Vista Is Not Always Compatible

Vista compatibility for software and hardware is still an issue. Yesterday, I came across two issues that left the end user in a state of helplessness.

The first one was an elderly lady who bought a new computer with Windows Vista installed on it. She also bought a low end Lexmark printer. On the box it said Vista Compatible. She could not get the printer to work properly. So she took it back to the store where she bought it.

At the store they tried to get printer to work. After an hour and two experienced techs later, it was concluded that the drivers, thus the printer would not work on Windows Vista.

The second incident was about a mid price range game. The manufacture said the game was now Vista Compatible. But when the owner of the game tried to install it on his new Vista computer, he kept getting a message there were a software issues. Bottom-line the game would not play.

Windows Vista is approaching the one year date of being released to the general public. There are still issues. I am not going to sugar coat it. However, there are many people out there using Windows Vista with no more problems than an Windows XP user. The dividing line is what does the computer user does with their computer.

Is it more than reading email, surfing the internet, and writing a document? They will be little or not problems, just a learning curve to find out where everything is at. Listening to music and burning legal CD or DVD's you may have a few problems. Hardcore game player and business will have to do some work arounds. These people should have an experienced tech on call.

Don't give up Service Pack 1 for Vista is due out shortly. Then we will see what the issues are with Windows Vista.