by Keen Johns

Created on: April 27, 2008

If the Microsoft Vista operating system was obtained with the purchase of a new computer system, it is imperative that you take note of the following if you are considering downgrading a new Vista based computer, especially if the computer system is a portable (notebook/laptop).

Firstly, it will assist if I briefly explain one of the reasons that we now have the Vista operating system.

Hardware developments are of course ongoing, different ways and means of hardware interaction with the system. Hardware interacts via the computers operating system software, this means that the hardware device has to have the correct interpreter in order to get the message to/from the processor effectively.

To put that last paragraph in more homely terms. There is a German who does not speak English, and an American who does not speak German. There is an important job to be done that involves effective communication between these two people, what is the solution? Of course an interpreter is required here and preferably one who is conversant with the subject matter. In the case of a modern computer system that employs the latest versions of hardware components it is imperative that the interpreter is fully aware of the requirements of the new hardware.

In computer terms the operating system is the interpreter (although that is only one of its many functions). The operating system processes and conveys information and instructions from the processor to, and from the hardware to other components within the computer device. Its the fluent transmission of information and instruction that makes the computer work effectively.

Hardware has developed extensively in the last seven years, after all seven years in technological development terms is a long time. Hardware manufacturers have found new and more effective chips and ways of getting the maximum out of their devices, and more than likely the architecture has undergone some changes also in the interest of efficiency, so since the last Microsoft operating system was released seven years ago (Windows XP), hardware has been quietly but surely developing in the background.

As there is now hopefully an understanding of the requirements of the operating system, and some perception of the progress that has been made, I can answer the question more effectively.

The new computer, whether a desk type or portable computer system (laptop) has been designed and built with the latest hardware devices installed, and an operating system that is fully

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>