Windows Vista

Getting ready for Windows Vista
Kim Komando
KimKomando.com

Upgrading to Vista is sure to be confusing. So here are some things you
need to know.

Sordo...

I nursed Win98 for years and I guess I can nurse my current WinXP Pro
Media Center version for years as well. At 70 years of age, new
operating systems with complicated options just don't thrill me anymore.

Vista versions

With Windows XP, it was easy to decide which version to buy. But Vista
will have five versions! This is confusing, so you may need to read
this twice.

Home Basic ($200 full/$100 upgrade)--This covers the basics like
surfing the Internet and creating documents. There are parental control
features. But you won't find many of the interesting media features.

Home Premium ($239 full/$159 upgrade)--Home Premium will turn your
computer into a media hub. It features Vista's Aero design. This is
intended to make it easier to navigate through Windows. There are
improved organizational tools for documents and media files.

Vista Business ($300 full/$200 upgrade)--This is geared for the
business user. It won't have many of the fancy media tools. But it has
built-in protections for malware. There are also tools to make backups
easier.

Vista Ultimate ($400 full/$259 upgrade)--Vista Ultimate is a hybrid of
Vista Business and Home Premium. Use your computer as a media center.
But get the enhanced business features, too.

Vista Enterprise (only available in volume license)--The Enterprise
edition boasts drive encryption. You also can run old programs on
earlier versions of Windows within the Enterprise edition. That will be
handy if the old program will not run on Vista itself.
Upgrading can save you $100 or more. But only Windows 2000 or Windows
XP can be upgraded. That's not surprising. Computers with earlier
Windows versions are likely to be overwhelmed by Vista.

System requirements

Microsoft makes two distinctions for hardware requirements: Vista
Capable and Vista Premium Ready PCs. With new PCs, you will notice the
Vista ready labels.

A Vista Capable machine must have an 800MHz (or greater) processor. It
also needs 512MB RAM and a DirectX9 capable graphics processor.

A Vista Premium Ready PC will have at least a 1 GHz processor and 1GB
of RAM. It must have a DirectX9 graphics card with a WDDM driver. It
also requires 128MB of graphics memory.

Vista is the first version of Windows to adapt to the capabilities of
the machine. This means a more advanced machine provides better user
experience.

Upgrading your current machine

If you're not buying a new machine, check the Vista Upgrade Advisor. It
scans your machine for known issues.

Connect your printer, scanner and other gadgets before proceeding. It
will check their compatibility. It also checks your basic system
resources and software.

You may need to upgrade system components. Printers and scanners may
need updated drivers. Software issues are more complex. Check the
manufacturers' sites.

New machines and upgrade coupons

If you buy a new machine, look for the Vista-ready stickers. And pay
attention to the XP version installed on the machine.

Machines purchased through March 15, 2007 may be eligible for an
upgrade. The coupon entitles you to a free or discounted upgrade to
Vista. Most manufacturers will offer coupons.

The version of XP on the machine determines which version of Vista you
can get. For information from each manufacturer, visit Microsoft's
site. It links to details on individual manufacturers' sites.