Renaming files with Vista 64?

I have what probably is a stupid question about Vista 64....When I was using WinXP, I just renamed all my picture files by selecting a sequential bunch of images and using the RENAME function. I name my photo files by date, for example "090615 (6234)" for a photo taken on June 15, 2009 and having a serial number of 6234, and I would enter the whole name for the first file in a series, and XP would just increase the serial number by one for each file I had selected.

With Vista, it wants to always start each series with (1) and increase up from there. Is there any way to get it to start where I want it to? Or, is this just another stupidity associated with Vista 64?
Any help is appreciated!!!

I almost hate to ask, but did you try the online help for Vista64? It can be really hard to find what you need, but occasionally I find what I need. God bless Microsoft ('cuz no one else will!)

Pete D.

Pete,
No, I haven't tried that yet. Trying to find help topics takes forever on the internet when you're on dial-up. All these companies think everyone has fast internet.....
Thanks for the thought, though....
G

I don't claim to have done an exhaustive search, but at least I did it on broadband! It seems this is a stupidity associated with Vista64 and perhaps all Vista.

Pete D.