FYI: EU running on Vista

[WoenK]

(since the topic pops up every week and no one seems to be able to find it)

EU as it is now runs absolutely fine on Vista, no matter which version!
There is no need to set any compability settings, run as Admin or (even worse) deactivate UAC.

1. Do _NOT_ install on the system partition.
The client is not part of the "system" and really nothing that is not part of it should be installed there.
Programs that could be defined as "part of the system" are software from MS, mailers, web browsers and anti-virus programs, anything else like games, scanning or painting progams should rather have their own partition.
This is not only useful, because you do not have a list of zillions of drawers of different programs and do not know where the hell it all belongs, but because you can easily do a defrag from time to time to keep your games running at prime speed without unnessecary clutterin your system partition.
It really helps!
All those game updates and installing can produce unwanted effects and cluttering!

2. Do _NOT_ use an additional software firewall or a second anti-virus program.
The Vista firewall is enough for 99,9999999 % of all users and those that really know what they are doing will have quite a good damn reason for deactivating it (like not having an internet connection).
Second antivirus program running in background does not increase security, it only make the system more laggy and unstable.

3.Keep your drivers and software up-to-date!
Don't use beta drivers or software you are not sure off.
Also rather double check if you are running the correct version. If you are on 64Bit, the 32Bit version drivers might work, but are not meant for it.

4.Keep your system tidy!
Do you really need 4-5 IMs at boot up ? Your camera software running all the time in background ?
Do you really need all those little helpers ?
If you only installed something to test, deinstall it as soon as you do not need it anymore.
Also look around if there might not be a better solution for several individual programs, especially IMs. There are some quite good open source programs out there which can simplify life and save you installing 5 different programs.

5.Defrag!
The more you install, deinstall, download and update, the more cluttered your system gets.

6. DO NOT LISTEN TO SELF PROCLAIMED EXPERTS!
I am by no means a real expert even though I have some 26 years experience with computers (ZX81 anyone ) and work as a semi-pro.
Nowadays there is no such thing as an "expert", only specialists in different fields. It is absolutely impossible to know everything in detail!
If someone tells you to deactivate something or tweak your OS...

->>> KICK HIM!

Unless someone is MS certified and really knows most of what does what in Vista, he will ruin your system on a longterm basis.
The way you get Vista from MS is the way it is meant to work. There is simply no reason to change something in it!
Deactivating some services might improve performance for 0,00001% but can really feel that improvement ?
Every little tweak has a drawback sooner or later.
Disabling security features does in no way improve performance!
The only way to have a good performing system is keep it tidy from the beginning. If that is not enough, upgrade your hardware which is today really dirt cheap!

[Spawn]

Good advice for all those poor vista users out there.


I will simply skip Vista and wait for the next windows, unless there is a reason I cannot do without it.

[WoenK]

Originally Posted by Spawn

Good advice for all those poor vista users out there.


I will simply skip Vista and wait for the next windows, unless there is a reason I cannot do without it.

Question would be...Have you tried it ?!
Would never switch back, has all the bells and whistles I was missing since Amiga OS and is stable.
Haven't had one virus or unwanted program in 18 months (which I can not say for my other computer running XP) and the few bluescreens I had where user errors (beta drivers are beta for a reason)

[aridash]

have to take issue with this:

2. Do _NOT_ use an additional software firewall or a second anti-virus program.
The Vista firewall is enough for 99,9999999 % of all users and those that really know what they are doing will have quite a good damn reason for deactivating it (like not having an internet connection).
Second antivirus program running in background does not increase security, it only make the system more laggy and unstable.

Microsoft do operating systems, not anti-virus. they are not experts in the area. they will probably not be as quick to update signatures and you are exposing yourself to very bad vulnerbilities should one be found (we all know MS is number one target for malicious hacking). there is also a strong argument to be made for running multiple AV as one doesnt always recognise all viruses, at least not in the first few days of release. in short, get a third party AV and take the performance hit.

edit... bugger it, crossed wires.

[onyx oZ Zombie]

for the Nth time, not many people have more than one partition, therefore making the "run as admin" completely necessary for the vast majority of players ... please consider updating your post?

Originally Posted by aridash

Microsoft do operating systems, not anti-virus.

read up, just a tad, please

http://www.microsoft.com/forefront/default.mspx

On top of that, running two anti-virus programs has never been recommended, and will almost certainly cause compatibility issues between the two, on top of the slow down already mentioned - BAD advice imo

[aridash]

Originally Posted by onyx oZ Zombie

read up, just a tad, please

On top of that, running two anti-virus programs has never been recommended, and will almost certainly cause compatibility issues between the two, on top of the slow down already mentioned - BAD advice imo

you miss the point - mircosofts AV will not be best of breed or anywhere near it since they have not been in that area for 10-15 years like those that are experts. no, it hasnt been recommened, i was just highlighting that its not a bad idea. you are right, two would be an unecessary performance hit, i was going to far (as i didnt want to suggest deactivating the native AV) to make the point: do not rely on a OS based AV, Microsoft or not.

[WoenK]

Originally Posted by aridash

have to take issue with this:


Microsoft do operating systems, not anti-virus. they are not experts in the area. they will probably not be as quick to update signatures and you are exposing yourself to very bad vulnerbilities should one be found (we all know MS is number one target for malicious hacking). there is also a strong argument to be made for running multiple AV as one doesnt always recognise all viruses, at least not in the first few days of release. in short, get a third party AV and take the performance hit.

You do know the difference between a firewall and an anti-virus program ?
What you wrote looks like you missed my point.
And running several antivirus programs side by side in one OS does not improve security at all.
For the "normal" user one firewall and one virus-program is absolutely enough! Unless he can afford 24/7 support from professionels there is no need for anything else.

[WoenK]

Originally Posted by aridash

you miss the point - mircosofts AV will not be best of breed or anywhere near it since they have not been in that area for 10-15 years like those that are experts. no, it hasnt been recommened, i was just highlighting that its not a bad idea. you are right, two would be an unecessary performance hit, i was going to far to make the point: do not rely on a OS based AV, Microsoft or not.

Microsoft AV was never mentioned, where did you pick that up ?
Besides...
The firm they bought had the experience.

[Spawn]

Question would be...Have you tried it ?!
Would never switch back, has all the bells and whistles I was missing since Amiga OS and is stable.

Yes, my laptop came with it. After it slowed down considerably and i couldnt get to the extra settings in internet explorer anymore (the menu simply stopped working), I installed XP pro.

Comparing Amiga Os to vista is like comparing a ferrari with a souped up fiat cinquecento sporting. Shame on you! Me bows in awe to Jay miner and preys to the goddess denise and lisa that fat agnus forgives this mortal for his sins.

[onyx oZ Zombie]

Originally Posted by aridash

you miss the point - mircosofts AV will not be best of breed or anywhere near it since they have not been in that area for 10-15 years like those that are experts

as stated earlier, they picked up their AV from another company, so they have experience as well

Originally Posted by Spawn

Yes, my laptop came with it. After it slowed down considerably and i couldnt get to the extra settings in internet explorer anymore (the menu simply stopped working), I installed XP pro.

so you're saying that you received a laptop with Vista on it. Then the laptop started running slow. Then the laptop kept you from getting to your internet settings - that smells so much like a bloat/malware issue, i don't know where to begin ... but it's ok if you want to blame it on Vista and use an uninspired OS that's run its course