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If you have not already upgraded to Windows Vista and you are currently using a PC older than the Windows Vista release date of January 2007, you may want to think twice about performing the upgrade. You may want to check to see if your PC is using Dual Core Processes. If it does then your machine will perform well providing you can correct all the problems that you will be faced with and that I have outlined below.

Microsoft states that you can upgrade from your existing operating system like Windows XP or 2000 by purchasing a Windows Vista upgrade package. This will install Windows Vista on your computer by replacing your old operating system and retaining all your files and applications.

Another method Microsoft suggests is that you perform a clean install. With a clean install you will need another hard drive or file storage device and use Windows Easy Transfer to move your files and settings. However after the upgrade is completed you will need to transfer everything back and reinstall ALL your applications.

As you can tell Windows Vista Upgrade is by no means a simple upgrade like their previous operating system upgrades. This is why Microsoft strongly suggests that you run Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor. Microsoft also recommends that you review the system requirements for the edition of Windows Vista you want to upgrade to.

Some editions of Windows Vista require more memory. I would safely recommend that you have the minimum 2GB of memory installed on your PC.

Once you have everything transferred back and ALL your applications reinstalled, you now have the problem of needing to upgrade all your hardware drivers.

You now have to go to the manufacture's web sites to look for your hardware and download Windows Vista driver for the correct version of the hardware in your computer. If the manufacture does not have a Vista driver for your hardware you will then have to buy new hardware that is now compatible with Windows Vista.

What I would recommend is that you keep your old computer as a spare and go out and purchase a new system with Windows Vista all ready installed on the machine. If you go to a website, like Dell to custom build your machine, make sure that you have at least 2GB of memory installed. Your graphics memory should have a minimum of 256Kb. I would suggest 512Kb so that you screen refresh is faster.

When purchasing printers or any other external devices you need to make sure that the box states it Windows Vista compatible. Some stores may have clearance sales and sell printers or scanners that were manufactured prior to Windows Vista.

Hopefully I have saved some of my readers grief from trying to upgrade to Windows Vista only to find out it does not work properly.

Learn more about this author, John Messina.
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