Will my existing hardware run with Vista

C

cranheim

I am presently running Windows XP Home Edition. My PC is getting old and
need replacement soon. I will probably get the new Vista OS with the new PC.
I have heard I may have a problem with my present I/O devices (Printers,
Modems, DSL Gateway) when I switch to a PC with Vista. I know there is a
program called "Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor 1.0" that is available from
MS. Does this program look at the device configuration as well as the
software configuration to see what is compatible with Vista? Has any one
tried running this program? This is the URL to get to the MS download:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=42b5ac83-c24f-4863-a389-3ffc194924f8

Any information you can give me would be appreciated. Charles Ranheim
 
M

Malke

cranheim said:
I am presently running Windows XP Home Edition. My PC is getting old and
need replacement soon. I will probably get the new Vista OS with the new PC.
I have heard I may have a problem with my present I/O devices (Printers,
Modems, DSL Gateway) when I switch to a PC with Vista. I know there is a
program called "Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor 1.0" that is available from
MS. Does this program look at the device configuration as well as the
software configuration to see what is compatible with Vista? Has any one
tried running this program? This is the URL to get to the MS download:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=42b5ac83-c24f-4863-a389-3ffc194924f8

The Upgrade Advisor does look at hardware and software, but you
shouldn't rely on it. It can't hurt to run it, but the best way to make
sure your peripherals and software will work with Vista is to go to each
hardware/software mftr.'s website and look up your product. That way you
won't be unpleasantly surprised.


Malke
 
J

Jupiter Jones [MVP]

Charles;
As the name suggests, Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor, it is an advisor
and no more.
It is a great tool to start with but it can not do everything.
You should also research all your essential hardware and software with
their manufacturers about Windows Vista compatibility.
Most will probably be compatible, some may need patches or updates and
a few just may not work at all.

If the computer is older than 2 years, you may have problems
depending if it was high end at the time.
 
J

Jupiter Jones [MVP]

It works as intended and for that is is good.
The problems come when someone uses an advisor beyond the intent and
blindly follows the advisor without doing any other research.
It is an advisor only, not a commander.
Also it is important to remember whose computer it is, another reason
is can only be an advisor.
 
C

cranheim

Maybe I shouldn't ask this question on this post, but I will anyway. Is it
better to get windows XP on a new PC instead of going with the new Vista?
There seems to be am awful lot of problems with Vista on this forum.
Charles Ranheim
 
S

swb_mct

Save yourself endless grief . .Pass on Vista, Wait for Windows 7

from CRN
http://www.crn.com/software/204400536

"In the year that has passed since Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFT) released Windows
Vista to business users, the operating system has gained a reputation in the
channel as a bloated memory hog that many companies are avoiding like a trip
to the dentist.
But Microsoft partners have a more positive opinion of Windows 7, the next
generation of Windows that Microsoft expects to ship in the 2010 timeframe.
That's because Windows 7 will be based on MinWin, a scaled down version of
the Windows core that will also serve as the framework for Windows Server
and Windows Media Center"
 
J

Jupiter Jones [MVP]

These newsgroups are a place where people can come to ask questions
and solve problems with windows vista.
It is expected and normal that there are a lot of problems in such a
newsgroup similarly as you will find many sick people in a hospital.
You can not conclude from these newsgroups Windows Vista is bad any
more than you can conclude the human race is sick because of a view in
a hospital.

Windows Vista works best on newer hardware designed to meet the needs.
You also need to verify with the manufacturers Windows Vista
compatibility of all your essential hardware and software before
changing/upgrading.
The Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor is a good place to start:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx
As the name implies, it is an advisor, no more, you still need to do
appropriate research.

Assuming all your existing essential hardware and software is
compatible with Windows Vista and you get a new suitable computer, I
would suggest Windows Vista.

Windows Vista works well on two older computers of mine.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
 
S

swb_mct

I get your point but this person could still avoid the Vista problems
because he is still trying to decide what OS to install.

CRN, a publication for Microsoft Partners and others named Windows XP as the
"Operating System of the Year" (because of Vista).
 
J

John Whitworth

swb_mct said:
I get your point but this person could still avoid the Vista problems
because he is still trying to decide what OS to install.

I see your point too. But tell me one thing. Does a trip to:
microsoft.public.windowsxp.general show Windows XP to be a bed of roses? No.

JW
 
J

Jupiter Jones [MVP]

Many do not have problems, particularly those who prepared ahead of
time.
To assume the OP will have problems is wrong since to little is known
of the OPs requirements.
There may be no problems for the OP to avoid.
 
D

DarkSentinel

John Whitworth said:
I see your point too. But tell me one thing. Does a trip to:
microsoft.public.windowsxp.general show Windows XP to be a bed of roses?
No.

Indeed. Have said the same thing. Not ONE OS I have ever seen not had
problems when it was initially released. And all of them STILL have issues
or there were not be ng's, web sites, and companies that support them.
 
C

cranheim

I don't think I could wait for Windows 7 to come out in 2010 or later. Even
if it did, it would take at least another year to be stable. My concern with
sticking with Windows XP on a new system is that the support for it may soon
go away, and I will be forced to go to Vista anyway. If that were true, I
might be better to bite the bullet now and go with Vista on a new machine.
The only other choice is to go with Mac. Charles Ranheim
 
S

swb_mct

Windows ME only lasted about a 18 months because it was so poorly accepted
in the market. Vista appears to have the same market problem but it has more
problems than ME had when it was released. Unless you are strricty into
eye-candy you will be much happier with XP for performance, ease of use and
hardware and software compatability. 87% of all businesses are buying new
pc's with XP for good reason.
 
X

xfile

Hi,

I see your point too :)

But one can try to analyze and compare problem and user types if one is
interested to know deeper :)

One of the reasons for me to be here is to understand problem/user types
which can be used for different purposes, and I certainly won't expect any
product to be problem-free :)

It's more interesting than counting the number of reported problems :)

My two cents though.
 
A

anoblett

Malke said:
The Upgrade Advisor does look at hardware and software, but you
shouldn't rely on it. It can't hurt to run it, but the best way to make
sure your peripherals and software will work with Vista is to go to each
hardware/software mftr.'s website and look up your product. That way you
won't be unpleasantly surprised.


Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
 

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