Why is Vista so problematic and is there anything I can do about it?

The updates it installs totally wreck things that require a separate connection from the internet like instant messengers. Not only that, but I can't get movie players like Veoh or DivX to function, nor can Firefox or any of my antivirus software work. - sigh - I'm fed up, yet I've only had my laptop since April.

A) Is it possible to restore my computer back to it's original format [when you first purchase it, to make it without any of MY installed programs]

B) If I spoke to a representative at Dell or Windows, what will they offer me ?

C) Are you having the same problems ?

Why is Vista so problematic and is there anything I can do about it?adware

Yes you can restore your Laptop to factory defaults ... should be an option in all programs under Dell ..... Dell or Microsoft may offer to sell you Windows XP at a pricer of course but then you'd have to install it from scratch .... and yes I've had similar problems with Vista ... I've installed XP on 18 different laptops and 7 desktops for people not happy with Vista .... but I run Vista ... it's not brilliant ... but it's getting better ... you just need to know where and how to "tweak" it

Why is Vista so problematic and is there anything I can do about it?antivirus scan