I bought a new Quad-Core desktop PC the other day, and I am pissed off..
 

Hey people. I bought a new PC just a few days ago, a Gateway - Desktop with Intel® Core?2 Quad Processor Q6600.

After comparing desktop systems for a few weeks I decided to go with this computer here. I was ecstatic when I first got it. I was upgrading from a Frankenstein to a decent system for the first time in a couple years.

This system has Windows Vista Premium (64-bit) installed on it. I've used Vista before and didn't see any probs, but as soon as I started installing games and other applications, I realize what I was in for. I am now getting super slow browser loading times and flashes on the screen every now and then.

I am sure that one of the programs I installed, that installed ActiveX and Framework, messed things up. I've since tried to get the lates drivers for my graphics card, atc, but no help.

I may just install Windows XP on this system, or just return it. What do you guys recommend I do?

:mad:

Frys Electronics had Windows XP home full version oem for $69 this week


that is what I would do :2 cents:

my next computer will be a mac, id say at least look into those

FFS just install XP :)

Take it back to bestbuy and drop down to 32 bit vista. 64 bit is what is probably giving you issues. If you just got it and its having issues they should take care of it. :2 cents:

if you want preformance, dont go vista unless its a brand like IBM/Lenovo or HP(because they test their drivers on the final system). The drivers on many of the other brands simply just dont work well together in Vista. NONE of my customers get Vista, and they never will.

They will Run XP until the new version of Windows is launched, because it will feature some of what we have on windows2008 server already. Im looking forward to a minimum install that keeps all the clutter and bullshit services away from my OS

If you look at your Vista Taskmanager, the OS and services use between 500 and 800megs of Ram before you even start up any applications.

keep the system and install a x86_64 distro of Linux

Ya, I wish I knew all this before I bought it - lol.

Vista x64 is the turning point for operating systems as they transition to 64-bit. Currently, however, the majority of users will be very disappointed by installing Vista x64. The lack of 64-bit drivers for most current hardware will be very disappointing and frustrating to most users. Why push for 64-bit now anyway? The performance gains promised by 64-bit will not be seen for years until 64-bit compiled versions of software is the norm.

:Oh crap

When I read "Gateway" I figured you would have problems...

I didn't realize Gateway was still in business, I thought they went under for some reason, lol.
WG

Will the Vista 64-bit system encode video faster?

As a storefront yes. but they still carry them in regular retail stores like Best buy and costco and sams and such.

i think you can downgrade from vixta premium to xp pro free of charge, do a search on google

yeah. like roly says. Downgrade for free to XP.

Vista is like WindowsME. 41 flavors of man-ass.

:2 cents::2 cents:

gateways fucking suck

If he did that, he'd lose 2 gigs of RAM, wouldn't he? 32 bit vista only goes up to 4 and that system has 6. I'm not a hardware expert though. This is just based on what I've been reading as I get together the pieces to build my own. I've been looking at this same exact CPU.

Vista 32 is the way to go. I was reluctant to get it, but when I got my new machine, I got Vista Ultimate 32 and it's been really good to me. (so far)

* 32-bit versions of Windows Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate: 4GB
* 32-bit Windows Vista Starter: 1GB
* 64-bit versions of Windows Vista Home Basic: 8GB
* 64-bit versions of Windows Vista Home Premium: 16GB
* 64-bit versions of Windows Vista Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate: 128GB

Yes but frankly the likely hood of using 6GB of ram is unlikely. 4GB is plenty for pretty much anything. I use 4 and haven't yet come close to maxing anything out yet, and I run enough software at the same time to piss off anything lol

Yup all the bs about Vista is mainly due to systems not being setup right, old incompatible hardware, and haters. Now have Vista on every computer here and all run beautifully.

Take it back and get a Mac. Never be dissapointed again.

:2 cents::2 cents:

i got a quad core as well running vista, but its 32bit, havent had any issues yet. mines a q9650

using vista 32 bit here ... no prob what so ever ... I went out and bought the parts I wanted and built the thing from scratch tho...

That sux i didn't got chance to try Vista yet but i can't wait to check Windows 7 when it will be the official launch ... Now the beta version is out and everyone says that there are many problems with memory resolved in the new version.

It has nothing to do with 64bit. If anything, things will be better with 64.

Vista is just weird. I'm about to go back to xp64 because all Adobe CS3 products have become corrupted and won't re-install on my Vista system. I'm done with it...maybe Windows 7 will be better.

Ok thanks. I think I'm just going to stick with XP for mine though because I already have an unused Pro version still in-box and after messing around a bit with Vista on my friend's laptop, I just don't think I care to spend the cash on it. I'm happy with my machine I'm on now with XP so I'll just stick with it.

gateway is your main issue - vista and program compatibility is your secondary issue. Resolve both or live with vista on a better brand

Simple. Because 32 bit Windows can't handle more than 4 gigs of RAM and most new machines are either maxed out with 4 gigs or damn close. We all know how MS loves to use RAM... :2 cents:

adobe is fucked up, don't blame vista $.02

I have a gateway quad with vista, right now the controller is fucked up

Upgrade to XP or spend 10 hours or so trying to shut down all the bullshit on vista to get it to run like XP.

the answer to your issues lies here

for sure 100%

www.apple.com

If you can get them to take back the machine, find a local store you TRUST and have them build you one with XP, to the specs you need.

I just got a new bare-bones machine. I use it mainly for storage, running bulk photoshop processes, big uploads/downloads, etc - non-demanding stuff that I've been doing on a Win98 machine that was starting to die after almost ten years.
I have always bought Dells (have had good luck with them for the first 3-4 years before they really get glitchy) - so I went to their site and then talked to a rep.
The machine that had what I needed was on sale for $899, but they wouldn't sell it with XP. They only have *3* desktop models that they will sell with XP as an option - and to get basically the same machine (same specs) with XP --- was $1499.
The reps were really snotty about it and wouldn't even let me talk to a manager even though I've bought about 10 Dells over the last five years, mostly high-end ones.
So I called the people who have done repair work for me in the past and who were terrific - they put the same machine together for me with XP, for $650 including a firewire card that wasn't in the Dell and some extra software.

Stay with XP and you can get some great deals.

64 bit IS a problem with compatibility without question. Unless you have a specific reason for running it, it will only increase any issues you might have. I run cs3 suite and have no problems on Vista 32bit. How exactly can Vista corrupt Adobe? :uhoh

does bill gates send you check for defending vista sticky? lol

You mean for defending common sense? lol Cause I mean I obviously sit here on my computers all day and it reboots, and blue screens, and programs don't work, and I have hardware issues, and yet I still defend it. OR could it be that all mine run beautifully and I love Vista? hmmm Or maybe Bill is my uncle and I am a closet billionaire from all my endorsements of their product... :uhoh :1orglaugh

Figure out what you installed that fucked it up. Although gateway isn't known for building the best systems, I seriously doubt it has anything to do with that though... I love the replies here, It's vista! No it's 64bit! No it's gateway! Just dump it and overpay for same shit at apple.com!

lol..............

Well if i didn't know jack about computers i'd probably head on over to a forum that was for computer hardware and software.

Other than that, try to uninstall anything you don't need. If you can handle it just re-install vista x64 and watch what you install.

64bit would be the FIRST thing I would look at. If you can't figure out why well.. It could be an external peripheral too. Something that wasn't plugged in at first. A drive, lots of things. Again unless you have a SPECIFIC reason for using 64bit you are better off running 32bit.

I am doing a new machine up atm running Vista 64, Like you said 32 can take no more then 4gigs ram if you have more then 4 gigs running it can cause issues and affect things such as your FSB speed and more.

Lets face it a few decent apps running and doing anything else such as surfing the net is going to take around 1-2gig then you have other processes running kinda sucks...

I have Vista x64 without any issue on a home built machine. I don't play many games but css and c&c work perfectly. As mentioned earlier drivers will be your biggest issue but if you stick to big name hardware for your periferals, at least for your graphics card (i.e. nVidia) I can't imagine you'd have many issues.

Oh I just though of this, if your motherboard is cheap then all the components may not be up to snuff though that doesn't seem to an issue with the problem you described. I'm just rambling...

don't be lazy. Go to Fry's, get a badass processor, the latest motherboard, spend on your gfx card and go crazy with ram then slap it all together. I run Vista, WoW, Red Alert and a ton of other stuff like it's nothing. I dual monitor WoW and work all the time.

Listen all :

If you want your PC to FLY with speed you've never experienced before, go here :

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=tinyxp&btnG=Search


You may thank me later.

Your fault for going with gateway

I run a desktop with a simple core 2 duo with vista 64 and it runs fine.

It amazes me when it comes to desktops why people waste there money on company built desktops that come with OEM Windows and a bunch of preloaded crap.

BUILD YOUR OWN DESKTOP, and buy the real version of windows, not some OEM POS.

32 bit vista is running well on my computer, plenty of games and big apps loaded on my computer and loading up fine!

I've been running Vista Ultimate x64 for months, everything works great except a few applications that doesn't work. But they can be run in Virtual PC.

Many people don't know shit when it comes to hardware. I lost track of everything after the Voodoo 2-cards came out. :1orglaugh But I did my research and built myself a pretty good computer.
I think many people also thinks it's hard to build a computer, that's why they buy one that's ready to go.

Hmmm, you realise the Q6600 CPU isn't new? I purchased mine over a year ago, and I think it came out around mid 2007. They're a couple of generations behind, Intel just released a new CPU and socket type.

Go to Windows XP... Vista sucks.