BF2S Forums Windows Vista Q&A (Official Vista Thread)

Brizzzer wrote:

http://i9.tinypic.com/2najt44.png

Your Vista Q&A

Q: Which version do I want, 32-bit or 64-bit?
A: Well it depends, are you going to be running 64-bit applications or not?  Windows Vista 64-bit is backwards computable with 32-bit applications but not 16-bit applications.  Some installers for 32-bit programs use 16-bit installers.  If you are not going to be running 64-bit applications then just stick with 32-bit version. [ Source ]

Q: Which package of Windows Vista should I get?
A: Well you got three choices.  Basic, Premium, and ultimate.  Basic, being for people who are usually do light work on their PC and or do not want any extras that come with the other too. Premium, is Basic with some extra features, Aero Glass and such.  Ultimate have features from the business end of Vista and have the features of Premium. [ Source ]

Q: If I upgrade from XP to Vista, will all my programs be compatible?
A: No, some XP programs are not compatible with VIsta!  See a list here.

Q: Where do I get graphics card drivers?
A: ATi drivers can be found here.  nVidia drivers can be found here.  Both companies have released official drivers for Vista.

Q: Where do I get motherboard drivers?
A: You will need to check with your motherboard manufacture to get the correct Vista drivers if avaible.

Q: I have a Creative sound card is their drivers for Vista yet.
A: From the looks of it they do have some Vista drivers for Creative products. Check here.

Q: Will Vista support floppy disk drives?
A: Yes

Q: Will games still work on Vista 32-bit and 64-bit?
A: Yes, most 32-bit games will work with Vista 32 and 64-bit.  However some games will need some editing before working correctly and their our some performance issues w/ DirectX 9 backwards compatibility. [ Source | Source ]

Q: Is OEM version the same as retail version of Windows Vista.
A: The Vista OEM versions will allow a user either to do a fresh installation, or to upgrade their previous Windows XP installation. [ Source ]

Q: If I don't have a 64-bit processor, is there any point in upgrading?
A: Yes if you have at least an 800Mhz CPU. Running 32-bit code is still going to be around for a while. [ Source ]

Q: If I'm not willing to shell out for DX10 graphics card, is there any point in upgrading?
A: As of right now DX10 cards are not cheap enough to make it worth your effort.  However nVidia is Q1 and Q2 will be releasing more G80 series cards.  Such as the 8300GT and 8600GT/GT Ultra.

Q: How much RAM does Vista need? What are System Requirements?
A: A min of 512MB of RAM is need.  You can find the system requirements here.

Q: BF2, BF2:SF, and BF2142 keeps saying failed to install please start from the beginning, what do I do?
A: Go to My Computer > Explore DVD > Right click on setup.exe and select properties > Click the compatibility tab > check Run Compatibility mode and select Windows XP SP2 > Click OK then run setup.


-----=====[ How To's ]=====-----

Disabling Account Control:
This is to stop all those annoying pop ups asking you if you want to run this or that.(So annoying...)
1. Click Start
2. Click Control Panel
3. User Accounts
4. Click "Turn User Account Control on or off."
5. Uncheck "Use User Account Control (UAC) to help protect your computer."
6. Click Ok and close everything.
7. Restart Computer.
Now all those annoying pop ups should be gone.  You can now even select which affinity(CPU core) to use on what programs!  I had to figure this out my self.


-----=====[ Resources ]=====-----

32-Bit Vs. 64-Bit
Versions Of Vista
Vista Software Compatibility List
Adobe Reader Install Error Fix


=====[ BF2 Installation Instructions for Vista ]=====

1. Install BF2 by setting the install.exe to XP emulation.
2. Install BF2 patch 1.41 no changes needed.
3. Install BF2:SF by setting the install.exe to XP emulation.
4. Install BF2:EF no changes needed.
5. Install BF2:AF no changes needed.
6 Install BF2 patch 1.41 no changes needed.
7. Right click on shortcut > properties > click compatibility tab > check emulation for Windows XP > check "Run this program as an administrator." > Click Ok(Do this for both BF2 and BF2:SF!)
8. Play!!!


=====[ BF2142 Installation Instructions for Vista ]=====

1. Install BF2142 by setting the install.exe to XP emulation.
2. Install BF2142 patch 1.1 no changes needed.
3. Right click on shortcut > properties > click compatibility tab > check "Run this program as an administrator." > Click Ok
4. Play!!!

Note: The patches and addons were installed through EA Link and were installed on Vista 32-Bit!!!  If your running multi-core CPUs see above on how to disable "User Account Control".  This will allow you to select which CPU core to run the game on.  Makes for smooth game play!


-----=====[ Vista Drivers ]=====-----


-----[ Video ]-----

nVidia has released drivers 100.59 as of Jan 31, 2007.  These drivers paired with a reinstallation of DirectX 9.0c has improved BF2142 performance for ME.  Give it a try and see if it makes a difference for you.

32-Bit Download
64-Bit Download

Remeber these are BETA

-----[ Motherboard ]-----

eVGA
ASUS
DFI  Land Party (Really slow site.)
PC Chips
Gigabyte
MSI

Not all motherboard manufactures have Vista drivers but I provided you a link to were they would be when they to become available.  Also, the ones that do have the drivers are in their Beta stage so install them at your risk!

-----[ Sound ]-----

Creative Sounds Cards

Remember that the drivers at Creative's site are in Beta stage!


-----=====[ Screen Shots ]=====-----

http://www.digital-sickness.net/Picture … dow_lg.jpg  http://www.digital-sickness.net/Picture … nel_lg.jpg  http://www.digital-sickness.net/Picture … get_lg.jpg  http://www.digital-sickness.net/Picture … ter_lg.jpg

http://www.digital-sickness.net/Picture … ion_lg.jpg  http://www.digital-sickness.net/Picture … enu_lg.jpg  http://www.digital-sickness.net/Picture … f2_lol.jpg  http://www.digital-sickness.net/Picture … ell_no.jpg

http://www.digital-sickness.net/Picture … stats1.jpg  http://www.digital-sickness.net/Picture … stats2.jpg  http://www.digital-sickness.net/Picture … stats3.jpg 

Contributers: Bertster7, Brizzzer, Hurricane, and Psycho.


Ok here is the deal.  This is what I could come up with after about 10mins of thinking.  So I propose this...  If you have a question to ask about Vista, you can, I can, or someone else can provide an answer and source and I will post it in this thread.  The reason I created this thread is cause well I want to upgrade and well I need to find some answers before I do.   And remember i'm just trying to help.  Thanks!

- Brizzzer

Andoura wrote:

i want a vista skin NOW !!!!!!!!!!

Hurricane wrote:

Floppies went out with using tapes to listen to music if you ask me. Flash drives/USB sticks, fast internets+e-mail ftw.

Yes, the 64-bit upgrade DVD thing is real but I'm not sure if there's a certain limit as to when you can redeem it:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/produc … 64bit.mspx

And Vista Ultimate comes with both 32-bit and 64-bit on the DVD, or possibly one 32-bit DVD and one 64-bit DVD in the same box. Not sure, but you plop down 200/400 (Depending on your version choice) and both -bits are yours.

edit: Vista probably doesn't "suck" for gaming. I'd say the majority of any performance issues would be attributed to beta/fast-release drivers, not the OS. Give it time, MS isn't forcing you to upgrade. New software, new technologies, and new games will though. Granted, by the time Vista is the mainstream there'll probably be enough hotfixes (possibly a Service Pack) to fix the majority of the issues it has right now.

If you're intent on getting Vista, my advice would be to see if the manufacturers of your parts have drivers for Vista. Motherboard, video card, network card, sound card. Possibly monitor (I rarely install monitor drivers...), you'll also want to check for input device drivers.

Hurricane wrote:

Let me just warn people: Unless you are fucking LOADED with cash and have at least

Core 2 Duo E6600, although a Quad Core Extreme is best
GeForce 8800GTS or higher, SLI highly recommended (Maybe the ATi R600 when it comes out)
4GB of the best god damn RAM you can buy
eVGA 680i motherboard
Really fast and high capacity hard drives

Optional:
A nice widescreen monitor

You shouldn't game on Vista.

Last edited by Kmarion (2007-03-19 18:59:59)

>>SUPR3MACY<< wrote:

if u want dual boot, u have to install vista directly from xp. and if u got the valid vista key, then u have to insert it when installing.