Thanks for your comments - yes I agree - hardware is strongly suspect - but
I'm not capable of objectivity since (1) this experience has been so
disappointing - the absolute worst and (2) after years of building and
buying several PCs just as a hobby, setting up P2P wired networks, and
discovering how often overpriced Microsoft OS's were released before being
ready for reliable service - I am frankly biased and more ready to blame
Vista.

The one Microsoft OS that served me well for several years was W2K - I tried
XP very briefly before happily going back to W2K. I cannot see how Vista is
an 'improvement.' This disappointment has changed my PC buying philosophy &
blunted my earlier enthusiasm. I will concentrate on what's reliable -
judging from users, reviews, newsgroups etc & avoid pricey cutting edge
hardware. Without evidence to the contrary - I am more comfortable thinking
I have been dealing with an OS/PC compatibility issue. To get the correct
answer would be great but the effort and cost would greatly diminish the
satisfaction.

Blithe


"+Bob+" <nomailplease@example.com> wrote in message
news:eetn45hqgj4ttpb167gugad2rl85ek952q@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> On Wed, 1 Jul 2009 18:17:10 -0500, "Blithe" <invalid@cox.net> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>Yes - I accept the proposition that hardware-wise - my expensive lemon of
>>a
>>PC is questionable. However - I've seen from user postings these past
>>months that my negative Vista experience is also far from unique or
>>uncommon.[/color]
>
> Actually, the fact that your BIOS settings change, and the wide
> variety of conditions, leads me to suspect your hardware highly. I'm
> no Vista fan-boy and I'd be happy to blame it, but those are really
> hardware indications. I'd suspect your motherboard. A check of your PS
> is also in order.[/color]