My Vista Experience So Far...

First off, before I installed Windows Vista Ultimate x86 (RTM) for the first time last week, I had zero hands-on experience with it. Sure, I downloaded and burned the ISO's of the beta, interim, and beta bits, but I never installed it. I hadn't even seen a single presentation on Vista, or anyone using Vista during a presentation of something else. Frankly, I had enough on my plate to really spend any time really watching it aside from a few keynotes at TechEd or PDC...

A few months back I got a Dell Latitude D820 and I love it (Intel Duo 2Ghz, 2GB, 80GB SATA HDD, 2nd 100GB modular HDD, DVD DL-R burner, widescreen, 512MB nVidia Quadro 120M, fingerprint reader). I'll admit it, I'm terrified of losing my laptop... I just couldn't see going to Vista without testing... so when I saw RTM on my MSDN Subscriber Downloads, I grabbed the ISO and burned it to a DVD. Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I setup a second partition and installed Vista for a dual boot experience for two reasons: first, I wanted to test the hardware and Dell drivers and second, I wanted to install my critical apps to make sure everything would work before paving my machine all together. I wanted to report on my results for others... hopefully this will help someone.

Installation Experience (Vista Ultimate RTM OS)
Holy crap... they aren't kidding! After creating a new partition (using Norton PartitionMagic 8, carving out 25GB at the end of the 80GB primary disk that came with my laptop), I dropped the Vista DVD in and booted straight off it. No lie, twenty-four (24) minutes later (and a few reboots) I logged in for the first time... I was completely finished with the OS install! TWENTY-FOUR MINUTES! Now that's an improvement! That's everything... even the dual boot screen where I get to pick "Legacy Windows" (aka: WinXP Pro) or "Windows Vista".

Initial Experience / Base Hardware testing
Everything worked OOTB (one exception)... no extra drivers! Video worked, NIC worked, wireless worked... everything... even Aero (glass baby!)... except the fingerprint reader (no biggie for now). Wow the boot experience was nice too... never seen an OS boot that fast (maybe less than 30s?). Login, putting it to sleep and hibernation, coming out of both, and shutdown... everything is faster than Windows XP Pro. Thankfully my 1GB USB flash drive works with ReadyBoost... plugging it in (using 800MB of the drive) definitely made Vista faster.

Next step was to see my Windows Experience Index: 2.4. Ouch! Everything is above 4, except for the video (Graphics = 2.4; Gaming = 3.2). I suspect that's because nVidia hasn't released an updated driver for the Quadro NVS 120M... all good, I can wait (it's currently using a MSFT driver v7.14.10.9686 from 8/21/2006) and it's not going to keep me from getting anything done (I mean, I still have glass!). I would expect that card (512MB, 256MB onboard, 256MB shared) to be plenty for Vista. Everything else worked quite well. Seemed the UI was a bit sluggish when dragging a window across the screen when I was unplugged... I won't complain though until I see an updated video driver.

I tried a new update for my laptop's BIOS (A04) that claimed "Vista support" and an updated driver for the video card, but I didn't see any difference after flashing the BIOS with the new version... oh well.

Apps Installed and Tested (w/o problems)
Over the last few nights I've been installing all my critical apps I can't do without... others are doing it, and it helped me, so here's my list (note, all of these worked under Vista):

Adobe ImageReady 7
Adobe PhotoShop 7
Adobe Reader 7
CodeSmith
DAEMON Tools (CD/DVD emulation)
FeedDemon
FileZilla
FinePrint (needed v5.55)
FireFox
Invirtus VM Optimizer 2.5
Google GMAIL
JetBrains OmeaReader
McAfee Security Center (AntiVirus)
Microsoft Digital Image Suite 9
Microsoft MapPoint 2006
Microsoft Money 2006
Microsoft Virtual PC 2004
Microsoft Windows Live Messenger
Microsoft Windows Live Writer
NotePad++
Skype
SlickRun
TechSmith SnagIt 8 (others had issues, not me... odd)
TortoiseSVN v1.4 (was actually surprised to see this work with no problems!)
WinMerge
WinRAR
Wise Installer for Windows
XHEO Licensing (required installing .NET FX 1.1)
XHEO CodeVeil

No, I haven't installed Visual Studio 2005 or SQL Server 2005 yet. Since there are SP's in the works and now in beta that will make them supported on Vista, I'm holding off for now. No biggie, I live in virtual machines anyway so it's not much of a loss (check this post to see this guy's success installing these on Vista). I also haven't installed the Office 2007 clients... waiting for the Professional Plus suite to show up on my MSDN Subscriber Downloads. Again, no biggie... I know others have installed with no problems.

Pending Issues
I expected WAY more problems than I had. So far Dell has yet to post updates to any of the apps that came preinstalled that I'd like to have reinstalled such as QuickSet (still not sold that I want it reinstalled), ALPS touchpad drivers, and Wave security apps (for the fingerprint reader, personal info manager, etc)... who knows when those will come out. Also, the video driver issue I mentioned above. Here are the other "problem" installs:

TechSmith's Camtasia 4 - They've already said they won't have an update available to make it work on Vista until the general release in January 2007... sucks, but no biggie.
Epson Scanner & Printer drivers for my CX4200 - arg... absolutely nothing on Epson's site about Vista... that sucks... wonder if it's a deal breaker though? Maybe... for someone who works at home... no printer? Hmm...
Ilium Software eWallet - wouldn't install because it didn't find my phone... duh... I don't have WDMC installed (it didn't RTM yet)... but I still want my passwords and keys! [Update 12/11/2006] got word back from Ilium support that the install should work if you have a device paired with Vista (which I didn't) and that they have a new version (v5) that's going to directly support Vista & WDMC. [/]
Diskkeeper 10 Professional Premier - wouldn't even install...
ViewSonic video drivers for VA1912wb - they have Vista drivers, but they still won't let me max the resolution to 1440x900 on my LCD.

Conclusion
Once Office 2007 Professional Plus is on MSDN Subscriber Downloads, I don't know why I won't cut over (other than the paranoia of losing some that I haven't thought to backup yet). I love the new UI and the lack of some updated drivers isn't hurting me that much... least as much as I can tell. I'll always keep a virtual machine with Windows 2003 Server, VS2005, SQL2005, and Office 2003 close by, but I doubt I'll use it much.

Technorati: d820, vista

[Update 12/11/2006 8:30a] Looks like Dell is starting to release drivers for Vista now. As of this AM, I was able to download and successfully install (and run) Dell QuickSet and some other ones. Still waiting on a new driver from nvidia as well as the Broadcom TPM module, modem, and audio drivers (although sound is fine).

posted on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 11:11 PM

Feedback

# re: My Vista Experience So Far... 11/29/2006 11:42 PM Bryan Price

No drivers for my Epson Stylus Photo R300 was the killer for me. My machine is the print server, and moving the printer isn't practical.

I begged Epson for drivers, thinking that I would at least get some beta drivers, but they absolutely refused to even think about until Vista is released. And even after that, I'm wondering about it.

I couldn't get Adobe Acrobat to activate, no matter what I did.
Adobe Reader just stalled on me.
sync, at, the ps* tools from Sysinternals wouldn't run (access denied), att was complaining about overlapping I/O in progress! A wootoff alerter wouldn't run, because it couldn't find the DLL it needed (which was in the same directory, and I didn't have access to the WINDOWS\System32 directory even as Administrator! to copy the DLL files there.

I installed Vista on a new HD.

After attaching the Vista drive to my computer (after reinstalling back to what I had originally, running 2K3S as a workstation) I didn't want to reformat it, as it seemed that I would have to do if I wanted to delete some of the directories. I finally found out the secret of gaining more than read only access to those suckers. A bit of a pain, but I got what I wanted out of it.

I would have liked to have done further testing. I'll try again when I get my copy next year.

# re: My Vista Experience So Far... 11/30/2006 10:19 AM AC [MVP MCMS]

Bryan - thanks for the info on the Epson drivers... at least we know they are coming! I think I can live without drivers for now. Since I use FinePrint, I can save print jobs and then print them on my desktop that I'm keeping as WinXP (err... dual boot eventually).

# re: My Vista Experience So Far... 12/8/2006 1:46 PM Ben Geers

Have to you had any problems with Virtual PC 2004? I'm running the same set-up (same laptop even) and ran into trouble with 2004. Virtual PC 2007 beta is now available for general download, and that fixed my problem. I was just wondering if you experienced the same issues I did with 2004.

# re: My Vista Experience So Far... 12/8/2006 8:13 PM AC [MVP MCMS]

Ben - I too had problems with VPC 2004 on Vista, but just finished teaching a class this week where I used VPC 2007 the whole time on Vista and it ran fine.

# re: My Vista Experience So Far... 12/11/2006 8:15 AM Tony Northrup

I landed here because I was looking for updated video drivers for my D820. I have the same video card and I'm using the drivers that came with Vista, and Aero started right up. The problem is, the video drivers crash occasionally, and they don't reliably detect my multiple monitors when I dock and undock.

My Windows Experience Index is 3.1 (which is also the graphics index)

# My Vista Experience So Far... 12/13/2006 4:11 PM JRB Technology

So I bought a Dell, and a few months later it won’t turn on. I assumed this wouldn’t be too big of a problem because of the next day support I purchased with the laptop. Well as it turns out, next day support doesn’t mean next day support. Dell said the parts were back ordered [...]

# re: My Vista Experience So Far... 12/18/2006 2:35 PM Racerx

I had the same issues with the video driver on my D620. The drivers that are preinstalled won't use the shared system ram, so you are limited to the dedicated video ram on the card. The drivers on the nVidia website won't install because they disable installation for laptop gpus.

however, there is a solution. The following site:
http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/
has modded .inf files that enable installation of the newer drivers from nvidia. This enables the shared video ram access, and will up your experience score a lot. My D620 with Quadro 110M (which only has 64 MB of *dedicated* vram) went from a 2.0 to a 3.1. I'm sure this will improve with the final drivers from Dell. Reportedly, the newer drivers also clear up some of the problems with the built-in drivers.

# re: My Vista Experience So Far... 12/18/2006 2:48 PM AC [MVP MCMS]

Racerx - Thanks... that's VERY good to know. I'd prefer to wait for the drivers form Dell/nvidia though without modifying the INF files. I was contemplating paving my laptop this weekend and installing Vista considerig the OOTB drivers work just fine... they just aren't perfect or top notch.

# re: My Vista Experience So Far... 12/18/2006 4:28 PM Racerx

The modded .inf files use the official nvidia drivers, they're just not modified for the specific laptop brand, so they may not take full advantage of power saving features, etc. But they appear to be quite safe. I had zero issues on my D620 other than having to bump the settings back to True color after the install. And I fully plan on installing the Dell drivers over top of them when they come out. I'd recommend going ahead and installing them, Aero is one of the flashiest part of Vista.

No word on the fingerprint reader drivers or an updated Wavelan suite for the security system though. Dell support indicated that there would be updated software of the support site, but that they weren't posted yet, they would be by Jan. 30.

# re: My Vista Experience So Far... 12/18/2006 4:43 PM AC [MVP MCMS]

Racerx - Oh I hear ya... Aero works with the OOTB drivers on my D820 (Quadro NVS 120M)... glass and the slick windows key+tab window scroller all work. It just isn't as smooth as I'd expect it to be. All good... I can wait :) The Wave suite would be nice to have before I cut over, but not critical. Worst case, I'll have to create a new profile on my laptop with my AD account, but that's not a big hassel.

BTW... Go Gators :)

# re: My Vista Experience So Far... 12/18/2006 4:59 PM Racerx

Yeah, that'll work, I guess I was just impatient ;-).

Speaking of AD, just this weekend I consulted with a small accounting firm (25 workstations + 3 servers) and upgraded them from an *ancient* WinNT 4 Domain to Win2k3 Servers and full AD domain. Phew, there are still some things MS hasn't thought out about this situation! It took me 3 days, and I had it well planned out in advance!

I ordered in a Dell Poweredge 2900 to use as the new main DC for the domain, but little did I know that Win2K3 Server OEM media won't do an upgrade install! Since That's the *only* way to do an in-place Domain upgrade from NT 4, I would've been in trouble if I hadn't had access to regular media at my normal job. Somebody needs to rethink that.

Thanks for the Gator encouragement, they're going to need it! Funny thing is we play Ohio State in Basketball this weekend as well, and they're both ranked top 10 also! ;-).

# re: My Vista Experience So Far... 12/20/2006 8:46 PM silence

Same here, all device are working after install, exept my HP 1020 laser jet printer, which sucks. HP will release drivers when Vista will be out , probably after 30.01.2007. Also on my previous graphic card Inno3D Nvidia 6500 with 128MB i got 3.0 mark which is ok. But i replaced it latly with Gainward 6600 GT with 128MB and it gives me 1.0 grade. I even istalled newest beta drivers for Vista, and with them getting the rating is failing and can't finish.

# re: My Vista Experience So Far... 1/4/2007 5:28 AM Bob Shelmerdine

Vista is good BUT anyone had a problem with Word. The moment i print to Epson cx3200 word flutters and flitters permanently until i turn the machine off and on again. Can't type as almost every other letter doesn't appear on the screen (if you can bear to look at it!). Any ideas anyone?

# re: My Vista Experience So Far... 1/4/2007 9:30 AM AC [MVP MCMS]

Shelmerdine - Me thinks that's not a Word issue, that's an issue with the Epson drivers considering Epson hasn't released RTM Vista drivers yet.

# re: My Vista Experience So Far... 2/20/2007 5:35 PM MattyD

I was able to install the CX4200 printer and scanner using the XP drivers. I have performed several test scans and sent several print jobs since install and everything seems solid.

Of course I was out of luck by having an nForce3 raid...bought a Highpoint RocketRaid SATA PCI and am now raid 0 and happy.

# re: My Vista Experience So Far... 3/1/2007 6:58 PM RobynD

I just installed Vista Business on my Pentium D with ATI X1300 and 1 GB ram. It was a complete upgrade from XP Business. The installation went very well, everything was detected with the exception of my HP Laserjet 1020, and my ATI HDTV Wonder. I know HP will have drivers for my printer its just a question of when, ATI I'm not so sure of but it's not an issue as I really do not need TV on my pc anyway. iTunes installed and runs well, but you need to read the Apple posting about it to avoid problems, and I am upgrading to MS Office 2007 products. Vista is running very well, it is not slow on my 2.80 gHz computer. The only disappointment I have experienced is in the late availability of drivers from vendors.

# re: My Vista Experience So Far... 3/10/2007 11:26 PM Sam

Vista will not accept the drivers for my Epson Perfection 1240U.

# re: My Vista Experience So Far... 5/10/2007 7:02 AM Bunty

my hp laserjet 1020 is not working with the vista and i cant find the driver on hp site either. plz help

# re: My Vista Experience So Far... 7/13/2007 3:51 AM doug

Vista is being ok for me so far. I have a Epson Perfection 1240U too, and downloaded the Epson Vista driver. At first it didn't seem to install properly. I took a break, came back to it the next day and got it working. Here is what I did:

1. From Control Panel open Device Manager
2. You will probably see under Imaging devices, an unknown device icon.
3. Right-click on the unknown device icon and select Update Driver Software. This will start the Update Driver Wizard.
4.Choose Browse my computer for driver software.
5.Click where it says Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer
6.This should bring up two listings in the interior box with the Show compatible hardware checked on.
7.Select EPSON Perfection 1240 version 5.7.1.0 (15/02/2007)
8.Click Next
9.Click Close and the Device Manager window should now show EPSON Perfection1240 under the Imaging devices.

Now start up your favourite image editor, select your TWAIN source. In my case I had two, selecting WIA_EPSON Perfection 1.0(32-32) gives you a preview window where you can adjust the amount to scan, while if you select EPSON TWAIN 5 5.71 (32-32) it just scans your document and makes adjustments automatically.

Hope this works for you SAM.

# re: My Vista Experience So Far... 9/30/2007 3:06 PM Mary

I just want to thank you, Doug!
We couldn't get my Epson Perfection 1240 to work in Vista.
Like you we had downloaded the update for the driver and it wouldn't work. I knew there had to be something else to do but couldn't figure it out. My husband found your email on this sight and I tried it.
Your suggestion worked perfectly. Thank you for the numbered steps. I followed them and now everything works perfectly - in all of my scanning programs - Adobe and Paint Shop Pro 8.
Why doesn't Corel or Windows or Epson suggest these steps?
I know that this is a stupid question.
Thank you again.
Mary

# re: My Vista Experience So Far... and the 1240U 11/6/2007 8:35 AM Marc

hello,

I'm just experiencing the same problem with my 1240U and vista, so I tried to follow the way you make it works, but at the 7' step "Select EPSON Perfection 1240 version 5.7.1.0 (15/02/2007)" : I don't have any epson device to choose... canon, hp or whatever... but no Epson ! :-\

however, I've got epson31879eu.exe installed...

Any idea on how to get it available ?? many thanks for your wished help!

Marc.

# re: My Vista Experience So Far... 5/23/2008 3:23 PM ola

A big thank you Doug!

Thanks for taking the time to give the exact details. Now my Epson 1240 plays in Vista too.

Ola

# re: My Vista Experience So Far... 11/19/2008 12:30 PM Nick

Hello there. I was able to use my Canon scanner while running Windows Vista until we installed SQL 2005. When I try to acquire an image, I receive the message: Unable to Open TWAIN source. We uninstalled SQL 2005 and then the scanner would scan again without error. I need to have SQL 2005 installed on my machine and be able to scan. Do you have any suggestions on how to have the best of both worlds?

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