"...ultimately Microsoft's problem when their OS simply does not work
with
existing mainstream equipment."
A lot of older hardware is supported while a lot is not.
The older the hardware the less likely it will ever get Windows Vista
support.
It is a problem for users, hardware manufacturers and Microsoft.
However it is the hardware manufacturers responsibility to create
drivers for their hardware.
The manufacturers decide which if any hardware they need to support
based on their perception of their customers needs balanced with
needed resources and other factors.
If the manufacturer decides not to support hardware there is nothing
anyone can do.
However what you can do...
Contact the manufacturers of hardware you want Windows Vista support.
The customers and not Microsoft pay for the products so the customers
desires probably weigh more than Microsoft.
Did you verify Windows Vista compatibility of your essential hardware
and software before purchasing Windows Vista?

Some of your other issues may be resolved by updates.
Have you installed all the latest updates from Microsoft?
Make sure you have the latest drivers.
Manufacturers are still updating their drivers with newer Windows
Vista drivers always being released.

UAC shows often initially when installing hardware and software and
configuring the computer.
After that UAC is rare.
I rarely see UAC prompts.
If you see UAC after the initial set up is completed you may not be a
typical user or are using older/poorly written software.
Some have reported problems using software with UAC disabled when the
software was installed with UAC enabled.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
[url]http://www3.telus.net/dandemar[/url]
[url]http://www.dts-l.org[/url]


"Anton Hinds" <no.email@please> wrote in message
news:%23ABPY34KIHA.484@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...[color=blue]
>I have been using Vista for 4 months now. All in all, I like the OS
>(after disabling UAC). Aero is slick and performance is great.
>However, I am plagued by annoying issues with device drivers and
>general instability. A few examples are:
>
> 1. Explorer crashes a couple times a week. Usually after selecting a
> file in an "Open File" dialog, but also sometimes just when starting
> explorer.
>
> 2. My wireless intermittently fails where I cannot see any access
> points. Vista says it detected a problem but it could not be fixed.
> I have to reboot to fix it.
>
> 3. My wireless has problems detecting access points that do not
> broadcast an SSID. I typically have to refresh my network list
> several times to see the access point.
>
> 4. About once a week, my video driver fails on boot. I have to
> reboot to fix it.
>
> 5. I use dual monitors. Vista still gets confused from time to time
> which side my second monitor is on when coming back from hibernate.
>
> 6. Periodically, the search feature in explorer incorrectly shows no
> results. For example, type "txt" in the search field and it doesn't
> show any files even though there are files named readme.txt and
> notes.txt in that directory.
>
> Vista has been out for over a year now. I know a lot of my issues
> are due to third party drivers (Intel and NVIDIA mostly). However,
> it is ultimately Microsoft's problem when their OS simply does not
> work with existing mainstream equipment.
>
> Explorer crashes seem to be a common problem and this is
> unacceptable a year after release. I know a lot of people are
> waiting for SP1, but Microsoft themselves are downplaying the
> importance a service pack. How long do I have to wait for Vista to
> be stable?
>
> -Anton[/color]