Vista Articles

Post by **Vince** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 6:49 pm

I don't disagree. But they've gone longer than ever before without a new release, so I'll give this one to them.

We'll see if they do anything cool with the whole DirectX 10 thing.

Post by **TheCatt** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 10:22 pm

More than 20 million copies of Vista sold!

In one month!

In a world in which 239 million PCs were sold during 2006.

Hmmmmmmm

Post by **GORDON** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 11:58 am

They can't even get file copying/deleting right.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/03/26/vista_copying_bug/

Post by **GORDON** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 7:54 pm

I follow PC parts prices subconciously, because I try to keep in the back of my mind how much it would cost to build a low end, or mid-range PC if someone ever asks me to do so (lots of non-techie relatives).

The high cost of Windows Vista is pretty much what makes me no longer able to compete with Dell and their cheap bulk-vista licensing.

This isn't actually reduced cost through economy of scale.

That aint right.

Edited By GORDON on 1175385308

Post by **GORDON** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 7:01 pm

It looks like you can save a significant amount of money on Vista by buying "Vista for system builders."

I think that means peeps who build their own pc's.... but strange Microsoft would cater specifically to that group of people. What is their theory, you think?

Anyway,

http://www.newegg.com/Product....ory=368

Vista ultimate - $199 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116215
Vista home premium - $119 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116204

Those are NOT upgrade prices.

Here's thi big catch, though:

Disclaimer: This OEM software is intended for system builders only and cannot be transferred to another PC once it is installed. The purchaser of this software is required to comply with the terms of the System Builder license, including the responsibility of providing all end user support for the software. http://www.microsoft.com/ oem/sblicense/default.mspx

I was pretty pissed about how I was going to have to spend $3-400 on Vista in the very near future.... I am tech support for everyone in the universe, most of the time.... and I'd need to know the OS in order to be any good.

But these prices... more in line with how they should be, anyway.

Edited By GORDON on 1176335291

Post by **TheCatt** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 9:07 pm

More in line being the key there. I saw those the other day but the "you cannot transfer" thing was a turn-off to me.

Post by **Cakedaddy** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 9:25 pm

I bought an OEM version 18 months ago. Same "Can't transfer" thing. But what's the PC? The case you put the sticker on? The motherboard CPU? The harddrive? I've reinstalled my XP (about 2 months ago) and didn't have any issues with updates or validation or anything. The reinstall was on the same hardware I was using 18 months ago. So not sure if there would have been an issue if I had changed something. I'm pretty sure the not transferable thing has always been associated with OEM versions.

Edited By Cakedaddy on 1176341142

Post by **TPRJones** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 9:53 pm

Indeed, what is their definition? In a way, I'm still using the same PC I built in 1992. Since then I've upgraded the CPU, mobo, HD, memory, CPU, memory, memory, CPU, mobo, CPU, and memory, not to mention the vid card and peripherals and even once moving the whole thing into a nifty new case. Each time only one thing changed, so it's an upgrade ... but there's not a single part from the original 1992 computer left. Would Vista sill work, or would one (or all) of those upgrades make it unusable?

I gotsta know before I buy. I sure as hell ain't buying it if I have to rebuy every time I upgrade something on my PC (about every three months).

Edited By TPRJones on 1176342879

Post by **TheCatt** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 10:18 pm

Good questions. I wonder.

Post by **TheCatt** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 10:24 pm

Article

A Microsoft representative confirmed that users may buy an OEM copy of Windows Vista at a substantial discount, provided they adhere to the terms of the license – which, incidentally, may mean providing support for family members.

In addition, users should still be subject to the same familiar re-activation restrictions as users of a retail Vista license and Windows XP, a spokeswoman said. Users can alter the PC's hardware substantially, but they will be forced to reactivate – not repurchase the OEM software – if they do, she said.

One system builder pointed out, however, that Microsoft's OEM license forbids the software from being transferred to a whole new machine, from scratch, once it is installed on the original target machine.
...
"As long as Newegg is distributing the System Builder version of Windows Vista in an unopened package with the System Builder License adhered to the outside of the package, Newegg is not responsible for offering end user support," Brown said. "The party who opens the package (thus accepting the System Builder License) is required to offer end user support."

More specifically, "the system builder must place its support phone number in a noticeable location in the fully assembled computer system help files or end-user documentation," according to the terms of a publicly posted System Builder license posted to Microsoft's Web site. That version of the license does not specifically mention Windows Vista, however.

So... I'd post my own # on my PC?

Post by **TPRJones** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 11:03 pm

Makes sense, in case you need to call yourself with any questions the number to dial to get yourself would be handy.

Those breaking-the-seal liscenses still haven't been tested in the courts to any major degree, have they? I'm going to have to dig that one up, I'm curious.

Post by **GORDON** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 11:12 pm

Really........ I think I'll be purchasing Vista now as soon as some of my clients get the checks coming. I can actually afford a new dual-core system AND Vista, now. It was going to be one or the other.

Post by **GORDON** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 11:40 pm

TheCatt wrote:Article

In Windows XP, the software looked at ten hardware attributes to create the hash: the display adapter, the SCSI adapter, the IDE adapter, the network adapter and its MAC address, a "RAM amount range" (0-64 Mbytes, 64-128 Mbytes, etc.), the processor type, <span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>the processor serial number,</span> the hard drive device, the hard drive volume serial number and the CD-ROM/CD-RW/DVD-ROM.

I thought we thought CPU serial numbers died with the Pentium III?

Post by **TPRJones** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 12:12 am

Well, hell, that means a reactivation with nearly every upgrade alright. I hope there's not a cap to the number of reactivations.

Post by **Cakedaddy** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 1:26 am

Who cares if they know your CPU serial number? Did you see the other unique identifiers in that list? MAC addresses have been around since the first PC was plugged into another. That's a unique ID that's announced to the Network every time you turn on your PC.

Also, when I call myself for tech support, will I need to speak to myself with an Indian accent? That's actually lead to a pretty good idea. From now on, when family member calls for tech support, I'm going to talk with an Indian accent.

Edited By Cakedaddy on 1176355715

Post by **TheCatt** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 9:33 am

GORDON wrote:Really........ I think I'll be purchasing Vista now as soon as some of my clients get the checks coming. I can actually afford a new dual-core system AND Vista, now. It was going to be one or the other.

Sell out.

Post by **TheCatt** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 9:33 am

Cakedaddy wrote:Also, when I call myself for tech support, will I need to speak to myself with an Indian accent? That's actually lead to a pretty good idea. From now on, when family member calls for tech support, I'm going to talk with an Indian accent.

That's awesome.

Post by **TheCatt** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 9:34 am

Vista actually entered my house today. We needed a new PC for my wife, so we bout a refurb Dell 12" lappy, and it came with Vista Home Premium. Here's hoping it doesn't suck.

DoctorChaos · Post by **DoctorChaos** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 9:58 am

TheCatt wrote:Vista actually entered my house today. We needed a new PC for my wife, so we bout a refurb Dell 12" lappy, and it came with Vista Home Premium. Here's hoping it doesn't suck.

I'll be interested in hearing how that goes.

Post by **GORDON** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 10:27 am

TheCatt wrote:Vista actually entered my house today. We needed a new PC for my wife, so we bout a refurb Dell 12" lappy, and it came with Vista Home Premium. Here's hoping it doesn't suck.

Ummm. Sellout?

Like I said, I don't want it, but I'll need to know it for when the people around me start owning it and then want me to fix it.

Which actually, I've already had a Vista question from somebody.