Upgrading to Windows Vista?

April 28th, 2007 | by LocalTech |

Well seeing as Microsoft Windows Vista is the latest hot topic when it comes to Operating Systems I thought I should post a lil introduction about it before you go out there and purchase it. Okay so firstly what you need to know is that like Windows XP, there is more than one version of the Operating System out now. Windows XP branches out into 3 parts really:

  • Windows XP Home Edition
  • Windows XP Media Centre
  • Windows XP Professional.

    • Most people have not heard of Windows XP Media Centre because this version of XP is only sold by manufacturers such as Dell, HP, Acer and all those are computer manufacturing companies. So back to the topic at hand, Vista.

    As I was saying, Windows Vista has 4 different versions to it. There is…

  • Windows Vista Home Basic
  • Windows Vista Home Premium
  • Windows Vista Business
  • Windows Vista Ultimate

    • Now as you can figure out your self, depending on what version you have also effects what features you get. So if you get Vista Home Basic, don’t expect the get the Aero feature to ever be working on your version.

    But before we get into any of that, I would seriously recommend you download the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor. You can download it from here . Just briefly I will explain what the Upgrade Advisor does. It checks your computers hardware and software to see which of them would be compatible with Vista and which might cause problems. Now just because it says you will only face mild problems, doesn’t mean you wont face other problems. So this is just step 1 to making sure if your computer is compatible with Vista.

    So now you’ve checked that your computer has the neccessary requirements with Vista and you’re ready to upgrade. But wait! There are two types of CD’s that you can purchase. There is the full retail version and there is the upgrade version. Now if you use the full retail version, you can only do a clean install of Vista from XP. Where as the Upgrade version you can only do an upgrade version. So let me just explain this to you a little more so you understand.

  • When using the Full Retail version of Vista, you would have to boot from your CD to install the software. This means that you have to put the Windows Vista DVD into the CD-Rom drive, turn your computer on and it will come up with an extra loading screen saying “Press and key to boot from CD or DVD” - This is the correct way of installing your version of full retail version of Windows Vista.
  • When using the upgrade DVD of Windows Vista you would have to start the setup from within Windows XP. This means, you have to turn your computer on and fully boot it up. Then when you can see your desktop screen, place the Windows Vista Upgrade DVD in and continue with the setup. From this point on, you can choose the upgrade setting on the installation. A lot of people make the mistake of installing Windows Vista using the Full Retail way of installing, then complain that they do not have the Upgrade option during the installation so they choose the Clean install. Then have a lot of problems when it comes to putting in the product key or activating Windows. So please, if you have a Windows Vista Upgrade CD, UPGRADE FROM WITHIN WINDOWS!

    • So now that you’re done with your Vista installation and you’re all amazed with it’s cool “new” features. You notice there’s quite a bit of things regarding your hardware being much more crappier than it was before. Such as your display screen looks like it was back in the 90’s. So what do you do from here? Update your drivers. It’s quite simple really, go to your hardware’s respective website and check for your hardware’s driver update for the Windows Vista version. So if you have an ATI display adapter, find out what version it is, go to the ATI website, download the driver and install it! Voila! So before you begin to complain how crappy Vista is - Check to see if it could be your computer which is crappy.

    One problem that many of my customers are facing is that they check for drivers and it’s not listed in the website. Well that’s where the bad news comes in, either the manufacturer hasn’t updated the driver for your hardware yet or they don’t plan to. So if you’re really impatient, just go buy a more up-to-date hardware.

    So to summarise things here, thing you need to look out for before upgrading to Vista are:
    1. Upgrade Advisor - Check if your computer is compatible
    2. How you install your Vista - Full Version or Upgrade Version
    3. Updating your drivers

    I’ll try to post more items about Vista and it’s cool “new” features when I have more time, as for now, Adios!
    If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to leave me a message :)

    1. One Response to “Upgrading to Windows Vista?”

    2. By J de Silva on Apr 28, 2007 | Reply

      The “How to install Windows Vista - Full or Upgrade version” is something I didn’t know. Thank you for the detailed instructions.

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