Vista?

• Advice on brand, RAM, etc. to load MT'ing software on. - New Computer
  • Do NOT get Vista. I repeat - DO NOT! - Disasterous. SM
    • i understand - sm
    • Vista? - Nana
      • Vista is still too buggy & not "friendly." Techs not familiar with it yet. And lots of - stuff can't be put on a MAC. Stick with Windows
        • nm. - NM
      • I bought a Vista-loaded system and I have tried to - See Inside

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Microsoft's new operating system, Vista, was released a couple weeks ago.  We here at Emmaus have spent weeks studying the documentation, and making the necessary adjustments in our software to be Vista-friendly.  All the applications will now run just fine under Vista (and users installing onto Windows 2000 or WinXP will see no obvious difference).

But I do not think Microsoft designed Vista for the home computer. My impression is it is wonderful for a huge corporation, e.g. General Motors, but is going to give the home user fits.  Most older applications will not run reliably under Vista.  Most older printers will not work under Vista.  And forget about on-line banking and any site that needs an ActiveX control in a web page: They just won't work under Vista.

You see, Microsoft needed to improve security from hacker attacks. They accomplished this with an operating system edict: Applications must run as a limited user.  The consequence of that is programs have traditionally saved user data in their folder under Program Files.  Under Vista they can't do that. It must be saved to %LocalAppData% for a limited user, and for an Administrator to %AppData%. Although MS has tried a kludge to accommodate older programs (by use of what they have termed Virtual Directories), it isn't very successful.

I heard some television commentator saying that Vista was the best thing that ever happened to encourage Apple computer sales. Probably for the short term, he's right, but when Apple gets a user share of the market of 20 to 30%, then hackers will have a field-day wrecking Apples.

So, in my humble opinion, should you upgrade to a Vista computer? No. (But if you do our software, MPWord, MPTools and MPSentinel are ready for you.)

Best wishes,

Vann Joe

I got a new computer with Vista and I had to take it back.  It is not compatible with a lot of the transcribing programs.  Check with your company.  I am starting an ER account with KS and I think they use Extext.  They told me it would not work. 

I am sorry if this is long but I am so lost here on this.  I have a laptop with Windows Vista on it.  I hate the sound card, does not record states volume too low when it is turned all the way up and found through research problems with Vista etc.  Has anybody used an external sound card that works well with it.  I was going to have Vista wiped out and have XP put on but the tech is telling me I cannot have that done as I need to have motherboard etc changed, need manufacture help etc.  Has anybody done this successfully or am I just stuck with Vista and need to get over it.  

Thanks ! 

and load XP.  You have to partition the drive, the Vista stays and the XP goes in a different sector.  If you just throw in the XP disc and hope it overwrites the Vista, you will end up with an unusable computer until you recover the Vista and you still will not be able to use XP on it.

If you are not a technical person, you should take the computer to someone who is to do this correctly.

I have Vista and word 2007.  I understand that the MT world requires XP operating system and word 2003 or higher but not 2007.  I am thinking about getting my Vista switched to XP and trying to find a lower version of word.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

TT

It came with a trial version of Word 2007 and I hated it. Couldn't even try all the features because it was a trial version. I got rid of it and installed my Word 2000.

I can't say I like Vista but I'm stuck with it. I'm having a problem with the Search feature. It just doesn't find some files that are definitely there. When I scroll manually through the directory, I see the files and can edit them. It's very random and the files don't fit specific criteria, such as before or after a certain date. Sometimes it shows two versions of the file with different dates, but inside they are identical. It also "sees" files that have been deleted. If I try to delete it again, it says it can't be found. It worked fine at first but after a couple of months it gradually went flaky. There may be a setting that got messed up but if so, I don't know what or where to find it. The Help feature is pitiful.

So that's my story about Vista and, not to hijack your post, but I'd appreciate any advice that anyone has about this problem.

If so, be sure to disable the User Account Control setting which can be found under User Accounts and Family Safety in the Control Panel.

If you are still having trouble, the best would be to contact our tech support directly. You can email as at support@textware.com or you can call us at 781-272-3200 ext 2.

Textware Solutions

Usually computers slow down for two things.  The most common in spamware and viruses.  I like to use adaware from lavasoft (google search: lavasoft adaware) which offers a free trial and removes almost all spamware.  It picks up a lot of cookies as spam so you have to be careful what is deleted or all your saved passwords will be removed when you clean the system.

The harder one to clean up - and that is the most common with Vista - is registry errors.  You can go to a site called finallyfast.com and get a free diagnostic of your system, if you have more than 100 registry errors the software is worth the cost.  The problem with Vista is that MS was so busy trying to make it look more like a MAC that it forgot it was working with an IBM compatible.  When you load drivers and software onto your machine the registry keys that tell the system how to run the program are not loaded on correctly and so the program doesn't run correctly which freaks out the machine and ... blip - blue screen of death. 

If you only use your machine for 10 programs or less (e.g., your foot pedal, printer, dictation software, internet explorer, and sound card for work) then Vista runs smooth as a baby's bottom.  If you use your computer to surf the internet, play games, write papers or books, etc. then you run into problems.

Some people purchased a software package with their computer that included a registry correction agent and that is why their computers run better even with more programs running.  This package is very option and probably cost $100 or more so most people opt to leave it out.

Try the finallyfast.com and get the adaware.  Make sure you update your antivirus software at least once a week - every day is better.  If you don't know what you are doing or are not comfortable take the advice of some very knowlegable people - as suggested elsewhere - and take it to the pros.  They will diagnose the problems and discuss options with you - some of which I listed above.  I used to do tech support for USPS, these are suggestions we give those people and I think they will work for you too! :)

My son beta tests these programs and this one is not ready yet.  It conflicts with other programs at present, especially any older programs (pre XP).  Better to wait until it has been out for quite a few months and the bugs are worked out. 

If so does it work well with the voice file/foot pedals we use for transcription. 

Thanks  

Has anyone used Windows vista with Extext? 

Also, I'd get the wireless.  You never know if you'll want to use it when traveling or staying with a relative. 

I recommend a big screen.  I got a 17".  It's easier to proofread.  Small laptops are better for people who want something light and easy to carry but I don't really carry mine that much.

Get a dual processor.  2G of DDR2 if you can and at least an 80GB hard drive.  If you listen to your transcription through the laptop, like with voice files or whatever, get the best sound card they offer.  It will pay off in the long run.  You really don't need the highest quality video cards IMO.