If you’re upgrading a computer running Windows XP, you can save money by opting for an upgrade rather than the full version of Windows Vista.
However, you can’t necessarily perform an ‘in-place’ or ‘over-the-top’ upgrade; sometimes you have to perform a clean installation of Windows Vista, which means backing up and reinstalling all your current programs, folders and files. The table shows where an over-the-top upgrade is possible.
In practice, a clean install means a fresh start; anything short of this can carry over problems from your old, cluttered version of Windows XP. Strictly speaking, when Windows Vista installs itself over Windows XP, it actually does perform a clean install and then imports all the old settings.
This should help prevent problems and can even, in principle, carry through hardware drivers that can’t be installed under Windows Vista itself, thereby preserving the working life of older devices. However, we’d recommend a truly clean install whenever possible.
Up to speed?
If you’re buying a new PC with Windows Vista pre-installed, you should have nothing to worry about with regard to performance. The PC should either have a black and white logo that says Windows Vista Basic, or better – one that just says Windows Vista, which means the PC is capable of running Windows Vista Home Premium.
The difference is one of hardware capability, particularly in the graphics department. A Windows Vista Basic computer can run all the core features of Windows Vista, including the enhanced search and security frameworks, but may not be able to handle the three-dimensional transparency and live thumbnails at the heart of the Aero Glass theme.
The reason for the hefty system requirements is that DirectX, Microsoft’s graphics engine, is no longer used just for games: it’s used throughout Windows Vista to deliver the pretty Aero interface.
Virtually all recent graphics cards are DirectXcompliant, but it’s worth checking that WDDM (Windows Vista Display Driver Model) drivers are available. If your graphics card isn’t up to speed or WDDM drivers aren’t available for it, Windows Vista will default to the Classic grey interface.
If the graphics card is compatible, does have the right drivers but doesn’t have quite enough horsepower, Windows Vista will display the Aero theme but skip the transparency effects.
Windows Experience Index
If you’re not entirely happy with the performance of Windows Vista on your PC, particularly following an upgrade from Windows XP on an older machine, check out Microsoft’s onboard system performance monitor.
Dubbed the Windows Experience Index, this broad-stroked bottleneck-buster rates the processor, memory and hard drive speeds and checks the graphics processor’s ability to render the Aero desktop theme and the demands of 3D gaming. The result is a ‘base score’ of somewhere between 1 and 6, potentially going upwards as new hardware develops and is released.
Aside from spawning ‘my base score’s higher than your base score’ warfare among overclockinghappy geeks, the idea is that Windows Vista compatible programs will carry a base score rating. If a box says that a base score of 4 is required (or recommended), expect sluggish performance on a PC that scores below 3. If this is the case, you may just need to upgrade a single component, such as the memory.
To rate your hardware in Windows Vista, just click Control Panel > System and Maintenance > Performance Information > Tools. Use the View and print details option for the full lowdown on your system spec. Of course, it would be nice to know whether your hardware is up to the mark before installing Windows Vista – forewarned being forearmed – and that’s what the Upgrade Advisor is for. See the six steps below for more details.
Is your PC powerful enough?
1. Check the specs. Get the Upgrade Advisor from windowsvista.com. As the opening screen recommends, connect as many of your external devices as possible, including hard drives. Initiate a scan and leave well alone for a few minutes.
2. No room. When the scan concludes, click See Details. This report tells you whether you can successfully install Windows Vista – or, if you can’t, why not. It may be that a simple upgrade in the graphics or memory department is all you need.
3. Declare your interest. It’ll make recommendations about which version of Windows Vista is best for your PC, in this case Home Basic. Click Other versions and the program will tell you about any specifi c problems in relation to each one.
4. Potential problems. To run Home Premium we’re going to need a new audio driver, a TV tuner and a new graphics card, as Home Premium ships with Media Center, whereas Home Basic doesn’t – hence the earlier recommendation.
5. Other issues. Upgrade Advisor tells you of any devices connected to your computer that it doesn’t have drivers for. It’s worth checking that Windows Vista drivers are available from the manufacturers before you decide to upgrade.
6. Download updates.Finally, visit the Task List tab for a summary of what to do now and what you should expect to have to do post-installation. A visit to Windows Update can keep devices working after you install Windows Vista.
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