Windows Vista Basic problems

[Rafferty]

I upgraded my Dell PC from XP to Vista basic a couple of weeks ago and have had nothing but hassle since. When I turn it on, half the time the monitor doesn't load and I have to restart the whole system? Whenever I turn the computer on it comes up with "error #5" and tells me to go to the installshield website for more information (i've been and there IS no error #5). Lastly and most annoyingly, my DVDs wont play on WMP or PowerDVD. WMP just locks up totally and PowerDVD plays three seconds of the DVD then goes back to the title screen!
Any ideas on how I can fix any of these problems would be lovely!
Thank you!

[fo3nix]

1) Why did you upgrade?
2) Why yo Vista _Basic_? (any reason you may upgrade is surely missing on Basic).

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=37

I suggest you revert to XP.

[fo3nix]

(and as a better answer: check your graphics drivers from the manufacturer's website.)

[Ethel]

This is a problem with your drivers and Vista.

Make sure your drivers are up to date and specific to vista.

Go into My Control Panel, System information and find out the hardware you have - then find the latest Vista drivers to download.
Be aware though that not everything has Vista compatible drivers yet, and there is no guarantee that there will be.

WMP - have you got WMP11?

Powerdvd is not compatible with Vista as far as I know.

[Rafferty]

The computer came vista ready though! I bought the computer in February and updated it in march. Surely it should just be able to upgrade without all these problems? I only went basic because that's what came with the package I bought.
Is there no way to fix all these problems?

[fo3nix]

When they said 'Vista ready', they were lying. Nobody was ready for Vista. most still haven't properly caught up, and it's been months and months since it was released for manufacturers to write drivers for.

The problem is that Microsoft changed the display driver model hugely and added a lot of DRM rubbish into the mix and generally made it harder for graphics card manufacturers to do things.

If you put in your XP CD you should be able to perform a complete re-format and get back to XP.

[Bob A Job]

Computers can never EVER be upgrade proof. They just dont work like that.
Chief Exec of General Motors (attacking Bill Gates) - "Well at least when you buy a new wing mirror for our cars, the car still works afterwards."

[kc70]

I have recently upgraded to windows vista and have been having loads of problems similar to yours. There are a lot of programs and software that are not compatible with windows vista os. I dont think that power dvd works with vista. You could try coing on the microsoft website to dowload the latest sofware. you could also try and search for your error online.