I have a rig with an 8800 GTS. Something's messed up and I need to reformat my hard drive (Windows XP won't even load to the login screen at the moment). I have a spare 120 gig that I'd set up the new OS on. I lost my XP CD so I figured I'd just get Vista now rather than later.
I had heard there were driver issues with the 8800 series on Vista. Have those been resolved, or should I wait longer? Or should I do something else? Open to any advice here.
Also... is there an upgrade version? I couldn't find anything about one on Microsoft's website. I still have my XP home CD key sticker on the side of my computer, and the key is all I need to be able to use the upgrade version, right? That is assuming there is an upgrade version. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Thanks.
thinking about going Vista...
There is an upgrade version for Vista. You can find them on Newegg's site.
I think Noel has a 8800 and Vista so he might know. The only issue I've had with Vista is a few older games don't work on it. Mostly it's free online games that have issues so it's not a big deal.
It sounds like you have a new PC so you shouldn't have many issues. Remember that to upgrade, you need XP installed. Having a product key won't help so to upgrade you'd need to install XP again and then upgrade or install Vista twice (there's a way to fool Vista into thinking you're upgrading, instructions are on the net)
If you know anyone that works for Microsoft, send them an email of call them. They get big discounts on software. I have an old college friend that manages one of the development teams over at Microsoft so have their pricing:
Vista Ultimate DVD, Price: $45.00
Vista Ultimate Upgrade DVD, Price: $40.00
Windows Vista Home Premium DVD, Price: $35.00
Windows Vista Home Premium Upgrade DVD, Price: $30.00
I can't get anyone that pricing. My friend is allowed a certain amount to spend at the Microsoft store each year and he takes care of our long running Fantasy Football League of 12 people among others. Thought I'd mention it though just in case you might know someone.
I think Noel has a 8800 and Vista so he might know. The only issue I've had with Vista is a few older games don't work on it. Mostly it's free online games that have issues so it's not a big deal.
It sounds like you have a new PC so you shouldn't have many issues. Remember that to upgrade, you need XP installed. Having a product key won't help so to upgrade you'd need to install XP again and then upgrade or install Vista twice (there's a way to fool Vista into thinking you're upgrading, instructions are on the net)
If you know anyone that works for Microsoft, send them an email of call them. They get big discounts on software. I have an old college friend that manages one of the development teams over at Microsoft so have their pricing:
Vista Ultimate DVD, Price: $45.00
Vista Ultimate Upgrade DVD, Price: $40.00
Windows Vista Home Premium DVD, Price: $35.00
Windows Vista Home Premium Upgrade DVD, Price: $30.00
I can't get anyone that pricing. My friend is allowed a certain amount to spend at the Microsoft store each year and he takes care of our long running Fantasy Football League of 12 people among others. Thought I'd mention it though just in case you might know someone.
-
noel
- Super Poster!
- Posts: 10003
- Joined: August 22, 2002, 1:34 am
- Gender: Male
- Location: Calabasas, CA
I have no issues with the Nvidia 100.65 drivers which I believe are the current WHQL drivers for the 8800 series.
I like Vista quite a bit though there are some minor annoyances. Overall I think it's a marginal improvement over XP. If I were building a new box that required a new OS license I'd get Vista over XP. If on any Windows PC, price were no object and I had to choose between XP and Vista, I'd choose Vista every time.
All that said, I'm currently typing this post on my new MacBook which I'm using to learn OSX so I can use it as my primary work laptop. Read into that whatever you like. At present there are things I really like about it and things I really hate about it, but I'm very much in the infancy of learning the OS so I'm sure I'll be good once I get used to it.
I like Vista quite a bit though there are some minor annoyances. Overall I think it's a marginal improvement over XP. If I were building a new box that required a new OS license I'd get Vista over XP. If on any Windows PC, price were no object and I had to choose between XP and Vista, I'd choose Vista every time.
All that said, I'm currently typing this post on my new MacBook which I'm using to learn OSX so I can use it as my primary work laptop. Read into that whatever you like. At present there are things I really like about it and things I really hate about it, but I'm very much in the infancy of learning the OS so I'm sure I'll be good once I get used to it.
Oh, my God; I care so little, I almost passed out.