Windows Vista checklist

[cotswoldcs]

OK I've got a copy of Windows Vista on its way and I'm looking forward to years of trouble free computing ahead...

...hopefully. I'm sure things will go wrong and I'd like to be prepared.

What do I need to check aside from:

Run Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor
Motherboard drivers
Chipset drivers
Soundcard drivers (Audigy 2ZS)
Printer drivers

How do I check if other software, games etc are compatible?

[Clunk]

What version did you get?

[machinist]

I just bought Home Premium Full Retail from the States for £70 less than it sells here.
I'm lucky enough to have a friend over there who's gonna bring it back for me...can't wait

[cotswoldcs]

Home Premium 32bit

Why do you ask?

[BenW]

I just bought Home Premium Full Retail from the States for £70 less than it sells here.
I'm lucky enough to have a friend over there who's gonna bring it back for me...can't wait

Are you sure thats ok? I thought US versions were locked to the US or i may have been imagining things

[ajbrun]

Are you sure thats ok? I thought US versions were locked to the US or i may have been imagining things

It should work afaik. Wish I had a friend in the US .

[Clunk]

Home Premium 32bit

Why do you ask?

OEM or retail?

I was asking because you mentioned getting a few years of use out of it.

[cotswoldcs]

I went for the OEM version and am aware of the licence restrictions. As far as I know I am free to upgrade components with the exception of the motherboard provided Vista is activated when necessary.

[IBM]

It should work afaik. Wish I had a friend in the US .

You know there are companies in the US who will buy a product for you, and then ship it across, thus avoiding any regional restrictions?

International Checkout is the one we've used in the past...

[Worthy]

It might be worth waiting for better driver support if you're a keen gamer. All the reviews etc I've read so far poo poo it for games so far.

[Spud1]

What do I need to check aside from:

Run Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor
Motherboard drivers
Chipset drivers
Soundcard drivers (Audigy 2ZS)
Printer drivers

How do I check if other software, games etc are compatible?

Google is your friend here

To be perfectly honest, 99.99% of your games will work 100% ok, and depending on your system spec so will most of your hardware.

Just make sure that you backup all your documents, save games, movies, music etc before you format your hard drive. As for drivers - well look at all your hardware and make sure you have one for each

Also make sure you format and do a complete re-install of your machine - DON'T do an upgrade install - it's likely to cause you problems..

edit - oh and don't listen to all these nay sayers going on about how games play rubbish in Vista - its just not true. You might lose 1 or 2 fps (oh noes!) but does that really matter? No.

[MurphmanL]

On all the Vista Beta's Ive tried they have moaned that my SATA Raid Hard Disk wont be compatible, so I have always cancelled the install not wanting to b0rk my laptop. This was also using a upgrade install method, and the new install option prompted setup to not even detect the disk at all. Provided VIA drivers for the raid controller didnt work either...
I obviously therefore dont want to risk paying for the retail version if I cannot be sure the incompatibility has been fixed or not..