Tony Sutton’s Blog!

This is my feedback and mini review on the Windows Vista Ultimate RTM based on the build 6000 on my 3 years old laptop, a Sony Vario PCG-FR105.

It comes with the following hardware:

* Mobile AMD Athlon XP2000+ (around 1.67Ghz)
* 512MB RAM
* 40GB Hitachi DK23EA-40 4200 rpm HDD
* NVIDIA GeForce 4 420 GO

From the start of the setup up toward the end (after entering my username, wallpaper, etc) to the desktop, it took about 25 minutes, not bad considering it’s running on an 4200rpm laptop HDD (Hitachi DK23EA-40). I would suspect it will be quicker on a faster rpm and faster CPU. Still, it’s about the same install speed as the XP anyway.

When you reach the desktop, the first thing you will see is the Welcome Center, giving you all of the information to get yourself started with Windows Vista.

The first thing I did was to check to see if Vista recognised all of the hardware. And it turned out to be only one, which was the Motorola SM56 Speakerphone Modem. A quick visit to Windows Update found the driver and got it installed without any problems. It also have 4MB worth of updates to download which are standard:

* Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - Nov 2006
* Definition Update for Windows Defender

An instant protection for your computer with the latest updates as soon as you use it. Oh and another note about Windows Update… I do not have to visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com anymore as it’s now integrated with Vista under System and Maintenance. So one things less to visit.

The interface are pretty samey, but with more vibrant colours and easy on eyes. The Alt + Tab to switch programs/tasks are a bit same with better text & colours. But the new feature is Windows Flip - if your video card supports WDDM (Windows Driver Display Model) - usually on DirectX 9 supported video card, use Windows Flag + TAB to use the Windows Flip. It looks cool.

The start menu has been redesigned too. No more menu after menu, everything you need is in one start menu. Click ‘More’, and it will appearing the same Start menu window. Looking for a specific program? No problem, just type in the name of the program and it will find for you.

Straight to Window Explorer - it has the interface changed and it seems to be much easier to navigate around and finding the files I need quickly. If you click an image in Window Explorer, you will see that you can rate the image, give it a Tag (i.e. holiday, photo, Tony) for easy searching.

Configuring the network are much easier now with Network and Sharing Center. Everything you need to know are on one screen. Want to make your computer to share files on the network? Sure, just click it and select “On”. That’s how simple it is.

Now to games - all games has been given a big make up and it’s now more 3D with better colours and more “alive”. And there are some new games which are more suitable for kids, useful to keep the kids busy.

There are more to say about the new Windows Vista, but I think the review above are the most things that we would use.

For speed wise - I have not noticed any slowness when using the laptop with Vista. Programs loads up and close as quick as I see on XP. Left running as idle, it uses around 240MB, with OneCare beta running (which is a resource hog at the moment) and without OneCare, it sits around 200MB or so. I think it’s the same with XP… not too sure, will need to check. Obviously, it’s all depending on what drivers you have loaded up at startup (i.e. mine has the 56k modem driver, the firewall, the Windows Defender, etc)

Check out the screenshots at http://www.hypergallery.co.uk/vistabetas - ignore the other screenshots of the previous beta build - look on page 2 for build 6000 for the new screenshots.

Well, there you go, this was my “Mini Review” of the new operating system - Windows Vista Ultimate.

If you have any questions or want me to make a screenshot of something - let me know!

My new debit card arrived - but no PIN number yet. Booo!

Has been a busy week for us.

As you know, Vista has gone Gold. Microsoft gave away free copy of Vista Business or Ultimate to 20,000 beta testers. And I’m one of them. So I’m planning to move over to Vista Ultimate on my main PC soon.

Weekend is here. Planning to do some stuff around the house first before going house (like dusting, hoover, cleaniong up, etc), which is not fun but it has to be done anyway.

Anyone done your Xmas shopping? Not yet for me as I didn’t have access to my card - till now! Going to shop online as it’s easier for me.

Anyway, things to do!

Just got this… it was a question regarding the Media Center Edition (MCE) on Vista and the lack of subtitles on DVB-T.

Hey, Tony…if you’re out there please email me at xxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.com with your full shipping address, so I can get your goodies out to you.

Best Question goes to TonyS for the series of questions ending with “Ref: 66: The UK is turning off analogue very soon. We are moving over to DVB-T. If there is no subtitles support for DVB-T, it’s DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) for many Deaf and Hard of Hearing people. This must need to be looked at.”

Working behind the bar tonight and it has been slow so far… Yawn.

Got two quotes from the local companies for the double glazing door today a=
nd it was much better than Everest quote! Waiting for one more which is nex=
t sat before deciding which one to go. Hopefully by then, I will have acces=
s to my money to pay for it!

Hope your Sat is enjoyable like mine!=

Still no update yet. I’m low on money again. Fuel in my car is running out.=
Topped up 10 pounds worth 2 days ago, all gone. Topped 7 pounds worth this=
morning, hopefully should last till sunday. Both fuel was bog standard unl=
eaded, which is crap. I usually top up with BP Ultimate which gives me bett=
er boost and more mileage. Shows that it works because the tenner I put in =
only lasted around 40 miles worth of journey.

If I don’t get anything in the post when we get home tonight or tomorrow mo=
rning, I’m going to see my bank to find out what’s happening. And try to ge=
t more money for food and stuff.

You have no idea how annoying it is when you have no access to money :(=

Been to my bank to find out what happened to the other £60 (see my earlier posting)

It turned out to be fraud too… someone used it to pay for adult videos online.

The cheek!

It was taken on the same day as the other two, so the fraud dept is looking into this as well.

Still no new card yet… I’m dying! I only have about £1.50 in coins for the rest of the week.

And I have -£180 in my bank account (yes, minus £180) - in other words, I have no money till the Fraud Dept returned my money and/or payday which is on the 25th - long wait!

Anyone got any spare changes for me?

The delivery arrived… at 5:30pm! The guy said we was the last one at their rounds… wasted the whole afternoon waiting for them! Nevermind.

And our new mattress are here now. It’s memory Deluxe Mattress and all we can say are - WOW! Fab! Sooo comfy and our backs felt much better now. Well worth the purchase.

Been googling about the jet car which caught fire - I’ve found it including some details.

http://www.eurodragster.com/news/news.asp?Story=november05#november05

4th picture down

The weekend trip to Santa Pod was GREAT!

Lots of cars, lots of actions and of course, LOTS OF ENGINE NOISE! Even that I am Deaf, my ears hurts. But we both enjoyed the weekend event and would do it again next year if we can.

On Sat night, just before it ends at 7pm, there was a big jet car which sadly exploded as it starts to speed off. The fire raged from the jet and the car was moving slowly along the drag strip. The rescue crew was taking TOO long to attend the jet car and the people at the start line had to run after the jet car to rescue the driver inside it. It was a good 2 to 3 minutes before he can be dragged out of the burning car.

Thankfully the guy was fine. Good old fireproof clothing that saved him.

Sunday was “Run What Ya Brung” - http://www.rwyb.co.uk - any cars ranging from Nova car, family wagon to a fast car like Evo, Scooby and heavily modified cars. They put their cars on the drag strip to see how fast they can go and how long it took them to do it. Was a good day too.

Plently of photos at my Gallery - Santa Pod photos - no movies yet as I don’t have firewire card in my computer to copy from the video camera… need to borrow or buy one if it’s cheap enough.

And it was VERY hard for me when I have NO money at all - I saw loads of stuff I wanted to buy but I couldn’t. I had to ask the missus to withdraw £100 so we can buy some stuff for ourselves and myself. Even dinner and lunch - so very big thank you to her. Still waiting for my new card and PIN number…

Our Monday starts with a day off as we have a delivery coming in today between 12pm to 6pm - don’t you hate it when they can’t give you a specific time? I’m hoping for 12pm so we can go out and enjoy the day.

Hope you enjoy your Monday!

Ice everywhere this morning! Good thing I have my ice scraper and anti free=
ze spray with me!

But first, need to prepare sandwiches for us and put it in the cool bag. Th=
en we are off!=

Well, its the big event tomorrow. Weather is looking good for tomorrow, eve=
n that its around -2C tonight and we are cold!

Earlier this afternoon, we went to Kettering for shoping and I got a new pa=
ir of shoe, well boots as my current one has holes which let in water! It w=
as a good price too… 29 pounds and its very comfy fit. Should be good for=
tomorrow.

Digital camera and video camera’s batteries has been fully charged up.

Going to have early night soon as we are getting up early tomorrow to beat =
the traffic.

Night! :D=

Got my ass up early in the morning, and had a look under the car, using my camera to take the pictures so I can figure out how to remove it without damaging anything.

And it wasn’t too bad, it’s just stuck between the CAT exhaust and the road. After giving it a good wobble and pulling, it came out!!

Here’s the photos to see how bad it is

http://www.hypergallery.co.uk/catheatshield?page=2

I know why it happened… around 4 months ago or so, I put some stainless steel cable tie wrap on one side but I didn’t do the other side (I forgot), which then caused the rust on the nut to came out and fall down.

Sorted then… for now! ;D

Tomorrow morning is where I head off to Kettering for the Santa Pod’s weekend and the CAT heatshield decided it was a good time to come off and get wedged between the CAT system and the road, causing it to bunkle up!

I have no access to the jacking trolley and the car is too lowered for me to go under to remove it.

ARGHHH. :/

Going to leave it to cool down so I can try to remove it early tomorrow morning!

Mmm, lack of posting from me was because I have been trying to sort out the bank card fraud I’ve suffered.

On Monday late in the evening, I checked my bank online and noticed a very big drop of money in there. Called my bank and cancelled my card just in case. They advised me to visit the brach to look into my account.

On Tuesday morning, I went to the bank to find out what is happening. And found out that £200 was gone and it seems that it was used for casino, lottery and card game on a specific website/online. There was another £500 missing too and since the fraud transations was still ‘pending’, we can’t find out who it came from, but had a good feeling it would be going to the same company as the £200.

This morning, went back to the bank and confirmed that it was the same company who took the payment, so we filled ut the fraud paperwork to recover the money.

So, yeah… I’ve lost £700 and we have no idea how it happened. I keep my card with me all the time. It never go out of my sight when paying for it. I check the ATM machine before inserting my card in the machine. I keep all my bank staement in my filing. I shred all receipts, mix up the shredded paper and bin them in different bins in different location.

Yet they somehow managed to get my card details for gambling! :/

You have no idea how annoyed I am because it would mean waiting for a new card to come in the post and re-do all of the standing order, bills, any other companies that still have my card details for monthly payment (i.e. ISPs, bills, etc)

And I only had about £5 or so with me at that time, but thankfully, the bank allowed me to withdraw £50 to last me till I get my card. But I realised that I need more money as we’re off to Kettering and also Santa Pod this Friday for the weekend event and need petrol money. So I might get more money tomorrow.

Bah to whoever stole my money - I hope you burn slowly in a pool of acid while alive.