Prep Your PC for Vista

By Jamie Bsales

http://computershopper.com/howto/prep_your_pc_for_vista

Microsoft Windows Vista, the long-awaited successor to Windows XP, is finally here—but is your system ready for it? If you own an older PC, chances are it falls short of the hardware requirements you'll need to enjoy the new OS in all its glory. Fortunately, getting your system Vista-ready is a task you can undertake at home. In a few simple steps, we help you determine what components your PC needs and how to install them.

Step 1: Determine the Vista version you want
Vista certainly makes a strong case for itself. Aero, its slick new 3D interface, delivers translucent effects and smooth animations, as well as a more intuitive way to manage your open windows. Aero works only on PCs that have a powerful-enough 3D-graphics engine installed, however.
Vista's not just good looks. In terms of features, Microsoft has added a host of security, search, and performance enhancements in its latest Windows, as well as data-migration and -backup tools. (See www.microsoft.com/windowsvista for details.)
Of course, upgrading an operating system isn't a task to be undertaken lightly. You always face the risk that a legacy device or an aging (or custom) application won't work with the new OS. Before you begin, gauge whether the benefits of the upgrade outweigh the cost and potential pitfalls.
If you're sold on an upgrade, you'll need to determine which version of Vista is right for you. Vista Home Basic ($199, or $99.95 for those upgrading from a registered copy of Windows) delivers enhanced security and a data-migration assistant, as well as the new Instant Search feature, which lets you quickly find a file on your hard drive by entering a relevant keyword. You don't get the Aero interface with Vista Basic, but its hardware requirements are fairly lenient: an 800MHz or faster processor, at least 512MB of RAM, and DirectX 9-compatible graphics.
Vista Home Premium ($239, or $159 for the upgrade version) delivers the same benefits as Home Basic, plus the Aero interface and all the multimedia features formerly found only in Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 (photo, video, and music management; TV recording and playback; and the living-room-friendly, couch-side user interface). Also, you can more easily collaborate and share documents, using the new Windows Meeting Space feature. To run Vista Premium, you'll need a 1GHz or faster CPU, 1GB of RAM, a DirectX 9 GPU with at least 128MB of dedicated video RAM and support for Pixel Shader 2.0, a TV-tuner card (optional), a 40GB or bigger hard drive (with 15GB of available space), and a DVD-ROM drive.
The top of the line is Vista Ultimate ($399, or $259 for the upgrade), which adds data-backup and -encryption capabilities, as well as native remote-access features. It has the same hardware requirements as Vista Home Premium.

Step 2: Download the Upgrade Advisor
Microsoft makes it easy for users with Windows XP machines to determine exactly what new hardware their target PCs may need, thanks to its free Vista Upgrade Advisor tool. Download and install the tool, then launch the Advisor. It automatically scans your PC and generates a handy printable report that tells you which system, device, and program issues you need to address before you can upgrade to Vista.
On an older PC, for example, you'll likely need to add more RAM and a more powerful graphics card. (We'll address these upgrades in Steps 3 and 4.) If the Advisor recommends that you upgrade your PC's CPU and hard drive, too, it's time to rethink your plan. The cost of all those new components, plus the OS itself, is likely more than you'd pay for a whole new Vista-equipped PC.

Step 3: Install the recommended amount of RAM

Press each RAM module firmly into its slot, then snap up the plastic tabs to hold it in place.

If your PC lacks enough memory to support Vista, you'll need to add more RAM. Check your PC's documentation for the type of RAM your model of motherboard accepts. If you don't have the manual or it doesn't specify, don't worry: Most online and retail computer-parts makers have a database they can check to determine the right RAM for your model. Just be sure to have the exact manufacturer, model name, and model number of your PC handy. We recommend that you upgrade to at least 1GB of RAM for Vista. You may want to install the additional RAM as a pair of identical modules, instead of one big module—assuming your motherboard has the slots to accept the pair. Doing so can confer the small performance benefit of a dual-channel memory configuration.
To install the new RAM, first power down and unplug your machine. Never open the case with the power cord still attached, as juice could still be flowing inside the chassis, even if the power button is off. Also, be sure to touch the metal chassis frame before you work inside the case. With the power cord disconnected, the machine is no longer grounded, and static from your hands (called electrostatic discharge, or ESD) could damage internal components.
Locate the RAM slots on the motherboard, and flip down the plastic tabs that hold the module or modules in place. Handling a module only by its edges, press the new memory firmly into place (the module's edge will be keyed to match the slot) and flip up the tabs to lock it in.
If you need to install a new graphics card, too, don't button up the case just yet. But before carrying on with the graphics card, first reconnect your monitor, keyboard, mouse, and power cord, then boot the machine to check that the RAM is working. If the machine fails to boot, power down, unplug, and check that the module is seated properly. If all goes according to plan, you should be able to see the new RAM amount listed on Windows' System Properties pane. (Double-click the System icon in Control Panel.)

Step 4: Install the new graphics card

Slide the new graphics card into place, then screw down its bracket to fasten it securely.

Assuming you need more graphics horsepower to run Vista's Aero interface, installing a new graphics adapter is the next hurdle. First, determine which type of add-in card your motherboard will accept (AGP or the newer PCI Express, or, failing either of those, old-style regular PCI) by checking the documentation or online knowledge base. (If all else fails, you'll need to look at the internal slot on your motherboard, and match it to diagrams of graphics-card slots you can find online.)
To ensure your system's longevity, pick a recent midrange graphics card, such as the $130 EVGA e-GeForce 7600 GS we used. This will give you plenty of overhead not just for Vista, but also for moderate 3D gaming.
Follow the steps of powering down, unplugging, and protecting your machine from ESD, just like you did when installing the new RAM. Locate the open slot for the graphics card on your motherboard and remove the small metal strip at the rear of the PC to make way for the rear-facing connectors on the new card. Seat the card securely, and screw its bracket into place. Button up your machine, power it on, and install any drivers that came with your new card.

Step 5: Uninstall incompatible apps, install Vista
When you ran the Vista Upgrade Advisor, the utility generated a list of programs installed on your PC that have known incompatibilities with the new OS. You'll need to uninstall those programs (using the Add or Remove Programs utility in Control Panel) before installing the OS.
Once that's complete, your PC should be up to par, so pop in the upgrade disc, install Vista, and enjoy the new view.