If you have an old computer and want to upgrade to Vista, first thing is first download the Vista Upgrade Advisor from the Microsoft web site and run it on your computer to determine which version of Vista is compatable with your system. Vista requires a lot of computing power and runs smoothly with dual core with at least 1 GIG of RAM.
However the Vista Basic only needs a 800 MHZ and 512MB of RAM with a 20 GIG harddrive. There are many new features with Vista. The folders are for one are different when compared to Windows XP. The new auero feature (glass effect) requires a 3D capable video grahpichs card. Click on your start bar and noticed that it has been replaced with a strobe. You can also find information, files much easier.
Just open the Start menu and begin typing in the Instant Search box—Windows Vista searches file names, application names, the full text of all files, and metadata, and then displays the results right away.
Digital photo collection getting out of hand? You don't have to search through folders to track down the ones you want. Now you can tag your photos with a date, keyword, rating, or any label youchoose so you can find them quickly and easily in Windows Photo Gallery.
Microsoft gave the operating system a bold new look by adding the side bar gadgets picutered below. Networking between XP and Vista.
How to connect or network windows vista and windows xp
In windows vista network setting menu is in the start bar by default and easily available for simple user and easy to configure.
In the start bar find Network option.
Then select “Networking and Sharing Centre”
Here you can configure network, manage settings for network, add Computers to Your Network and Repair Connections. This is simple compare to windows xp.
Many time windows vista and windows xp in a same network but both machine are not able to see each other. Main reason is windows vista automatically takes name of network as “workgroup” and in windows xp default name is “mshome”. If you make sure that both computer have same network name.
You can change the network name in windows xp by right click on my computer
Choose property
Then select computer name option
Then at the bottom workgroup name give the name what ever you like and
Apply and then ok
To change network name in windows vista
Right click on my computer and then property
Systems many, select change setting
It will pop up computer name, change the workgroup name.
And apply and ok.
The Aero Feature (Glassy Effect).
Microsoft windows vista has included new Aero cursors that is not turned on by default. To troubleshooting this in vista.Follow the steps below.
Right click on your desktop and select Personalize.Click on the Mouse Cursors item to select a Vista graphics different mouse cursor scheme.Change the Scheme from None to Windows vista Aero. Click OK to see the new Aero mouse cursors.
You need to restart your windows xp system to apply You can turn them on and off.
If you do not have a virus software installed on you computer Vista will continually warn you with ballon tips which are pop up messages (little annoying). Go to the the Security Center/Windows Security Alerts logo in the system tray. There you will see the option change the way Security Center alerts me.Select I do not want notification messages from Security Center.
Internet Explorer Security Settings
Additional annoying is Internet Explorer’s constant reminding that you’ve lowered your security settings , launch “gpedit.msc” from either the Run command or Start Search field, navigate through Local Computer Policy / Computer Configuration / Administrative Templates / Windows Vista Components / Internet Explorer. In the rightmost pane, double-click “Turn off the Security Settings Check feature” and set it to Enabled.
Windows Vista Task manager for troubleshooting
The Windows Task Manager gives is much more useful than before. Click ctr+alt+del, as you did with Windows XP then Flip to the Processes tab, and in the View menu, click “Select Columns” and add Description, Command Line, and Image Path Name. You can then right-click a process, you can select either “Go to Service(s)” or “Open File Location.”.
Vista is selective in which program are allowed to run at a given time so you might want to turn off the User Account Control Panel by going into the control panel and follow the steps below from Microsoft.
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Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
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In Control Panel, click User Accounts.
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In the User Accounts window, click User Accounts.
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In the User Accounts tasks window, click Turn User Account Control on or off.
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If UAC is currently configured in Admin Approval Mode, the User Account Control message appears. Click Continue.
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Clear the Use User Account Control (UAC) to help protect your computer check box, and then click OK.
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Click Restart Now to apply the change right away, or click Restart Later and close the User Accounts tasks window.How to able and disable aeruo function in vista--->right click on desktop > personalize > windows color and appearance > click on "open classic appearance properties for more color options" > select your scheme... aero and vista classic as well as standard and classic are located here. 
Ensure Your New PC is Windows Vista Capable or Premium Ready
Look out for the “Windows Vista Capable”, “Certified for Windows Vista” logo or the “Works with Windows Vista” logo. Ensure you buy a Windows Vista Capable computer.The new Microsoft Windows Vista editions will be out in the market by January 30, 2007 and your Windows XP will need an upgrade soon. If you plan to buy a new PC or notebook, it is a good idea to wait a few months and get preinstalled Windows Vista, rather than pay for an upgrade.
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