RE: New Vista Boy (Full Version)

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Prince of Eckmühl -> RE: New Vista Boy (12/25/2008 4:00:06 PM)

Looks like Windows 7 may arrive in '09:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-10128822-75.html

PoE (aka ivanmoe)



NefariousKoel -> RE: New Vista Boy (12/25/2008 8:59:54 PM)

quote:

Great, so Gateway has to buy a Vista from MS and they throw it away? And the disk too? Perhaps this fits into some sort of mass copying permission from MS, but I always thought MS was real strict about single seperate copies of at least the disk. So now I wonder what I'm going to do when I need the OS disk (other than just a stupid backup)?


All prefab computers come with a way to restore your Windows.  Many have the Windows install files on a separate, small, hard drive partition.  You can usually make actualy backup disks (once) under an accessories file on your start menu.  You can only burn them to DVD+R disks - not the minus ones.  I suggest you do that, if you can, in case your hard drive fails.

If you want an easier way of getting a Windows backup, just find someone with an OEM version of Vista and have them make a copy of it.  Your OEM key on the Gateway sticker for Vista will work with a similar OEM disk.  Though you'll have to call Microsoft after install to reactivate it using this method on a fresh reinstall.



Charles2222 -> RE: New Vista Boy (12/26/2008 12:45:27 AM)

Perhaps you have them on seperate hard drives?



Here's a Vista-related question everyone. I have Sins of a Solar Empire. I played it a good deal on the XP before she gave way, but now it's my first game install on the Vista. Problem number one, and I think I saw this with another program elsewhere, but the desktop doesn't snap back to it's prior resolution after the games is over, even after a reboot. I can adjust this manually every time, but it is a hassle.

Another thing, the game has perhaps the top half-inch and bottom half-inch of data chopped off. Since I know how to play the game already, it's not that much of a problem, but I don't seem to be able to adjust it. Never had that on the XP, but then I had a standard size monitor. I'm running a 16X9 now, so I'm sure that has something to do with that (changing the monitor to 4X3, for example, didn't help either). Unfortunately running in a windowed mode, which I never did on the XP, merely trades where the chop off will be, not really helping any. I may be able to adjust the problem, however, by trying a different scaling option on the vid card, but I hope I don't have to do that, and of course I don't know if that will help just yet. And why don't I know when that's such an easy thing to check? Why, my program disappeared of course, what do you think? I'm not kidding. I had that program SoaSE running this morning, saved a game and then shut down. I come back this afternoon trying to figure how to get around my display problems, not noticing whether the program is there or not. I do a system search and the stupid thing disappeared and my shortcut is gone. It shows up as still being in my D drive (dvd), though the game doesn't need one in the drive. Is there anything possible in God's green earth that would delete a program, such as changing vid settings? Sounds pretty wild to me.



Charles2222 -> RE: New Vista Boy (12/26/2008 12:50:24 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: NefariousKoel

quote:

Great, so Gateway has to buy a Vista from MS and they throw it away? And the disk too? Perhaps this fits into some sort of mass copying permission from MS, but I always thought MS was real strict about single seperate copies of at least the disk. So now I wonder what I'm going to do when I need the OS disk (other than just a stupid backup)?


All prefab computers come with a way to restore your Windows.  Many have the Windows install files on a separate, small, hard drive partition.  You can usually make actualy backup disks (once) under an accessories file on your start menu.  You can only burn them to DVD+R disks - not the minus ones.  I suggest you do that, if you can, in case your hard drive fails.

If you want an easier way of getting a Windows backup, just find someone with an OEM version of Vista and have them make a copy of it.  Your OEM key on the Gateway sticker for Vista will work with a similar OEM disk.  Though you'll have to call Microsoft after install to reactivate it using this method on a fresh reinstall.


Thanks, I thought I saw some sort of backup possibilities, but seeing as how my mind is so pre-occupied in so many other things it's unclear to me just yet what it was I saw and for what.



Gem35 -> RE: New Vista Boy (12/27/2008 1:13:31 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Charles_22

Perhaps you have them on seperate hard drives?



Here's a Vista-related question everyone. I have Sins of a Solar Empire. I played it a good deal on the XP before she gave way, but now it's my first game install on the Vista. Problem number one, and I think I saw this with another program elsewhere, but the desktop doesn't snap back to it's prior resolution after the games is over, even after a reboot. I can adjust this manually every time, but it is a hassle.

Another thing, the game has perhaps the top half-inch and bottom half-inch of data chopped off. Since I know how to play the game already, it's not that much of a problem, but I don't seem to be able to adjust it. Never had that on the XP, but then I had a standard size monitor. I'm running a 16X9 now, so I'm sure that has something to do with that (changing the monitor to 4X3, for example, didn't help either). Unfortunately running in a windowed mode, which I never did on the XP, merely trades where the chop off will be, not really helping any. I may be able to adjust the problem, however, by trying a different scaling option on the vid card, but I hope I don't have to do that, and of course I don't know if that will help just yet. And why don't I know when that's such an easy thing to check? Why, my program disappeared of course, what do you think? I'm not kidding. I had that program SoaSE running this morning, saved a game and then shut down. I come back this afternoon trying to figure how to get around my display problems, not noticing whether the program is there or not. I do a system search and the stupid thing disappeared and my shortcut is gone. It shows up as still being in my D drive (dvd), though the game doesn't need one in the drive. Is there anything possible in God's green earth that would delete a program, such as changing vid settings? Sounds pretty wild to me.


Lol Charles, maybe you should just run good old XP and forget Vista.
Seems you have your hands full, sir.
Athough without sitting in front of your PC it appears you have a video card issue and not a Vista issue.
One other thing, I would suggest(if you have not tried this already) to create a "games" folder and install all of them there instead of the default directory.



madgamer2 -> RE: New Vista Boy (12/27/2008 3:40:59 AM)

I have in the many years of computing learned one thing. NEVER EVER INSTALL ANY PROGRAM BY NORTON OR McAFEE.particularly the first. I have installed 2 of each over the years and all 4 times they caused major problems particularly the norton. I had to reformat and reinstall my windows because of those 4 programs. Norton is so bad about leaving stuff in your computer that you have to run one opf those norton file remover programs.
There are free programs that work better than any of the ones published by either of these companies. A company like Gateway gets money iof they include programs by companies like these. The reason i did not buy another gateway was that they did not give me a copy of XP just a recovery disk and deleting all the crap they put on there was a real bad deal.
So I took some money out of my savings account and had a custom system buitl that doesn't have all the crp sofware on it and it can be upgraded as needed and no OEM PARTS. I also got tired of callong there customer support and talking to some bozo in some country who I could not understand. So I wish you good luck with your new machine...I really do.

Madgamer



Charles2222 -> RE: New Vista Boy (12/27/2008 4:06:45 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Gem35


quote:

ORIGINAL: Charles_22

Perhaps you have them on seperate hard drives?



Here's a Vista-related question everyone. I have Sins of a Solar Empire. I played it a good deal on the XP before she gave way, but now it's my first game install on the Vista. Problem number one, and I think I saw this with another program elsewhere, but the desktop doesn't snap back to it's prior resolution after the games is over, even after a reboot. I can adjust this manually every time, but it is a hassle.

Another thing, the game has perhaps the top half-inch and bottom half-inch of data chopped off. Since I know how to play the game already, it's not that much of a problem, but I don't seem to be able to adjust it. Never had that on the XP, but then I had a standard size monitor. I'm running a 16X9 now, so I'm sure that has something to do with that (changing the monitor to 4X3, for example, didn't help either). Unfortunately running in a windowed mode, which I never did on the XP, merely trades where the chop off will be, not really helping any. I may be able to adjust the problem, however, by trying a different scaling option on the vid card, but I hope I don't have to do that, and of course I don't know if that will help just yet. And why don't I know when that's such an easy thing to check? Why, my program disappeared of course, what do you think? I'm not kidding. I had that program SoaSE running this morning, saved a game and then shut down. I come back this afternoon trying to figure how to get around my display problems, not noticing whether the program is there or not. I do a system search and the stupid thing disappeared and my shortcut is gone. It shows up as still being in my D drive (dvd), though the game doesn't need one in the drive. Is there anything possible in God's green earth that would delete a program, such as changing vid settings? Sounds pretty wild to me.


Lol Charles, maybe you should just run good old XP and forget Vista.
Seems you have your hands full, sir.
Athough without sitting in front of your PC it appears you have a video card issue and not a Vista issue.
One other thing, I would suggest(if you have not tried this already) to create a "games" folder and install all of them there instead of the default directory.


I think this generic monitor is giving the system headaches. I installed soem sort of ATi suite to help, and I have downgraded the desktop resolution. The dump, which has happened several times now, says something about a driver irql not less or equal. This being a 720p, though it let's me do 1080p, just might be the problem. If it don't work at the 1680X1050 rate I might just have to either follow the dump imstructions or get another monitor with a software driver to it.

As far as creating a games folder, I have had far too long been going the default route, and it will surely bite me in the rear far worse if I go that route. The only thing that makes any sense of the disappeared game, is that I usually hit the windows key, then 'u', and then select shutdown. In vista, if you hit windows and then u, it goes into a u search, which just happens to have a slew of uninstall programs there. If you hit enter routinely at the next step as I did, I could had uninstalled it, however, I am surprised that I wasn't given the slightest video or audio clue that such was happening.



madgamer2 -> RE: New Vista Boy (12/27/2008 6:56:47 PM)

read the article mentioned by one poster here. There is a big difference between a monitor/TV,LCD TV.LCD monitor and various combination's there of. You need to simplify. You need a monitor LCD or Plasma Monitor. Listen to what they are trying to tell you....get a computer monitor to start. They have a native resolution (mine is a 2025wm view sonic with 1689x1050) and if you do not run the thing in its native resolution then to run full screen you have to use your vidoe card or your monitor's timing ..... very complex.
There is so much about vista that is different which may or may not be better. BTW if you buy a LCD or Plasma monitor make sur it has a fast time mode(like a low millisecond rating) and is rated for gaming not just you average computer stuff. I truly wish you luck and after I read that article mentioned here by a poster (THANKS) I am glad I am not going to change till the next version of windows and only when my tech says its a good idea.

Madgamer



Charles2222 -> RE: New Vista Boy (12/27/2008 11:15:41 PM)

Yes, I knew there might be some sort of problem trying to use something that was meant primarilty as a tv, and it not having any software accompanying it is probably a considerable drawback. In my case anyway, it's more a trial that I hope works out, because it stays regardless, it's just that I didn't get around to using it as a second tv, and am unlikely to, so trying to use it on the Vista is a worthwhile pursuit and it saves me several hundred dollars should it work well enough. I haven't had a BSoD yet, but I suppose I won't be convinced the drop in resolution will make a difference until another 2-3 days.



madgamer2 -> RE: New Vista Boy (12/28/2008 12:17:18 AM)

I guess it depends on how you define "several Hundreds of dollars" as I have seen 19" LCD monitors as low as $150. I guess if you can live with the limitation its alright. I guess if you ever buy a new HD type TV it might be possible to use it as a monitor. I have a Dennon AV amp and it has both a HDMI&VGA input so I can use it with my computer. It is awesome to see Oblivion on my 40" screen...now if I could just get picture in picture from my DVR it would be great.

Madgamer



Charles2222 -> RE: New Vista Boy (12/28/2008 1:56:36 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: madgamer

I guess it depends on how you define "several Hundreds of dollars" as I have seen 19" LCD monitors as low as $150. I guess if you can live with the limitation its alright. I guess if you ever buy a new HD type TV it might be possible to use it as a monitor. I have a Dennon AV amp and it has both a HDMI&VGA input so I can use it with my computer. It is awesome to see Oblivion on my 40" screen...now if I could just get picture in picture from my DVR it would be great.

Madgamer


It actually is a HDTV, but in 720p. It was my first hdtv. When I bought a 42' later it was shelved temporarily. It's actually a 22', so you can see the advantages should it work out.

For a further update, I found my SoaSE game. I was going to install it and some options such as playing it off the disk came up. You don't need it in the drive after it's installed. I'm not sure what happened originally with it's installation, as it looked normal enough, and I suppose it placed a desktop shortcut for me (I was running it off a shortcut anyway). Since a reboot later, it disappeared as I said; no shortcut, no presence on the drive whatsoever. Now I stick it back in the drive and see what happens. I thought perhaps it being in the drive might make Vista behave differently, so while it was there I did a system search. Again it didn't show up. Now just why would I do a search at that point you might ask? Because it was was on the computer, so to speak. Somehow or other, nevermind that I took the default installation scheme originally, it places it in some games menu off the windows start button. Really. There I can play the game. So you can see why I'm surprised when I do a system search and still come up with nothing.

I still haven't resolved the SoaSE chopping off on the display, but I'm still experimenting. I did have another BSoD, but it was right after I had jacked with the video settings while SoaSE was up, so it sort of doesn't count. I'm now resorting to some sort of auto-scaling as my first attempts elsewhere haven't paid off, though I'm still keeping a more rigorous pursuit of those options in th eback of my head. I just shied away from changing the vid card default options, but now I have to experiment.

So what gem35 said about placing the game in something other than the default directory has bore fruit, but against my wishes. This ought not to make things very simple when I have to start using patches and so on. I mean, how can you direct patches to a game that doesn't show up in a system search? I'm mystified how it has a place that seems unknown to system searches. I'm pretty sure I have all the hidden folders and files exposed.



Charles2222 -> RE: New Vista Boy (12/28/2008 9:27:36 PM)

Well I solved the game being chopped off, mostly by going into windows mode. Thing is, I tried that before and it didn't work. There's so many blasted combinations of going through the game, the vid card, and the windows display, alongside getting scaling suitable. It looks like I have to go to auto-scaling and windows mode, irrespective of the game and/or desktop resolution to get it to not chop off on SoaSE. There's some el cheapo solitaire game that came with the Vista that I have tried, before this latest video combination, and there wasn't any chop off there.

I bet installing winSPWW2 will be a scream. The SPWW2 boys seem to think it works, if you can believe that, but it appears it's largely confined to the windows mode on a Vista. It sure would be nice to be able to play that on a computer which I figured had no chance with it.

Which leads me somewhere else. What about WITP? I have seen people say it works, but the thing for me is that mine is a download only, on the XP. Will Matrix let me re-download for no fee to the Vista? Naturally I won't be doing AE if not, and I had little enough use for WITP, as it turned out, so I sure don't want to pay for that all over again. Even if you're not a Vista boy, and never will be, your WITP may see it's end should you go Windows7 in the near future. I think a lot of people don't think of running games in Vista as an administrator, as it hasn't crossed my mind to actually doing that yet, but perhaps winSPWW2 will be my first. I doubt very seriously that copying WITP from my XP will work, and if so I would have to buy a pretty large usb drive I'd bet. My current one is only like half a gigabyte.



2ndACR -> RE: New Vista Boy (12/28/2008 9:36:42 PM)

I had no issues re-downloading WITP when I could not find my disc after I got Vista..........you just have to find your serial key, the CC# you used to purchase etc.

Vista has caused ZERO issues for any games I have installed and played. I did have a little issue, but found that and killed it. Was a anti-spyware issue. Damn Norton.

WITP runs smoothly on Vista Home premier 64bit for me. I have a Gateway FX4710-UB003A.



Prince of Eckmühl -> RE: New Vista Boy (12/28/2008 10:16:17 PM)

Well, there's just gonna be one beta for Windows 7:

http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/?p=3222

Doesn't sound as though MS will take a public drubbing over this one from Mac owners.

When the new OS ships late next fall, Vista will just have turned three years old.

Jeez, what a humiliation. [X(]

PoE (aka ivanmoe)



Charles2222 -> RE: New Vista Boy (12/29/2008 1:15:14 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: 2ndACR

I had no issues re-downloading WITP when I could not find my disc after I got Vista..........you just have to find your serial key, the CC# you used to purchase etc.

Vista has caused ZERO issues for any games I have installed and played. I did have a little issue, but found that and killed it. Was a anti-spyware issue. Damn Norton.

WITP runs smoothly on Vista Home premier 64bit for me. I have a Gateway FX4710-UB003A.

I will then see if I can find my key and all, as I certainly had been keeping it. BTW, have you ever had to run anything in the administrator mode?



madgamer2 -> RE: New Vista Boy (12/29/2008 1:30:12 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Charles_22

quote:

ORIGINAL: 2ndACR

I had no issues re-downloading WITP when I could not find my disc after I got Vista..........you just have to find your serial key, the CC# you used to purchase etc.

Vista has caused ZERO issues for any games I have installed and played. I did have a little issue, but found that and killed it. Was a anti-spyware issue. Damn Norton.

WITP runs smoothly on Vista Home premier 64bit for me. I have a Gateway FX4710-UB003A.

I will then see if I can find my key and all, as I certainly had been keeping it. BTW, have you ever had to run anything in the administrator mode?

Something I am embarrassed to mention ....but will, I had to reinstall my Matrix games from the download file but all but WitP were wiped out except WitP. I did not have my order number for any of the games (or so I thought) so I was in a bit of a pickle. I received a new ordered game from matrix and found that not only is the product code on the CD but so is the order number.
It was ironic that the only install file I kept from before the reinstall of XP was the only game that someone had taken from my house during a little gathering I had. So if you have the CD's for the game you have both numbers you need

I hope your troubles with the new system get better and do keep your eye out for buying a computer LCD monitor as the year end sales from places like View Sonic are coming along soon. You might get a good buy on a 19" high resolution one.

Have a happy new year



Charles2222 -> RE: New Vista Boy (12/29/2008 1:51:07 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: madgamer


quote:

ORIGINAL: Charles_22

quote:

ORIGINAL: 2ndACR

I had no issues re-downloading WITP when I could not find my disc after I got Vista..........you just have to find your serial key, the CC# you used to purchase etc.

Vista has caused ZERO issues for any games I have installed and played. I did have a little issue, but found that and killed it. Was a anti-spyware issue. Damn Norton.

WITP runs smoothly on Vista Home premier 64bit for me. I have a Gateway FX4710-UB003A.

I will then see if I can find my key and all, as I certainly had been keeping it. BTW, have you ever had to run anything in the administrator mode?

Something I am embarrassed to mention ....but will, I had to reinstall my Matrix games from the download file but all but WitP were wiped out except WitP. I did not have my order number for any of the games (or so I thought) so I was in a bit of a pickle. I received a new ordered game from matrix and found that not only is the product code on the CD but so is the order number.
It was ironic that the only install file I kept from before the reinstall of XP was the only game that someone had taken from my house during a little gathering I had. So if you have the CD's for the game you have both numbers you need

I hope your troubles with the new system get better and do keep your eye out for buying a computer LCD monitor as the year end sales from places like View Sonic are coming along soon. You might get a good buy on a 19" high resolution one.

Have a happy new year


Thanks madgamer. Yeah, what I meant before about saving hundreds of dollars, is that is what monitors have always costed me. I doubt I could live with a $150 one, but of course this generic one is sort of free in a way. I will have to screw with it some more, mostly to figure out just how many games will end up in windowed mode, and how much game space I will lose because of it. My 22' is basically down to 19' or less running SoaSE.

I actually have two Viewsonics that are somewhere between 18'-20'. I decided to keep the most recent one on my XP, whereas the older one ran on the 98SE computer before that. The older one probably isn't much worth using anymore. None of them, but the current generic, can do 16X9. I'm also considering, if I do get a new monitor, just what is best. I'm not sure anybody makes a 16X9 analog, and I only got the current 16X9 LCD because it was originally the living room tv. If nothing else, it's at least interesting to run a generic on a Vista. It's the first generic I have ever used.

In my case I don't think I have any Matrix games on cd, but at least winSPWW2 was (not a Matrix product).



madgamer2 -> RE: New Vista Boy (12/29/2008 3:02:39 AM)

Yes that is true but in my case I had a different card number when I purchased all but my last game. For the record when i explained my situation to the nice folks at support here at matrix they offered to send me a list of the info I needed but then I found my order numbers and got new digital downloads.
As for the monitor situation I have the feeling you figured out that the TV uses aspect ratios and a monitor uses resolutions. I saw a great 19" View Sonic on there site for $188. If you look around at say a place like overstock.com or Walmart or Best Buy and such you can find a good monitor for a small investment. I know hou you feel about monitors/CRT's as I have a 19" Gateway CRT that I have and use on my second system along with a Gateway keyboard to match that old CRT. I guess my thoughts are you spent the money on a good system you really owe it to yourself to get a new one when you can.
The reason i vcan use my 49" LCD HD for games in is my Dennon AV amp that I got for $325 as it was a top of the line last year and sold for over $600 last year. It has a VGA connector on the back and can have a sound card like my 5.1 capable connected as well. If one has a Hidef/HDMI cable you can use the HDMI input.
It is my own opinion that Vista is to XP like ME was to XP. AS for "getting it right" MS has said that with every new OS that came down the pike but the line seems to drawn with Vista/XP .....either you like one or the other....me? I will wait for windows 7.

Madgamer



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