Getting ready for Windows Vista
Posted by Kim Komando | paramuspost.com

Windows Vista is almost here! Businesses with volume license agreements can get it in November 30, 2006. Home users must wait until January 30, 2007. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't prepare. This is particularly true if you're buying a new computer.

Upgrading to Vista is sure to be confusing. So here are some things you need to know.

Vista versions

With Windows XP, it was easy to decide which version to buy. But Vista will have five versions! This is confusing, so you may need to read this twice.

Home Basic ($200 full/$100 upgrade) - This covers the basics like surfing the Internet and creating documents. There are parental control features. But you won't find many of the interesting media features.

Home Premium ($239 full/$159 upgrade) - Home Premium will turn your computer into a media hub. It features Vista's Aero design. This is intended to make it easier to navigate through Windows. There are improved organizational tools for documents and media files.

Vista Business ($300 full/$200 upgrade) - This is geared for the business user. It won't have many of the fancy media tools. But it has built-in protections for malware. There are also tools to make backups easier.

Vista Ultimate ($400 full/$259 upgrade) - Vista Ultimate is a hybrid of Vista Business and Home Premium. Use your computer as a media center. But get the enhanced business features, too.

Vista Enterprise (only available in volume license) - The Enterprise edition boasts drive encryption. You also can run old programs on earlier versions of Windows within the Enterprise edition. That will be handy if the old program will not run on Vista itself.

Upgrading can save you $100 or more. But only Windows 2000 or Windows XP can be upgraded. That's not surprising. Computers with earlier Windows versions are likely to be overwhelmed by Vista.

System requirements

Microsoft makes two distinctions for hardware requirements: Vista Capable and Vista Premium Ready PCs. With new PCs, you will notice the Vista ready labels.

A Vista Capable machine must have an 800MHz (or greater) processor. It also needs 512MB RAM and a DirectX9 capable graphics processor.

A Vista Premium Ready PC will have at least a 1 GHz processor and 1GB of RAM. It must have a DirectX9 graphics card with a WDDM driver. It also requires 128MB of graphics memory.

Vista is the first version of Windows to adapt to the capabilities of the machine. This means a more advanced machine provides better user experience.

Upgrading your current machine

If you're not buying a new machine, check the Vista Upgrade Advisor. It scans your machine for known issues.

Connect your printer, scanner and other gadgets before proceeding. It will check their compatibility. It also checks your basic system resources and software.

You may need to upgrade system components. Printers and scanners may need updated drivers. Software issues are more complex. Check the manufacturers' sites.

New machines and upgrade coupons

If you buy a new machine, look for the Vista-ready stickers. And pay attention to the XP version installed on the machine.

Machines purchased through March 15, 2007 may be eligible for an upgrade. The coupon entitles you to a free or discounted upgrade to Vista. Most manufacturers will offer coupons.

The version of XP on the machine determines which version of Vista you can get. For information from each manufacturer, visit Microsoft's site. It links to details on individual manufacturers' sites.