First Hand Experience : Vista

Despite hearing many times about how bad Vista is, I have decided to get a whole new computer with Vista Business installed on it. So far I’ve only used it for 3 days and theres nothing bad about it. If you are planning to use more than 3 gigabytes of RAM then I suggest 64-bit. Why do you ask? Because I currently have 32-Bit edition with 4gbs of RAM but it only registers as 3.25. As for specs, I suggest turning UAC (User Account Controls) off. Everytime you need to install or run something it pops up asking you to allow it. One thing that Vista uses to lure people in is its stylish design. Personally, I like the OS and design. Many people I know say Vista is a resource hog and and slows everything down but, so far, I haven’t experienced anything going slower than usual. If you were to buy a new computer then I would suggest Vista and not XP. By choosing Vista you can get the maximum out of your gaming by using DirectX 10. Currently I have a 8800 GTS which can run DX10 but I can’t use it because it won’t fit into my Dell case. You need a better computer then a Dell to fit a 8800 because its pretty meaty. It barely fits inside but it takes up 2 slots and bumps into my fan so I bought it for nothing. It’s going to go into my closet for now.

As for first hand experience it was pretty amazing for me. The Windows Update automatically found all of my needed drivers for wireless, graphics, and sound. Although you might think that this feature is good it might miss some unknown hardware that Windows might not know. So, in about an hour, my computer was already set up and ready to use.

Graphics card problems!

Well here I am again, writing another blog about my troubles. Well now I am having problems with my graphics card. I decided last that to reinstall F.E.A.R on my computer, as one of my friends wanted to play. I thought to myself “meh, why not?” Then all hell broke lose. I just remembered that my UK version of F.E.A.R needs to be fully patched to version 1.08 before I can even begin to play with my friends on multiplayer. But the problem is, you can’t download a patch that will take you straight from version 1.00 to 1.08. Instead for the UK version, you have to bloody download each patch file one by one, which is total bullshit. How the hell does the American version get that patch file but not the UK version? But anyway, once I downloaded each patch file (which took a good two hours) I decided to start my game up. I thought I wouldn’t have any problems as I have an 8800GT so it should have played well. But the problem wasn’t the fps, it was my damn game crashing over and over again after about five to thirty minuets of play. Red artifacts just appeared all across my screen and my whole computer locked up, forcing me to pull the computer by the plug. I couldn’t fucking believe this, I spent about three hours installing and upgrading the game, and it turns out that my computer just crashes as soon as I start playing it. I googled my problem and found out that the 8800GT has problems with F.E.A.R. Supposedly it has something to do with the memory clocks on my graphics card being too high. I mean what the fuck? This game has been out for about 4 years now, so I should expect most new cards to run it flawlessly. But no, old Shocky can’t have what he wants, a game of F.E.A.R without having to yank my power cord out after five minuets of gameplay.

Anyway I think I shall call that a night. For knows who want to know what my screen looked like when it crashed, I have included a picture at the bottom.