I could vent my frustrations also, but it wouldn't help you.
I managed to overcome some of the problems you are stating as they occurred
on my machine also: (in-line post)

"Andreas" wrote:
[color=blue]
> Ok, now I'm REALLY frustrated! I just completed writing a lengthy post to
> explain my problems with Vista, and when I hit "Post" I got a message saying
> the site was too busy and lost everything I wrote. I'll try to summarize
> (please reply with questions if clarification is necessary)...
>
> First of all, let me ask this, as it might make my other problems moot
> points: Is there a way to make XP recognize compents on my new machine
> without access to the internet? I've put my old HD in my new machine and XP
> boots fine but doesn't recognize some things, most importantly my DSL modem.
>
> My Vista issues: Trying to view a website, and on some of the pages
> everything is fine, but there's one image that only shows an 'x'. I right
> click and click "show picture" but nothing happens. Also, there are some
> links that open a new window but don't show the content (give me the page
> cannot be displayed error). I've tried lessing security restrictions, and
> now I'm actually able to view LESS of the content than before.
>[/color]

I don't know why, but the file association to the type of image you are
attempting to view has been corrupted. If you're savvy, you can fix it
through the registry by correcting the Content Type for the file type in
question. (Right-click an image and select Properties to identify the file
type.) A less invasive method is from the Start Button, select Defaults
(right-column) and then File Associations (typical names are actually longer,
so read them.) Find the file type in question and correct the association. If
these do not work, you can uninstall IE7 and reinstall IE7. (See MS Knowledge
Base for instructions... there are no images.) Worst case, reinstall Vista as
an upgrade to itself. This will fix all the associations, but you'll have to
reinstall some of your other software.

I've had to go through all of these options to correct .PNG files. (I'd like
to know why the association is breaking down!)
[color=blue]
> I wanted to do the Microsoft live chat thing, but it didn't recognize my
> product ID. Why would that be? This is a brand new computer that came with
> this OS preloaded. I'm not about to pay $60 to chat with a tech; if I were
> going to do that, I could have just gotten my old computer fixed.
>[/color]

Is your version of Vista OEM? (Mostly curiosity.) MS doesn't support OEM
versions. So I was wondering if they somehow "block" you as a result.
[color=blue]
> Help!
> Another frustrated Vista user
>
> PS: If anyone can perhaps offer some more personal assistance, I would
> gladly accept it. Not sure if I'm allowed to post my personal email on this
> forum -- would the kindly hosts be so good as to advise?[/color]