Windows XP and Vista: Best of Both Worlds?

[wda]

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Members may recall my earlier thread where the choice of operating systems was discussed. An interesting development occurred today. While exploring options for a new more powerful machine with a local trusted supplier, where I had inquired whether he could supply me with Windows XP as the operating system, he told me that his recommendation would be to have Vista installed now and they would arrange with Microsoft to revert the software to run like XP until I chose, at some point in the future, to upgrade. At that time they would need the machine back to restore the system to Vista at a nominal charge. This sounds like the best of both worlds and I am tempted to accept his recommendation.

 

Have any other members discovered this option and, if so, what has been their experience? For example, would Vista running as XP really behave like XP thus preserving compatibility with my software?

 

David

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[cme4brain]

Members may recall my earlier thread where the choice of operating systems was discussed. An interesting development occurred today. While exploring options for a new more powerful machine with a local trusted supplier, where I had inquired whether he could supply me with Windows XP as the operating system, he told me that his recommendation would be to have Vista installed now and they would arrange with Microsoft to revert the software to run like XP until I chose, at some point in the future, to upgrade. At that time they would need the machine back to restore the system to Vista at a nominal charge. This sounds like the best of both worlds and I am tempted to accept his recommendation.

 

Have any other members discovered this option and, if so, what has been their experience? For example, would Vista running as XP really behave like XP thus preserving compatibility with my software?

 

David

 

All VISTA machines have the option of runnung software under XP- right click the program icon on the desktop and select "Properties" then "Compatibility".

[brt]

Vista does not support TWAIN. My Minolta Dimage Scan Elite 5400 II will never run under Vista. My HP Scanner won´t either.

I use VMware Workstation 6 to run XP as a guest operating system under Vista if I want to use my scanners. Highly recommended.

[Guest rubidium]

On the workstation I built about 18 months ago, on which I originally installed XP 64-bit, I recently took the plunge and got a copy of Vista 64-bit. Without disturbing XP any, I installed Vista in a dual-boot configuration. This allows my original OS to run as before, but gives me the option to experiment with Vista. As Vista compatibility issues with drivers and software get resolved, I'll gradually migrate over from XP to Vista. I realize that by doing things this way I actually paid for two operating systems, but by buying OEM versions I saved considerable money over retail. You might want to weigh the costs of doing this against the so-called "nominal charge" your supplier will ask for an XP-to-Vista upgrade.

 

I'm not the last word on this, but I do not know of any way to "arrange with Microsoft to revert the software [Vista] to run like XP". Other than what cme4brain accurately stated about executing selected applications in "compatability mode", XP is going to be XP while Vista is going to be Vista. There is a less-expensive upgrade version of Vista, which is installed from within XP and keeps your applications, files, and settings intact, in contrast to the more expensive "full" version of Vista which can be installed as a totally clean install (wiping everything on your hard drive out) or a dual-boot install with XP as I mentioned I did. Perhaps your supplier was referring to the former, and you might want to get further clarification on exactly what he proposes doing.

 

Jim

[wda]

On the workstation I built about 18 months ago, on which I originally installed XP 64-bit, I recently took the plunge and got a copy of Vista 64-bit. Without disturbing XP any, I installed Vista in a dual-boot configuration. This allows my original OS to run as before, but gives me the option to experiment with Vista. As Vista compatibility issues with drivers and software get resolved, I'll gradually migrate over from XP to Vista. I realize that by doing things this way I actually paid for two operating systems, but by buying OEM versions I saved considerable money over retail. You might want to weigh the costs of doing this against the so-called "nominal charge" your supplier will ask for an XP-to-Vista upgrade.

 

I'm not the last word on this, but I do not know of any way to "arrange with Microsoft to revert the software [Vista] to run like XP". Other than what cme4brain accurately stated about executing selected applications in "compatability mode", XP is going to be XP while Vista is going to be Vista. There is a less-expensive upgrade version of Vista, which is installed from within XP and keeps your applications, files, and settings intact, in contrast to the more expensive "full" version of Vista which can be installed as a totally clean install (wiping everything on your hard drive out) or a dual-boot install with XP as I mentioned I did. Perhaps your supplier was referring to the former, and you might want to get further clarification on exactly what he proposes doing.

 

Jim

 

Jim, thank you for this information. Very helpful. In fact, since penning my opening question, I have sought deeper clarification of the advice I received this morning. I have a feeling that my consultant's position has changed slightly and I suspect that the original explanation is not strictly valid. So the issue remains open. I am still tempted to get an XP Pro machine rather than risk Vista. I am not in a position to run both operating systems.

 

David

[cme4brain]

Members may recall my earlier thread where the choice of operating systems was discussed. An interesting development occurred today. While exploring options for a new more powerful machine with a local trusted supplier, where I had inquired whether he could supply me with Windows XP as the operating system, he told me that his recommendation would be to have Vista installed now and they would arrange with Microsoft to revert the software to run like XP until I chose, at some point in the future, to upgrade. At that time they would need the machine back to restore the system to Vista at a nominal charge. This sounds like the best of both worlds and I am tempted to accept his recommendation.

 

Have any other members discovered this option and, if so, what has been their experience? For example, would Vista running as XP really behave like XP thus preserving compatibility with my software?

 

David

 

I agree with the above about VISTA and XP (some programs will not run under VISTA, supposedly because no upgrade). If I had my preference, when I bought my new computer, I would rather have had XP as the OS. But Microsoft is headed toward VISTA as an unstoppable train, so unless you can dual boot (like above) or have a spare computer that you can dedicate to XP, you are stuck. I have had to download all VISTA upgrades for my old perfectly good programs, and FORTUNATELY it has worked with all appropriate drivers. Lucky me. But absolutely, I prefer XP overall.

[wda]

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Jim, thank you for this information. Very helpful. In fact, since penning my opening question, I have sought deeper clarification of the advice I received this morning. I have a feeling that my consultant's position has changed slightly and I suspect that the original explanation is not strictly valid. So the issue remains open. I am still tempted to get an XP Pro machine rather than risk Vista. I am not in a position to run both operating systems.

 

David

 

I was told this morning that if I order a machine with XP Pro it will include a license for Vista! Is this a new offering by Microsoft?

 

David

[Shootist]

Members may recall my earlier thread where the choice of operating systems was discussed. An interesting development occurred today. While exploring options for a new more powerful machine with a local trusted supplier, where I had inquired whether he could supply me with Windows XP as the operating system, he told me that his recommendation would be to have Vista installed now and they would arrange with Microsoft to revert the software to run like XP until I chose, at some point in the future, to upgrade. At that time they would need the machine back to restore the system to Vista at a nominal charge. This sounds like the best of both worlds and I am tempted to accept his recommendation.

 

Have any other members discovered this option and, if so, what has been their experience? For example, would Vista running as XP really behave like XP thus preserving compatibility with my software?

 

David

 

 

Whomever told you that is full of BS. Vista is Vista. It can not be XP. You can run it in classic mode which looks like Win2K and classic interface XP but it is still Vista. With all the DRM and the phone home and check that you aren't a thief software. Oh and by the way even if you are NOT a thief if Vista and MS think you are they will disable your computer.

 

Just say NO to Vista.

[TonySx]

I have a desktop and a laptop both running XP (Pro). I also have a desktop running Win2000. All machines run near enough the same software and I only ever use the XP machines as a last resort.

You've seen the comments against using Vista. Now here's one against using XP.

Most of my software ( and therefore some hardware like my scanner) run so slowly under XP compared to 2K that I have no intention of 'upgrading'. The time will no doubt come when I can't get a particular piece of software supporting 2K but what the heck, I like my quicker old machine.

Also, one copy of Win2K can be loaded onto more than one PC and loaded onto one PC many times.............