Vista

[Aquagility]

I use Windows XP, and am thinking of changing to Vista.
But I have a massive PAF (Personal Ancestry File) - will it run on Vista?
Grateful for any help.

[bongoboy]

Only a small comment on this link,but it says most genealogy software should run on Vista.
http://genealogysoftwareguide.com/windows-vist a-genealogy/
If not,most things will run in compatibility mode.
I have just loaded W.W.T.B.A. millionaire pc game ,which states not Vista compatible.It runs perfectly in compatibility mode for xp on my Vista macnine.

[vehelpfulguy]

If you are running a PC or Laptop with XP already on it then I suggest your DONT upgrade to Vista.

This is not for anti-Vista reasons as I have a PC with Vista on it and it is fine.

But an upgrade copy of Vista is going to cost you a lot of money (�50 or �60) and if your computer is a few years old it will not be powerful enough to run it.

Vista really needs a decent modern CPU, with 2Gb of memory, and if your PC is less than that it will just crawl along.

Also the upgrade process can go wrong (it has gone wrong twice when I tried to do it and I know a lot about computers) and you could finish up with a completely unusable system.

If you REALLY want Vista then consider buying a new System unit to replace your existing one (assuming you have a PC rather than a laptop).

Dell recently were selling sysytem units for �160 with Vista on them and this is a far better use of your money than an upgrade.

See here for some computer deals (and other deals)

http://www.hotukdeals.com/

[vehelpfulguy]

One extra thing about upgrading to Vista.

For Vista to work all the hardware components in your PC need to have Vista drivers.

If the components are a couple of years old it may be that nobody has bothered to write drives for these components.

You may do an upgrade, and then find a major component, such as graphics or sound, does not work because there is no driver for it.

I did an upgrade to Vista from XP a year or so back, and after the upgrade the sound would not work. I searched all over the web for sound drivers and could not find them.

Luckily this was a test PC and I was able to go back to XP.

In the "real world" you cannot go back to XP if you find your Vista upgrade has gone all wrong. You will have to do a complete new XP re-install.

[Aquagility]

Thanks, bongoboy and vehelpfulguy.
vehelpfulguy, I am not thinking of converting to Vista, but I am getting a new PC and my kidz think I should have a laptop with Vista.
I really need to be able to run my genealogy file (PAF). Also I'm scared by the many posts from ab'ers who are having trouble learning how to live with Vista. I'm much too old to learn new tricks!
Come back, please.

[Ethel]

Vista will take some getting used to, so go the library before you buy your new machine and borrow some of their Vista guides. If you like the 'feel' of a particular book you could consider buying it.

Does this help with your PAF compatibility issue?

http://www.progenygenealogy.com/vista-upgrade- matrix.html

[bongoboy]

"Vista will take some getting used to"
Er,no more than any other operating system.
There's always google or this site to answer any questions you would have.

[Aquagility]

You're all very kind.
The point is, bongoboy, I'm used to XP and I'm an old dog who really does not want to have to learn new tricks!

[bongoboy]

So was i and it's not so very different.
And we are always here.

[Loretta]

The new link to upgrade PAF Companion is:
http://www.progenygen...b/PAFCompanion55B.exe

You may still experience problems. If so, please follow the directions in the following FAQ:
http://progeny.invisi...ex.php?showtopic=2373