Vista Tutorial - Short List of Utilities for Vista

My advice would be to go to the support forums of various commercial products if you are thinking of buying. See if there are sticky problems that don't look like they will be solved soon on hardware that looks a lot like yours. Usually all these tools have a few manufacturers that give them trouble. Tends to vary by company.

Also if you have some tried and tested means of restoring things or an expendable machine to experiment on that has similar hardware, try out some of the freebies out there. Many are linux based with a boot CD. You don't know if you can rely on 'em until you try 'em.

OK, thanks.

Hello,
Can anyone help me figure out what this problem is and more importantly, how to fix it. Is QT having issues with VISTA 32bit? Thanks

executable:anim.exe Pid11bcTid1678 module quick time source .dll.\object left activeate at line 317 of .\dllentry.cpp

Hi everyone,

Just thought i'd let you know that paragon-software.com is offering its bestseller software for $9.95 (during this weekend only). I would commend their system utilities to all (using Drive Backup tool, also did partitioning operation once with Partition Manager), especially those who don’t already have disk management tools, since Paragon has an excellent reputation.
Go and get your chance at www.paragon-software.com

You might want to make your own thread and explain a little more on your setup and what is QT. This thread is about useful utilities in Vista.

If you run Norton 360 you don't need any other realtime protection as it will most likely conflict with Norton. In addition, the best tune up utility is Tune Up Utilities, now at version 2009. Its one program that has literally everything and it even tells you what services to disable at your option in the initial setup. You don't need any other maintenance program and Vista's defrag should be disabled.

Even better the program is a fully functional 30 day trial if you want to try it out:

You can get it here: TuneUp America - TuneUp Utilities 2009

I wouldn't be so sure concerning Norton 360. It handles only files but not entire OS.
There is need in real time protection that would save entire system on sector level so to recovery quickly in case of crash.
Also, Norton 360 is knowing for causing issues to PartMgr of Windows.
Must be used carefully.

For an image backup program I recommend Macrium Reflect. The Free Version has recently been updated to 4.2. I verified with the Sysop of the Macrium Support Forum that the free 4.2 has the same Linux Rescue CD and backup image format as the fully paid 4.2 that I purchased awhile ago.

The installer automatically installs either the 32 or 64 bit version to match what you are running. When you make a partition image it stores your MBR and at the end of the restore, it gives you the option to write the saved MBR to the HD. Very nice software. The Linux Rescue CD natively supports those AMD HP Pavilion Elite PCs with the AMD Raid controller and AMD Sata 3 Gbs HD like I have in my specs.

I might have something to add, doesnt classify as a program, but its free and helps users not so familiar with all of Vista capabilities and features get started...

Nice list you have going there.I installed a couple of them thank you