I quite like Vista as well and still have 2 of my x64 versions ready to install should I build another 'spare parts' rig.

For mine, if you have a machine capable of running it, then Vista is a good OS.

I also like Win 8 and use it exclusively on 2 rigs and 2 laptops for now, though I do have an XP gaming rig [not internet enabled] which will be connected to my new TV when it arrives in just over a week.  I also have a Win 7 rig which hasn't been turned on in ages and sits out in the shed gathering dust.  I must bring it inside and set it up again as a guest machine when I've got everything else sorted.

Just to show the disparity between machines. I had an HP Pavilion with Vista and it ran rather well. On a friend's machine Vista ran like crap. Constantly crashing, slowing down etc. I convinced her to go with Win 7 and no more crashes, ran fast without any hiccups. Go figure.

HEY!  

Dang, Ross....I'm impressed! You've expandeded your vocalabulary!!

Xp is off support. 7 64 bit  runs even slow on my 3GHZ dual core pc 3GB RAM 68 GB hdd partition .

8 runs faster on my noteboook than 7 pn my pc, even if my notebok is new but absolutely not better.

So i can say VISTA if not 8 . Even if the system vista itself  is really really  bad, but not so bad if you use applications that run well on it.

regards bluedxca93

OR

try Zorin 9 (Linux). It has it's own theme changer and has a theme set up like windows 7 with a start menu, transparent taskbar etc. It's small and would run like lightning on your PC. Even if you go with any version of windows, it's worth installing as a dual boot just for fun. You can download it and use ImgBurn to put it on a disk and test it from the disk before installing.

It's been highly recommended for folks that are still using XP and can't afford new PC's or a new OS because you can set the theme to run like Windows7 or WindowsXP or even Ubuntu if you prefer.

I have it on my main laptop and installed the lite version of it on an old Dell 2650 that only has 256mb of RAM for the kid to play with and she loves it.

For anyone NOT familiar with linux distributions, I would highly recommend this one. I've tried a few and this one lives up to it's own hype and is super user friendly.

And it's free.

And you can ask me a linux theme developper how to install win 7 xp like etc  on linux.

Zorin 9 is not bad . I do recommended you if you choice linux to use a system that has .deb Packages like zorin. I can only recommend you ubuntu and its derivates (like zorin don`t forget it ) or debian testing.

Just two quick linux mockups. You see its not that different form window blinds skinning.

That will be because a 68 GB partition is typically too small for a Win 7 OS.....which will typically require more freeboard....

Zorin looked like a fun tool to try until I read this link which describes how to dual boot.  Can it really be this hard to do?  I didn't need to do anything special with Ubuntu.

http://zoringroup.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2601

@kona,

I'm sure you've likely seen this thread of mine from over a year ago:

https://forums.stardock.com/439592/page/1/#3327263

You'll notice I installed Win 8 on a 2005 notebook that had shipped with XP, been formatted to Vista Business, then Windows 7 and now finally Win 8.   It never ran better/smoother than now.  Just my own personal experience.

Oh and I'm sure your processor is more powerful than the lowly/slowly CENTRINO 1.6 single-core proc in my notebook! 

Most people who upgrade to Win 8 discover this... and Win 9 will be even smoother/faster... not that it'll run on older hardware.

Zorin is cool. I have it on a VM.

It's one of the Distros I will be running when I get my Linux box up and running.  I just need either a CPU or a mobo [whichever comes first] to complete it. 

I have an AMD x6 II00T that needs a mobo, or a LGA 775 socket mobo that need a CPU,  but having to move put it way down on my list of proiorities.  Moving cost me alot more that just paying a mate for his time and fuel and hiring a trailer... there were connection fees and other costs involved, and a new TV became the 1st priority/expense once I'd paid all my bills, etc.  However, I will likely see if I can get a mobo to match the 1100T.  It probably has greater power than something to suit a 775 socket, me thinks, and will likely be easier to get here in Oz. 

Unfortunately, when new tech comes out here, the older stuff often disappears off the shelves and can be nigh on impossible to find unless one can get to smaller, out of the way PC stores or the weekend markets.  I just learned there is a market local to me that's here once a month [due to the operators doing several other areas per month] and I just missed the last one [yesterday].  It is within walking distance, though, and I'm told there are people selling PC stuff, so I will be present at the next one in 4 weeks.

No real need for a whole extra rig for Linux. A virtual machine works just fine. Especially if you have good hardware.

My main rig runs Windows 7 64 bit. And Windows 8.1 in a virtual machine. The VM Windows 8.1 can utilize all 6 of my monitors and run at the same time as 7. I just minimize 8 when I want 7. Maximize 8 to use it.

My secondary rig runs Windows 8.1 with 7 in a VM.

No more dual booting.

I thank Phoon for alerting me to the wonders of VMWare. And I'm sure he uses it much more fluently than I do.

But with VMWare, I see no need to dual boot anymore.  And, with VMWare, and multiple monitors, along with a good amount of ram, and a good CPU, I can (and do) run XP, Vista, 7, 8 and Linux all simultaneously. That is 5 OSes, 6 monitors. So I have a monitor left over. All on the same tower.