| With the with the final release of Windows Vista on | | | | WDDM drivers and graphic cards for the Aero |
| January 30, 2007, you may be wondering if your | | | | interface |
| computer is "Vista Ready". | | | | Here is one of the biggest gotchas! With most of the |
| This article is designed to point out a few potential | | | | Vista hype surrounding the awesome graphics |
| pitfalls. | | | | capabilities, this is thearea to pay close attention to |
| Much of the WOW factor surrounding Vista is the | | | | when considering an upgrade. In order to run the Aero |
| new graphics capabilities called Aero with glass like | | | | Graphics, your computer must supporta graphics card |
| effects and themes. | | | | that will use a WDDM (Windows Vista Display Driver |
| Aero also supercharges your task switching with | | | | Model) which is a new technology that has never been |
| Flip33D. This all sounds cool and looks great, but can | | | | requiredin previous operating systems. This is how |
| your existing computerhardware support it? Find out | | | | they archive the new dazzling graphics. None of my |
| by running Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor. | | | | current computers have WDDM graphicsdriver |
| Upgrade Advisor | | | | support and therefore would not support Aero. All of |
| You can download the Windows Vista Upgrade | | | | my computers are fairly high end Dell machines |
| Advisor from the Microsoft web site and run it on your | | | | purchased withinthe last three years. So, if the Aero |
| existing computer to producea comprehensive report | | | | support is important to you, check this out carefully! |
| of how well Vista will be supported. This is actually a | | | | Multiple Monitors |
| very nice tool that does an excellent jobof scanning, | | | | Another Aero Interface pitfall. If your currently run |
| reporting and helping you to choose which edition of | | | | multiple monitors with multiple video cards, watch out! |
| Vista (flavor) is right for you and your computer. This | | | | Aero is even morepicky about the hardware and |
| should be yourfirst step if you are considering an | | | | drivers for multiple cards. Even Microsoft warns about |
| upgrade to Vista on your existing computer. However, | | | | this configuration because under Vista Aeroit is so |
| here is the first pitfall. If youcurrently run Windows | | | | problem prone. The recommended configuration is a |
| 2000 or anything older, the Upgrade Advisor is not | | | | single video card with multiple output, that is of course |
| supported. | | | | WDDM capableand supports the minimum |
| No upgrade path from Windows 2000 | | | | requirements... see below. |
| Here is my first gripe with Vista. If you are currently | | | | Other hardware considerations |
| running Windows 2000, there is no upgrade offered to | | | | The the basic flavors of Vista, the hardware required |
| Vista. You mustpurchase the full version of Vista. As | | | | is fairly low: |
| mentioned above, you can not even run the Upgrade | | | | * A modern processor of at lease 800mhz |
| Advisor to find out if your hardwarewill support Vista. | | | | * 512mb or system memory (RAM) |
| This to me is an outrage and, in my humble opinion, a | | | | * A graphics card that is DirectX 9 capable. |
| big mistake of the Microsoft marketing department. | | | | This is not a problem for most any computer |
| You would think that they would allow you to run the | | | | purchased in the last four or five years. |
| Upgrade Advisor tool and have it let you know that | | | | The Vista Premium Ready computer requires the |
| you would need to purchasethe full version, then still | | | | following: |
| report on your hardware support for Vista. So, what | | | | * 1ghz 32bit or 64bit processor |
| are your options? Well, option one is toupgrade your | | | | * 1gb or system memory (RAM) |
| Windows 2000 computer to XP, run Upgrade Advisor, | | | | * A graphics card capable of DirectX 9 with a WDDM |
| evaluate your options and choose your Vista upgrade. | | | | driver, 128mb graphics memory (minimum), pixel shader |
| Option 2 is to manually analyze your current computer | | | | 2.0 and 32 bits per pixel. |
| hardware based on the requirements from Microsoft, | | | | These requirements are not so hard to meet with the |
| decide on aflavor of Vista, purchase the full version | | | | exception of the graphics card. Most of your basic |
| and go for it.Either way, Microsoft has made this | | | | home desktop computerswill not meet these |
| difficult and costly. | | | | requirements, so please do your homework and make |
| Flavors of Vista - Picking the right edition. | | | | sure you have the proper hardware support before |
| There are a total of six flavors of Vista to choose | | | | payingthe premium price for the premium flavors of |
| from... yes six. The top two are for enterprise | | | | Vista! |
| customers and requirevolume license agreements. For | | | | If purchasing a new computer to run Vista, you can |
| home and small business, there are four flavors to | | | | look for a "Windows Vista Capable PC" branded |
| choose from. They are Starter, Home Basic, | | | | computer, but this does notmean that is capable of the |
| Home Premium, and Business. I will not go into detail of | | | | Premium features of Aero graphics. It simply means |
| each flavor so please look up a comparison chart to | | | | that it will be capable to provide the |
| choose the onethat is right for you. I will however, let | | | | "core experiences" of Vista. Again, do your homework. |
| you know that only the Home Premium, Business and | | | | You can buy a new computer that says it qualifies for |
| Enterprise editions containthe Aero Glass graphics | | | | an "Express Upgrade to Windows Vista". This is a |
| support. If you are able to run the Upgrade Advisor | | | | good option if you are inthe market for a new |
| tool, it is the best method to choose the correctedition | | | | computer. Just find out what flavor of Vista that you |
| because it will match each edition to your hardware | | | | will end up with after the upgrade. Be aware thatthis is |
| capabilities and guide you on upgrades that may be | | | | mostly a free upgrade, but there may be some fees |
| needed. | | | | involved so check with your PC supplier. |