The Hindu Business Line : Running Windows Vista

My system is a rather old one, it is a PIII 1GHZ machine with 256 MB ram and 40GB hard disk. I have loaded Windows XP operating system with the latest service pack. I want to know if I can install Windows Vista operating system. If so, what are the basic requirements?

Paramesvaran L

Windows Vista from Microsoft is available in six Editions, differing in features and affordability. They are: Windows Starter 2007, Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Enterprise and Windows Vista Ultimate.

In general, the first three editions are targeted at the Home segment and for Business category, Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Enterprise are available. The Windows Vista Ultimate combines the features of both categories.

All versions will be available in both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures (except Windows Starter which supports only 32-bit architecture). The Windows Starter Edition is available only in emerging markets (specific developing countries). Even though it is low-cost, it is best to ignore the Windows Starter Edition. The simple reason is it supports only a maximum of three applications (and/or three open windows) to run simultaneously and no networking with other machines on LAN, though you can connect to the Internet, and check e-mails.

The Windows Vista Enterprise Edition is available only via volume licence to software Assurance (SA) / Enterprise customers. Apart from six Vista editions, there are "Vista Home N" and "Vista Business N" versions of Vista available in Europe that don't include Windows Media Player, in order to comply with European antitrust legislation.

Windows Vista minimum support system requirements are 800 MHz processor and 512 MB of system memory, 20 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space, support for Super VGA graphics and DVD-ROM drive. Some product features are only available in certain editions of Windows Vista and may require advanced or additional hardware.

While all editions of Windows Vista can support multiple core CPUs, only Windows Vista Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise can support dual processors.

For more information, please look up

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_editions_final.asp

and

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/systemrequirements.mspx

If you would like to install Vista in your system, then you have to upgrade your physical memory (RAM) to at least 512 MB (1 GB recommended). Your existing video adapter will probably not contain the driver for Vista. If it does not support driver for vista, then the OS will come up with the default "Standard VGA Graphics Adapter" with resolution of 640 X 480 pixels and 16 bit colour. It will be hard to work on it. As a result you may require to buy an AGP card which is Vista- compatible. Also please make sure your existing applications and anti-virus product supports Vista OS.

"Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor" can help you determine which features and edition of Windows Vista will run on your computer.

To download the "Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor" please go to this URL: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx and click the link "Download Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor" (Size 6.6 MB ).

Before you run the Upgrade Advisor, be sure to plug in any USB or other attachable peripheral devices (such as printers, external hard drives, or scanners) that are regularly used with the PC that you're evaluating.

Solution by M. Sampath

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