Home Edition on my PC. What affect will this have for me with the arrival of Windows Vista? What will I have to do?
203172
First Windows Vista is delayed until early 2007, so no need to do anything right now.  Most hardware purchased recently, if it is sufficiently powerful will be adequate for Windows Vista. I have the beta version (Community Technology Preview) running as a second boot partition on my PC and it seems to run fine.  One thing I did have to do was to upgrade my video card from the on board video to a separate nVidia card.  For the Aero UI (transparency effect), you'll need this.  Windows Movie Maker and other applications (like DVD Maker) probably won't run without it either.\n\nFor comparison I have a 3.2GHz 1GB machine, 250GB drive (with an auxilliary 300GB added later) and an nVidia 6800GS video card.\n\nWhether you want to upgrade is up to you, but I can understand wanting to be ready.  As someone else noted, since the product was delayed such that Microsoft will miss the 2006 Holiday Shopping period, they are going with a 'Windows Vista Capable' sticker instead.  Look for manufacturers to start selling PCs with this sticker later this year.
117376
to do this legally, you need to purchase an additional upgrade licence from microsoft.\n\nif you dont care about the legality, u need an XP home Cd and install key. Just pop the cd in the drive and let it auto run.
434543
Windows Vista Capable PC is able to run Windows Vista. There should be no hardware issues when you go to install it. Mostly likely they come with XP or something.\n\nWindows Vista Premium Ready means it has the Windows Vista Premium Operating System on the system already and doesn't need to be installed.
151763
Get a copy of Windows XP and install it.\n\n-J
609020
1. Helpful Hints for a successful install of Vista:\na. Backup your data (just in case).\nb. Create a new partition of your hard drive. \nc. Install Vista on the Partition - do not upgrade your existing XP.\nd. Install as directed. (It works quite well).\n\n2. Updates:\nThey have already added a couple of updates. Use Windows update to retrieve the updates- just like XP.\n\n3. You existing internet connection should be okay.\n\n4. I haven't seen any uninstall tool. The Vista newsgroups on Microsoft say you have to reformat the partition or the drive to get rid of it.\n\nFinally.\nRemember it is a Beta version. There will be bugs. There are bugs. If your worrying already- don't do it. Some drivers aren't updated yet. Some software isn't updated yet. Some things will not work perfectly. You'll have to deal with that because it's Beta.
485669
ok, i have been using computers with windows since 3.1, and every operating system has had so many bugs right off the hop ... i know they are working with vista so it doesn't, but so far their track record speaks louder than the hype.\n\nAlso, I am very content with XP.  I have loved it from day one and at this point in my computer usage life, I just want to stay with something that is proven and I like.  In the past, I have always been one of the first to try new software, new versions, new O/S, but lately, what I am experiencing and seeing in the "new" stuff is that it is bloated, has features that aren't really needed, and in many cases, is dumbed down to the least common denominator of user.  (speaking specifically here of paintshop pro 10 and 11, but there are others as well).  For the first time ever, I find myself preferring older versions of programs, because all too often they are better than their successors.\n\nIn fact, I am so against getting Vista that I am purchasing a new computer this year, rather than waiting as planned, so that I DON'T get Vista!
534232
MS has made them time limited, and they will expire after a set period of time. Personally, I found the Beta to be nothing but trouble. I wouldn't even try at this point if you haven't yet. It's buggy as hell. No wonder they have missed several launch dates and changed the name from Longhorn to Vista. Wait until they get it right (if they ever do). You'll sleep better.
330759
Windows Vista is the next generation of the Microsoft Windows operating system.  Just like Windows 98 replaced Windows 95 and Windows XP replaced Windows 2000/ME/etc., Windows Vista will replace Windows XP. And soon too.  It is supposed to release in January 2007.\n\nWhat is so special about it?  That depends on what you are looking for in an operating system.  The short answer, for home users, is the graphics capabilities will make it possible for software developers to create "eye candy" for users.  Things like 3D effects, transparencies, etc...  Add to the visualization, a new version of Internet Explorer (tabbed browsing. think Firefox.) and huge improvements to searching the contents of your hard drive and in my opinion most Windows users are going to find the upgrade useful.  \n\nThat being said, Mac OS X users are likely to point out that Mac has had these features for a while now. To each their own.\n\nIf you would like a more independent approach to Vista and it's new features, check out the entry in Wikipedia.  It is a pretty good one.
636823
I installed it on my friends computer (because my computer wouldn't handle it) and got bored with it after an hour.\n\nIt reminds me a lot of Mac OS X. Vista and OS X both have an instant search, both now have "widgets", and it seems Vista is trying to copy OS X's interface.\n\nThe only thing I like was how they combined Windows Media Edition Center in with Vista... That's about the only thing helpful with the public wanting to use their computer as entertainment center.\n\nThe thing I noticed (and is going to make people mad) is trying to use what was Outlook Express on Vista. Anyone who doesn't know what they are doing and trying to set up the POP3 and all that information to get their e-mails, will likely not use that program. (For the life of me, I can't remember what the e-mail program is now called.)\n\nI own/run XP, but I have messed around with a Mac at my friends work, so that is why I know of Mac OS X. I'll stick with XP until I get a new PC computer in the future and they fix all the kinks out of Vista (about a year after it's release).
332950
Thats part of what MS Vista is geared towards. But your going to have to wait for some of the functionality to come out since the first version of MS Vista is not going to have some of the functionality they talked about. I'd wait a couple of versions before buying it.
54540
No. If i were you i would get Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition to maintain your computer. Try to defrag it once in a while. Try to clean out your disk space.
498024
I don't think so but if you wait a few months they might release a version for Vista.\nUntil then stick to XP.
556395
I am running Vista Beta2, and are very satisfied with the whole consept. I would recommend it for all. The biggest change that is the security issues,which you may change. The desktop is great!
431680
If you buy the full version of Windows Vista, you will have a genuine copy of Windows.  If you buy the upgrade version of Vista, you will need a genuine copy of Windows XP to upgrade from.
324615
It's in beta right now, so it's technically free to those brave people who want to test it.  I'm guessing you could download the beta version and install it.  Plus, there's always bit torrent - someone must have posted a Vista install somewhere.\nTry http://msdn.microsoft.com/windowsvista/downloads/getthebeta/default.aspx\nfor the Vista download from Microsoft.
76516
Hi Maria,\n\nReally, you need to upgrade from ME to XP as soon as you possibly can.  ME is possibly the worst Operating System Microsoft ever came out with.  It is loaded with errors and vulnerabilities.  Until you're able to do this, though, you can try some things suggested in the link I've included below for you that talks about User32.dll errors.  I hope this works for you.\n\nAs far as updating your drivers, just go to the Microsoft Windows Update site (click on Tools, then click on Windows Update).  You'll get all the updates and many of the drivers your computer needs.  For specific drivers, you can go to the specific site for those, such as video drivers, sound cards, etc.\n\nThe ActiveX message isn't that big a deal.  If you are sure of the website that you are using, go ahead and allow the ActiveX control to be loaded.  The only thing that may happen if you don't load it is that the display may not look the way the author intended.  It will not harm your computer in any way.\n\nAgain, though, please upgrade from ME as soon as you can.  You'll be happy you did.  You can get XP Home for less than $100, or XP Pro for something like $185 or so, depending on where you go.\n\nBest of luck to you.
591958
No.  I won't try it until it been out of beta testing for at least a year.  Too many potential problems that only real users under real conditions will find.  And then Microsoft will have to come up with the patches and fixes.  Look at XP..... we're on SP2 and there's talk MS will be releasing SP3 because of the delay in getting Vista off the ground.  No thanks, I don't have the time or desire to do Microsoft's field testing.  Especially since they ain't gonna be paying me for the privilege of messing up a computer.