Windows Vista - Any Techies Available?

[pokemon_master]

Posted this on the Techinical Support Board and I was wondering if anyone here had any advice. Thanks..

Slightly OT, but I am running out of places to go so I thought I'd ask here..

Stupidly enough, I have a Windows Vista Laptop. Don't blame me, blame Dell. They gave me NO option when it came to a windows operating system at all. If I had my way, I'd get an XP. Anyhoo, already I am starting to have some troubles that I hope that you can help me solve.

For starters, sometimes when I click Start -> Shutdown, the computer fails to shut down. No idea why; it just doesn't want to shutdown. It doesn't even get to the "Windows is Shutting Down" Menu. It normally happens whenever I wish to shutdown in case of emergance (e.g. another program is acting up). Could someone help me out here? I mean, I COULD turn it off the old fashioned way but holding the big power button, but I have done that before on the XP, and normally it eventually ends with the system not being able to recover itself.

Also, sometimes it comes up with some stupid error message over "Sonic Solutions DLC" or whatever saying that it can't be found so is going to block it everytime I load the computer. I hate this message, and was hoping that someone could help me get rid of it..

I know it's OT, but I am hoping that there are some Vista Techies that could help me out here..

 

[wilma-bride]

Matt, have you tried doing a search on the Microsoft website? Sometimes there are technical solutions on there. I have asked DH and he doesn't know enough about Vista to be able to help - I don't think many people have it so it might be easier to go to MS directly.

 

[carolfoy]

in a way I am hoping you get all the teething difficulties soon as I'll be upgrading my laptop later this year and I'll probably end up with vista, as a techno phobe it'd be nice to know someone else will know whats up when it does these weird things.

p.s. its probably exacting revenge for th e'ask me anything' thread _ I'm too scared to even go to the loo in case I get too far behind on my questions, its kind of like a weird fast paced exam

 

[arieljasmine]

I can't help I'm afraid, but just wanted to say, hope you get it sorted soon

Laur's

 

[chunkster20uk]

I haven't much of a chance to play with Vista yet, but there are a few people experiencing similar issues when searching on google.


As a first step run a Microsoft Update, do a full update including drivers. As with any many Microsoft new releases (and I have experienced a few whilst working for them) there are always a few teathing problems, it all depends whether or not the Hardware manufacturers participated fully in trialling, and it is surprising which ones don't.

Also check your hardware manufacturers website for updates too.

Good luck.

 

[mikki.young]

I remember last time I bought Dell it came supplied with some software that actually conflicted with the operating system. Try searching Sonic Solutions (pretty sure they are connected to CD/DVD playing/authoring) and you may need to update them.

 

[mikki.young]

Just an email from Microsoft this morning with some links so I thought I would have a quick look. This article sounds a bit like your problem and would be one caused by good old Dell! Hope it helps.

 

[pokemon_master]

Hey Everyone.

My Computer is as far as I know, sorted. Found a patch for the software that was causing me grief, and apparantly my computer shuts down fine, I am just impatient..

For some reason when I Simified my computer it deleted the shortcuts I placed orginally, but that is not much of a problem.

 

[chrismoo]

Whenever I get a new Dell machine (and I get a few )

I allways wipe the drive and start cleanly with just the Windows disc, the amount of trash they fill these machines is bad.

 

[pokemon_master]

Whenever I get a new Dell machine (and I get a few )

I allways wipe the drive and start cleanly with just the Windows disc, the amount of trash they fill these machines is bad.

I know what you mean! A lot of the preloaded software is lots of free demos. Er Hello I don't care I just want the programs!

Vista is purdy and hopefully today I will ACTUALLY GET TO USE IT!!!

 

[manning]

For windows OS, at the moment Vista is the safest way to be on the internet.