If you are like me that like to rush through things without stopping to analyze the situation first; you know the feeling of finding things by the hard way then, I remember that I rushed to install Windows Vista on my computer a couple of months ago just to find out after the installation that my computer hardware didn’t support Windows Vista Aero. So basically I was missing all the fun, that was very disappointed so I reversed back to XP hating Windows Vista, but now I am back on the windows vista craze again, and I’m planning to migrate to Windows vista but this time with all the proper hardware to support Aero!!
Luckily Microsoft provides a tool to check if your system is compatible with windows
The first thing that comes up when you run windows vista upgrade advisor is the option to plug in any device you use with the computer such as, Printers, Scanners, Cameras, External Hard Drives, anything you use with your computer everyday this is a good chance to see if they will work with Windows Vista.
After you make sure everything is properly plug in on your computer hit the START SCAN button, the scan will take a few minutes depending on how fast is your computer and how many devices are plugged in.
After the scan is completed, click on “see details” button, as you can see on the screenshot below, it says my computer supports Windows Vista Business edition but it gives me a list of hardware I need to buy in order to support windows Vista User Experience (Aero) which my video card does not support, and it give you a full list of video cards that currently support Aero, basically any video card purchased with a computer after 2005 supports aero, that does not include Integrated video cards shipped with new laptops and tablets PCs before 2005.
Make sure to go through all the details before making any planning to upgrade to windows vista, make sure all the devices will be compatible, even though some drivers from windows XP will work with windows Vista, is just Microsoft doesn’t list them as compatibles with Windows vista. Who knows why?
If you computer is fully compatible with windows vista I think it will be the best smooth transition you will have, and you will be delighted by all the new features windows Vista renders, even though a lot of people say that windows vista is just a cute graphical OS is indeed a mayor improve over previous operating systems, and hopefully I will have the chance to prove you that here on my blog after I migrate my computer to Vista.
Hey Nelson,
This is nice man! you're one of the best system administrators i know! all the info you give, it's clear and specific!
I wish many techies and computer professionals can follow your example! that way nobody will be confused about computer matters!
Thanks Nelson, keep it up!!!!