{"id":271,"date":"2007-12-25T12:03:39","date_gmt":"2007-12-25T17:03:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/anildesai.net\/?p=271"},"modified":"2008-01-06T23:16:41","modified_gmt":"2008-01-07T04:16:41","slug":"my-struggles-with-windows-vista","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/anildesai.net\/index.php\/2007\/12\/my-struggles-with-windows-vista\/","title":{"rendered":"My Struggles with Windows Vista"},"content":{"rendered":"

As an author of a book on Windows Vista (see details<\/a>) as well as a beta tester since the early days of the product, I have had a lot of experience with Windows Vista.  Unfortunately, much of my overall impression of Microsoft’s latest operating system is negative.  While there’s no shortage of bad press about Windows Vista, I have found that complaints tend to be illogical, irrational, and atypical.  Rather than relying on specific examples and facts about issues, writers seem to bash Microsoft and Windows Vista for the sake of doing so.  The purpose of this post is for my to (hopefully) point some constructive criticism of the OS and to detail my experiences with it.<\/p>\n

About the Author<\/h2>\n

Let’s start this off with a little background: I generally like Microsoft and its products.  Especially when compared with other Enterprise software companies, I think Microsoft does many things well.  As an IT pro, I have based a large part of my career on their products and technology.  I periodically reevaluate that focus (generally every few years), but I have always found Microsoft’s development platform, client and server platforms, and other products to be very good.  I certainly have no more animosity towards Microsoft than to any other corporation, and I genuinely think that the company will address and resolve the below issues in the future.  OK, with that out of the way…<\/p>\n

Testing Vista (and my patience)…<\/h2>\n

I have run Windows Vista on several computers, including my primary work machines.  Originally, I upgraded a Dell Dimension 9100 computer from Windows XP to Windows Vista.  I have since purchased a Dell Inspiron 530 desktop machine as my primary computer and a Dell Inspiron 640m notebook for traveling.  Both of these machines shipped with Windows Vista.  I am running the Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Release Candidate on both desktop computers.  <\/p>\n

I have very few startup programs and have tested most of my issues on "clean" installations of the OS.  I have also done extensive troubleshooting to isolate the causes of driver and software compatibility issues.<\/p>\n

Some Evidence…  Consistently Unreliable<\/h2>\n

My experiences with Windows Vista’s reliability (or lack thereof) have been extremely poor.  Two tools help highlight this fact.  The Reliability And Performance Monitor provides details related to OS crashes and other major events such as application installations, driver updates, etc.  On both of my Windows Vista desktop computers, the overall index has been extremely low (see screen shots below).  In fact, the only way I can seem to get the reliability to increase is to keep the machine powered off (a "solution" I have decided to use for one of the Vista machines).<\/p>\n

\"Vista01\"<\/a> <\/p>\n

\"Vista04\"<\/a> <\/p>\n

More Evidence: Errors<\/h2>\n

I have experienced literally hundreds of errors on my Windows Vista operating systems.  Granted, some of these can be chalked up to application issues.  But, the number and frequency of issues is just unacceptable.  And, the lack of relevant or useful responses to these issues just adds insult to injury.  I mean, I get it: I need to download updated versions of drivers and applications.  Unfortunately, that simple-minded advice rarely provides any alleviation of the pain.<\/p>\n

\"Vista02\"<\/a> <\/p>\n

\"Vista03\"<\/a> <\/p>\n

The List of Issues<\/h2>\n

OK, so the stage is set.  Following is list of current issues I have with Windows Vista, along with details.  <\/p>\n