Windows Vista Update

First Time Vista user.

by SooTat Lim
(7 Jalan RK5/14, Rasah Kemayan, Seremban, Malaysia)

Recently bought a new HP Desktop PC with pre-installed Vista and following specification:
CPU (E2140) with integrated graphic controller, 512MB RAM, CD-RW/DVD comb and 17” LCD monitor.

Upon received of system, I immediately surf the internet and to my dismay, the response was really slow.

Most of the time, the system “hung” and I have to power off to restart the PC.

After 3 days of frustrating attempts to learn and get use to Vista, I give up and install XP into my system.

Thing look perfect but there is NO ethernet connection due to missing driver. Tried to re-install Vista but failed as I didn’t make a discovery disc.

I did not make a copy of recovery disc as I misunderstood that C-drive can be formatted without affecting the recovery software installed in D-drive.

After much reasoning with HP, they sent me a recovery disc.

Also got detail about mother board – model number and manufacturer.

Download the necessary drivers and got XP running smoothly.

Received the Recovery Disc few weeks later, I reinstall Vista to see if I can solve the “slow” problem.

After Vista recovery was completed, I perform Vista update. I start surfing and found thing is running a lot smoother.

But graphic for Age of the Empire was bad. Later increase memory by 1GB.

General application and net surfing improved but still find same problem with graphic display for AOE.

Installed a graphic card (GF8400) and graphic problem was solved. Now my Vista run as smoothly as the XP.

Actions to consider for First Time Vista user.
• Memory installed must be 1.5GB or higher (for smoother Vista operation).
• Included graphic card (for any game user).
• Run Vista updates before surfing the net (a must to avoid system slow down).
• Make Recovery disc (for HP user).
• Have DVD install.
• Noted the motherboard model and manufacturer (for those who prefer to use XP).