I know you hate it, but I have a Vista question.

[Ziggy]

I still wouldn't rule out bloatware, or 'crapware' as ImportBoy called it. What brand PC is it?

The next time I buy a computer, I'm gonna do a fresh install of the OS before anything else. You end up doing it eventually any way.

[fox099]

are you running a 64 bit os? if not, you arent even touching 3 gigs of that ram, and probably 3 of the 4 cores are going unused. reformat, install a 64bit os, and make sure you run an optimization program for your cpu

[ImportBoy]

are you running a 64 bit os? if not, you arent even touching 3 gigs of that ram, and probably 3 of the 4 cores are going unused. reformat, install a 64bit os, and make sure you run an optimization program for your cpu

Would be strange for a retail computer with 4GB+ RAM to be sold with a 32-bit version of Vista. All of the 4/6GB machines I've seen for sale include Windows 64-bit; 3GB and under 32-bit. But if that is the case you can request 64-bit installation media from Microsoft if you have a 32-bit version of Vista.

Either way - reformat and re-install. I think it will solve a lot of your problems (even if you didn't realize some of them were problems).

I would also suggest staying far far away from Norton or McAffee - stick with AVG if you want virus protection.

[Ziggy]

Yeah, I hate most virus protectors. They're mostly resource hoggers. I've been using Ad Aware SE Pro. Its really cheap and you can update it forever. That and Spy Bot, which is free.

[SpaceBooger]

The rig is an HP, the OS is 64bit, the only back-up I have is on a separate partition, and I am running what I have found to be one of the less resource hogging virus programs: trend micro.

[Ziggy]

HP has its fair share of bloatware, but nothing that I'd call excessive. Also, HP and Compaq have the separate partition that you can restore from with out needing any discs. It will reinstall the OS, along WITH bloatware (100% the way you got the computer). You also have the option to burn your back up discs, usually two DVDs (one with the OS and the other with drivers and HP bloatware).

[SpaceBooger]

You also have the option to burn your back up discs, usually two DVDs (one with the OS and the other with drivers and HP bloatware).

That is what I like to hear, Im gona look into that. thanks.

[ImportBoy]

That is what I like to hear, Im gona look into that. thanks.

If that is the only option they will give you, like I said I'd suggest downloading an untouched (OEM/MSDN) Vista w/SP1 DVD image from the pirate bay. Your current serial should work fine with it. You'd be able to download any drivers you need from HP's website for your particular model; though I'd suggest getting them from the original source (ATI, NVIDIA, Intel, Creative etc) for things like video cards, audio, etc.

[RackGaki]

I've been thinking of upgrading Vista to 64 bit, but I'm not sure if all of hardware is currently supported yet. I'm definitely going to look in to it now... I have four gig of ram, and obviously not all of it is being used.

I didn't know that I could request a copy of 64 bit Vista from Microsoft. I might do that instead of going the pirate's route...

[Niode]

I've just built a new PC with Vista X64 Ultimate Service Pack 1.

Q6600 at 3.4GHZ (on air). 2x 2GB OCZ (high quality stuff, dont remember the name) 1066mhz cas5. ATI HD4870. ASUS P5Q-Deluxe.

Not had anything refuse to work or any driver problems...

Entirely satisfied. All my games run ultra smooth, no lag in vista at all, completely seamless.