More RAM memory or a new video card might be nice
What do you really need to make vista run
To make Vista’s new bells and whistles work properly requires more powerful hardware for your computer.
Microsoft’s previous versions of Windows limited the user’s ability to adjust OS (operating system) performance in any useful way, Windows Vista takes care of this by analyzing the components on your computer and automatically turning off features your computer doesn’t have the ability to handle efficiently. Don’t let this improved flexibility in control fool you, it’s still a good idea to know what sort of performance you can expect before you buy and install Vista, so Microsoft has published two types of system requirements for Vista: Windows Vista Capable and Windows Vista Premium Ready. Vista ready is a lower tier of requirements necessary for Vista to operate efficiently, just not the advanced features like Aero Interface’s 3D graphics which require a more robust system. Windows Vista Premium Ready is the higher set of computer specifications necessary to run Vista’s premium features.
Because of this you won’t need the newest video card or the fastest processor just to run Vista, but you may not be able to use all its new features unless your computer meets the rather hefty Vista Premium Ready system requirements. In this hub well cover Vista’s two tiers of system requirements and demonstrate how to test if your computer can run Vista efficiently.
When a program lists both system requirements and recommendations, it’s a safe bet that you need to meet the recommended specifications if you want to use the software effectively. If a computer meets the system requirements of Vista Premium Ready – no matter which edition you may choose – Vista should run correctly, and you should get to experience the full capabilities of the Aero interface (such as real-time thumbnail previews in the Taskbar). Microsoft defines a Vista Premium Ready computer as having at least a 1GHz processor (32- or 64-bit); 1GB of RAM memory; a DirectX 9-capable graphics card with 128MB of onboard memory and a WDDM (Windows Display Driver Model) driver, as well as support for Pixel Shader 2.0 and 32 bits per pixel color depth; a 40GB hard drive with 15GB of free space; a DVD-ROM drive; and Internet access. If a computer doesn’t have at least 512MB of memory and 15GB of space, Vista won’t even install. In addition, Vista comes on a DVD instead of a traditional CD, so if you don’t have a DVD-ROM drive you will have to seek alternate routes, fortunately, you can order CD’s from Microsoft online at www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windows/vista/buyorupgrade/ordercd.mspx. We recommend that if you invest in the Vista Business, Vista Home Premium, or Vista Ultimate editions you should consider Vista Premium Ready system requirements as the base capability your system will need to adequately run Vista.
The best part of the Vista experience is the Aero interface, but a computer that only just reaches the Vista Capable tier will only display the standard interface, which may look similar to the Aero interface but without any of the neat effects. If your computer meets the Vista Capable requirements it’s a good candidate for either Vista Home Basic edition, which doesn’t include the Aero interface or other hardware-intensive features, or to be upgraded for use with more powerful versions of Vista. If your unsure whether you’re PC can handle Vista or which version suits your current hardware, we suggest you download and install the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor from www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx and then click the Download Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor link.
Things to do before you decide to migrate over to Vista
The Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor scans a PC to see if it can handle Vista’s system requirements, determine which Vista edition is best for your computer, and provide hardware upgrade recommendations. Note the Upgrade Advisor doesn’t work on computers that run versions of Windows older than Windows XP Service Pack 2. When you head over to the link above select your connection type using the Download Size drop-down menu and then click the Download button and select Run. Once the tool finishes downloading, the Windows Vista Upgrade wizard will appear to lead you through the installation process, if Advisor doesn’t launch following installation, click the Start button, select All Programs, and click Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor, then click the Start Scan button (which should be your only option). It took about three minutes for the Advisor to load when we tried it, once it’s finished, click the See Details button to see how your system stacked up.
The very top of the screen will indicate if your computer can load and run Vista and which version the Advisor recommends for your system to run Vista efficiently. If the Advisor reports your system as being inadequate, examine the results under System Requirements to determine what components are holding you back from Vista heaven, the Advisor will point out specific problems with your systems hardware in the Action Required column. Once finished with the Upgrade Advisor we suggest you delete the program from your computer, by clicking the Start button, selecting Control Panel, and choose Add Or Remove Programs. Then select the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor from the list and click the remove button to remove from your computer.
Well that’s it for another hub on Microsoft’s newest baby Vista for now. Join us next hub as we will discuss a few ways to tweak the OS to help it run more efficiently. Until next time, happy hubbing!
Vista Unrolls the Features for All to See
Microsoft renamed all your old favourites and added a few more that will knock your socks off
Microsoft’s new operating system Vista comes with a host of new bells and whistles, amazing features and of course a whole new jargon to learn, fortunately, the new language is pretty easy to remember.
The first thing we noticed was Microsoft had dropped their obsession with the word “My” in favours of a whole new terminology to sink you’re teeth into. In stead of My Computer there is only Computer, how novel, maybe one day they’ll go with simplicity. Many of the featured names have been dropped too, Outlook Express has now become Windows Mail as you will notice when you first try to e-mail. The majority of the new language refers to new features never seen before, but the best way to learn the new lingo is to use these hubs to learn about the new features – the terminology you’ll naturally pick up the more you use it in every day business.
There have been specialized versions of Windows in the past – for example Windows XP Home and XP Professional – Vista is the full load of the segmentation of Microsoft’s product line. There are four versions of Vista available on the market; Home Basic, (for users who want to upgrade but don’t have PC’s that run Home Premium), Home Premium (for the average user), Business (for the most businesses), and Ultimate (for the hobbyist and power user). Microsoft has also included an Enterprise version for large businesses that require special functions in their daily business operations.
In this hub, we focus very often on Home Premium, a version very popular with average users and offering the vast majority of Vista’s most useful features. We also discuss the other versions in order to cover new features Home Premium doesn’t include in its package.
Microsoft has included so many new and improved features that it will be easier to consider the major improvements in categories and we begin listing them below.
Security and safety for the data contained on Microsoft computers has been of great concern since Microsoft first brought out their first operating system. With Vista Microsoft has increased the security features in order to try to rid themselves of the reputation for weak security on their systems. Windows firewall makes a return appearance from Windows XP, while spyware fighter Windows Defender is now standard in Vista. Also a standard is Windows Explorer 7, which also offers beefed up security and a host of new features and capabilities. Vista’s User Account Control prevents changes to your PC by prompting you for permission before Windows allows any substantial changes to the system. For the curious little ones, Parental Controls allow you to set the system up to keep prying little eyes away from the dark corners of your computer system and the Internet.
Vista is designed to allow the user to get more out of a work day with features designed with this specifically in mind. Windows Mail and Windows Calendar offer substantial upgrades from previous functionality of the programs. You can share you’re event schedule with online friends, while Mail has improved security and a better interface than its predecessor, Outlook Express. Windows Meeting Space allows you to collaborate with others on your network from the comfort of home or office.
Vista comes with a new interface, Windows Aero, which is the most obvious difference when you first turn on a computer system using Vista. Windows Aero comes with many bells and whistles to entrance you, one of which is they are now partially transparent so you can see what’s underneath the top window. The new Sidebar contains useful “gadgets” that allow you to put useful little tools within easy reach such as a view of upcoming events on your schedule, breaking news stories, or put notes on your screen so you never forget and new ones are being created all the time that you can downloaded from the Internet.
Microsoft has announced they will be taking computer gaming seriously with improved gaming game play elements and improved functionality. Games Explorer is a new way to categorize and browse installed games so you don’t have to memorize in which file location you have put a certain game or under what name. The new DirectX 10 offers better graphics and audio output to improve the immersive ability of games.
Yes Vista does require more hardware to run quickly and efficiently but the operating system includes a host of new tools for improved performance and system stability. You can even use a memory stick to improve performance through Windows Ready Boost. Microsoft’s new Self-Healing System and Shadow Copy features help keep Windows Vista running cleanly and efficiently if you forget to tweak your system. Vista even comes with Backup and Restore Center, a feature much improved from earlier such capabilities.
Microsoft has also built in some capabilities that are harder to see in action, unless you have x-ray vision. SuperFetch speeds the way Vista uses your PC’s memory in order to increase the systems performance. Vista even automatically defragments your hard drives, before decreased performance reminds you of your neglect. ReadyDrive offers support for hybrid hard disks that might not normally perform well otherwise, which should offer improved reliability and performance. Vista new features keep an eye on your systems performance behind the scenes in an effort to head off trouble before you see issues and take some workload from your plate.
Vista comes with features for mobile computing like Windows SideShow, which allows compatible hardware to show information in a secondary screen on the device. Notebooks have received added attention this time, receiving better support with a new interface that allows most commonly changed notebook settings (volume, brightness, battery status, wireless networking, etc.) to be constantly monitored and changed in one location. Microsoft has included better support for tablet PC’s with Vista so users can enjoy the full benefits of Vista’s added features.
Well that’s it for this hub. Join me tomorrow for more information on Microsoft’s new operating system Vista. Happy hubbing!
An operating system for everyone
Build Vista and They Will Come
After nine years and a highway of hype Vista has finally arrived on the newest Microsoft computers, was it worth the wait?
Longhorn, now called Vista, has finally arrived!
The nine years of build up to the final release date resulted in more of a yawn from consumers compared to previous Windows operating system releases – were thinking in particular about the circus-like environment surrounding the release of Windows 95. Having finally made an appearance we can expect Vista to have a major impact on the computing industry as a whole. So, how can we expect it to affect our computing lives?
Even if Vista didn’t offer any new capabilities and features to the user, it would still dominate a majority of the computing time of daily users of computers. The biggest software company on the planet cannot drop a new version of its flagship product onto the global market without creating a few waves in the industry. And don’t be fooled, the percentage of Microsoft’s market share in desktop operating systems – consistently over 90% during the last decade – means any changes made to Windows reverberates right through the computing industry.
The biggest effect a new operating system for Windows has is in the sales of hardware necessary to upgrade to Vista. If you want to upgrade you may find you will need more memory, more processing power, more power in all aspects of computer architecture to get your upgrade to operate efficiently and make the upgrade worthwhile. In fact, Microsoft recommends that your computer have at least a 1 GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, a 40GB hard drive with at least 15GB of free space to load Vista, a graphics card that supports DirectX 9, Pixel Shader 2.0, WDDM, and includes 128MB of graphics memory, a DVD-ROM drive, and Internet access. So, obviously, many people looking to upgrade to Vista will have to upgrade their hardware before partaking in the benefits of Vista. In addition, if you wish to use new features like SideShow, Vista’s technology that lets the user display data your system pushes to secondary screens, you’ll be shelling out a few more shekels at the counter for additional hardware upgrades.
Let’s put aside the shekels Microsoft’s new operating system is going to make and is currently making for hardware vendors around the global marketplace for a second. Vista does include a slew of new and improved capabilities and features that will make operating a Windows PC a lot more fun, it’s always fun to learn new stuff, and easier once they learn the ins-and-outs of Vista. Vista improvements in security were needed with this new Microsoft operating system as they have been a major issue with previous Microsoft operating systems in the past and should contribute to increased productivity for all users and fewer global security crises due to inappropriate behaviour of individuals. Vista also represents another major move toward having your PC at the center of home entertainment, by controlling audio systems, TV, and other multimedia components around your home.
In short, Vista provides many new features and capabilities for you to grab onto and enjoy. While no one feature will knock your socks off, you should find a few tidbits to keep make the nine year wait (four years from the expected release date) for Vista worthwhile, and hopefully justify your upgrade to Vista and probably some new hardware as well.
Vista: The Last Chapter?
Upon the release of Vista speculation immediately started about the next version of Microsoft’s operating systems – or even if Microsoft would do one. A lot of speculation has centered on the idea that Vista is Microsoft’s last version of Windows to be released.
Despair not Windows lovers, Microsoft is indeed in development of a new version of Windows for you to dream about, currently code-named “Vienna” (and we mean currently) only god knows when to expect Microsoft’s next attempt at operating system perfection. Microsoft has sealed lips about the eventual release of “Vienna, even going to the extent of releasing a rather terse press release in February 2007 trying to quash rampant speculation about the new operating system they have in development.
We searched Microsoft.com for references to “Vienna”, resulting in a rather sharp joke as our search resulted in the appearance of several excellent pictures of Vienna in Austria.
Microsoft isn’t ready to go on the record yet, it would be hard to say would features would be making it into a new version of Windows anyway – just check out the list of planned features that didn’t get included in Vista: WinFS, PC Synchronization, and the scripting shell. Although were sure these features will all be included in the next Windows version, were just as sure there will be many currently planned features that won’t make it off the drawing board and into “Vienna” because it takes tremendous effort and time to make these features work.
The only thing we are sure of concerning the arrival of “Vienna” onto the store shelves is that it will be late as usual.
Well that’s it for this hub. Join us for the next hub on Vista as we will talk about the new features and capabilities of Microsoft’s new operating system.Warren Hayashi (a.k.a. Mark Twain)
The newest tool around the office
Move On Up to Vista Business Edition
If your ready to say Bon Voyage to Windows XP Pro & Hello to Vista
Welcome traveler to our continuing hubs on everything Vista; today well tell you how to make the jump from Windows XP Pro to Vista. If you’re ready, here we go.
If a few years ago like millions of loyal Microsoft fans you made the jump from Windows 2000 to Windows XP Pro. And now have decided to make the move from Windows XP Pro to the scintillating world of Vista Business Edition, Microsoft’s small business version of its latest operating system. You could be having a few nervous twitches at the though, considering the trials and tribulations of upgrading to Windows XP Pro.
Relax, the process isn’t the slow, excruciating, pain you remember from the first time you trusted Microsoft and made the move to WinXP. It’s possible, there could be a stumble of two, but most reports by users indicate the upgrade was painless compared to the move to WinXP, maybe Microsoft might be learning, yeah right!
First things first, make sure you download and run Microsoft’s Vista Upgrade Advisor on every WinXP computer on which you plan to install Vista Business Edition. Remember, this utility will tell you if the PC is ready to be upgraded to Vista and indicate if there are any compatibility problems with your hardware and Vista. Go to the www.microsoft.com Web site and type Vista upgrade advisor in the Live Search box, click the first result and follow the instructions for downloading the program.
At this time you should backup all vital files, folders, and settings in WinXP before starting the upgrade. This can be accomplished using either a third-party backup program or WinXP’s Backup Utility (click Start and choose All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and Backup). Whatever path you decide to take, just plan for all contingencies, including important files, browser favourites, email settings and messages, documents and any other data impossible or difficult to find or replace.
Now, to begin the upgrade installation to Vista Business Edition, boot into WinXP and insert your Vista Business CD or DVD in your optical drive. If Autorun is enabled, Vista installation utility will automatically start, but if Autorun is disabled, you can manually start the utility by clicking your optical drive in Windows Explorer and clicking Setup.exe.
If the version of Vista Business you’re using is a downloaded one, click Install from your digital locker. The program will download three files, including an executable (EXE) file, which will mean a File Download Security Warning will appear. Click Save, and be sure to download and save all the files in the same directory, after the files have finished downloading, open the directory and double-click the executable file to launch Windows Vista Setup.
The first screen that appears will have several options for you to choose from. And although you should have already backed up your important data and settings in WinXP, you will have the option of transferring files and settings from another computer using a transfer cable, an optical disc, or removable media. It should be noticed at this time that after installing and configuring Vista Business on this PC, this can be a useful step that will save time when installing the OS on other computers. To launch Windows Easy Transfer, click Transfer Files and Settings and follow the instructions provided by the program.
Next, click Install Now and Vista will offer you the opportunity to go online to download the latest updates for your new operating system. If you are connected via the Internet, lick the first option, Go Online To Get The Latest Updates For Installation, to ensure that Vista has the latest drivers to aid the installation process.
After upgrading to the latest drivers (or if you decided not to obtain updates), the following screen will ask you to enter your product key for activation. It’s not necessary to enter the key at this time, but we suggest you do to avoid Murphy causing problems later. You should also click on the Automatically Activate Windows When I’m Online to avoid being pestered about activation after your finished installing Vista Business Edition.
When the next screen pops up it will feature the licensing terms for Vista Business, and while you can theoretically click to accept the terms and move on, Vista consumers should read word-for-word the terms of the agreement to understand Microsoft’s guidelines for using the OS, such as storing Vista on network servers, using it over networks, and others. Read the terms carefully and then click I Accept The License Terms and click Next.
Next, you’ll be given the choice to either upgrade your existing OS or install a clean copy of Windows. In this instance, we’re upgrading to Windows, so select Upgrade. Vista then checks for compatibility problems and informs you of any possible questions that exist with applications and devices. If you’re wondering about the particulars of any issues, select Click Here For More Information or just click Next to head to the installation.
It will take a few minutes while Vista Business automatically processes the rest of the upgrade by copying Windows files from the disc, gathering the files, expanding them, installing features and updates, and finishing the process. You will see a single Upgrade Windows screen displayed and Vista will occasionally reboot the computer while it’s performing this magic.
You will need to stand by the computer while this is going on as Windows will present you with a screen that wants to know if you want to Use Recommended Settings, Install Important Updates Only, or Ask Me Later. The intelligent selection is Use Recommended Settings to ensure Vista Business is secure from the start, but if you decide on one of the other two options, make sure you review the security settings on the computer when the installation is finished. After this, you’ll be asked to look-over your time and date settings, make the selections you want on this screen and click Next.
The final step is for the program to launch the Vista Business Desktop. If Vista looked and didn’t find any drivers for any of your hardware devices during the installation process, it will probably look for and find new drivers at this point. If a screen pops up asking if you want to Locate And Install Driver Software, Ask Me Again Later, or Don’t Show This Message Again For This Device it’s the program trying to find the drivers.
We suggest you click the first option at this time, but this is of course up to you. The will then be introduced for the first time to Vista’s User Account Control feature, which needs administrator permission before it can perform certain actions. A User Account Control dialog box will appear next, that asks you to click Continue to perform the action or Cancel to prevent the action from continuing, click Continue. At this point Vista will ask you to install the disc that came with the hardware device, if you have the disc, insert it, click Next, and carry out the instructions provided for installing the necessary drivers.
If you don’t have the disc, you can click I Don’t Have The Disc to see other options for this contingency. One option for this will be Browse Your Compute For Driver Software, which can be useful if you earlier downloaded the driver from the manufacturers Web site to your hard drive (the other option is Check For A Solution, which probably won’t produce any real results, it didn’t when we tried it).
It is possible that some hardware devices don’t work properly with Vista’s default drivers, just visit the device manufacturer’s Web site and download the latest Vista –ready drivers for the hardware. That’s it, once the devices are running smoothly; it’s time to enjoy the experience that is Vista.
Well that’s it for another hub on everything Vista, time for a richly deserved breath and coffee. We hope this hub helps you with any problems you might experience in the transition from Windows XP Pro to Vista. Until next time traveler, happy hubbing!
Migrating From Windows XP Media Center Edition to Vista
Follow the directions contained within these sacred scrolls to avoid complications during your Media Center Edition upgrade.
You might think migrating from Windows XP Media Center Edition to Windows Vista should be as simple as migrating a generic version of Windows XP. But the ways that people make use of Media Center Edition can make the moving process a little hard to complete. So, well cover some of the potential pitfalls of upgrading a Windows XP Media Center Edition installation to Microsoft’s new operating system Vista and show you a few moves so you won’t be happen to tumble into any of them.
Of the four most used versions of Vista – Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, and Ultimate – the only two that support the same feature set as Windows XP Media Center Edition are Home Premium and Ultimate, this is the one were running right now.
One of the trickiest things that people often stumble over at this time is which version of Microsoft Vista to purchase? The easy short answer for most users will be Windows Home Premium, which contains the vast majority of capabilities people use in Windows XP Media Center Edition. Vista Ultimate is also an option, but the differences between Ultimate and Home Premium probably won’t matter for the most users. The majority of users migrating from Windows XP MCE can make do with Vista Home Premium without worrying.
There are also four different editions of Windows XP MCE itself; the 2003 edition (no longer directly supported by Microsoft), the 2004 edition, the 2005 edition, and the 2005 Update Rollup. Microsoft added new features with each successive edition, with the 2005 version being the one most commonly available to system builders and consumers. As far as upgrading is concerned, these editions are all pretty much the same product, for one simple reason: A user is best served by installing Vista clean instead of attempting to upgrade an existing Windows XP MCE installation. Upgrading is a bit more work – you have to back up data and applications settings, and reinstall apps afterwards, which we’ll cover shortly – but it also eliminates a great many of the things that can go wrong during an upgrade.
Consequently, if you are using a version of MCE that’s not up to date and you’re questioning whether you should update it before upgrading, it’s perhaps doesn’t merit the attempt because you’ll be wiping everything clean anyway. One should only do an installation of Vista if they have absolutely no choice – for instance, if you have software on the system for which you cannot find the original installation media.
Haven’t yet determined if Vista will like your system’s hardware and applications, not a problem, just use the Vista Upgrade Advisor to determine this. Insert the Vista install DVD into the computer to be upgraded and click the Check Compatibility Online button that appears, and you’ll be transported magically to the page where you can download the Microsoft Advisor program (note that .NET Framework 2.0 is required). Load it and you’ll be given a breakdown of how your applications, hardware devices, and system configuration will operate under Vista.
Any Microsoft hardware, such as the Media Center Extender, should be supported natively by Vista, but pay close attention to devices in many media PCs that don’t have Vista drivers out of the box. Memory card adapters, TV recording devices, certain types of projectors, non-Microsoft remote-control devices, and especially USB-attached vacuum-fluorescent displays (the kind found in the found panels of many media PC cases) may need to have drivers supplied manually after the initial installation. Many of these devices have native Vista driver’s already available – check with the manufacturer – but if they don’t, a Windows XP driver may also handle the job efficiently. If upgrading to the 64-bit drivers for a particular device that just doesn’t want to work. You might want to think about using the 32-bit device support available for you.
The most frequent consequence of upgrading to Vista – especially if you do a clean install – is that you’ll need to back up and restore your data, and reinstall the applications. For the most part, the most efficient way to move user settings from one installation to another is through the Easy Transfer Wizard we talked about in earlier hubs, available on the Vista installation DVD and in the Vista operating system. The Transfer Wizard will move the following things as far as the Windows XP Media Center Edition is concerned; your user settings, documents, media files, applications-specific settings, and user-account information; your music files ripped to MCE, TV shows recorded through Media Center, and any other media obtained through MCE itself may need to be backed up if you’re erasing everything; any copy-righted protected material on your system that’s played through Media Player, such as WMS files ripped to the system from a CD with copy protection turned on, will have a corresponding license associated with it. The Transfer Wizard doesn’t back up these licenses for you, but it will back up any protected files if you elect to do so (more on this below). After finishing the move, any Microsoft DRM (digital rights management) licenses that have been moved will need to be activated on the new machine via an Internet connection, which happens whenever you attempt to play a protected piece of material. Obviously, Microsoft does this to prevent cheating, so that you don’t move the same protected content to more than one computer at a time. WMP no longer lets you export and import DRM licenses manually, so you have to recertify any protected material on the new machine in this way (make sure to do this last). Also, if you have protected content downloaded from third-party sites like Urge or Napster, you’ll need to find out from them how to move your license to Vista – do this before wiping your old operating system though.
Owe, before we forget, when you use the Transfer Wizard to restore your data in Vista, do this in an administrator level account that doesn’t share a name with any of the accounts you’re transferring. Then, when you’re done restoring, you can just delete that account.
Easy Transfer even has an Advanced Options mode that will let you decide exactly what to copy and what not to copy. Sometimes you really don’t need to move everything.
Finally Vista has a clever way you can work around having to back up and restore media files stored on the same partition as Windows system files. When you install Vista, you can elect to install to the same partition as the Windows XP Media Center Edition installation without reformatting the disc, which is a very helpful thing. If you decide to do this, the existing Windows installation – including the Windows, directory, the application directories, and the user’s Documents And Settings folders – is moved to a folder named WINDOWS.OLD. Then after you have installed Vista successfully, you can just transfer your old data out of the WINDOW.COM folder without a care in the world. Likewise, if you have a large music folder be sure to exclude the music directory from the Transfer Wizard and then after the transfer rebuild it by pointing Vista’s Media Player at your My Music folder on the old drive and let it rebuild the library of music selections for you.
Well that’s it for another hub on everything Vista; this hub should help you make the move seamlessly from Windows XP Media Center Edition to Vista. Join us again, next time, as we will discuss how to make the move from Windows XP Pro version to Vista, until then traveler, happy hubbing!
Let’s Do a Comparison of Vista’s Different Versions
By comparing versions you’ll find out which version is best for your needs
It’s been a few years since Microsoft first introduced all five versions of Windows XP (Home, Pro, Pro X64, Media Center Edition and Tablet PC Edition) and just as you were starting to understand the differences between the different versions of XP, Microsoft has decided to double the version-confusion by releasing five new versions of Windows Vista (Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate). If you have been contemplating making a move to Microsoft’s newest operating system Vista, then here is what you’ll need to know about the different versions, so you can make your decision.
Different packages of features
Microsoft has designed the different set of features for the five versions to appeal to a rainbow of computer operators. Versions Vista Home Basic, Vista Home Premium, and Vista Ultimate are intended for general consumers who use their system more for personal use. Vista Business and Vista Ultimate are designed to be used by professionals and small businesses trying to better organize and facilitate business operations. Vista Business and Vista Enterprise are designed to be implemented in medium-sized and large businesses and organizations with need for a more high powered computing system to facilitate business.
You will find that all the versions of Vista include new capabilities that were either not available in Windows XP or that have been improved, including the ability to quickly find information through Instant Search and via Windows Explorer 7; security developments, including Windows Defender and Windows Firewall; additions to the user interface and internal performance; user applications like Mail and Calendar; a new Sidebar with mini applications called Gadgets; the Games Explorer, with updated games; speech recognition capabilities; improved networking support; and enhanced file and folder sharing and backup.
Time to choose your version
The decision of which Vista version is correct for you and your needs is complicated by various factors, including the relative importance of the various features to your computing life, the fact that prices vary so dramatically among versions, and whether you’re upgrading an existing Windows system or purchasing a preloaded system. For instance, if you want all of Vista’s enhanced features, $399 gets you a new edition of Vista Ultimate to play with, $200 more than what you’ll pay for the Vista Home Basic. Microsoft has obviously given this process a lot of thought, if you decide later to move up to a more power-hungry version of Vista, you can easily do so, without having to do major surgery on your system and remove the entire operating system. Microsoft after thinking about it came up with something they call Anytime Upgrade, this is the way that we loaded the Vista Ultimate operating system we currently use. All we had to do was obtain a product key over the Internet and then enter the product key for the new version and that’s it.
While you’re deciding which species of Vista is going to allow you to make the best use of Vista’s new features, we have a few rules of order that might be helpful. If you plan on upgrading to Vista on a computer with less than 1GB of RAM memory or a computer with a video card with less than 128MB of RAM, then Vista Home Basic is the one system that you’ll want to load onto your system. If your like I was for many years as a freelance writer a user of just e-mail, Web access, and some basic applications, and not in any sense of the word a power user, then Vista Home Basic will fill the bill completely.
If however, your system has at least 1GB of RAM and a high-end video card already installed that will support Vista’s Aero interface (see www.microsoft.com for details), then you will have the choice to move up from Vista Home Basic, to a more feature rich version if you wish. Do you want to the ability to work with digital photos, music, videos, maybe live or recorded TV, and all the forms of on line entertainment available today, then you’ll definitely need Home Premium at least, depending on other needs. Do you only use your computer at home, with no business or high-powered networking needs, then Vista Home Premium will best serve your computing requirements.
Do you require a system with business or networking related features and capabilities, such as the ability to connect to your system at home from far-flung settings, offline folder support, image based backup and restore, and the ability to join a domain (which houses and gives administrator control over all of the user accounts for an entire company), then Vista Business will be required for your business. If you check the versions you will notice that serious business users also loose some features: While Vista Business does include basic support for digital multimedia files, it’s short of the enhanced multimedia capabilities of Vista Home Premium.
After you have had time to check all five versions of Vista out, you’ll notice Vista Enterprise is actually pretty similar to Vista’s business version. Microsoft has added BitLocker Drive Encryption, a security feature that provides transparent data and drive security, protecting the valuable files stored on your protected drive from being viewed offline by cybercriminals.
Do you need to leap over computing heights everyday and your boss thinks you wear an S on your chest, then your what Microsoft calls a power user and then you’ll want to hand over a few more shekels for Vista Ultimate.
Do you have multiple systems in your computing environment then you may want to choose a particular version for each system. You may want Vista Ultimate on your main PC, Vista Home Premium on the laptop you carry around, and Vista Home Basic on your progeny’s PC. This is not a surprise considering the differences in prices between the five feature rich versions of Vista, you’ll certainly want to find the most cost effective version that will meet your needs.
Voip grows up and plays with the big boys
Internet Phoning Grows Up
Recent surveys of customers using Voice over Internet Protocol shows increasingly happy customers, but nothing is perfect.
Tired of paying large telephone bills for traditional landline telephone service, looking for a little monetary relief from the onslaught of your progeny’s social needs and your wife’s marathon telephone sessions, take a look at the improved service of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Called VoIP by many users who are saving as much as $20 to $50 or more a month by using the service, it transmits your telephone calls over the same Internet network that delivers your e-mail messages.
Providers of this service are telephone companies, cable operators, and newcomers such as Vonage but check in the area your using your service in to find the one that suits you’re need best. Typically unlimited local and domestic long-distance plans cost around $25 to $40 a month, depending on your provider and services with you’re plan. Just about all include telephone features normally seen, such as voice mail, caller ID, and call waiting and additional services not available with a landline, such as the ability to make local calls with your home phone number even when globetrotting thousands of miles away from your residence.
The combination of price and services is heads above typical landlines, but does VoIP deliver on the promised services or is it just more hype. Surveys conducted by industry specialists with individuals who have used this emerging technology for at least one year indicate customers are generally satisfied with the service provided. Over fifty percent indicated their telephone bills had dropped and the level of service about the same as traditional landline service.
Users indicated dissatisfaction with issues like the 911 emergency service so we suggest you keep your landline even if you opt for VoIP for day to day use.
Around fifty percent of the VoIP consumers surveyed cited reducing local and domestic long-distance phone bills was the main factor in their decision to try VoIP. Surveys indicated that around 80% of users with lower bills saved around $20 a month, and 34% saved over $40 or more. Sound quality and unreliability were not an issue they had to live with to achieve the monetary savings provided by this emerging technology.
Around 57% of those surveyed who used both VoIP and landline service reported Internet phone calls sounded at least as good as calls made on their traditional landline phone, while the other 43% said their landline always sounds better.
Half the consumers with VoIP and a landline reported no difference in their ability to make and receive calls reliably, but the rest were split down the middle in rating either VoIP or landline as the most reliable.
Generally, users of both VoIP and a cell phone reported Internet phoning to have more reliable connections that their cell phone and comparable sound quality.
While many of those surveyed had no problems with VoIP, almost 33% reported at least one dropped call or difficulty making or receiving calls within a week of the surveys and some had occasional problems listening to callers or being heard by callers.
The typically positive reports of VoIP user’s maybe piques your interest in buying the VoIP service, but here are a few things you should be aware of before signing on the dotted line.
You will probably be moving to a new phone company that provides the VoIP service, some landline and wireless providers, such as AT&T and Verizon, offer VoIP service, but you’ll also encounter names you haven’t associated with telephone service. Including cable giants like Cablevision and Time Warner Cable, as well as businesses that specialize in VoIP, like one of the largest mainstream VoIP providers Vonage, a VoIP only provider.
The good thing about VoIP is you can use any standard touch-tone phone with the service, and the person you’re contacting doesn’t need special equipment or Internet access to receive your calls. Typically you plug your phone into an analog telephone adapter, called an ATA, which you can purchase at a retail store near you for about $100 or less; some companies even provide one at little or no expense to the user. The adapter hooks to a router or modem, which in turn connects up to the cable or DSL line that serves as your broadband connection.
Only one phone needs to be connected to the VoIP adapter, but if you have more than one phone connected to the line you can use a cordless phone with several handsets or a multiple-jack device with the adapter. You could use the existing phone wiring and jacks to plug your phones into the VoIP line, but only if your willing to give up your landline, which we don’t recommend just yet.
You might be able to have your landline phone number reassigned to the VoIP line you’re planning on using, but only if you cut your landline service and as we said this is not recommended. It will take a few weeks for the transfer to go through, so you’ll be using a temporary number during the transition period. The only exception to this rule is if you’re using a broadband access is through DSL, in this case you may have to keep your current number for that line and get a new number for the VoIP line.
If you would rather have a new phone number with your new VoIP line, you can usually choose the area code yourself.
Like any service VoIP has its drawbacks it clearly isn’t for everyone, some of the reason indicated for not using the service are. It requires a broadband Internet connection that can cost up to $30 to $45 if you have in installed so you can use VoIP. You will need to know the ins and outs of a computer to get VoIP up and running, about 40% of those who installed it themselves reported problems and even experts can have problems. They said it took them more than two hours to install, several return visits or even some replacement hardware to get it up and running. If you lose power or you’re internet connection at your residence your VoIP phone won’t work, we suggest buying a backup battery that will provide about four to six hours of talk time. Security is an issue with any emerging technology using the Internet because of the risk of vulnerability to viruses, hackers, and denial of service, but no incidents have been reported so far.
The bottom line indicates the need to deal with potential problems associated with the phone service to make it work, but VoIP will increase the time you can talk on the phone, save you shekels on you’re phone costs and add useful features not seen on with typical landline phone service. We urge you to keep a corded phone requiring no power and a traditional landline for emergency situations if you do opt for the VoIP phone though.
On Line Security is an Issue for You Then the Following Suggestions Will If on Certainly Help
These suggestions will help you stay safer when you’re online
Welcome traveler to our continuing hubs on Internet security, if you’ve been hopping back and forth across the ocean of information referred to as the World Wide Web by most of us, then the safety of the vehicle you use to transport the information to you is probably of utmost importance to you. The following rules of the Internet-road will help keep your vehicle safe while you’re using it to transport the information to you for viewing.
1. Firstly always make sure to activate any protection your system might have, most operating systems or security software have firewalls, a spam blocker, or other included security features, but you need to make sure their on for them to work. We have found the firewall included with Windows Vista to be adequate for most security problems existing on the Internet, but then Microsoft has sold the majority of operating systems on the market today and therefore Internet security is more of a pressing issue for Microsoft. Reviews point to Mac PC’s lacking in security power, but then Apples are certainly less targeted by cybercriminals and hackers. You can download a free firewall for Windows XP, ZoneAlarm 7.0, if you go to www.download.com and search for it you should find it. Also make sure to activate spam filtering and any online protection provided by your ISP or e-mail service provider, such as Yahoo, Google, or MSN, most of these programs are good enough to catch spam if set properly.
2. The annoying pop-up reminders you have been ignoring or telling to remind you about your need to update your security protection later, will be a little more welcome if you get one of the newer viruses your old security software was never programmed to recognize, so make sure to update and renew as soon as you realise you need to. Set your computer to automatically update security software as it becomes available. All spam, spyware, and virus-protection software incorporate “rules” or “definition” files that must be updated periodically for them to catch the newest threats. If your computer is disconnected from the Internet for extended periods of time, make sure that automatic updates are occurring, or update them manually yourself.
3. Each generation of Windows is certainly more secure then the last, so if you’re running Windows XP or earlier Windows versions; consider upgrading to the more secure Windows Vista operating system. Windows Vista allows users to surf in a protected cocoon-like environment, which prevents online threats from injuring your operating system and contains a two-way firewall that blocks both incoming and outgoing threats (the outgoing firewall could use a few improvements to make it work better according to reviews). We suggest you at least upgrade to the Internet Explorer 7 or Firefox 2 web browser both will inform you about known forged, or “phished” Web sites.
4. Any well protected fortification could use a good secondary line of defence and we suggest you install a free toolbar with security features, there are many on the Internet. The EarthLink Toolbar (www.earthlink.net/software/free/toolbar), for example, incorporates a spam and popup blocker, spyware scan, and home page protection for its users. The Netcraft antiphishing toolbar (toolbar.netcraft.com) warns about known phished sites and can tell you a site’s hosting company and even its registered owner, we sure well be seeing more of such innovations in the future. When you go to a site after installing McAfee Site Advisor (www.siteadvisor.com), the program tells you whether the site has been tested by McAfee, what it found in the way of viruses, spyware, spam, pop-ups, phishing, and consumer marketing scams. This program even overlays site reports on Web search results it obtains and automatically blocks access to sites that exploit any browser weaknesses.
5. Leaving a computer connected via the Internet for extended periods of time when it’s not being used is not recommended by experts. So turn off your computer when you don’t plan on using it for awhile (or at least disconnect it from the Internet) this will reduce the chance of malicious remote-computers accessing your data and you’ll save money on energy costs, not to mention the environmental benefits.
6. Always use public computers like their more of a threat to your data, because they are, make sure to avoid computers at libraries, hotels, or airports for conducting financial or other personal business if absolutely possible; otherwise some cybercriminal could be making hay with your information. The same can be said for using your computer on a public wireless network, especially if you’re not on a secured Web page or haven’t disabled your PC’s computer-to-computer connections.
7. Consider buying a Mac computer if your main fear is viruses or spyware because Mac computers have far less to fear from these threats, unfortunately, you’ll still have to deal with spam and phishing as Macs are just as susceptible to these threats as Microsoft PC’s. On line cybercriminals don’t target Mac computers like they do Windows-based PC’s because the return on their investment is potentially far less.
8. Always watch what you’re downloading from the Internet, the collection of free utilities, games and other software on the Internet can be useful, but many are loaded with viruses and spyware for free also. Only download from well-known manufacturers or trusted sites like the ones at www.download.com, www.snapfiles.com, and www.tucows.com.
9. The simplest way to get complete protection is to select one of the security suites we will be recommending in up coming hubs. Just remember if you go this route that you maybe paying extra for duplicate components already on your computer or available free on the Internet. We recommend having a minimum of 1GB of RAM memory to prevent the suite you choose from slowing down your computer though.
10. Purchase a good antivirus software program and run it every day, it will actually work and your going to need it if you spend any serious amount of time surfing the Internet ocean. This is true no matter what operating system you use or brand of computer, as all computers are currently susceptible to computer viruses and spyware. Also they will prevent computer virus laden files from being spread from Macs to PCs.
11. Designers of spyware are particularly diligent in their work, spyware is so subtle and possibly dangerous, that we feel it deserves double protection and we use the two best antispyware software programs on our systems. Set the better program to block spyware in real time and use the second one to scan anything you suspect might be infected with something the first program might have missed.
12. Here is a trick I use to use when I was a freelance writer to thwart spammers. If spammers are driving you crazy, set up disposable e-mail addresses that can be used for varying purposes. For instance, use “warrenshopping2008” for making online purchases of goods or services, then when the In box at this e-mail address gets constantly filled with unwanted spam, just abandon it or change it. Many ISP’s provide extra “associate” e-mail addresses that can be changed whenever you want, just make sure you ask or check. We do suggest that you configure your e-mail program to check all your addresses simultaneously, unless it’s the highlight of your day and you to slow down and savour your mail. You can even set up disposable accounts at a free e-mail service like Google or Yahoo, I have, just make sure you guard the primary e-mail address you got from them, because your primary can’t be changed without abandoning your entire account.
13. If you often purchase services or goods online, it’s a good idea to use a credit card. They actually offer better protection then other choices when making online purchases. Today some issuers will let you generate virtual account numbers that are only valid for a single purchase with a fixed dollar limit, so the risk is reduced even further. If you use these virtual numbers you won’t have to give online retailers your permanent credit card number to make a purchase.
14. Never assume any certified (remote) site you visit is secure and safe to use for business. Yes it’s vital to have a secure connection when sending or receiving personal information online (indicated by “https” before the Web address and a padlock or other icon on your browser), but this is no guarantee the Web site conducts business reputably. Similarly, certification symbols from the Better Business Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission (as people recently found out in one well publicized scam), and similar organizations provide some reassurance (never assume their being used with the knowledge and certification of others). But these things are no substitute for protecting yourself by reading any small print, researching a site by talking to friends and checking online reviews, and independently typing the Web site address yourself and not relying on a hyperlink to take you to where it says it is going to before turning over credit card numbers or personal information.
15. Never respond to any e-mail message for personal information of any kind no matter how official it looks, legitimate organizations tasked with caring for sensitive information of this kind would never do so with an e-mail, and if they ask you to call a telephone number, verify the number belongs to the organization independently.
16. In order for the problem of phishing, or any Internet scam, to be corrected we must all report instances of such behaviour to the proper authorities. If you receive a phishing e-mail, immediately forward it to the Anti-phishing Working Group (reportphishing@antiphishing.org), the Federal Trade Commission (spam@uce.gov), and the company or organization that is being impersonated and you will be doing your part. You should also file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov and if your antiphishing toolbar didn’t recognize the fraudulent Web site, make sure to report the site to the toolbar provider and they will make sure it does.
17. The last suggestion we would like to make is to constantly, regularly, review all your credit card and bank statements as soon as you get them and report anything suspicious without hesitation.
Well that’s it for this hub on how to keep your Internet vehicle and your personal information safer while you’re operating your vehicle on the Internet highway. Join us next time as we will bring you our picks for the best software suites, antivirus programs, antispyware programs, and antispam software on the market. Until then traveler, happy hubbing!
If You Need a New Video Card to Make Vista Run Better
If Vista’s Aero interface doesn’t look like it should the problem is your old video card or integrated Graphics of your computer
Welcome hubber to our continuing discussion of all things Vista, if you replaced your RAM memory using our hub “Time to Perform a Memory Upgrade to Help Vista Run Better”. Then you may need to also install a new video card to get Vista’s new Aero interface run efficiently and allow you to try out all its new features. Below we have everything you need to complete the job and get Vista running, we hope this hub takes care of any problems you might be having with your new Vista operating system. Happy hubbing!
If the video card, or integrated graphics for the ancient ones, currently installed in your old computer is an older model it will probably significantly reduce Vista’s operating speed or be too lacking in power to run the Aero interface with its transparent windows, Windows Sidebar, pretty pictures and the new ways to preview windows, to name but a few. Not a problem, desktop computer owners can easily install a new video card to kick start Vista’s graphics power so they can benefit from Vista’s more power-hungry features. The following guidelines should be followed to identify the kind of video card your computer supports and install a new one on your computer which will help Vista operate better.
Computers are all basically the same as far as video cards are concerned, they are installed in one of the provided expansion slots on your computer’s motherboard and provide the video output port that connects to your displays video cable. Before you purchase a new video card however, check your motherboard’s users manual to find out which types of slots are available on your PC. The majority of desktop computers sold within the last few years have a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) Express slot, which is a dedicated slot for a video card. If you have one of the ancient ones we mentioned earlier you probably have an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) slot or a standard PCI slot. Currently the PCI Express interface provides the best of the three types mentioned here so we suggest you install a PCI Express just to be safe. When you’re selecting the video card you want, keep in mind that the Aero interface requires your video card meet the specifications of Vista Premium Ready if you want to use all features included with the new interface. If you want to find out what video cards make the rank, check out Microsoft’s Windows Vista Hardware Compatibility List (winqual.microsoft.com/hcl/default.aspx) and look through the database for video cards that are marked Certified For Windows Vista.
Before you can remove your old video card, you need to uninstall the drivers for your current graphics processor to make sure there are no problems with the new video card’s drivers when you install them. To remove the old driver in Vista, click the Start button, select Control Panel, and click System And Maintenance. Then in the System and Maintenance window, scroll down and click Device Manager, double click the Display Adapters category and then right-click your old video card. Select Uninstall to remove the video driver from your computer and it’s now ready for the new drivers.
You should always follow the instructions that were included to uninstall the drivers currently on your PC. Turn off the computer and unplug all the cables from your PC. Open the computer’s outer casing and immediately ground yourself (by touching the internal metal frame of the PC) to discharge the static electricity stored on your skin. Before removing the circuit board, you might need to free a small plastic tab that locks the card in place but it should come out pretty easily. Unscrew the metal plate on the card from the computer’s chassis and pull the card straight out of the slot, its just that easy. If you find your computer uses on board video, you need to disable the motherboard’s graphics adapter in Device Manager before installing a new card. To do this click the Start button and then select Control Panel, System and Maintenance, and then Device Manager. Right click the video components for on board video and then select Disable from the list and your ready to install a new video card.
To insert a new video card, line it up directly over the proper slot and press firmly until the screw hole in the metal plate lines up with the hole in the PC’s chassis and that’s it. Close the case on your computer and hook-up the computer’s cables. After Vista boots up, the operating system should automatically detect the new card and it should be operational. One last thing, make sure to use the software CD that was included with the new video card to install drivers for the card. Then, just download the newest Vista drivers for your video card from the manufacturers Website and install them and your new Vista operating system should purr like a baby.
Well that’s it for our hubs on how to get your new Vista operating system up and running and hopefully purring like a kitten. Join us next time for our continuing hubs on everything Vista, until next time hubber, happy hubbing!
How to Purchase and License a New Vista Operating System
Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions about how to purchase and activate Vista
Welcome traveler to our continuing hubs on everything about Vista, if you’re looking to upgrade or acquire Microsoft’s newest operating system, Windows Vista, you will probably have a few questions, even after reading Microsoft’s cautiously drafted marketing information. So below we have some of the most frequently asked questions about the mysterious process of purchasing and activating Vista.
1. How can I obtain Microsoft Windows Vista?
· Microsoft offers you four ways to obtain new copies of Windows Vista; preinstalled on a new PC from an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) or approved Microsoft System Builder, as a packaged product available at outlets or from authorized online sources, as a volume license, which is a purchasing option for larger organizations wanting to upgrade a minimum of five Microsoft product licenses obtained through one or both of the first two acquisition methods (this includes academic licenses), and the last as SA/EA (Software Assurance/Enterprise Agreement) Offerings, which are enhanced forms of Volume Licensing Agreements that include three years’ worth of product protection for upgrades to new versions of the software covered under the volume license agreement.
2. Can I obtain any version of Windows Vista I choose from any of those four sources?
· Unfortunately all the versions have limitations on where and when they can be obtained. Vista Home Basic and Vista Home Premium are only available preinstalled or as retail products. Upgrades from Windows 2000 or XP are available only thorough retail packaged products, sneaky they are. Vista Business Edition is available through retail stores, preinstalled, or through a Volume License. Vista Ultimate can be obtained through SA Offerings, as a retail product, or preinstalled. Finally, Vista Enterprise is only available through SA/EA Offerings.
3. Where can I obtain Windows Vista?
· You can obtain a new OEM license and installation of the designated versions of Windows Vista from just about any old PC manufacturer when you purchase a new computer. They want to sell, so most retail stores and Web sites carrying software (such as CompUSA, Best Buy, Circuit City, Sam’s Club, Costco, Amazon.com, newegg.com, eBay, and Buy.com) have Windows Vista ready and waiting for sale to you in the retail packaged product versions. To purchase a Volume License or obtain Software Assurance offerings, for whatever reason, always deal directly with Microsoft at the Web site, www.microsoft.com/licensing.
4. What do I need to know about the terms and conditions for upgrading to Vista from previous versions of Windows?
· You can upgrade to a corresponding or better edition of Windows Vista if you have a supported version of Windows 2000 or Windows XP. If you are operating any of Microsoft’s earlier versions, Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Me, then you will need to purchase and install a full retail version of Windows Vista, good for Microsoft hey!
5. What are downgrade rights?
· Downgrade rights allow consumers who may wish to operate on older applications that are incompatible with Windows Vista to remove Vista from a computer and install a previous version of Windows on that computer. Unfortunately this is only applicable if you have purchased a preinstalled (OEM) version of Vista Business or Vista Ultimate or have Vista Enterprise. In addition, the consumer cannot use both the downgraded operating system and Windows Vista on the same PC. But end users can use the following media for their downgrade: Volume Licensing media (provided the end user has a Volume Licensing Agreement), Retail, or System Builder hologram CD (provided the software is acquired in accordance with the Microsoft OEM System Builder License.
6. How does activation for Windows Vista differ with activation for previous versions of Windows?
· Microsoft has made the process to activate Vista essentially the same as it was with Windows XP. If you’re connected via the internet, Vista will connect automatically to the Microsoft activation service and activate the license for you. If you do not have access to the Internet, you can call a toll-free number and activate the software either through a touchtone process or by speaking with a Microsoft activation representative.
For volume license versions of Vista being used by businesses, there are two new methods of activation: The MAK (Multiple Activation Key) system enables each product key to activate a specific number of computers. MAK activation is required only once per PC, unless there are significant hardware changes. The second method is KMS (Key Management Service) which lets businesses activate a large number of copies of Windows Vista. KMS requires at least 25 computer’s be connected to a companies network. (Note: Be sure to check out the hubs in coming days of Volume Licensing for small businesses)
For additional information about activating the enterprise version of Vista, visit www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/plan/faq.mspx.
7. How many times can I activate my copy of Windows Vista?
· Heavens to Betsy, your copy of Windows Vista can only be automatically activated once and only on one computer.
8. What if I make changes to my computer? What kind of changes will invalidate my activation?
· Microsoft’s Windows Vista is activated based on the specific configuration that was present at the time of initial activation – specifically, the motherboard, processor, and hard drive. If you change several components, such as during a hardware upgrade, Windows may require reactivation. Changing motherboard and processor, for example, requires reactivation of the product. Although adding a hard drive should not cause reactivation, replacing the drive on which Vista was originally installed will require you to reactivate your copy of Vista.
9. What happens if my Vista PC gets deactivated?
· If you do change your hardware and it deactivates your computer, you can reactivate by going online or by calling the activation line and explain that you had a hardware failure. If you do not reactivate, you will be forced into RFM (Reduced Functionality Mode). In RFM, there is no Start menu and no Desktop icons are displayed for your convenience. Internet connectivity will not be blocked, and the Web browser will open automatically and be fully functional, so you can use the Internet to either reactivate the software of purchase a legitimate license key. After one hour, the system will log you out without warning; very irritating let me tell you. The computer will not shut down, however, so you’ll be able to log back in. In RFM, Windows Defender will only fix absolutely critical issues and will not warn of other problems with the computer. The official Microsoft Update Service Web site will run in reduced mode, and the new Aero interface will be non-functional.
Well that’s it for this hub on some of the most frequently asked questions about purchasing and activating Microsoft’s new operating system Vista. We hope these answers help you with some of the problems you might be experiencing. Look for more hubs in the coming days on Vista and everything you need to know about Microsoft’s new monstrosity. Until then traveler, happy hubbing!
