Windows Vista Home Premium with SP1

I installed the full version of Vista Home Premium SP1; installed Photoshop CS3, Illustrator CS2, Acrobat 8 Pro, MS Office, Oblivion, Expression Web 2, & other assorted programs, checked em' all & they worked with no problems. My hardware from the hard drives 2 video cards 2 printer & scanner & Digitech GX4 were all installed with no problem. Security software installed flawlessly & seems 2 work well.
Then came the exciting part... activation!!!
I hit the activation button & hauled a$$ in case this thing blew! Nothing happened. Who would've ever thought after reading some of the reviews on this site.
I am mainly a user, not an intense tech buff that figures out frame rates & data transfer times.
That said...the interface is very appealing. I really like the gadget sidebar & the interesting gadgets that can be installed. I have a 22" screen so I leave the sidebar on at all times.
I had one problem, (1)!!! I installed Media Creator & it disabled my DVD drives 4 a bit. I went on line, read the suggestions & removed a few lines from the registry & went right back 2 work with my DVD drives in tow.
I run a MSI P7N Diamond Motherboard with a Q6600 2.40 ghz quad Intel, Dual BFG Geforce 8600 GTS OC video boards, Creative X-fi Fatal 1 TY sound, 160 & 750 HDD's, dual DVD's... can't figure out where 2 plug in the popcorn machine.
I would recommend Vista with no problem. I have had a very positive experience with Home Premium, maybe SP1 fixes the problems other reviewers have had. Don't know cause' I shied away from purchasing Vista 4 so long because of the reviews. The tech stuff I will leave 2 other reviewers, but do U want 2 drive the 1998 Pont. Grand Am or the 2008 Pont. G8? It's up 2 you! Thanks 4 listening....

I thought I would write this review since a lot of people seem 2 be wondering if some games will work with vista. Just a short list of games I have played on Vista with no problems. All played great with no crashing problems installing problems or otherwise.

1.Half Life Orange Box
2.Far Cry (original version)
3.Stalker
4.The Witcher
5.Quake 4
6.Crysis
7.Oblivion IV
8.Planescape
9.Fear
10.Unreal Tournament 3 (gold / 2 / & original ut)
11.Alien vs Predator 2
12.Doom 3
13.Portal
I went from win 98 2 the windows Vista so 4 me it has been an incredible improvement. I really like Vista & haven't had any problems worth mentioning. I wonder if people having problems with vista don't have systems strong enough 2 run it. (just a thought I really don't know).
I'm running an HP Media center w/ AMD 64x2 6000+ / EVGA Gforce 9600 oc / with 4 Gig ram. Sorry 2 here about all the people having problems with it we all know how frustrating a quirky computer can be but all in all I'm very happy with vista.
Added note: My Vista home premium came preinstalled when I purchased computer. I have always felt I would just be fooling myself 2 think I could put a system together that would be as good as one put together with the combined efforts of 1000's of very intelligent people. I give both Vista & HP 5 stars.

Brand new laptop with my first Vista experience...one month of owning it & three complete OS crashes & a few application crashes. I have never been so motivated 2 purchase an Apple or learn Linux in my life. Stay with XP as long as you can!!!

The service pack updates 2 Vista make a world of difference, finally letting this OS shine.

I have downloaded the CD into my computer 4 about a month now. So far Windows Vista has been operating fine. I little different from Windows XP & previous upgrades, once you get use 2 it it becomes easier 2 operate.

I have noticed several computer crashes lately from something that is causing it. I read an article about Vista crashes & it said it maybe due 2 Internet Explorer. So far I have not found the cause(s), so I'll just keep looking 4 the answer.

I do like the program & like the way it operate rather easily on the computer, & would recommed it 2 anyone who wants 2 upgrade.

This is the preferred edition of Windows 4 home desktop & mobile PCs. Windows Vista Home Premium delivers the productivity & entertainment that you need from your PC at home or on the go. It includes Windows Media Center, which helps you more easily enjoy your digital photos, TV, movies, & music. Plus, you'll have the peace of mind of knowing that your PC has a whole new level of security & reliability. Whether you're balancing your checkbook, studying 4 school on your mobile PC, watching a downloaded or recorded movie, or sharing your favorite photos with friends on a custom DVD, the experience is much better on a PC running Windows Vista Home Premium.

Windows DVD Maker - Burn your photo slide shows & home movies 2 a professional-looking video DVD & watch them on a DVD player or PC Windows Movie Maker - Capture, edit, & publish your digital home movies in standard or high-definition format Instant Search & Windows Internet Explorer 7 - Quickly find what you need Elegant Windows Aero desktop experience with glass-like menu bars, Windows Flip 3D, & Live Thumbnails Automatic backup of your files, such as your valuable digital photos, music, movies, documents Built-in parental controlsSystem Requirements 800 MHz processor & 512 MB of system memory 20 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space Super VGA graphics support

Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 is the preferred edition 4 home desktop & mobile PCs. It provides a breakthrough design that brings your world into sharper focus while delivering the productivity, entertainment, & security you need from your PC at home or on the go.

Compare Windows Vista editions.

Use Instant Search 2 quickly find the information you need. View larger.

Windows Vista Aero provides spectacular visual effects such as glass-like interface elements that you can see through.

The redesigned Windows Media Center in Windows Vista lets you enjoy your media throughout your home, even on your Xbox 360. View larger.

Improved Reliability & Performance
Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 & improvements delivered by hardware & software partners increase the reliability, performance, & compatibility of Windows Vista-based PCs.

With Windows Vista with SP1, many of the most common causes of operating system crashes & hangs have been addressed. Windows Vista includes new, innovative technologies that help pinpoint & diagnose issues reported anonymously by Windows Vista-based PCs from millions of users who have elected 2 have their PC send us system information.

Windows Vista with SP1 supports a number of important new technology standards, so it will keep making your PC easier & more enjoyable 2 use 4 years 2 come.

Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 delivers more ease of use, security, & entertainment 2 your PC at home & on the go.
Here it is: the preferred edition of Windows 4 home desktop & mobile PCs. Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 delivers the productivity & entertainment that you need from your PC at home or on the go. It includes Windows Media Center, which helps you more easily enjoy your digital photos, TV, movies, & music. Plus, you'll have the peace of mind of knowing that your PC has a whole new level of security & reliability. All together, Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 redefines enjoyment in home computing.

It starts with a breakthrough design that makes your PC easier 2 use every day. With Windows Aero, you'll experience dynamic reflections, smooth gliding animations, transparent glass-like menu bars, & the ability 2 switch between your open windows in a new three-dimensional layout. Instant desktop search capabilities, coupled with powerful new ways 2 organize & visualize your information, means you can instantly find & use the e-mails, documents, photos, music, & the other information you want, when you need it.

Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 also helps keep your personal information, your PC, & your family computing experience safer than in previous versions of Windows. For example, Windows Internet Explorer 7 in Windows Vista includes automated defenses against malicious software & fraudulent websites so you can use your PC online with greater confidence. Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 also provides automatic backup of your files, such as your valuable digital photos, music, movies, documents, & other files, so you can relax & focus on the things you care about most. And, by using the built-in parental controls, parents can help ensure their children's computer use is appropriate & safer.

And what about fun? A major advance in Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 is the dramatically improved digital entertainment experience. Windows Media Center makes organizing & enjoying photos, music, DVDs, recorded TV, & home movies easier & more fun. Enjoy the entertainment on your PC or even on your TV in the living room with an Xbox 360 wirelessly networked 2 your PC. Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 makes it easier 2 burn your photo slide shows & home movies 2 a professional-looking video DVD that your friends & family can watch on a DVD player or PC whenever they like. Combined with unbeatable support 4 gaming & music, Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 delivers a complete home entertainment experience.

If you want a PC that can keep up with you while you're on the go, then you'll appreciate how Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 helps you get the most from your mobile PC. It provides simplified power management, easier wireless networking, & streamlined ways 2 sync with the devices that keep you connected. Because it's incredibly flexible, you can even draw & write by hand on a Tablet PC, & enjoy all of your entertainment through Windows Media Center when you're on the road, in a coffee shop, or relaxing on the couch. Mobile computing has never been like this before.

Finally, Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 makes it easier than ever 2 set up & maintain your new PC. There are new features that make it easier 2 transfer all of your data & settings from your old PC 2 your new one & technology that helps keep your system running quickly & reliably over time.

Whether you're balancing your checkbook, studying 4 school on your mobile PC, watching a downloaded or recorded movie at home, or sharing your favorite photos with friends on a custom DVD, the experience is much better on a PC running Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1.

Windows Sidebar gives you quick access 2 gadgets like picture slide shows, Windows Media Player controls, or news headlines. You pick the gadgets you want 2 see in Windows Sidebar. View larger.

Use Flip 3D 2 navigate through open windows using the scroll wheel on your mouse. View larger.

Safety
Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 helps protect your family & your personal information from threats from malicious software & phishing scams & helps you keep your PC backed-up & running smoothly.

Parental Controls help parents keep children safer while using PCs through convenient tools 2 manage & monitor children's computer use, access 2 websites, & ability 2 play certain games & use certain applications.

PCs running Windows Vista are 60% less likely 2 be infected with viruses, worms & rootkits than PCs running Windows XP SP2.

Windows Internet Explorer 7 helps protect your PC & your personal information against malicious software, fraudulent websites, & online phishing scams. New phishing attacks are more than 25 times as common as new viruses, & over 20,000 fraudulent phishing websites are created every month. Internet Explorer 7 is now blocking nearly one million inadvertent attempts 2 access fake phishing sites per week.

Help defend your PC against pop-ups, slow performance, & security threats caused by spyware & other unwanted software with Windows Defender. Windows Defender in Windows Vista automatically scans Internet Explorer 7 downloads 2 help bring spyware 2 your attention before it can infect your computer.

More easily back-up the content on your PC--including digital photos, music, movies, & documents--with Scheduled & Network Backup.

Entertainment
Windows Vista with SP1 is more entertaining. With Windows Media Center, you can enjoy your digital photos & music on your TV as well as on your PC. And it can turn your PC into a digital video recorder, so you can record TV & watch it on your schedule, not theirs.

Sit back & enjoy recorded TV, photos, music, home videos, games & DVDs from the comfort of your couch with Windows Media Center.

Access & project your TV, music, photos, & movies 2 any room in your house using an Xbox 360 console connected 2 your wired or wireless home network. It's like having your Media Center PC wherever you have an Xbox 360!

Author & burn movies, photos, & music 2 DVDs you can play on your PC or a DVD player with Windows DVD Maker.

Live the game! It's easier 4 you 2 find, play, & manage your games with GAMES EXPLORER. Games Explorer provides detailed information including when you last played, game genre, & rating of your games. With DirectX 10, play vivid & engaging games with unrivalled realism. Also, use the same game controller with both your PC & your Xbox 360 system.

Ease
It's easier & faster than ever 2 find, use, manage & share the information on your PC or on the Web with Windows Vista with SP1.

Most Windows Vista-based PCs boot in less than a minute, which can be an improvement over Windows XP boot times.

The Windows Vista sleep & resume features can bring your PC 2 life in a snap. The vast majority of Windows Vista-based PCs resume from sleep in less than six seconds.

See everything you're working on more clearly with Windows Aero & quickly switch between windows or tasks using Windows Flip 3D.

Find it fast! Simply type something about a file, picture, or song, such as a word contained in a document or e-mail message, the artist of a song, or the date a picture was taken, & Instant Search will bring back any matches instantly.

Organize a lifetime of photos & movies with ease using Windows Photo Gallery. Tag your photos by date, keyword, star rating or any identifying label you choose--so you can find them anytime you want them.

Display live information, like weather, stocks, & news, directly on your desktop with easy-to-use Gadgets & Windows Sidebar.

View multiple web pages simultaneously with Quick Tabs in Windows Internet Explorer 7.

Get up & running faster than ever with Windows Easy Transfer that automatically copies your files & settings from your old PC.

Mobility
With special features 2 help you go mobile, Windows Vista with SP1 makes computing & connecting away from home or the office easier than ever.

Work the way you want with touch & digital input & handwriting. Tablet & Touch Technology makes your notebook PC experience truly personal.

Set up a wireless network at home with Network & Sharing Center--so you can experience the freedom of working virtually anywhere in your home. Then easily find & join a wireless network at your favorite hotspot--so you can stay productive wherever you go.

Optimize your power & mobile settings centrally with Windows Mobility Center.

Easily sync & manage your music, contacts & pictures across your devices & other PCs with Sync Center.

Share your desktop or any program with Windows Meeting Space. Co-edit documents, & pass notes in class, a favorite hotspot, or where no network exists.