By JOE GRANESE
Feb. 14, 2007

Prepare to broaden your vista

The introduction of a new operating system is always a special time in the personal computing community. Firing up a new operating system has been a time of great expectations and sheer terror. The introduction of Windows Vista is no different.

Changeovers of that magnitude do not always go smoothly. I remember many users crying bitter tears after trying unsuccessfully to upgrade their Windows 95 and 98 boxes to Windows Millennium Edition without proper preparation. That is the situation under which many users learned the cardinal rule of OS upgrading: always have a backup.

The evolution of the OS

There have been several excellent operating systems in the quarter century of history in personal computing. DOS 3.3 stands out as the most stable example. The first couple versions of Windows were not true operating systems; they were more like graphical user interfaces that allowed people to point and click their commands rather than typing them in.

They paved the way for Windows 3.0, the OS that truly revolutionized the Information Age. Windows 3.0 perfected the GUI, and, while keeping some of the user-friendly features of DOS, forever bridged the gap between command-line interfacing and point-and-click.

Windows 95 brought the magic of plug-and-play to personal computing, allowing us to hook up compatible peripherals ourselves without major upheaval, at least in theory. This led to Windows 98, which also stands out as one of the more bulletproof OS offerings from Microsoft. By now, the personal computer had jumped from an office appliance to a part of everyday life, merging the Information Age and popular culture.

Windows XP continued the innovation, adding security features and evolving as conditions warranted. The updated interface was an improvement in user friendliness, while the introduction of activation was somewhat less enthusiastically received. Many publishers followed that trend, and today activation is a part of everyday life in the computer world. 

Windows Vista on the horizon

That brings us to today and the introduction of Windows Vista, poised to bring the greatly improved security of Windows Defender and Windows Firewall to the personal computing table. The addition of greater digital rights management has upset some users, as that type of progress always does.

In all there are literally hundreds of new features in Windows Vista, and we will address them when we talk about the actual installation process in an upcoming column. For now, we can take a look at our current systems and determine what changes we will need to make before we move into the new world of Windows Vista.

Like those kids on the block who simply had to have something before everyone else, there are users who must have the very latest new OS as soon as it becomes available. They are more than willing to suffer the discovery of hidden bugs and quirks in exchange for the privilege of having the newest software.

The next school of thought is a bit more cautious. They will let the early birds hammer out the problems with a new system and change over after the problems have been solved, usually after the issue of the first service pack or a long string of incremental updates.

In either case, this is the perfect time to take stock of your existing hardware so you can decide whether to plan on making a few changes or simply buying a new system. Given the recent advances in applications software, many of you are probably ready to go right now.

Vista is available in several different versions, including Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, and Ultimate, each with its own system requirements. A listing of the requirements is on the Microsoft website at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/systemrequirements.mspx.

 Vista system requirements

Microsoft is always careful to publish minimum requirement guidelines with its software that let users know what their system needs to accommodate the new OS. In the case of Windows Vista, the bar is set at an 800 MHz processor with 512 MB of system memory, a 20 GB hard drive with 15 GB of space available, and support for SVGA graphics. Some type of optical drive is necessary. While the standard medium for Windows Vista is DVD, CD distributions can be procured directly from Microsoft.

In my estimation, upgrading a computer with those specifications would ruin the Windows Vista experience for the end user. The system would be unbearably slow, and many of the wonderful new features would be unavailable. This may be a good time to consider saving up for a new system with Windows Vista preinstalled and nursing the old box along until the time is right.

The recommended system requirements provide a more satisfying user experience. According to Microsoft, Windows Vista Home Basic – the entry-level solution – will run on a system with a clock speed of 1 GHz, like an Intel Pentium III CPU or similar. The 512 MB RAM and 20/15 GB hard disk requirements remain the same, but a DVD drive is specified.

Advanced graphics capabilities can truly enhance the Windows Vista experience. A video system with a minimum of 32 MB of video RAM and support for DirectX 9 graphics capabilities is prescribed. In addition, Internet access is necessary to operate and maintain a Windows Vista Basic installation.

Higher versions of Windows Vista present more complicated system requirements. For example, 1 GB of system memory is recommended for Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, and Ultimate versions. Users are directed to consider a 40 GB hard disk with at least 15 GB of available space for these installations.

The style of Windows Aero requires a more powerful video system in your computer. A 32-bit graphics card with a minimum of 128 MB of graphics memory, a WDDM driver, and Pixel Shader 2.0 on board is the entry-level setup. If your system falls short here, take heart. Many excellent display adapters that more than satisfy these recommendations are available for well under $100.

You will need an approved TV tuner card to utilize the television capacities of Windows Vista Home Premium and Ultimate editions. A touch screen-equipped system is necessary to enjoy the advantages of touch technology in Home Premium, Business, and Ultimate versions of the new OS.

The list is long and sometimes confusing. If you would like to have all the work done for you, just boot up the computer you are considering for upgrade and visit Upgrade Advisor Web at

www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx. This resource will tell you exactly what you need to do to install your preferred version of Windows Vista.

Those of you with a houseful of computers may be wondering about the cost of all this new technology. Microsoft has cooked up a special deal for people seeking to upgrade their entire home network in one fell swoop. Check out www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/familydiscount.mspx for the opportunity to grab two extra upgrades to Windows Vista Home Premium when purchasing a copy of Windows Vista Ultimate.

In the next couple of weeks, I plan to build a Windows Vista capable computer, install the new OS, and set it up with my favorite application software to see how things work out. I will be relaying my findings to you in detail. In the meantime, I would like to hear your Vista upgrade stories. E-mail me at granese@juno.com with all the gory details.