Is Windows Vista really as horrible as we are finding for the internet or did we get a fluke computer?? So we bought a new computer this week after waiting until Windows Vista came out and has been out for about a year now,thinking it would be great to get the new technology though not as soon as it came out and we wanted a new computer anyway. After several HOURS on the phone troubleshooting with the internet service provider and the manufacturer...no luck in getting the computer to hook up to the internet. It has a persistent 169 IP address. After the hours on the phone, it was suggested to us that we return it, demand that the seller fix the problem with it, or pay more money to "downgrade" to Windows XP that has less problems with internet connection. We are ready to return the thing, but thought I'd ask on here to see if this is "normal"...because why would anybody want it if it's normal and yet Windows Vista is what comes on ALL the new computers. A rep at the internet service provider DID say that the technology will likely have the kinks worked out in a year or so, but it just seems odd to me that this be normal. Is it really??
After a week and a half of stress and hours on the phone with the Internet service provider, manufacturer, and after bringing it in to Firedog at Circuit City (worked there on their network of course, but not at home again), we had a professional come to our house to look at it. He said it was a little stubborn but he got it going within a half hour. Thankfully it FINALLY works. Really wish I would have asked about it before buying instead of assuming newer technology was better technology. I think I'll get over the grudge against the machine and enjoy it soon. LOL. THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR INSIGHTS AND HELP!!! I REALLY TRULY appreciate it!!
You aren't alone. We just got a new Dell laptop with Vista... WHY I really don't know... and it's been a POS. After reading some posts, I think I will contact Dell support (again) and see if we can downgrade to XP. So frustrating.
We bought a Dell Computer last Feb. and loved it until we got the Vista upgrade and installed it. We IMMEDIATELY had tons of problems - with media center and our Internet service "locking up" It was a nightmare when my 3year old couldn't play her Dora Games..... We eventually called Dell support and they talked us through uninstalling Vista and reinstalling XP. No problems since.
This is just my experience...but new operating software is notoriously buggy. The upgrade was just not worth the hassle for me. Good Luck.
Okay I know how frustrated you are because I went through the exact same thing...I got windows vista on my new computer and was on the phone with tech support for hours, with my internet provider as well as my computer manufacturer...I was getting the 169 IP address as well...after a couple days someone FINALLY figured out that my little black cable modem box had just happen to go bad at the exact same time...ironic but as soon as they switched them out I have not had any other problems...
Hi, C., I just read your posting about the Vista. I don't know anything about this, but I sent the message to my husband and he does. He works on computers for side jobs and is going back to school at DeVry for Web design and Progamming. He said that Visat isn't that complicated , but it may have something to do with downloads, router, or anti-virus. I'll send you his email if you want to contact him with the problem. We live in Bartlett, so not far from West Chicago. His name is Joe and here's his info...
____@____.com
If you want his cell # email me and I can give it to you. Good luck.
R.
Hi C., this is Nancy's husband, Greg. She was reading these posts to me and I couldn't resist chiming in. I work for a publishing company in the IT group and we are not moving to Vista in the foreseeable future. Luckily computer sellers cooperate with coporations more and let us pick whether we want to have XP or Vista pre-installed on our computers. There are options for consumers to stay away from Vista as well. One way (and the preferrable way) is to buy a Macintosh/Apple computer. This will get you the Mac OSX operating system, which is better than XP or Vista. I don't want to start a computer platform debate so I will not say anything else about Macintosh. The other way to stay away from Vista is to buy a new computer that came out before Vista which has XP and is still in its factory-sealed box. You can buy these from websites like newegg.com, tigerdirect.com and buy.com. Here are couple examples of these computers.
http://tinyurl.com/287pum
http://tinyurl.com/2bgdgf
Again these are brand new computers in their factory sealed box. It's popular opinion in the IT world that Vista is not worth the plastic it's wrapped in :) Even our manager who loves Microsoft products has decided against moving to Vista as there are too many problems with it, believing Microsoft just put it out to be competitive in business rather than helpful to the consumer. Good Luck w/ whatever you choose to do.
It sounds like there is something wrong with the computer that you bought. I also have Vista and don't have problems connecting to the internet. I will say that when I first started using the computer I had both Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox. I found that I had a lot of problems with Mozilla Firefox. Once I removed it from my computer, I didn't have any problems with the internet. As the former post indicated, you should be very careful with the software that you load onto the computer. Make sure that it is Vista compatible beforehand or you may have problems. I know that I even had to get a new software to use with my camcorder because the original software was not compatible with Vista. Apparently the Vista operating system was completely rewritten and bares little resemblance to XP or previous Microsoft operating systems. The one plus is that not too many people write spyware for Vista and it has built in defense mechanisms. Good luck!
I've heard the same thing.... that some people want to take it off and go back to XP... I dunno.. I want to get a new one too but not right now but I don't want all the headaches either... good luck
Hi C., my prayers are with you! I bought my new computer in February of this year. After 4 days on the phone to SBC and e-machines I finally had to call Best-Buy and have them send the Geek Squad that I thought I had paid for. Another $159 to them and all he did was to go in to the drivers which he said should have been set in the store! My personal opinion is that no one really still knows that much about Vista. The first thing I read in the Microsoft Community was that Bill Gates is making more money because no one can figure it out! I won't go back to XP now but I also still can't say I know everything. Being self taught I didn't know everything about my XP, but I was comfortable with it. I would suggest getting someone who knows more about it whether it's the Geek Squad or just a computer store that works on them. You'll have to probably go into the drivers and set it to your provider. Which it was as easy as it sounds! Good luck, I hope you get it fixed!
Where did you buy the computer? If you got it a Best Buy, they have the Geek Squad to help you out with any problems. If the computer is faulty, they will get you a brand new one. We always buy our electronics there. I think they are the only place that has in store help like that.
I haven't had any trouble with Windows Vista and the internet. The only problem I'm having with the internet is a blocked website which was blocked when I had XP so I know it isn't vista's fault. The only thing with Vista is that some software doesn't have complete vista compatibility. What ISP are you using and what problems are you having?
