Microsoft Upgrade
Is It Time to Move Your Business
to Microsoft Vista?

Microsoft Vista Operating System comes in 32-bit or 64-bit. Most computers today are 32-bit, and emerging technology is 64-bit. Eventually, all PC’s with Microsoft Operating Systems will be 64-bit. Since Vista is brand new, you need to consider these factors to see if it is the best time for your business to move to Vista now.

What are the Upgrade Advantages to your business?

1. As with all software upgrades, there are lots of improvements, some you can see and some simply make the program function better.
   • Windows Meeting Space, Offline File and Folder sharing, Corporate Roaming, Remote Desktop,
   • Wireless Security Protocols, improved firewall,
   • Amazing Network Sharing Center and Windows Media Center,
   • New and Improved features for backup, scheduling backup, parental controls, Performance Self Tuning, Self Healing, and Built in Diagnostics,
   • Windows Complete PC Backup and restore, takes picture of all personal files, system files, programs and settings, (requires Ultimate version, and needs external data storage.)
   • Windows Flip 3D,
   • Windows Mail which replaces Outlook Express with improved Junk Email and Phishing filters, and much more.
2. If you are replacing outdated computers, 64-bit technology is the next big step.
3. Media applications are greatly enhanced. Vista makes your tv smarter. With a compatible USB tuner and a wireless network, you can record tv shows to play on computer or tv and more than we can cover on a business site! Check for more information on Microsoft's 100 Reasons to Upgrade
4. The 64-bit Vista Operating System running on 64-bit processors will be much faster, once programs are written for 64-bit machines. Not too many are 64-bit now, but it will be a big improvement, soon!
5. 64-bit Vista runs both 32-bit and 64-bit programs, but check with your software versions to be sure that they are Vista compatible. Software programmers may need to make changes. 2007 QuickBooks, for example, is Vista compatible and earlier versions are not.

Is your Computer powerful enough to upgrade?

1. You need at least 1GB RAM, and 2GB is better.
2. You need a 64-bit processor to install the 64-bit operating system.
3. To check your computer’s hardware, go to Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>System Information.
4. Microsoft offers a free program to download Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor to assess your computers.

Will your printers work with Vista?

1. Vista supports USB printers. You plug in the printer before installing Vista and Vista will select and install the correct print drivers.
2. “All in One” printer/fax/scanners are more complicated. Vista handles the print drivers. You have to download the rest of the drivers. Check with the manufacturer of your device for these drivers.
3. For parallel printers, check with the manufacturer BEFORE installing Vista to download the necessary print drivers. These printers are older technology and Vista does not support any parallel drivers.

What about other media/devices you attach to your computer? Will they be compatible?

1. Check with each manufacturer. Vista is the latest and greatest and all other devices are now catching up.
2. A good place to start checking for device compatibility is the Windows Vista Hardware Compatibility List with some of the devices that are certified compatible, but there are many devices that are compatible that do not seek to be on this list.

Which Version of Vista do I need?

Microsoft expanded your options in Vista. In XP you had:

Our advice? Get "Business", compares to XP Pro, or “Ultimate” which includes the amazing Media Center features. Remember, you are buying a computer for the next four years, and technology is changing even more rapidly. Check out this handy chart from Windows-Choose an Edition for all of the Features.

Installing Vista on your existing computers

Because you have more options with Vista, installation requires some extra attention. The chart of “Upgrade Paths from Previous Versions” shows you the type of upgrade you will need to perform depending on your choice.

1. First, all installations require that you be at Service Pack 2 in XP to upgrade.
2. If you have XP Home, you can install any of the Vista Versions with the choice of “Upgrade” at the “Installation Choice Menu” which is an “In Place Installation”.
3. If you have XP Professional, you can install Vista Business and Vista Ultimate with an in place installation. If you choose to move backwards to “Home” or “Home Premium”, you can do so with a “Clean Install”. This is done by placing the upgrade disk in the drive of your computer and rebooting the computer in the case of the 64-bit installation. When it boots, at the “Installation Choice Menu” choose “Custom” which will lead you through a clean install procedure. NOTE! "Clean Install" means your entire hard drive is wiped clean. You MUST back up all data AND store it OFF your local hard drive(s) or it will be lost.
4. This is the “short course”. There are always “exceptions” to this process. One of the more obvious ones is that the BIOS settings for your computer need to be set to see a CD/DVD when your computer first boots rather than the hard drive. The BIOS can be set either way. If your BIOS is set for the hard drive it will not work and you will need to contact the manufacturer of the computer for instructions on how to set the BIOS, or find the information on the manufacturer’s website.
5. We do not recommend that you attempt to upgrade a computer with an operating system older than Windows XP.
6. Here is one more link to Windows Vista Solution Center That offers much more information should you need it.
7. You may contact us with general questions and/or comments and we will reply to some of them in our Answers Blog and Newsletter.

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