vista RC1 is now released to general public for limited time
vista RC1 is now released to general public for limited time
title says it.... get it while its hot if you want to try vista.
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Doom_Eater
- Giant Leet
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yes vista was code named longhorn, however some of the features that were initially supposed to be released with longhorn are going to be missing from the final release (such as winFS for esample). memory management is MUCH improved over xp, and overall it is quite an improvement over xp.
it is, however, a resource hog. expect to use 1 gig ram MINIMUM for just the OS to run it at peak performance, even with the aero-glass features disabled. this is up from windows xp's 512 MB ram when it was released. this is recommended ram specs i am quoting, not the true minimum. you CAN run vista with less ram, but you will notices a HUGE performance difference. if this seems like alot for recommended specs, keep in mind that each new version of windows has basically doubled the ammount of ram needed to run it. for example windows 98 only needed 128 MB to run at peak performance, windows 2000 needed 256, and windows xp needs 512 mb. so 1 gig for just windows alone is not really that different from the norm.
expect to want 2 gigs of ram to run vista with the "cool-guy" aero-glass effects turned on and still be able to play AO among other games at decent speed. if you want to run the aero-glass effects you will NEED a DX9 video card at minimum to run them. so basically geforce fx 5200 on up. but i would recommend at minimum a 6200 on up because aero effects do run the GPU a little harder than you would think. this may be different when it is finally released to public.
this IS still a beta operating system, but there should not be many changes between what is in RC1 and what gets released to manufacturers later this fall. this RC1 version WILL expire at the end of may 2007, even if it is activated properly. so you will have to buy the full version if you want to continue to use vista when it is released in early 2007 (jan or feb).
you will notice bugs, but this will also continue to be updated untill the public release happens. after that, there is no guarantee RC1 will be supported with patches after the public release happens.
it is, however, a resource hog. expect to use 1 gig ram MINIMUM for just the OS to run it at peak performance, even with the aero-glass features disabled. this is up from windows xp's 512 MB ram when it was released. this is recommended ram specs i am quoting, not the true minimum. you CAN run vista with less ram, but you will notices a HUGE performance difference. if this seems like alot for recommended specs, keep in mind that each new version of windows has basically doubled the ammount of ram needed to run it. for example windows 98 only needed 128 MB to run at peak performance, windows 2000 needed 256, and windows xp needs 512 mb. so 1 gig for just windows alone is not really that different from the norm.
expect to want 2 gigs of ram to run vista with the "cool-guy" aero-glass effects turned on and still be able to play AO among other games at decent speed. if you want to run the aero-glass effects you will NEED a DX9 video card at minimum to run them. so basically geforce fx 5200 on up. but i would recommend at minimum a 6200 on up because aero effects do run the GPU a little harder than you would think. this may be different when it is finally released to public.
this IS still a beta operating system, but there should not be many changes between what is in RC1 and what gets released to manufacturers later this fall. this RC1 version WILL expire at the end of may 2007, even if it is activated properly. so you will have to buy the full version if you want to continue to use vista when it is released in early 2007 (jan or feb).
you will notice bugs, but this will also continue to be updated untill the public release happens. after that, there is no guarantee RC1 will be supported with patches after the public release happens.
right now, word on the street is that the 64bit version is EXTREMELY unstable. i would use the 32bit on a 64bit processor myself if you wish to try it. i am sure they will get most if not all those issues fixed by the time vista is released to public.
funy thing about it is, is that RC1 64 bit version is unstable, most of the later beta 2 builds for 64 bit seem fine. seems FC isnt the only one to cause their own software to be unstable with later versions
funy thing about it is, is that RC1 64 bit version is unstable, most of the later beta 2 builds for 64 bit seem fine. seems FC isnt the only one to cause their own software to be unstable with later versions
This article in THE INQUIRER summarizes it quite well
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=31815
(Note: "Vole" is a nickname for Microsoft coined by The Inquirer website)
And here is the pricing:
Note sure a family with 4 computers is willing to pay $588 for an upgrade copy of Home Premium plus 3 additional licenses
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=31815
(Note: "Vole" is a nickname for Microsoft coined by The Inquirer website)
From http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/g ... pable.mspxThe outfit has launched a 'Get Ready' Website 'ere which outlines the requirements for running low-end versions of Vista or higher-end versions that take advantage of the OS’s new Aero graphical user interface capabilities.
To make matters more confusing, Vole calls the low end one a "Windows Vista Capable PC" and Aero ready one a "Windows Vista Premium Ready PC."
The low end one will need a speed of at least 800MHz, 512MB of system memory and a graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable.
The Aero ready one will need a 1GHz 32-bit or 64-bit processor, 1GB of system memory, 128MB of graphics memory, 40GB of hard drive capacity with 15GB free space, a DVD-ROM drive, audio output capabilities and Internet access.
It will also need a DirectX 9 class graphics processor that supports a Windows Display Driver Model Driver, Pixel Shader 2.0 in hardware and 32 bits per pixel. Windows Vista Premium Ready needs to have 64MB of graphics memory to support a single monitor less than 1,310,720 pixels; 128MB of graphics memory to support a single monitor at resolutions from 1,310,720 to 2,304,000 pixels; or 256MB of graphics memory to support a single monitor at resolutions higher than 2,304,000 pixels.
Vole has a handy lump of software to help you through the process, but you have to download .NET to run it. After telling me I needed the most expensive Vista available for a PC it told me that my computer didn’t have enough hard-drive. I have only 13GB to play with. I will also need a new graphics card which can handle 124MB of memory and I only have 64MB.
It also suggested that Windows did not have drivers for things like my BlueTooth connector, or my soundcard. To make matters worse, these are the minimum requirements to run Vista. If I try and run my Adobe Creative Suite on it, chances are I will find myself short of memory. It looks like this will be a costly upgrade.
Adn I won't mention all that Digital Rights management crap... (I do support copyright. I even earn most of a living because of copyright... but I can't stand the way DRM are going to be managed and implemented.)A Windows Vista Capable PC includes at least:
* A modern processor (at least 800MHz1).
* 512 MB of system memory.
* A graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable.
Windows Vista Premium Ready PCs
To get an even better Windows Vista experience, including the Windows Aero user experience, ask for a Windows Vista Capable PC that is designated Premium Ready, or choose a PC that meets or exceeds the Premium Ready requirements described below. Features available in specific premium editions of Windows Vista, such as the ability to watch and record live TV, may require additional hardware.
A Windows Vista Premium Ready PC includes at least:
* 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor1.
* 1 GB of system memory.
* Support for DirectX 9 graphics with a WDDM driver, 128 MB of graphics memory (minimum)2, Pixel Shader 2.0 and 32 bits per pixel.
* 40 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space.
* DVD-ROM Drive3.
* Audio output capability.
* Internet access capability.
And here is the pricing:
Code: Select all
Edition Regular Price Additional License Upgrade Price Additional License
Ultimate $399.00 $359.00 $259.00 $233.00
Business $299.00 $269.00 $199.95 $179.00
Home Premium $239.00 $215.00 $159.00 $143.00
Home Basic $199.00 $179.00 $99.95 $89.95
I've played with Vista some today and honestly? Don't hate it. They have fixed alot of legacy UI issues and seem to have done more of a job on permissions.
I can't attest to the playability of AO, as AO won't load, but otherwise ... well ... like I said, I don't hate it. And you'd have to know me to understand how much that really says.
I can't attest to the playability of AO, as AO won't load, but otherwise ... well ... like I said, I don't hate it. And you'd have to know me to understand how much that really says.
hyde i explained what i thought was the problem with AO on your machine on the AO forums. unfortunately it is most likely an issue of permissions.
yes i hate the DRM stuff. however i believe that people will eventually find a way to work around it. i am NOT saying this is a good thing, but if i have a CD, why should i be limited in the number of copies i make for MYSELF. if i want to make a copy of an ablum i purchased legally, why shouldnt i also be allowed to make a copy of it so i do not ruin the original.
as to the system resources for vista... yes it basically doubles the recommended specs from windows xp, however this IS on par with the history of windows unfortunately. i agree with the K.I.S.S. principle. there is ALOT of overhead on this new system. most of it is to have legacy support with older systems and older windows versions.
as for the family with 4 computers scenario... most users do not need the features of home premium. home premium has the mediacenter with it, along with being akin to xp pro. home basic is like xp home. this is fine for kids computers who dont use thier systems for much other than games/internet/school work. i can see them buying one home premium upgrade and then buying 3 home basic liscences. from what i have gathered, ALL vista install media will have the bits to install each diferent version on the DVD. this should allow you to just purchase one liscence with install CD, and then purchase additionall liscences for each version you wish to use.
yes i hate the DRM stuff. however i believe that people will eventually find a way to work around it. i am NOT saying this is a good thing, but if i have a CD, why should i be limited in the number of copies i make for MYSELF. if i want to make a copy of an ablum i purchased legally, why shouldnt i also be allowed to make a copy of it so i do not ruin the original.
as to the system resources for vista... yes it basically doubles the recommended specs from windows xp, however this IS on par with the history of windows unfortunately. i agree with the K.I.S.S. principle. there is ALOT of overhead on this new system. most of it is to have legacy support with older systems and older windows versions.
as for the family with 4 computers scenario... most users do not need the features of home premium. home premium has the mediacenter with it, along with being akin to xp pro. home basic is like xp home. this is fine for kids computers who dont use thier systems for much other than games/internet/school work. i can see them buying one home premium upgrade and then buying 3 home basic liscences. from what i have gathered, ALL vista install media will have the bits to install each diferent version on the DVD. this should allow you to just purchase one liscence with install CD, and then purchase additionall liscences for each version you wish to use.
Also posted on the AO forums, but as many here don't read there, this may be useful to someone:
Well, I got it running. And reinstalled just to see if I could figure which step made it "work" and ... well ... didn't have much of a problem the second time.
In fact, I had Vista running my Anarchy Online install in XP, so that I didn't have to make a copy of it (only thing I did was give all users write access to the AO directory on my XP drive and tell it to run AO in XP SP2 compatibility mode and put a shortcut in the games folder).
That said this is my basic review of AO under Vista:
1) In Old Athen or any other place on Rubi-Ka except in AI cities? Smooth as silk ... texture loading causes lag just like any other system, but once it is loaded once it is soooo much smoother than under other Windows systems.
2) Dual logging my 2nd account was also smoother.
3) In Shadowlands in -most- places Vista was much smoother. I was able to run through the Redeemed catacombs in Adonis with only a tiny stutter when doors opened.
4) However, in Pandemonium during a 80 person Beast raid my lag was HORRENDOUS. I've never seen pande so horribly choppy. Low FPS yes, but it was soooooo bad .. it was like a 2-3 fps slideshow.
5) Aliens are a mixed bag. The AI cities are actually worse for me. Turning around is better with regards to intermittent stuttering, but -everything- was slower overall. Alot slower. Almost as bad as the pande raid. Our city is in CoT and there were only 10 people there, so the zone / population shouldn't have been a problem. The ship was also in the "smoother but overall much slower" category.
6) I had the same text distortion that many other people mentioned.
Will I upgrade? Not sure. Vista -is- very nice. But at least for now the performance of AO under stress conditions is just too poor right now. I may be willing to go to a 4GB system IF that fixes it, but if its an unadressable degradation I probably will hold off as long as I can (I only upgraded to XP a year or so ago)
For the record, my system:
Sun W2100z
Dual AMD Opteron 246
2GB RAM
Ultra SCSI HDs
Nvidia 6800GT video card
Windows Vista RC1 w/default video drivers
(simply put, for CPU, memory and drive throughput, my system far exceeds -most- AO systems ... I can easily dual log 2 accounts and both be playable, I can do 3 and be "ok" and I can do 4 in a pinch)
PS. My sincere hope is that some of the slow-down was either a lack of RAM (but I have 2GB!), due to not using the Nvidia video driver (but I've heard it has huge stability problems atm) or due to RC1 still having alot of debugging code in.
Well, I got it running. And reinstalled just to see if I could figure which step made it "work" and ... well ... didn't have much of a problem the second time.
In fact, I had Vista running my Anarchy Online install in XP, so that I didn't have to make a copy of it (only thing I did was give all users write access to the AO directory on my XP drive and tell it to run AO in XP SP2 compatibility mode and put a shortcut in the games folder).
That said this is my basic review of AO under Vista:
1) In Old Athen or any other place on Rubi-Ka except in AI cities? Smooth as silk ... texture loading causes lag just like any other system, but once it is loaded once it is soooo much smoother than under other Windows systems.
2) Dual logging my 2nd account was also smoother.
3) In Shadowlands in -most- places Vista was much smoother. I was able to run through the Redeemed catacombs in Adonis with only a tiny stutter when doors opened.
4) However, in Pandemonium during a 80 person Beast raid my lag was HORRENDOUS. I've never seen pande so horribly choppy. Low FPS yes, but it was soooooo bad .. it was like a 2-3 fps slideshow.
5) Aliens are a mixed bag. The AI cities are actually worse for me. Turning around is better with regards to intermittent stuttering, but -everything- was slower overall. Alot slower. Almost as bad as the pande raid. Our city is in CoT and there were only 10 people there, so the zone / population shouldn't have been a problem. The ship was also in the "smoother but overall much slower" category.
6) I had the same text distortion that many other people mentioned.
Will I upgrade? Not sure. Vista -is- very nice. But at least for now the performance of AO under stress conditions is just too poor right now. I may be willing to go to a 4GB system IF that fixes it, but if its an unadressable degradation I probably will hold off as long as I can (I only upgraded to XP a year or so ago)
For the record, my system:
Sun W2100z
Dual AMD Opteron 246
2GB RAM
Ultra SCSI HDs
Nvidia 6800GT video card
Windows Vista RC1 w/default video drivers
(simply put, for CPU, memory and drive throughput, my system far exceeds -most- AO systems ... I can easily dual log 2 accounts and both be playable, I can do 3 and be "ok" and I can do 4 in a pinch)
PS. My sincere hope is that some of the slow-down was either a lack of RAM (but I have 2GB!), due to not using the Nvidia video driver (but I've heard it has huge stability problems atm) or due to RC1 still having alot of debugging code in.
glad you got AO running under vista. 
i havent noticed the same issues you are with reguards to AI cities, and i odnt have access to pande raids, so i cant comment on that. i *have* heard that using readyboost capable usb key will help performance in those types of areas, and also, defragmenting the drive with the page file disabled using a 3rd party defragmenting tool helps. there arent many that will work with vista so you have to search some forums for a suitable one. the built in defragger keeps the area previously used as a page file as unmoveable space, so you should use a 3rd party tool to get around that. also a 1-2 gig fixed size page file can help i have heard too, but only if the page file is not spread out all over the drive due to fragmentation.
i also use the default nvidia drivers, and i crash alot with either the new nvidia RC1 drivers or the defaults, no difference there really.
RC1 doesnt have debugging code that i know of, the last debugging version was 5384, 5472 was supposed to have the debugging code gone. i coudl be wrong about that tho.
i also have noticed that the windows solutions finder when AO crashes keeps telling me this is fixed in vista RTM (release to manufacturing or bussinesses like dell, etc). whether or not this is true, i dont know, and i am supprised that they havent offered this *fix* as an update to vista RC1 so we can find other buggs that crash programs.
we have to keep in mind this *is* a beta OS still. yes it is a release candidate, but that doesnt mean its finished.
i havent noticed the same issues you are with reguards to AI cities, and i odnt have access to pande raids, so i cant comment on that. i *have* heard that using readyboost capable usb key will help performance in those types of areas, and also, defragmenting the drive with the page file disabled using a 3rd party defragmenting tool helps. there arent many that will work with vista so you have to search some forums for a suitable one. the built in defragger keeps the area previously used as a page file as unmoveable space, so you should use a 3rd party tool to get around that. also a 1-2 gig fixed size page file can help i have heard too, but only if the page file is not spread out all over the drive due to fragmentation.i also use the default nvidia drivers, and i crash alot with either the new nvidia RC1 drivers or the defaults, no difference there really.
RC1 doesnt have debugging code that i know of, the last debugging version was 5384, 5472 was supposed to have the debugging code gone. i coudl be wrong about that tho.
i also have noticed that the windows solutions finder when AO crashes keeps telling me this is fixed in vista RTM (release to manufacturing or bussinesses like dell, etc). whether or not this is true, i dont know, and i am supprised that they havent offered this *fix* as an update to vista RC1 so we can find other buggs that crash programs.
we have to keep in mind this *is* a beta OS still. yes it is a release candidate, but that doesnt mean its finished.
lol no, i wish they did i could work from home then and play AO most of the day .
i just like what vista is shaping up to be. as i said, it still has issues, but its also not finished yet either, so we can only wait and see how it shapes up. it has ALOT of good features for PC gamers tho, so i'm hoping for a decent release when it is released.
i could work from home then and play AO most of the day . i just like what vista is shaping up to be. as i said, it still has issues, but its also not finished yet either, so we can only wait and see how it shapes up. it has ALOT of good features for PC gamers tho, so i'm hoping for a decent release when it is released.