I hear yah, but I think you should really think twice about Vista...
Its actually VERY good. I heard a lot of horror stories, and when I went to get my new PC, I also walked into the store with the attitude of 'I want XP on it'...
Like you I needed something 'NOW' and didn't want to wait for a special order so I took Vista...
Im glad i did
Its been great!
Now the tweaking that Franck describes is really no different to the same amount of tweaking that you'd end up doing to a brand new XP install anyway...
We all need to tell the OS (whatever it may b) which programs we want to associate files with... ONCE... then its done... Set it and forget it...
Like the start menu. Its different. I didn't like it... So right click on start, properties, and check 'Use Windows classic start menu'...
That's it... Job done. Took all of ten seconds... Now I like the start menu...
Put simply, Vista 'Just works'... I know that sounds like a 'mac' commercial from a few years ago, but put simply... Its the truth.
The key thing to remember, is this. When you are FIRST installing an application, instead of just double clicking the .exe RIGHT click it and choose 'Run as admin'... Then EVERYTHING, and I mean EVERYTHING that i needed to install, installed first time.
Now there's nothing in it for me to suggest vista... Hell, I dont get a commission LOL and Im not just being pedantic, like those guys who always say... 'Get a mac'... Im just saying, from one webmaster to another, or from one guy who relies on his system 'WORKING' to earn his crust, to another...
That if your getting a new PC, DONT BE AFRAID OF VISTA...
Vista is
NOT the devils spunk...
PS: i like poo...