Vista to be available soon via TTU Options

[pebkac]

Over the last year, we have received numerous requests for the Windows Vista operating system. We have worked with Microsoft and at this time they have resolved the compatibility issues with software provided by the TTU IT Division under its site license agreements. After extensive testing and negotiation, the TTU IT Division will release Microsoft Vista to the TTU community on Monday, January 21, 2008. Two versions of Microsoft Vista are available:


• For faculty/staff campus users, Microsoft Vista Enterprise may be downloaded from the eRaider site to campus machines (http://eraider.ttu.edu).

Please note: installing Vista Enterprise on a non-campus, personal machine violates the terms of the Microsoft Campus Agreement. The resulting failed activation attempts will cause the system to default to Reduced Functionality Mode (RFM).


• For students and faculty/staff work-at-home users, Microsoft Vista Ultimate may be purchased for $10 in the ATLC (west basement of the University library).

Microsoft Vista uses considerably more system resources than previous operating systems, so please make sure your system meets the minimum system requirements before upgrading. Faculty/staff campus users are strongly encouraged to consult with their local IT support providers before upgrading their computers (or ordering new computers) with Microsoft Vista. We also highly recommend that individuals considering this upgrade review our FAQs beforehand at http://www.depts.ttu.edu/helpcentral/vista/.

This information is provided for those that are interested in upgrading to the Windows Vista operating system, there is no requirement for anyone to upgrade at this time. Windows XP Professional will continue to be supported by Microsoft and the IT Division of TTU.

Microsoft media purchases are available to TTU students, faculty, and staff, according to the terms of the Microsoft Campus Agreement. As with all site licensed software, you must sign a license agreement and present photo identification at the time of purchase. Please note that purchases must be made with cash or check only—at this time we are unable to accept credit card payment.

If you have any questions regarding Vista, please visit the Vista Web site at http://www.depts.ttu.edu/helpcentral/vista/. For other questions or for further information regarding Microsoft software sales, please contact IT Help Central at (806) 742- HELP (4357).

One question though... what's the difference between Vista Enterprise and Vista Ultimate?

[impala454]

I don't believe there's a difference in functionality, just in activation. Vista Ultimate is activated similiar to any other windows. Enterprise is for corporations and has to have a kinda central "activation server". Ultimate is the one you want.

[zetec]

wait, they've had requests for Vista?


...I guess lubbock really DOES have a crack problem.

[impala454]

Well for $10 it's at least worth a shot.

[Seeker]

you have to be a fucking retard to upgrade from xp to vista, even bill gates admitted in an interview that vista sucks

and when even impala agrees a microsoft product sucks you better believe it sucks

[zetec]

I'll probably still pick up a copy just so i can future-proof on the cheap when (if) it eventually becomes standard. So far it's taking the ME route though, with microsoft continually extending the XP support/sale dates, not placing heavy emphasis on it. hopefully it will fade away and we'll get that shiny new-from-the-ground-up windows in half a decade or so.

[impala454]

I went back to Vista 64 a couple weeks ago... and I'm still just completely blah about it. I mainly just wanted to go back to a 64 bit OS and get that last gig 'o ram (have 4 GB installed). I don't know... I'll probably find something that pisses me off again and make me switch back. Runs fast as mofo though w/4 GB of ram and no page file. I'd highly recommend disabling the windows search service and turn off indexing for all drives. That is, unless you enjoy having your hard drive thrash all the time when you're idle.

[2wolUTT]

I'd highly recommend disabling the windows search service and turn off indexing for all drives. That is, unless you enjoy having your hard drive thrash all the time when you're idle.

How do you do that?

[impala454]

to turn off windows search service: control panel (classic view) -> administrative tools -> services -> scroll down to "Windows Search" and right click -> properties -> startup type, choose disabled -> hit ok.

to turn off indexing: go to "computer" -> right click hard drive icon -> properties -> general tab -> uncheck "Index this drive for faster searching" -> hit ok (may take a few minutes depending on the amount of data on th drive. repeat for each hard drive you have.