My neighbor has Vista Home Premium installed on her Costco HP machine.

1. Do you need to create an ASR disc for this version of Vista?

2. Also when you first boot up the mouse does not function. Reboot and the mouse appears. Suggestions please for fixing that?

3. How do you stop the Norton Security System Program from coming up on boot up? It is a 30 day trial I believe and she does not want to pay for their security program if she can download another free 3rd party security programs. If this is the case which programs will do the job in Vista?

Thanks much.

srloren

Vista ASR (Automatic System Recovery) is available only in the more expensive editions - Vista Ultimate & Vista Business.

First the corrections to your misconception about Windows Vista buzzwords, et al:

1. You are talking about HP Recovery CD, not Vista ASR.

2. There is no such thing as Vista ASR. It is called Windows Vista Complete PC Backup & Restore.

3. There is no such thing as Costco HP machine. Costco is a wholesaler that happen to be selling HP machines manufactured by HP.

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Question: 1. Do you need to create an ASR disc for this version of Vista?

Answer: Yes. You need to invoke Recovery CD/DVD creation tool from the start menu.

Can't find the tool? Look HERE. Tip: You will need two blank DVDs or one blank DVD-DL disc to complete this operation.

Question: when you first boot up the mouse does not function. Reboot and the mouse appears.

Answer: It should not be happening on a new PC. Take back the HP to Costco and request exchange. Costco has a 45-day no question asked return policy. CAUTION: The Return policy is voided if your friend threw out the original carton, papers, wraps, and everything else that came with it.

Question: How do you stop the Norton Security System Program from coming up on boot up?

Answer: Uninstall it by using Vista Programs & Features - Remove Installed Programs. It's not easy to find this feature under Vista but look HERE anyway for step by step instrutions that will get you there.

i_XpUser

"2. Also when you first boot up the mouse does not function. Reboot and the mouse appears. Suggestions please for fixing that?"

Taking the whole PC back for a problem as trivial as a mouse without at least doing a little troubleshooting is sorta excessive IMHO.

What type of mouse is this - PS2, USB, Wireless, Optical or Trackball?

Did the mouse come with the new PC?

Do you have the same problem with the mouse in safe mode?

Is the anomaly exihibited regardless of the user account login?

I forgot to add one more comment regarding Costco.

Did you know that the price for all electronic goods sold at Costco are higher than the comparative prices set by other stores like BestBuy? It is because Costco prices included a two years technical support provided by Costco Concierge Services that Costco like to masquerade as free (See this pamphlet)

i_XpUser

Thanks XPUser and Sabertooth.

XPUser, I have been following your advice for some time and know that you are very qualified to help folks on this site and I must agree with Sabertooth, that taking the computer back without some troubleshooting would be a bit extreme. I am disappointed in that portion of your reply...but you have helped me out of a jam too many times to beat you up over it. The extra year warrantee would cost more from BestBuy and the like, so I guess that should also be taken into account. BTW just wondering if you're going to change your handle to VistaUser?

Now Sabertooth, the mouse is USB optical with a cord, it came with the computer. The first thing I tried when it failed was to reboot in Safe mode and it worked fine, but it works fine if I restart normally. The owner of this PC has set up no user accounts other than the ones that Windows sets up automatically. Thanks again for your help guys.

srloren

I agree. The cost of the Concierge Services added by Costco on top of every major electronic product is cheaper than if you have bought BestBuy Geek Squad or Circuit City Firedog contract. I surmise the latter two would have cost you about $300 to $350 for a two year extended coverage (off my head) which is something that I think is unneeded unless the product is a laptop or a HDTV. If it's a desktop I can do it myself better than them :-)

BTW just wondering if you're going to change your handle to VistaUser?

I guess I will have to die here as XpUser. Not only that I've not fully adopted Vista and probably won't until after Vista SP1 dusts settles and the OS goes mainstream.

i_XpUser