This is my fifth attempt migrating to Vista.

Pre-migration: Vista Beta 2 (or the first public preview, I don’t remember its exact number, so just call it “Beta 2” for now). As it’s a beta, I only install it just for the LULZ. Checking it out. Encountered some problems (the main problem is I can’t connect with my wireless connection without messing registry first). Find fix for the problems, solved some, back to XP

First: Vista RC1. Being an RC1, I expect it to be much more stable than Beta 2 – and yes it certainly is. Wireless conncetion problem still retains though. But I have easier time since I’ve already tried the beta. At the time, foobar2000 is still incompatible with Vista. And I only have x64 edition… compatibility in there isn’t funny. Back to XP before getting more headaches.

Second: Vista (released). Business edition (from Campus Agreement). Pretty good overall, except that I can’t activate with given key. Bummer. Used for several days and then back to XP.

Third: Got activation cr**k from intarwebs. Proven to be stupid. Back to XP… or not yet. Armed with /rearm (delaying activation deadline for 30 days), I installed it (without cr**k). Used for several weeks… till my internet connection becomes problematic. Got ISP’s technician to repair it, just to find they destroyed my Windows (HA). And it turns out that the problem is on SERVER SIDE. (HA). Back to XP to prevent FAIL and started using dualboot few weeks later (one for people in the house, the other one for myself).

Fourth: Got new key. Activated successfully. Runs fine… till I tried RF-Online and find that I can’t play properly with it disconnected for every other minute. Back to XP (LOL).

Fifth: Vista SP1!! LOLWUT. It actually works fine now and it’s good enough for me. The rest below.

Why Vista?

Some of you might wonder why I bothered trying Vista. Here’s the reasons:

• It’s latest version of Windows. Newer doesn’t neccessarily better. Correct. But it’ll be better with time. I’ve experienced trying new version of Windows back to Windows 2000. Windows 98 -> Windows 2000 IS painful. None of my drivers works. Compatibility problems everywhere. Then there’s this “Windows ME” – another problematic OS. In fact, I’ve ever re-installing in sequence like 98 -> 2000 -> ME -> 98 -> etc, in one week. Or one month (countless re-installation of Windows). Then comes XP. Albeit less problem than 2000, it’s slower. Even worse: XP, 2000, ME, 98 installed-uninstalled in short cycles. Too bad Vista takes ages to install. And I have this thing called “internet connection” at home now, making me lazy in doing that.
• 14 Updates (about 8 is important, the rest is either recommended or optional). Compare that to OVER9000 updates/patches for XP. XP SP3 will be released soon though, making this point moot. But whatever.
• Integrated search. No more Google Desktop now. And I can search from Windows Explorer instantly. (and feels faster)
• Aero. Huh? LOL. No, this isn’t my main reason.
• It’s not really much different. Except some fundamental changes and supposedly more future proof.

What’s new in SP1?

SP1, the thing that enables me to use Vista (for one single reason, that is). Here’s the differences between pre-SP1 and SP1 (and the power of time)

• No more messing with registry to connect to my wireless network
• RF-Online now works fine
• More Vista-compatible programs (it’s power of time, actually)

The bad?

There are some problems with it though…

• SP1 installation took ages. SERIOUSLY. Why do I need to wait SP1 installation to finish if it can be slipstreamed with main installation?! Last time I installed Windows’ service pack is at XP, SP1. After that I just slipstream it and be happy.
• My key is now invalid. Bummer. “Multiple Activation Key has exceeded its limit.” HA. I need to claim new key at Monday (or Tuesday). Or I’ll just resort to /rearm. Why Microsoft doesn’t have VLK anymore is beyond me. Even Server 2003 Enterprise has VLK (yea I have legit – in one way and another, at least WGA said so – XP, 2003, and Vista)

That’s it. LOL. Here’s the screenshot.

(It’s Vista. YARLY)

– I got bored and turned off Desktop Composition