I bought a home security system that included 4 cameras, cables, a video card, & software for use with my computer. It doesn't work with windows vista and there's no patch yet. Also the video card doesn't fit because the computer I own has an integrated video card. So when everything connects with cables and wires, why do I need to sign up for use of a server through the company I bought the system from? Why can't I just attach these cameras to the computer with all the cables and use a different software that works with vista? Why can't I just use the integrated video card in my computer?

I'll take a stab at this:

It's a lot of processing power to manage 4 camera's so it's best to offload that to a special card. It's probably a video capure card which uses composite video.

Furthermore, you may have not paid attention to what slots are available on your computer. AGP is popular for Video and PCI or PCI-X for other stuff.

Video card - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bottom line: You need to check compatibility before ordering

Server issue:

The server could be licensse server or a way for you to watch the camera over the Internet. In other words the application talks to the server once in a while and the server knows the serial number of the software/hardware and maintains a database of IP address and serial numbers.

Now when you want to connect at home that server is able to find your camera. User ID, Password, ---> IP address and port

Buy a card compatible with Vista. Half of my Security Stuff will not work with Vista, Vista Compatibility NEVER Works, Bill Gates just retired AND Stop supporting XP, What a jerk way to do business.
Honeywell is currently working to allow Vista to work with their Software. Microsoft is the Problem.
Every software manufacturer should not be forced to fix, find a patch or whatever.
Vista works great for surfing, just suks when half your software is useless. I actually had to buy an XP after my Vista Purchase, BECAUSE, THE COMPATIBITILITY NEVER WORKS, now the XP I bought to do what the Vista won't, is now not supported..
Sorry didn't mean to yell. Basically you need a Vista compatible card.