Vista confuses 100 points before installation Top Ten Things to Do

If users plan to take advantage of all the benefits that Windows Vista offers, then high-end hardware is definitely needed. The minimum requirements for running Microsoft's latest flagship operating system are much higher than any previous operating system.

Here are ten things to watch out for before running Windows Vista on an existing computer. Although this operating system is relatively high, many hardware requirements are still easy to satisfy. The biggest obstacle to running Windows Vista is the graphics card requirements, but if the user is not ready to use the new Aero Glass graphics, this requirement is not strict.

First, analyze the upgrade ability of the machine

First, you should download and run the Windows Upgrade Advisor utility. The software will check your computer and briefly explain which versions of Windows Vista your computer can run. Note: The Upgrade Advisor only indicates that the computer is running Windows Vista and cannot indicate that it does not meet the requirements.

Second, check the CPU

Windows Vista's CPU requirements are not very high. Computers that are considered Vista Capable must have a CPU running at least 800MHz. Premium Ready computers require a processor speed of at least 1 GHz. Most computers sold in recent years can easily meet this requirement.

Third, make sure there is enough memory

For Vista, memory is another fairly easy to meet hardware requirement. A computer that is considered Vista Capable must have at least 512MB of memory. Premium Ready machines must have at least 1GB of system memory. Most computers today meet this requirement.

IV. Evaluating Graphics Adapters

Those who are waiting for the new 3D Aero Glass graphics capabilities need to ensure that their graphics adapters support DirectX 9. It is also recommended that the machine be compatible with WDDM, which is the Windows display driver model for writing drivers. A graphics adapter considered to be Premium Ready must have at least 128MB of video memory; an adapter that is considered Vista Capable requires only 64MB of video memory. Unless the user intends to use Aero Glass graphics, there is no need to upgrade if the existing video adapter is Vista Capable.

V. Confirm that there is enough hard disk space

Pay attention to the minimum requirements of Windows Vista for hard disk space. To install Windows Vista, the hard drive must be at least 40GB in size and have at least 15GB of free space.

Six, make sure there is a DVD drive

Windows Vista is released via DVD, so to install this new operating system, the computer must have a DVD drive.

VII. Selecting Versions

Compared to previous versions of Windows, determining which version of Windows Vista to install may be a bit more complicated. There are five versions of Windows Vista:

■ Windows Vista Home Basic: This version of Vista provides basic operating system features. If you don't need advanced features like Aero Glass, you can choose this version.

■ Windows Vista Home Premium: This version is a hybrid of Windows XP Home and Windows XP Professional. It has much more features than the Windows Vista Home Basic Edition, which is installed by most regular and advanced home users.

■ Windows Vista Business Edition: This version is equivalent to Windows XP Professional. It provides standard business functionality and will be a must-have system on the company's desktop.

■ Windows Vista Enterprise Edition: Vista Enterprise Edition offers advanced features such as BitLocker Drive Encryption for Notebooks, Application Compatibility Tools, and Multi-Language Support.

■ Windows Vista Ultimate: Vista Ultimate incorporates the benefits of the Home and Business editions into this feature-rich operating system. This version also includes the Windows Media Center.

VIII. Checking Application Compatibility

In order to make the Windows Vista installation process as smooth as possible, you should ensure that your existing applications run under Vista before installation. Users can download and run the Application Compatibility Toolkit to help determine which applications may not work under Windows Vista.

IX. Don't ignore data backup

Backing up data is one of the most important steps before upgrading the operating system. In addition to backing up your data, it's a good idea to verify that you have the various platters and license information you need to install your existing software before you begin the installation.

Ten, laptop troubles

Laptops must also meet the same hardware specifications as desktop computers. However, one problem with laptops is that if the graphics card is not compatible, it is basically impossible to upgrade the system.