Vista and me

Hardware Configuration

I first attempted to install Vista on my home desktop purchased in 2002. See the image below for specs.

Installation Disk

Downloaded from Microsoft and utilized supplied key once I was registered.

Initial Impressions

• Eager to run some quick test scenarios on the new OS.

• Liked what I had seen about the UI, and the "new" features incorporated.

• Had read differing views as to Vista's success but wanted to evaluate for myself.

• As a loyal Windows user from Win98 and on I assumed I would join up with Vista.

Difficulties

Once I had configured my boot configuration to ignore all other devices other than my dvd drive Vista finally booted off the dvd and I entered the installation. I was impressed, it looked much nicer than the old XP install. I selected the first few options and started the install...not even two minutes into it I receive the message "Your CD/DVD drive is missing crucial drivers and cannot continue the installation process. Please locate the drivers before continuing". Here's the confusing part:

• How is it possible that the drive that contains the Vista DVD and is running the installation and hence displaying the error not be functioning??? It reminds me of a picture of a snake eating it's own tail, it seemed I was in a recursive installation disaster!

After trying the installation a few more times and seeing if I could locate the driver on my computer or update the driver I tried to search the web for some help.

Searching for a Solution

Searching for the error I tracked people in a similar situations, and the same solution came up again and again: "Buy a new DVD drive!". Could they be serious? Just to install Vista I would need a new drive, that is insanity!

There was absolutely no chance I would buy a new dvd drive to install a release candadate of Windows Vista. In fact I would be extremely hard pressed to buy a new drive for the finished release especially considering how much purchasing Vista itself would cost.

At this point I gave up on Vista and placed my shiny new "Vista Coaster" on my desk.

The End?

New reports are emerging that approximately 19-20,000 drivers will be included on the installation dvd. If this is indeed the case I must assume that drivers for a standard dvd drive will be included in this package. With Vista having a system that is "Vista-capable", "Vista-compatable" or "Vista-fantastical" can mean any number of things, but what it truly means won't be clear for another few months.