Vista Part Deux
I have attempted to test out the next Windows operating system on several different occasions, starting with the very first Longhorn Beta 1 build.
The last time I attempted Vista the biggest problem I had was with the sound card not working properly. Any time I went to play music, either via iTunes (my player of choice) or the new Windows Media Player 11, the sound would be broken up and slowed down. It was unacceptable, and I finally got rid of it for that main reason. I enjoyed quite a few features of the last build as it showed a major progress jump in the right direction, such as the new Windows Explorer interface and of course the Aero Glass feature.
Microsoft released the lastest build yesterday, Windows Vista Beta 2. This version is to be distributed to thousands at the upcoming Windows conference, and will be available afterwards for order by anyone willing to try a beta OS. What this really means is that Beta 2 is almost ready for the masses. This is when they start the hardcore testing, which leads up to the first Release Candidate. Around RC1 we should start seeing a lot more native hardware support (ie, not needing to install drivers just to get the OS working.)
I am currently 70% through the initial wipe-and-install portion of the OS. This article is meant to point out some of the improved features, and whether or not the same old problems occur.
On a sidenote, i’m also testing out the Firefox 2.0 beta (codename Bon Echo) on my laptop and during the writing of this article I discovered a built-in spell checker that works like Microsoft Word, ie it underlines possible misspelled words in red. So freaking awesome. I love you Mozilla. Anyway, on with the show
The log starts after this point:
2:30am - Yes, I know I’m a freak for staying up until 2am waiting for a piece of software to finish downloading, but dammit at least I’m consistent with my vices. Inserted Windows Vista Beta 2 DVD into the drive and booted into the setup.
The new setup and install process is much better with this version. It’s got a built-in graphical partition manager, and choosing which drive/partition to install on was a breeze. And the only reason I got those screens is because I went into Custom Install.
3:09am - Finished Copying files, now “Expanding files.” This is much quicker than the copying portion. I just realized that I’ve been watching Sean Paul performing on MTV and really feel the need to change the channel.
I’ve just read that the basic Windows Vista install now takes up about 10-15gb of hard drive space. The system requirements for Vista is a 1ghz processor, 512mb of memory, and a 64mb video card. You gotta have a nice DirectX 9 board to use the Aero interface though. Good thing my Radeon 9800 is still screaming.
3:17am - First restart after copy-and-extract. Setup says simply “Completing installation.” Okay, close call there.. The mouse stopped moving, and thought it crashed. False alarm, thankfully.
3:25am - Second reboot, a pretty wavy screen, asking me my Keyboard layout. First boot successful! I keep forgetting how awesome the pre-installed backgrounds are. W00t!
3:33am - Jesus this OS is pretty. The damn whole desktop FADES in. I <3 Aero. Oh, it comes with Widgets! Scratch that, its the Sidebar!
3:38am - Does not detect my sound card, but i’m not surprised. I have already downloaded the Soundblaster Audigy Vista Beta driver, so hopefully it will work! Graphics card is alive and kicking, but i’m installing ATI’s Vista beta driver anyway so I can get the most performance.
3:46am - Dammit. The SB Audigy beta drivers were for a much earlier version of Vista. Attempting to use XP drivers. (Crosses fingers)
4:00am - My god, why am I still awake? I played with the network settings a little before trying the Audio just yet. The wizards and connection managers for Networks are simply amazing. I am now installing the XP drivers for my Audigy and so far it hasn’t complained that i’m not on XP.
4:23am - I have digital output sound, and I’m listening to 311 right now on WMP 11. Sounds great. 
I think i’m calling it a night.
11:57am - Okay, I actually ended up going to bed at 5am because I got caught up playing around with Vista’s Windows Media Center. They’ve changed and moved around a few things, and I was actually able to install my capture board drivers and PowerDVD (for the DVD Decoder). I spent most of the time downloading the damn TV Guide updates, heh.
I’ve booted into my nice pretty new OS and started the rigorous task of installing applications that I use ever day. Here’s where the important testing begins.
Programs Installed & Result:
APPLICATIONS:
iTunes v6.042 + Quicktime 7
Installed with no problems. Since I moved my “Music” folder location from the default (Now in C:\Users\%name%\Music) to my secondary drive, Windows protected the files and folders from any User write access and iTunes gave me an access error on startup. I changed the permissions on the folder and it booted with no problem, however it was unable to make it my default MP3 player. I’m noticing a little choppiness in the sound, but only slightly. It even picked up and synced my iPod, something the last CTP build wouldn’t do.
Result: WORKING
Symantec AntiVirus v10
Installed, but cannot be activated due to incompatibility issues with Vista. However a popup window just told me that Symantec has issued a patch, heh. Downloading a patch off of Symantec’s web site that will bring me past the “recommended” version.
Result: NOT WORKING AFTER PATCH
Microsoft Office 2003 Professional + SP2
I naturally didn’t expect any problems with this one. Installed only Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Result: WORKING
Adobe Reader v7.07
Required for reading PDF’s, of which I use a lot.
Result: WORKING
Sun Java v1.5 update 6
Used to view/interact with several internet websites and programs.
Result: WORKING
Nero Burning Rom v6.6.1.4
I’ve heard that version 7 of Nero doesn’t work with Vista, which is no sweat because I hated the update from version 6 anyway.
Result: WORKING
Adobe Photoshop CS2
The blood that runs through my veins, the digital banquet from which I eat. I simply cannot live without Photoshop, so if this fails it will be the true test of whether this is an “operatable” operating system.
Result: WORKING (yay!)
Daemon Tools v4.03
I used this to mount virtual CD-Rom’s so I don’t have to keep inserting discs for video games I play often. This will probably be a sketchy install due to the device drivers the program installs. (crosses fingers)
Result: FAILED. Stuck in a loop trying to install device drivers.
Saitek P2500 Dual Stick Analog USB Controller
Software and driver install for my joystick.
Result: WORKING
Shemes GrabIt v1.6.1b
My favorite and incredibly useful USENET reader.
Result: WORKING
WinRar v3.6b2 & QuickPar 0.9.1
Both used to extract files downloaded from Newsgroups. WinRAR for .RAR files, and QuickPar for the .PAR recovery files.
Result: BOTH WORKING
VIDEO CODECS:
DiVX v3.11a
Still a must-have for watching movies, even with DiVX 5+ out there. I usually install this first. The installation failed immediately, citing copy errors. I’m skipping this one for now.
Result: FAILED ON INSTALL
DiVX v5 Play Bundle
Second most important codec, and this one installed no problems.
The video seems to me way slowed down ocompared to the audio, which is coming through fine. The video seems to be in sync, if not a little stuttery, in the DiVX Player. Okay, make that a lot stuttery. Hrm.
Result: PARTIALLY WORKING
XViD v1.1.0
Another video codec.
Result: WORKING
AC3 Filter v1.01a RC5
An audio codec for DiVX movies with AC3 5.1 surround sound date included.
Result: WORKING
FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall it’s running pretty good, much more stable than any previous build, so much i’m considering running Vista for a while just to see how it performs over long-term basis.
The only thing I haven’t tried to run is video games. I’m not sure if DirectX 10 is already included, but due to the choppiness of the audio might already be a no-go. We’ll see.
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