trouble. No question it was a rocky start and I sure would not recommend running it on old hardware, but my experience has been positive over the last six months.

[Miker @ Feb 1st 2008 10:09AM]

It's weird, but I installed Vista Ultimate way back in February 2007, and apart from a missing Creative Soundblaster driver, having to hunt round for an Ethernet to USB adapter driver, and working out that you have to right click some things and run as administrator if you want to save to certain "secure locations" or run really old games, I haven't had a single problem with Vista. It runs my 2d and 3d graphics programs and Crysis, Bioshock etc (I've got a 8800GTS) without problems, and I wouldn't go back to XP.

Now I'm not saying it's got everything right, and I know a couple of friends who have had some problems, but it's not the pile of rubbish that people are panicing over. It's certainly better than the total nightmare several friends have has with Ubuntu (won't start-up, runs but can't get the soundcard to work as it's too new and not supported, graphics corruption with ATI etc etc), and I am not adverse to trying OSX, but they need to make it run on PCs, as I can't justify spending money on new hardware when there's nothing wrong with the hardware I've got, and I don't want to be tied into only being able to use Apple hardware (that's an even worse monopolistic attitude than Microsoft in my opinion).

So Vista's OK with me...he's hoping that Windows 7 is a 3.1 to 95 jump though.

[Jamar @ Feb 1st 2008 10:12AM]

I'm sticking to Vista because I've only got 512MB RAM on my laptop and I'm afraid of futzing around with it to install more. I'm moving on a different upgrade path- hello OSx86.

[Jamar @ Feb 1st 2008 10:14AM]

Bah, sticking to XP Pro, not VIsta.

[NNTPgrip @ Feb 1st 2008 10:13AM]

There is a Mom-and-pop computer shop in Chesapeake, VA "MRO Computers" that runs a TV ad now that politely says "Vista not right for you" in the middle of their ad.

On another note, I wonder just how many of these types of places around the country try to fold astronomy into their stores. I know every one I've ever been to has a selection of about four different telescopes with dust on them. I just don't get it.

[Yep @ Feb 1st 2008 12:26PM]

idk dudes... vista seems fine to me installed it 3 months ago or so. still have XP running too on differetn harddrive but everytime i keep swhiching vista just kills XP in everything so far even boot up time. my comp is not really something and average user would have so i dont really know if it has issues with lower end hardware.

[Arnie @ Feb 1st 2008 10:16AM]

Grow up Engadget!!Windows rules the world!! Deal with it.

[parki @ Feb 1st 2008 10:17AM]

Why is the sign giving everyone the finger?

[William H @ Feb 1st 2008 10:23AM]

Vista isn't ready. These signs are in just about every mom-n-pop computer repair joint in middle America. Vista is buggy, sluggish, difficult to navigate, and inconvenient to use. I've replaced a few vista installs with XP (and in some cases, kept both for dual boots), and there is really no reason for a new OS to slog through common operations like it does, especially when the identical hardware on XP hums right along. Until SSD's become an affordable norm and there are better "power user" settings for Vista, it will not be something i use from day to day. no chance.

[jakem @ Feb 1st 2008 10:18AM]

Less a sign of things to come than a sign that Engadget are just adjusting their seat on the bandwagon.

[Paulo @ Feb 1st 2008 10:38AM]

I say: uninstall this machine eater, slow, anoying OS, and find a way to install LEOPARD :-)

P.S.: Please, don't throw me any rocks ! I'm not a fanboy, but I use both OS's (work / home) and it is my honest opinion that Vista sucks.

[JayMonster @ Feb 1st 2008 10:20AM]

This is just so overboard now it is plain silly. Sure, I can see some (big) businesses wanting to drop back to XP, because large corporations are notoriously slow with their migrations (and in fairness usually an overburdened IT department). But at this point, especially for somebody going with a new machine (thus not having concerns about outdated drivers... at least in theory), there is no reason to unload Vista for XP.

This has been fueled... a lot, but industry "experts" that talk about the slow uptake rate of Vista, but they conveniently forget, that "way back when" the move from Windows 2000 to XP was not all that brisk initially either.

The fact is that regardless of what OS you are running, it is far more stable, and most users are satisfied sticking with what they have, at least for the duration of the machines life, unlike the days of Windows 3.X or Linux Slackware or the original MAC OS, where OS updates were more needed for functionality sake.

[SHoe @ Feb 1st 2008 10:22AM]

OK, I am not trying to start a flamewar here, but somebody has to jump in and bring up the obvious counterpoints to these comments.
Aside from the annoyance of moving a lot of settings around (in many instances, to no noticeable improvement in terms of the number of steps taken to get something done), there are a few good reasons to go with XP over Vista. For one, performance. This isn't a matter of subjective opinion in most cases - look at the Benchmarks. Most game and processor intensive apps just run slower. Combine that with the annoyance factor of the unending security prompts, and you have a couple of very good reasons to avoid Vista. Tell me, what do I get in return aside from eye-candy? A few small things - but to me these are just not worth it. If performance is not critical (i.e. none of you are gamers who want a decent frame-rate running recent games - either that or you have money to burn on hardware) then I can see it. A lot of people don't use their PC for Games or other CPU intensive apps. For these people I am sure that Vista is fine. I am also sure it is in many peoples interest to be nagged with security prompts if they do not understand what there PC is doing most of the time. But otherwise - and I am asking this sincerely as I maybe missing something based on my limited experiences with Vista - why would I want it???

[Markus @ Feb 1st 2008 10:22AM]

A friend of mine just purchased a new notebook and asked me to remove Vista Home Premium and install XP. I told her that it is possible after numerous tweaks to get Vista to SHUT UP, but she would have none of it. Perceived opinion or justified, Vista is a class A loser now more than a year after it debuted.

[SHoe @ Feb 1st 2008 10:24AM]

Windows XP outshines Vista in benchmarking test:
http://www.news.com/Windows-XP-outshines-Vista-in-benchmarking-test/2100-1016_3-6220201.html

[Jason @ Feb 1st 2008 10:39AM]

This is not even newsworthy.

[Lance @ Feb 1st 2008 10:38AM]

Quote from Superprime: "Vista takes a lot of crap because of the drivers. It's the hardware manufacturers fault that they don't come out with good drivers not Vistas"

I would have to agree. At the same time, I do not think Vista is enough of an upgrade to demand the time and money that it has required from consumers, software developers, and hardware manufacturers. Now, granted, the underpinnings of Vista might make it worth the time and money, but most people just do not see any major advantages of Vista over XP.

[Nick Tulett @ Feb 6th 2008 6:25AM]

You are all imagining things if you think Vista is slower than XP - just look at this report:
http://www.windowsitpro.com/Article/ArticleID/94747/94747.html?Ad=1

And this isn't some Mickey Mouse amateur 3rd party opinion - this report was sponsored by the industry leaders - Microsoft themselves - so you know they're numbers you can trust.

[bk @ Feb 6th 2008 12:38PM]

@Nick Tulett: "And this isn't some Mickey Mouse amateur 3rd party opinion - this report was sponsored by the industry leaders - Microsoft themselves - so you know they're numbers you can trust."

That's why you probably _shouldn't_ trust the report. The report would hold more weight if it was performed by an independent third party. It's obviously in Microsoft's best interest to promote their latest product.

[Neal @ Feb 1st 2008 10:44AM]

Human nature - Root for the underdog, hate the big guy.

It's already been a much discussed point that Vista is not perfect, but pretty good (if a little hardware intensive). Likewise people had a cow when XP came out, many refused to leave 2000 Pro. Stands to reason people don't change (not individuals, people as a collective) and they resist change. When Win7 ships, we'll have it all over again, with how Vista was rocks solid, and why would they want to change everything.

[callisto3 @ Feb 1st 2008 10:46AM]

i don't think vista is bad at all. i've had it for a few months now and no real problems. yeah, you need 2GB of RAM usually, but each new OS that comes out needs beefier specs. what's funny about all the vista complaints is that many people are just parroting what they've heard from others and can't offer any real examples of problems they are having.

i'll say it: i like vista just fine. in many ways, it's an improvement. well, once you figure out how to turn of UAC. LOL

[Che @ Feb 4th 2008 1:03PM]

The problem with turning off user access control (the annoying pop-ups that ask you if you really wanted to do that every time you run a program - my install of iTunes was interrupted six times by Vista with its stupid questions) is that it disables the Windows Security Center warning of security problems. Since there is no way that I know of to make it stop giving you the red shield warning for having turned off UAC.

Now I've never had that security warning tell me anything useful, but I don't like having to ignore it completely. Also, it's also annoying the way Vista has screwed up the Windows Explorer to make it hard to see your folder structure. Plus, I hate change.

[rawhead @ Feb 2nd 2008 12:18PM]

@Joshua: "Hey, uninstalling unwieldy OSs is all well and good, but personally, we'd like to know more about this notebook repair."


What are you talking about? Removing the unwieldy OS *IS* the repair ;-)



Yeah, I keed, I keeeeed, etc.

[Pedro @ Feb 1st 2008 10:50AM]

What the f..., why is this even news? Seriously. I'm sure as hell you wouldn't post a sign that said 'WE REMOVE MACOS/WE INSTALL VISTA', now would you? Coincidentally, I know more people who have done that than who have downgraded to XP.

[looseinthedeuce @ Feb 1st 2008 10:50AM]

I disagree, Vista is a very good operating system, but I think DOS is the best OS ever.

[beanspants @ Feb 1st 2008 10:51AM]

that cartoon man has quite the fupa.

[jhoule86 @ Feb 1st 2008 10:54AM]

Haha holy crap, I saw the sign and thought "what other store was dumb enough to use the Bush/Alf hybrid guy sign that A&D place in Milford uses?"

Glad to see the answer is a decisive "no one."

[Monrad @ Feb 1st 2008 10:58AM]

Vista has no advantage against XP. That's why nobody likes it. Yeah... I know, you installed and "it rocks". Maybe "it rocks" because you forgot how XP works on your hardware, much better, faster and sometimes stable than XP.

If Vista had anything interesting to offer, it'd be ok. Sadly Vista is only a new XP. Would you pay to buy XP again??? No way.

[Monrad @ Feb 1st 2008 11:03AM]

I meant Vista in the end of the first paragraph :P

[DiscGo @ Feb 1st 2008 11:02AM]

I have loved Vista. People who have never tried it hate it, because of what they have heard. I do tech support for a living and people always call in blaming Vista when it isn't Vista's fault (usually).


When you have the mind set that you won't like something, you won't.

[Chapel @ Feb 1st 2008 11:03AM]

Wow, I saw that the other day when I went to get my car back from the shop!

[Steffen Jobbs @ Feb 1st 2008 11:12AM]

As Nelson Muntz would say....."Haa-ha.
That's really rubbing salt into an open wound especially using the Dubbayu character. Sad, so sad.

Vista Ultimate isn't that bad, but it is a resource hog. I think people with sub-par computers might want to consider a downgrade. However Vista runs just fine on higher-end computers. Driver problems aside, there isn't much to dislike about Vista. That being said, I'm happy enough with WinXP Pro running in my BootCamp partition. I gave Vista Ultimate a shot but it overworked the fans on my MacBook Pro 2.33 (running under Parallels).

I'm just glad there aren't any stores saying they'll downgrade Leopard to Tiger (using Hillary Clinton's character).