Upgrading to Windows Vista: Is your Hardware Ready? Are You?

With Windows Vista® finally shipping, customers who want to upgrade or migrate to Windows Vista have a number of choices and decisions to make. Before you decide, you need to know if it will work with your current system’s hardware and software. Bear in mind that a great majority of the “upgrades” to Windows Vista will come from:
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Upgrading to Windows Vista: Is your Hardware Ready? Are You?Expert Reference Series of White Papers Upgrading to Windows Vista: Is your Hardware Ready? Are You?1-800-COURSES www.globalknowledge.comUpgrading to Windows Vista: Is yourHardware Ready? Are You?Mark Mizrahi, Global Knowledge Instructor, MCSE+Security/MCTIntroductionWith Windows Vista® finally shipping, customers who want to upgrade or migrate to Windows Vista have anumber of choices and decisions to make. Before you decide, you need to know if it will work with your cur-rent system’s hardware and software. Bear in mind that a great majority of the “upgrades” to Windows Vistawill come from: • A new PC purchase with the new operating system installed, or • The purchase of a Windows Vista-ready PC with a sticker, certificate, or placard that will allow a free or discounted purchase toward an upgrade.More importantly, will the machine you already own meet the strict hardware requirements? New PCs that arebeing sold with Windows XP are being “branded” as Windows Vista Capable and/or a Windows Vista PremiumReady PCs, thereby guaranteeing the upgrade success on the hardware; as will be described later in this whitepaper.Should you or shouldn’t you upgrade - that is the question. The intent of this white paper is not to elaborateon the features of the Windows Vista operating system (with the exception of a few worth noting), but ratheras an aid in your decision to upgrade. Your choices will become clear as a result of the education you willreceive by reading this article.There are two major items to consider: • Is the hardware compatible and • To which version of Windows Vista should you upgrade and from which previous operating system.This white paper is divided into three sections: • Section 1 describes the different versions of Windows Vista. • Section 2 lists the hardware choices necessary to run the different versions of Vista. • Section 3 is discusses tools available to help determine and decide if Windows Vista will load on your machine and also run your applications.Section 1: The SoftwareThere are six (6), yes, six, versions of Windows Vista to which you can upgrade, migrate, or do a clean install.Copyright ©2007 Global Knowledge Training LLC. All rights reserved. Page 2 Figure 1. Four Most Commonly Used Versions of VistaThe following chart from Microsoft’s website shows the features of the four most commonly used of the sixWindows Vista versions. Features Home Basic Home Premium Business Ultimate Most Secure Windows ever with Windows Defender and Windows Firewall Quickly find what you need with Instant Search and Windows Internet Explorer 7 Elegant Windows Aero desktop experience with Windows Flip 3D navigation Best Choice for laptops with enhanced Windows Mobility Center and Tablet PC Support Collaborate and share documents with Windows Meeting Space Experience photos and entertainment in your living room with Windows Media Center Enjoy Windows Media Center on TVs throughout your home with Xbox 360TM and other devices Help protect against hardware failure with advanced business backup features Business networking and remote desktop for easier connectivity Better Protect your data against loss or theft with Windows BitlockerTM Drive Encryption Table 1. Features offered with four of Windows Vista versions.Copyright ©2007 Global Knowledge Training LLC. All rights reserved. Page 3So, what are the other two versions? They are the Starter Version and Enterprise Version. However, Microsoftsays that the Vista Starter is not available in the United States. Their descriptions are as follows:Windows Vista StarterAvailable in 119 emerging markets, Windows Vista Starter provides individuals and families with the basic ben-efits of Windows Vista at an affordable price. Designed for first-time PC use ...