Consumer Reports Video

Vista Guide
	Getting started Here’s how a quick scan of your PC, using the Vista Upgrade Advisor, will let you know if your system is fit for Vista.

Scanning your computer.  After you download the software, click on Start Scan.




As Upgrade Adviser examines your system (which may take a few minutes), you’ll see buttons with the names of the various versions of Vista--Home Basic, Business, Home Premium, and Ultimate. While waiting for the scan to finish, you can click on each to learn more about it.




When the scan finishes, select the Vista version you’re interested in from the buttons on the bottom of the screen (We recommend Vista Home Premium for most people). Then click on See Details near the top of the screen.

Viewing the overall results. This screen lets you know whether your system can run Vista. It breaks down your computer’s components into System, Devices, and Programs. Clicking on each of those sections provides specifics on which hardware or software you might need to upgrade in order to run that version of Vista effectively. A Task List on the lower part of the screen summarizes the actions you need to take before beginning the installation and once you’ve finished.

The System screen. This is where Upgrade Adviser lets you know if your CPU (processor), memory, and video card are sufficient for running Vista. You might see a message that says your graphics card won’t run Aero, the new graphical interface used in the pricier versions of Vista. You can find a suitable graphics card at retailers by looking for a “Vista Certified” label on the package. If you don’t have a DVD drive, Upgrade Adviser will tell you to get one because Vista comes on DVD. Microsoft reportedly will also offer Vista for sale and download from the Web. You can also request Vista on CD directly from Microsoft (Upgrade Adviser provides a link for making your request).

The Devices screen. The more peripherals connected to your PC, the more likely you’ll see a notice on Upgrade Adviser that says “There is no compatibility data available for this device.” This warning could show up even for hardware that should clearly be Vista-compatible, for example, an Intel processor chipset on a Vista-capable PC.

Generally, this is not something you should worry about. In most cases it just means the Windows drivers are not available yet. Go to the peripheral manufacturer’s Web site and look there for information on when drivers will be available.

You might also encounter a similar message with a link to “Windows Marketplace,” which is Microsoft’s shopping site. The implication is that you might need a new printer, sound card, or other peripheral. But when you click on the link, you are transferred to that site, but provided no specific information about your device. In other words, you’re on your own. We recommend you check directly with the manufacturer of the device in question and skip Microsoft’s shopping site. The problem could be something as simple as needing to update your drivers.

The Programs screen.  This section reviews all the software on your computer, and lets you know how well it might work with Vista. You might see a message that says a program should be uninstalled before upgrading to Vista, and that when you reinstall it post-Vista, it might not work as expected. Another message might say you could encounter “minor incompatibility issues” with a program. In some cases, the message might provide a link to the manufacturer. In those we encountered, we were sent to a general Web page that wasn’t useful. If you get the “minor incompatibility” message, go to the manufacturer’s Web site and type “Vista upgrade” in the search box, or check the company’s support page for information.

Consumer Reports Video

Vista Guide
	Preparing to upgrade Save yourself a headache later by saving the Task List now. It tells you what you need to do before and after installing Vista.

The Task List. This screen summarizes everything from the prior screens. It also provides details on your system’s components. Note that you should run Windows Update before and after you install Vista, to make sure you have the latest security updates, bug fixes, or service packs from Microsoft. You might also see a link in the video-card section that takes you to a Microsoft TechNet page that refers to “GPU upgrades.” (GPU is geek speak for Graphics Processing Unit). To many people, that’s not a clear reference to graphics cards. If you see that message in your task list, we recommend that you skip the TechNet article and shop for a graphics card that is labeled “Vista Certified.”