just wandering if anyone has any trouble with software, imagers, etc. with the vista operating system. I just got a new laptop & I'm interested in purchasing software & imager. Should I wait until it is common for vista capabilities.

Typical with any new MS OS release you will have problems finding drivers that work with it.  lf it follows the path of XP it will not even become very stable until the first service pack is released.   Sorry I know thisdoes not help much.

Hi Astronomydomine,

A  very good Question!

I am also looking into upgrading and purchasing one more laptop and a new desktop, so I will be carefully watching this thread, I hope someone in here has already test drove the new version of windows, with assorted Imagers and astronomical software.

I am very hesitant in going out and just buying a new Computer with the new system, so for now I will just wait to see if others have had any problems with drivers and communication protocols, from what I have heard its going to have a lot of issues, I plan on waiting for some feed back before I buy.

Dennis

I haven't tried Windows Vista yet either, but from what I hear; you guys would do well to wait until the many issues they are having with it are resolved. Some of the complaints I've already heard from users are:

Slow start issues

Probelms in hibernate mode

Software and hardware compatability problems

Audio problems

Connectivity problems

and decryption problems

I've even heard that the developers can't even get some of their own software to work in it!

Hi Kevin,

Thanks for the heads up! I will probably just opt for an XP SP-2 system after reading your post.

I bet that there are a lot of frustrated Windows Vista users at this point.

It will probably take a while to get all the bugs out of Windows Vista.

Dennis ;)

I work for a company that deals in special software and is based on the windows platform. Last I check, even MS themselves have not fully supported Vista. I have tested with different software and the things I have found usually do more with compiling and processes of that nature. Although I haven't tried it with anything related to Astro imaging, I would think taking pictures would probably be ok, but the processing or stacking of the image may pose problems.

Like many have stated, initial release will be a bit rough, but like XP, I'd imagine in about 8 months most issues should be ironed out.

I've been running Vista since September ( Firstly as an evaluation copy, then the full retail version. ) So far i have had to update only my Nero Burning software.

Photoshop, and Registax are the only relevant titles to this forum which i've used with Vista so far. I have no problems to report.

I did have problems with my sound card and printer drivers while using the evaluation copy, but those were resolved fully by the time the full version was hitting the shelves with automatic updates.

My only advice is, if buying a new PC or laptop is to ignore MS and their recommended amount of Ram for Vista. I would suggest 1Gig of Ram. I'm using 512mb which is the bare minimum to install and run Vista, i will be upgrading. I can report though, my PC at least is very much more stable with Vista.

If anybody can still get hold of an evaluation copy of Vista to try before you buy, i have a serial number for it ( which is not available any longer from MS ) which would allow you to evaluate until June i believe. If you'd like it let me know. I'm pretty sure most will be impressed with it.

 Thanks for the feedback everyone! Basically, this is my first computer, so I can't compare it to xp or any other operating system. I do like my new laptop with vista home premium, no problems yet. I do know I need to make sure anything I buy for it needs to be vista capable. 

 I have 1 gig of memory & 120 gig hard drive. I plan on taking my time with most purchases for it. digital camara & printer work great with it. I did need to download versions to make it vista capable though. No big deal, once downloaded, it's so far, so good. 

 If you have any more useful thoughts on vista, it would be much appreciated.                                               

No that was good. The 32 bit version of Vista is more stable currently because the 64 bit version hasn't gotten the driver issues worked out yet in many cases. Be sure to ensure your software works with Vista before upgrading.

Sheridan wrote:

Typical with any new MS OS release you will have problems finding drivers that work with it.  lf it follows the path of XP it will not even become very stable until the first service pack is released.   Sorry I know thisdoes not help much.

Yes. You'll want to ensure you have the requisite hardware necessary to run Vista in a pleasant manner. I recommend 1-2 Gb of ram, fast processor (dual core preferred as Vista takes advantage of dual core), Aero compatible video card with sufficient memory, a sufficient hard drive with a fast seek time, and a nice monitor with which to view it. Oh and check your printer. Some older printers don't work with Vista.

Anth-Martian wrote:

I've been running Vista since September ( Firstly as an evaluation copy, then the full retail version. ) So far i have had to update only my Nero Burning software. Photoshop, and Registax are the only relevant titles to this forum which i've used with Vista so far. I have no problems to report. I did have problems with my sound card and printer drivers while using the evaluation copy, but those were resolved fully by the time the full version was hitting the shelves with automatic updates. My only advice is, if buying a new PC or laptop is to ignore MS and their recommended amount of Ram for Vista. I would suggest 1Gig of Ram. I'm using 512mb which is the bare minimum to install and run Vista, i will be upgrading. I can report though, my PC at least is very much more stable with Vista. If anybody can still get hold of an evaluation copy of Vista to try before you buy, i have a serial number for it ( which is not available any longer from MS ) which would allow you to evaluate until June i believe. If you'd like it let me know. I'm pretty sure most will be impressed with it.

            

             Just got a new laptop with vista. no problems yet,but as my old laptop ran on two hampsters I'm still getting used to the faster processing speed. I have a meade lx200, and run a meade DSI. No setup problems.

                                                              Michael

 

 

 

 

JUST AN UPDATE! I was just going through Orion's summer 07 catalog. I was checking out Starry Night software, which I would like to get. But at the bottom of the advertisement, it states "Will not run on Windows Vista". Here it is july already, and I still can not get Starry Night that is capable of running on a new computer with Vista. Maybe by Christmas if I am lucky.

i got my computer to look and sound like it runs on vista.  its pretty neat.  my brother has a new computer that runs on vista.  i like xp only becasue i understand it.  but i have plans for a new machine with vista once they get more operatable programs.  or my current machine dies!

I bought a new computer with vista, my scanner/printer wouldn't install untill i went on the lexmark website and downloaded a fix, my guitar  lesson software would'nt install untill i downloaded a fix from the manufacturer so there are some problems but allmine have been worked out and as long as foljks report registar and photoshop wotk fine i would say go ahead and get vista.

My old Dell Insirion just was not capable of handling imaging once I got the DSIproII. I started having multi-problems. I went yesterday and bought a brand new Sony Vaio with the works ( at least as much as I could afford ) At first I had several problems with compatibility issues. So far though (RegiStx4, Adobe CS2, K3 v1, PSP-X, AutoStar IP, DSIproII drivers, Envisage, VDub, RGBSplit & Frontend, have installed and seem to work fne.

 My ONLY problem " so far " is the drivers for the SPC900NC.  "Supposedly" there is a patch for Vista on MSofts dload page, however (Gain,etc... ) I am unable to control, through the settings manager.

 The biggest difference I noticed was how Vista installed the DSI ( Camera ) on XP there was a setup wizard. This time after installing IP, and drivers. It simply recgonized the camera. No questions asked. Personally I think it has a great look to it, and is easy to navigate ( once you figure out where everything is ) But then again with the new Intel Dual Core processors, 120gb HD, etc......its hard to find much fault with my new toy.

 

just my

HI Folks,

Just last week I had to replace my desktop PC that was running Windows XP - Sp/2, with a brand new Compaq Presario Tower that I found on sale for $345.00, for that price it only included the Tower, Keyboard, and Mouse.

I came with the Vista basic system, with the Intel 3.2 ghz processor, 1 gig of sdddr2 ram, a 140 gig hard drive, a Nividia Gforce 128 M video card, and a NIC card.

I was hesitant, but I couldn't resist it at that price.
Is there a big difference between the Vista basic and other versions of Vista?

I ask only because I cannot get Registax 4 or, Photo Shop 7.0 to run on this system.
is there a patch that I am not aware of?

The first thing I did was to go to the Windows update site and I made sure that any updates available were downloaded and installed.

The funniest thing about this system, is it came with a program called Rhapsody, for music available on line, but when I clicked on it, the website says my system is not supported !

Go figure! Compaq preinstalled software that the Makers of Rhapsody don't support???????

Oh what a headache!

The printer or scanner wont work either, Its more for my wife's use online than anything else, for that it works just fine.

For now I'm stuck working on images with my laptop, the only problem I have with this is that my laptop has a TFT instead of LCD (transistor film technology) for a display, which has been giving me a hard time trying get the images to appear the same on my laptop as my Desktop, it plays havoc with the Gamma and contrast differences when I process them.

Any suggestions guys?

Dennis ;) 

I had no probelms with RegiStax4 or PS CS2, I suggest going to the MS update page. Yesterday a update for Vista was added. My system has been running greatsince the update.

 

Just a quick note that you can try to run your programs in Windows XP service pack 2 compatiblity mode(note highlight the program exe file and right click then select properties then compatiblity tab then select windows xp service pack 2 then checkmark the box below and then click the apply button). Also make sure that the program you are using(if it's a game as well)make sure the resolution matches your screen or there is a possiblity of screen crash or lockup(easily killed with task manager). Vista is still in the infancy stage and hopefully Service pack 1 isn't delayed that much longer. All my son's games work that aren't Vista compatible(Oblivion,Diablo II,Overlord,etc). With work you can get MOST programs working with a tweak or two.(some run just fine :P)

 

Edit: Son's tweaks for games,etc was done by me LOL 

Thanks Bert,

I will give that a try, at this point I will try anything I can, I did just get an update from the HP site today, It could have also been a bad download from Registax. I now have photoshop 7.0 working after the updates from HP.

Thanks!

Dennis ;)

Use a Mac. It comes with a good photo editing program called iPhoto.