I have a Dell cpu. I am having my system replaced soon due to many errors they cant fix but the catch is the machine they will be sending out will have Vista installed as the OS in place of XP. I dont know a whole lot about computers but I googled vista and have been reading alot about it. I keep hearing you need a newer machine to make Vista work decent but no one really says why?

Dell is going to make a system for me that is equal or better than the one I have but until I get it I wont know what I will get (the policy) so I ask you if I am sent the exact same machine I have only with Vista will this be good enough? Here are my specs

Pentium D 2.8Ghz (believe D 820)
2 gig ram
GeForce 6800
160 gig HDD
Power supply says 350W

Not sure if that is all the specs needed. At this time I have 3 days to decide if I want them to keep sending parts for me to keep my machine with XP or for them to just send a new one. I would rather have the new machine sent out but I am not sure about Vista. I can care less about re-learning the OS. I hated XP when I got it (went from win98) but I really love XP now so I assume and hope I would love Vista as well. If you can tell me if this is enough I would be grateful.

If I need more memory please advise I will order it the day the machine comes in I have no problem since I "hear" more memory in vista is a good thing so I plan having more than the 2 gig.

Last thing - Is Vista good or am I just asking for trouble getting this instead of letting Dell resend more and more parts so I can keep the stability of my XP?

Thanks so much for all the help in advance.

Well it is all about perception. I like vista, it is getting better, more memory is the key. You might like it or you might not like it. Give it a chance, if you dont just get window xp and reinstall it on your desktop.

Jim R

I will do that for sure. Wasnt sure I could, I figured if I hated vista for whatever reason though I hope I dont I would just reinstall the XP. I am more concerned about the system they will send. I know it will be refurbished per there policy and that scares me just a tad :(

Thanks for the reply.

I personally would take the replacement machine offer vs. allowing Dell to continue to send parts after parts - in a heartbeat. I may be wrong, but your situation seem to me like a protracted lemon deal.

As far as the Vista vs. XP choice, unless they plan on sending you a blatantly outdated machine--I doubt they'll do that--to replace your current lemon, I suggest to let them pre-install Vista on it for you. The fact is, XP is history ... but still relevant to some than others, especially folks with older peripheral equipments. My guess is, you'll be better prepared for the future with a Vista loaded replacement than an XP option.

For what it's worth, Dell is still offering XP on new machines. The Dell rep that's helping you may not be empowered or authorized to pitch XP to customers - for obvious reasons. But you can get XP on the machine if you are adamant about having it - though, you may have to pay anywhere from $50 - $100, depending on what version of Vista the machine is supposed to come with ... see below.

"Is there any way to get Windows XP after June 18th?

Customers may continue to get Windows XP Professional by purchasing a PC with Windows Vista Business BONUS or Windows Vista Ultimate BONUS, which allows Dell to exercise "Windows Vista downgrade rights" on your behalf by preinstalling Windows XP Professional and providing the installation disc for either Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate so that you may transition to Vista when you are ready.

What are Windows Vista “Downgrade Rights”?

Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Ultimate have what Microsoft calls “Downgrade Rights.” Downgrade Rights means that anyone with a Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate operating system can downgrade to Windows XP Professional provided they have the media for Windows XP Professional. Customers may use one operating system at any single point in time (cannot run both operating systems simultaneously unless an additional license is purchased).

For customers who decide to exercise Downgrade Rights on their own, however, please note that Dell will only support the pre-installed operating system. Windows Vista Home Basic and Windows Vista Home Premium do not have this option, as they are not capable of downgrading to Windows XP.

When you are configuring your system online or through the help of one of our sales experts, you will have the opportunity to select which operating system you would like on your PC. When selecting your operating system, you will see an option called “Genuine Windows® Vista Business BONUS” and “Genuine Windows® Vista Ultimate BONUS.” With these options, you may purchase the licensed rights to Windows Vista but have Dell pre install Windows XP Professional. You will also receive a backup media disc for Windows XP Professional as well as the media for Windows Vista so you can upgrade when you’re ready. Furthermore, with these options Dell will provide technical support for the pre-installed Windows XP Professional image and your licensed version of Windows Vista.

Can I downgrade on my own?

Yes, you can as long as you have your own Windows XP Professional media (i.e. from a prior purchase). However, Dell’s standard policy is to provide technical support on the operating system that comes pre-installed on your PC. Dell does not encourage you to change your operating system on your own as this can be a complicated process.

If I choose to have Dell downgrade for me, does that mean I can only get technical support on Windows XP Professional since that is what will be pre-installed?

No, with this option Dell will provide technical support on both Windows XP Professional and Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate (depending on which version you choose).

I don’t need Windows XP Professional, but I still want Windows XP Home Edition. Is there any way for me to get this from Dell?

No, Windows XP Home Edition and Windows XP MCE both End-of-Life (EOL) on June 30, 2008 and do not have the capability to transition to Windows Vista (i.e. these licenses do not include Downgrade Rights provisions). Microsoft created that capability only with Windows XP Professional, Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Ultimate. Windows Vista Home Basic and Windows Vista Home Premium are unable to downgrade to Windows XP.

What do I do when I’m ready to upgrade my computer to Windows Vista?

You will use the Windows Vista DVD provided to you to install Windows Vista on your computer. If you upgrade and then realize you’re not quite ready for Windows Vista yet, you also have the freedom to go back to Windows XP Professional using the Windows XP Professional CD provided with the downgrade service."

http://www.dell.com/dellhasanswers

Jabbering Idiots: Everywhere You Look!

The system that they will send you is refurbished and should be good to go. I would give it a chance, if the system breaks down on you, which I seriously doubt then you can always send it back to them. I would think that wouldn't be the case. Vista is almost like xp, I work on xp at work, and my desktop at home is vista. At work we are going to be switching to vista, it only takes a couple of days to get use to it, how it is set up. Everything is where it is suppose to be. You also have more years on vista then you do on xp. Xp will officially end on the in I think 2014, so why bother buy another operating system when you got one there. Vista in a couple of years will be just as good or better then xp by then.

Jim R

"I "hear" more memory in vista is a good thing so I plan having more than the 2 gig" 2 GB of RAM is sufficient. I agree with beginner 1, Vista is getting better. I've been using it(business version) on several machines for over a year with 2 GB of RAM, and for the most part, it works well.

I'm running Ultimate 64bit with 4gig Ram and it is constantly using near 35-40% of Ram. I highly recommend getting at least 3gig, if not 4gigs.
P.S. I havn't had any issues with Vista Ultimate since SP1, keep in mind how BAD XP was when it first came out too! We tend to have no short-term memory with MSFT.

Thanks for the replies folks. I appreciate it. I also appreciate the info Saber lots of good stuff there. I plan to take the machine certainly I was only hoping it was XP but no biggie I will get used to it. Thanks again