Windows Vista & WiFi Saga Continues

That Gateway laptop with Windows Vista that I had so much trouble with was back under my typing fingers again today. I finally had it working perfectly with the new NetGear router, so it was time to see if it would connect to the older Dell WiFi router.
Drum roll, please…. No. Same garbage. Connect up, [...]

Windows Vista WiFi Connection – Not a No Brainer

The other day I wrote about a problem connecting a new Gateway laptop with Windows Vista Home Premium (the sticker on the laptop said “Vista Basic”) to wireless networks – WiFi and Vista Problems.
With or without WiFi security, the Vista laptop would connect, but not obtain a DHCP address. Interestingly, setting an address manually would [...]

Windows Vista, A Cheap Computer, and Vista Ready Boost

Another tale of the cheap computer today. Now, again, I like inexpensive, but I HATE cheap – there is a difference!
My friends at the local ISP were talking about a customer who had just received a new PC as a gift from family members. This speed demon was equipped with Vista Basic (no flashy [...]

WiFi and Vista – Problems with basic hookup

My mistake. I told someone that hooking up a Vista Laptop to their WiFi should be a piece of cake. “It’ll prompt you for the key”, I told her.
A home user from one of my clients bought her daughter a laptop for graduation. I gave her the basic buying guide recommendations and she adjusted to [...]

More Cheap Computers – Dell Sells at Walmart

I have written on cheap computers before, now I read that Dell will start selling a couple models at Walmart. I do hope Dell doesn’t repeat the fiasco of a decade or so ago when they sold inferior garbage at Sam’s with little warranty and a humongous repair bill if you were dumb enough to [...]

Microsoft Surface Computer – Coffee Table Running Windows Vista!

If you can afford 5 to 10 grand for an electronic coffee table, take a look a Microsoft Surface. It isn’t being touted on Microsoft’s sight yet, but this Yahoo! News Article has some info on it.
A coffee table with a touch screen top that responds to more than one touch at a time. Now [...]

Windows Vista – A Dead End?

I was cleaning out my bookmarks and came across this great post from John C. Dvorak at PCMag.com. It’s titled Is Vista a Dead End?
I tend to agree with what John is saying here, especially the part about Apple running out of ideas for Microsoft to try to copy (some would say they aren’t very [...]

Upgrade Vista? – XP Support Will End in 2 Years

April 14, 2009. That’s the date I understand Microsoft will officially discontinue support for Windows XP Home and Windows XP Professional.
Yes, I know. That seems like a long time out to even mention it. But believe me, that day will be here before you know it.
Does that mean you can’t run Windows XP past that [...]