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Upgrading to Windows Vista

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This document describes the steps to upgrade to the Windows Vista operating system. Read and familiarize yourself completely with this document before proceeding. Allow several dedicated hours to perform the upgrade.
To see if a particular hardware device or software program is compatible with Vista 32-bit or Vista 64-bit, go to the Windows Vista Compatibility Center (in English).
Important information about upgrading from Windows XP to Windows Vista
Most computers that are no more than one year old, and have the Windows XP operating system (Home, Professional, or Media Center Editions) can be upgraded to the Windows Vista operating system without meeting additional hardware or software requirements.
A computer that has been identified as a Windows Vista Capable computer , because it carries a Windows Vista Capable logo, has been manufactured to run the Windows Vista core experiences.
Figure 1: Vista Capable logo
NOTE: Not all Windows Vista features are available for use on all Windows Vista Capable computers. All Windows Vista Capable computers can run the core experiences of Windows Vista, such as innovations in organizing and finding information, security, and reliability. Some features available in premium editions of Windows Vista -- such as the new Windows Aero™ user interface -- require advanced or additional hardware. Go to the Microsoft Web site Windows Vista Get Ready (in English) for details. Not all language versions of Windows XP can be upgraded to Windows Vista. However, as an alternative, a custom (or clean) installation of Windows Vista can be performed. For details, see Microsoft Knowledge Base article 932856, You cannot upgrade certain language versions Windows XP to Windows Vista (in English).
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Upgrading to Windows Vista
Use the following steps when upgrading to Windows Vista.
Step 1: Finding the upgrade requirements
Go to the Microsoft Web site Windows Vista Capable and Premium Ready PCs (in English) for details about upgrade requirements.
Step 2: Using Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor
After you have determined that your computer meets basic Vista upgrade requirements, to further qualify the computer, go to the Microsoft Web site Microsoft Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor (in English) and download the Microsoft Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor tool.
NOTE: Microsoft provides a Change Language feature, where a language selection can be entered to download a translated version of the Microsoft Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor tool for some languages.
Use the tool to scan your computer to get a detailed analysis and report about additional requirements, and recommendations for the version of Windows Vista that is right for you. After you have scanned your computer with the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor, print the results report and keep it as a reference.
You might need to get additional hardware, and Windows Vista-compatible drivers and software programs as reported by the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor tool.
If you have questions about the report, you might want to contact one of the service facilities below for advice:
  • Go to Hewlett-Packard Technical Support to find contact information in your country/region. For product that is out of warranty, a fee will be charged.
  • In the US, you can use SmartFriend by HP (in English). This is a fee-based service available by phone, (1) (866) 234-1377, in prepaid increments of 45 or 75 minutes.
  • In the US, use the US Service Locator (in English) to find the nearest service facility in the United States that might be able to assist you. A fee might be charged.
  • In the US, you can use HP Support (in English), or call (1) (800) 474-6836 for HP and Compaq products, (1) (800) 652-6672 for Compaq Presario computer products, or (1) (877) 656-7058 for customers using TTY. For product that is out of warranty, a fee will be charged.
Step 3: Noting other recommendations before upgrading to Windows Vista
To prepare your computer for upgrading to Windows Vista, be sure to do the following:
  1. Review the warranty that came with your computer to understand the HP policy regarding operating system upgrades.
  2. Do a backup (in English) of all personal files.
  3. Get or make system recovery discs (in English). If the upgrade to Windows Vista is unsatisfactory, system recovery discs will be needed to return the computer to its former state.
    For customers in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, see the support document: HP and Compaq PCs - Obtaining a Recovery CD or DVD set (in English).
  4. Check to see that your computer has the latest BIOS (in English) version and update it if necessary.
  5. Check with your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and antivirus provider to determine if their software is compatible with Windows Vista, or if new Windows Vista-compatible software is required. It might be necessary to remove ISP software that is compatible with previous versions of Windows before upgrading. If new Windows Vista-compatible software is required, acquire this software before proceeding with the upgrade to Windows Vista.
    NOTE: If you use Norton Internet Security 2006 from Symantec, upgrade to Norton Internet Security 2007 before upgrading to Windows Vista. For more information, go to Symantec Windows Vista Support (in English).
  6. Register all software programs that were not previously registered with the software manufacturer. You might be entitled to free upgrades to Windows Vista-compatible software if you have registered your software programs with their respective manufacturers. Some programs that are functional in previous versions of Windows might not function in the Windows Vista environment, and will require replacement by equivalent Windows Vista-compatible programs.
  7. Remove the Viiv program from Intel. Viiv functionality might be lost after upgrading to Windows Vista.
  8. Disconnect all peripherals attached to your computer and remove their software, for printers, scanners, cameras, and all-in-one products. Leave only the monitor, speakers, keyboard, and mouse connected.
You can now begin the upgrade process to Windows Vista. Allow a minimum of two hours to complete the upgrade.
Step 4: Upgrading to Windows Vista
Depending on the current operating system status of the computer, there are three Windows Vista upgrade options. These options are listed below, along with recommendations about how to proceed.
NOTE: If your computer has a 64-bit processor and supports 64-bit functionality, you can upgrade to a 64-bit version of Windows Vista Home or Windows Vista Premium. A 32-bit version of Windows Vista will work with a 64-bit processor, but a 64-bit version of Windows Vista will not work with a 32-bit processor.
Option 1. The computer is not a Windows Vista Capable computer
In this situation, follow the instructions that came with the Microsoft Windows Vista kit. This kit can be purchased separately at many local computing and office goods retail stores. You might need to acquire Windows Vista drivers, and Windows Vista-compatible software programs and hardware components that the kit does not include, these might be available from their respective component manufacturers.
Option 2. The computer is a Windows Vista Capable computer
This option is similar to Option 1. However, with Option 2, HP provides many of the necessary Windows Vista drivers, and where permitted, Windows Vista-compatible software programs for the computer. Type the Product Name or Number of the computer in the "for product" box on the HP Software and Driver Downloads Web site. From here, select Microsoft Windows Vista , and check for Windows Vista updates. To enjoy some of the more advanced features of Vista, additional hardware components might be necessary that the Microsoft Windows Vista kit does not include. These additional components might be available from their respective component manufacturers.
Option 3. The computer is a Windows Vista Capable computer and qualifies for the Windows Vista Express Upgrade program
If an HP or Compaq Windows Vista Capable desktop computer was purchased between October 26, 2006 and March 15, 2007, the computer is eligible for a free Windows Vista Express Upgrade from HP (only a shipping and handling charge will apply).
NOTE: The Windows Vista Express Upgrade might not be free in all country/regions.
Express Upgrade kits are available after Microsoft releases Windows Vista in early 2007. For more information about the Express Upgrade program, see Express Upgrade to Windows Vista from HP (in English). Included with the upgrade kit are Windows Vista-compatible drivers and software programs. Additional Windows Vista-compatible hardware components might also be necessary, and these might be available from their respective component manufacturers.
Step 5: Things to do after upgrading to Windows Vista
Be sure to do the following steps after upgrading to Windows Vista:
  1. Confirm that your online protection scheme (antivirus, spyware, firewall software) is fully functional.
  2. Check HP Software Update (in English) for any other updates that might have become available from HP.
  3. Check Microsoft Windows Update (in English) to get any other updates that might have become available from Microsoft.
  4. As necessary, install other Windows Vista-compatible drivers and software updates available from manufacturers whose products you are using. If software programs that were previously functional in Windows have no Windows Vista updates available, HP recommends that they be removed from the system along with their shortcuts.
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Known issues after upgrading to Windows Vista
The following table identifies known issues that might be apparent after upgrading from Windows XP to Windows Vista. This table might not include all issues, and therefore will be updated as necessary. Suggestions to fix these issues can be found here also.
NOTE: Known issues are alphabetically listed in the table below, otherwise the order is not significant.
Known Issues after Upgrading to Windows Vista
IssueSuggestion
Adobe Photo Elements 4.0 – Might not be functional after installing Windows Vista upgrade.Acquire Adobe Photo Elements 5.0 for Windows Vista-compatibility

or use

Window Photo Gallery in Windows Vista.
ATI Control Panel – An ATI Control Panel warning popup window displays at startup.ATI Control Panel can be removed using Add or Remove Programs in Windows XP, or from Programs and Features in Windows Vista.
Audio and video playback quality – Choppy playback quality.Use Windows Media Player 11 for audio and video playback. CyberLink and InterVideo software programs might be affected by choppy playback quality.
Catalyst Control Center – A Compatibility Report popup window displays, identifying that Catalyst Control Center might not be compatible with Windows Vista.Download and use an updated driver from the AMD Web site (in English).
DISCover Console – Might not be functional after installing Windows Vista upgrade.Go to the DISCover Console Web site (in English) to download games.
Error Message – Displays when opening Media Center that prompts to close Media Center Media Status Aggregator.Error message due to incompatibility of HP Tunes and Windows Vista. Click Cancel to close the error message popup window.
Error Message – Move Window Exception error occurs attempting to use 10-foot display experience. The 10-foot display experience is lost after upgrading to Windows Vista; the 2-foot experience is not affected.
Error Message – After a Standard Recovery, the computer fails to start, but displays a System 32\winload.exe error message.A full System Recovery will work.
Halo – A Compatibility Report popup window displays, identifying Halo as not compatible with Windows Vista.Check Microsoft for a Windows Vista-compatible version of Halo.
HP Digital Entertainment Center (DEC) with Vista Capable logo - HDMI functionality will be lost when attempting an upgrade to Windows Vista, when an HP 32-inch LCD TV, model number LC3260N, is connected to the DEC HDMI port.Before attempting an upgrade to Windows Vista, disconnect an HP 32-inch LCD TV, model number LC3260N, from the DEC HDMI port and use the DEC VGA Out port instead. Following the upgrade, reconnect the TV to the DEC HDMI port to enjoy HDMI functionality.
HP Digital Imaging Monitor – Program does not open after upgrading to Windows Vista. HP Digital Imaging Monitor is not Windows Vista-compatible.
HP Image Zone – Clicking keywords assigned to images does not cause the image to display.HP Image Zone is not Windows Vista-compatible. Use Window Photo Gallery in Windows Vista.
HP Owner Account – Some software programs prompt that Administrator level privilege is required to run the program.Right-click the software program file and select Run as administrator .
HP Photosmart Premier – Software program does not open.HP Photosmart Premier is not Windows Vista-compatible. Use Windows Photo Gallery in Windows Vista.
Intel Viiv – Program might not open.Remove the Viiv program before upgrading to Windows Vista. Then, following the upgrade to Windows Vista, install a Windows Vista-compatible version of Viiv.
InterVideo Home Theater – Software program does not appear to function.InterVideo Home Theater might not be Windows Vista-compatible. As an alternative, use Windows Media Player 11.
Microsoft Money 2005 – Attempting to open Microsoft Money 2005, prompted to accept a software update that requires Administrator privilege.Click OK in the popup window to open the software program.
MSN Installer – A Compatibility Report popup window displays, identifying that MSN Installer might not be compatible with Windows Vista.Acquire a Windows Vista-compatible version from Microsoft.
Muvee AutoProducer – Software program does not open.Acquire a Windows Vista-compatible version of Muvee AutoProducer (version 5.0).
Netscape® – Browser does not open after upgrading to Windows Vista.Acquire a Windows Vista-compatible version of the Netscape browser.
Otto Matic™ – The game Otto Matic does not open.Otto Matic might not be Windows Vista-compatible.
PC Doctor – Might not be functional after installing Windows Vista upgrade.Acquire a Windows Vista-compatible version (HP Hardware Diagnostics Tools) from the HP Software and Driver Downloads Web site for your computer model number.
Quicken 2006® – Cannot open software program by double-clicking a previously saved file.Open Quicken first and then open your previously saved file.
QuickTime™ Player 6.5 – A Compatibility Report popup window displays, identifying QuickTime Player 6.5 as not compatible with Windows Vista.Acquire a Windows Vista-compatible version of QuickTime Player.
RealPlayer – A Compatibility Report popup window displays, identifying that RealPlayer might not be compatible with Windows Vista.RealPlayer might not be Windows Vista-compatible. As an alternative, use Windows Media Player 11.
Rhapsody – A Compatibility Report popup window displays, identifying that Rhapsody might not be compatible with Windows Vista.Acquire a Windows Vista-compatible version. As an alternative, use Windows Media Player 11.
Symantec Network Internet Security 2006 – Not Windows Vista-compatible.Acquire a Windows Vista-compatible version. For more information, go to Symantec Windows Vista Support (in English).
Weatherbug® – Software program does not open after upgrading to Windows Vista.Go to the Weatherbug Web site (in English) for the latest weather reports and to find compatible software if available.
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NOTE: One or more of the links above will take you outside the Hewlett-Packard Web site. HP does not control and is not responsible for information outside the HP Web site.


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