Is Your PC Vista Ready ?

[mzkhadir]

Check here to find out

Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor Beta

The Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor beta will help you determine if your current PC is ready for an upgrade to Windows Vista. It will also help you to choose the edition of Windows Vista that's right for you. Download the Upgrade Advisor beta and run an analysis of your current PC and use the detailed feedback to ensure that your PC is ready for the edition of Windows Vista that you want.
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Microsoft has updated its official Windows Vista "Get Ready" page with new information on its upcoming PC operating system. The updated page includes the system requirements for the OS' native 3D interface, "Windows Aero." According to the page, Aero will require:

A DirectX 9 class graphics processor that:
-Supports a WDDM Driver.
-Supports Pixel Shader 2.0 in hardware.
-Supports 32 bits per pixel.

Adequate graphics memory:
-64 MB of graphics memory to support a single monitor less than 1,310,720 pixels
-128 MB of graphics memory to support a single monitor at resolutions from 1,310,720 to 2,304,000 pixels
-256 MB of graphics memory to support a single monitor at resolutions higher than 2,304,000 pixels
Meets graphics memory bandwidth requirements, as assessed by Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor running on Windows XP

The "Get Ready" page also suggests that by the time the new operating system launches, Microsoft will have at least two designations for Vista-compatible computers: the "Windows Vista Capable PC" and the "Windows Vista Premium Ready PC."

"Windows Vista Capable PCs" will include, at minimum, a "modern processor (at least 800MHz)" , 512MB system memory, and a DirectX 9-compatible graphics processor.

"Windows Vista Premium Ready PCs" will include, at minimum, a 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor, 1 GB of system memory, a graphics processor that runs Windows Aero2, 128 MB of graphics memory, 40 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space, a DVD-ROM Drive3, audio output capability, and Internet access capability.

The Vista site also states that the operating system will be available in five versions: Business, Enterprise, Home Basic, Home Premium, and Ultimate (the latter version will apparently include all the functionality from the other four versions in one package). The site also suggests that curious users try the beta version of the Windows Upgrade Advisor to see whether their computers will be able to run the OS.

Windows Vista will be the next operating system from software giant Microsoft, and is intended to replace Windows XP. The upcoming operating system was recently delayed until 2007. For more information on Vista and what it will mean for playing games, visit GameSpot tech's recent feature story on Vista and its functionality.

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Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor Beta FAQ

Q. What is the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor beta?
A. Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor beta is a downloadable web application that helps Windows XP users to identify which version of Windows Vista meets their needs, while checking if their PCs are ready for an upgrade to Windows Vista and which features will be available on their PC. The end result is a report that explains which version of Windows Vista to buy and provides suggestions about what, if any, hardware updates may be necessary to install and run the appropriate edition and features of Windows Vista. Running Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor is a great first step for anyone considering whether to install Windows Vista on a PC they already own.

Q. Why is the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor described as "beta"?
A. It means that the current version is a work-in-progress. We expect to add additional functionality, like application compatibility checking, in future versions of the Upgrade Advisor. Please check back to the Upgrade Advisor website for updated versions of the tool.

Q. Why is the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor beta only available for Windows XP users?
A. The Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor beta depends on technology that only runs on computers with editions of Windows XP or a beta edition of Windows Vista installed. If you own a PC running Windows 2000, Windows 98, Windows ME, or Windows 95, you will need to carefully compare their system capabilities to the information available on our Get Ready site. In general, PCs purchased within the last two years have a better chance of being able to run Windows Vista as is or with affordable improvements to the system hardware.

Q. Are there known issues with the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor beta?
A. Yes. We will continue to improve the Upgrade Advisor following the release of the beta. For example, Upgrade Advisor can identify the presence of a TV Tuner card but cannot determine if it will definitively work with Windows Vista. Therefore, if the Upgrade Advisor finds a TV Tuner card on your system?even one that works today with your Windows XP Media Center Edition PC?the Upgrade Advisor will not be able to tell you if that tuner will work with Windows Vista. Please check back to the Upgrade Advisor website for updated versions.

Q. What is required to run Windows Vista?
A. If you purchased a PC in the last two years, chances are good that you can run Windows Vista today. To install and run the core functionality of Windows Vista, you need:

An 800 MHz processor.
512 MB of RAM.
A 20 GB hard drive with 15 GB of free space.
Advanced features, like the new user experience Windows Aero, require advanced or additional hardware.

Q. What should I consider when purchasing a new PC to ensure that it can run Windows Vista?
A. If you are buying a new PC before Windows Vista is available, look for the computers designated as Windows Vista Capable or Windows Vista Premium Ready. You can read more information on Windows Vista Capable and Premium Ready PCs here.

Q. Is the Upgrade Advisor available in languages other than English?
A. No. At this time the Upgrade Advisor is only available in English during the beta phase of development. We anticipate having the Upgrade Advisor available in other languages in the future.

 

[ProviaFan]

LOL, the "Upgrade Advisor" won't work on XP x64.

My X2 system is pretty much ready, though I anticipate having to upgrade the graphics card to get acceptable performance (the Geforce 6600 128MB probably won't cut it at 1600x1200 with lots of windows open, at least given MS's track record with "minimum" requirements).

 

[smack Down]

An 800 MHz processor.
512 MB of RAM.
A 20 GB hard drive with 15 GB of free space.

Damn how can an OS require 15 GB of free space?

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: smack Down
Damn how can an OS require 15 GB of free space?

Since IE7 is now a tabbed browser, you'll be able to efficiently browse many more porn sites simultaneously, thus requiring a larger cache for all of the images.

 

[spyordie007]

Originally posted by: smack Down
An 800 MHz processor.
512 MB of RAM.
A 20 GB hard drive with 15 GB of free space.

Damn how can an OS require 15 GB of free space?

Current builds take a lot less than 15 (I typically see 2-3GB worth of actual data - not including the paging and hibernating files).

I'm guessing they say 15 beause you'll need that as a minimum for userdata, page and hibernation files (which can get big if you have a lot of RAM) applications you'll install etc.

Besides, I wouldnt want to install XP with only 15GB of space; why on earth would I want to do it under Vista?

 

[spikespiegal]

I'm going to try and run the advisor on one of my 486's running Citrix. Should be interesting.

 

[ForumMaster]

the two problems in my comp is the ram and the gpu. i "only" have 768 MB of ram cause i got 3 cheap 256 sticks. i think i'll replace one with a 512 one. my ancient gpu (geforce 440mx se 64MB agp x4) won't run vista and i am upgrading to a 6600gt w/256mb. that should work i think. anyway, if anybody has looked, symantec has now sued ms and wants the government to stop ms from releasing vista. so it might be a while.

 

[Robor]

Wouldn't run under Ubuntu w/WINE.

 

[Eug]

"The Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor beta is currently unavailable, please check back soon. We apologize for the inconvenience."

P.S. Any comments on my Windows Vista and Intel GMA 950 thread?

 

[HardWarrior]

If I want to run DX10 games, no my machine isn't ready. I suspect I'll need the fastest sckt 939 and two DX10 video cards to enjoy Vista in the way I want too. Oops, I forgot about having to pork out for my first LCD.

 

[theMan]

it says its not available

 

[OSX]

I want to run it on my Katmai PIII with 192MB SDRAM and a Voodoo 3

 

[Check]

apparently I need to get windows vista ultimate, that should cost like what $250 $300? I think I'll just upgrade to linux.

 

[fire400]

this looks awesome...

 

[hardcandy2]

Winsupersite has a good breakdown and chart showing which features are included in which version. Like the man said, massive confusion will be reigning come launch time. I imagine Apple and Linux are going to gain some good market share over the next couple of years.
I am running OpenSuse x86_64 version 10.1 with the Xgl windows system, does everything Aero does and more, cost is $0.

 

[TheArabian]

lmao, freaking windows

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: ProviaFan

Originally posted by: smack Down
Damn how can an OS require 15 GB of free space?

Since IE7 is now a tabbed browser, you'll be able to efficiently browse many more porn sites simultaneously, thus requiring a larger cache for all of the images.

That's great.

 

[kamper]

Originally posted by: ForumMaster
symantec has now sued ms and wants the government to stop ms from releasing vista. so it might be a while.

You don't seriously think they're going to cause a delay do you? Look at how many little guy vs big guy suit lately have not resulted in injunctions (rim, ebay...). And microsoft, more than anybody, has the ability to draw out legal proceedings

Edit: nevermind that there's no reason to believe the claim yet, at least as far as I've seen

 

[sonoma1993]

yes my system is vista ready.

 

[secretanchitman]

my system is vista aero basic ready...cause my video card sucks and my memory sucks. (geforce3 and 512MB ram)

 

[Horus]

LOL!

It's telling me to contact the manufacturer, because my "Microsoft Fingerprint Reader" may not function