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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.
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) may 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 PC , because it carries a Windows Vista Capable PC 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 PCs. All Windows Vista Capable PCs will 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 -- like the new Windows Aero™ user interface -- require advanced or additional hardware. Visit the Microsoft Web site Windows Vista Get Ready for details.
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Upgrading to Windows Vista
Use the following steps when upgrading to Windows Vista.
Step 1: Finding the upgrade requirements
Visit the Microsoft Web site Windows Vista Capable and Premium Ready PCs 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, visit the Microsoft Web site Microsoft Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor 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 may need to get additional hardware, and Windows Vista-compatible drivers and applications as reported by the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor tool.
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 of all personal files.
  3. Get or make a set of system recovery discs . In the event that the upgrade to Windows Vista is unsatisfactory, a set of system recovery discs will be needed to return the computer to its former state.
  4. Check to see that your computer has the latest BIOS version and update it if necessary.
  5. Check with your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and anti-virus provider to determine if their software is compatible with Windows Vista, or if new Windows Vista-compatible software is required. It may 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, visit Symantec Windows Vista Support .
  6. Register all software applications that were not previously registered with the application manufacturer. You may be entitled to free upgrades to Windows Vista-compatible applications if you have registered your applications with their respective manufacturers. Some applications that are functional in previous versions of Windows may not function in the Windows Vista environment, and will require replacement by equivalent Windows Vista-compatible applications.
  7. Uninstall the Viiv application from Intel. Viiv functionality may be lost after upgrading to Windows Vista.
  8. Disconnect all peripherals attached to your computer and uninstall their associated software, for printers, scanners, cameras, All-in-One products, etc. Only leave the monitor, speakers, keyboard, and mouse connected.
You can now begin the upgrade process to Windows Vista. Please 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 may 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 PC
In this situation, follow the instructions that came with the Microsoft Windows Vista kit. This kit may be purchased separately at many local computing and office goods retail stores. You may need to acquire Windows Vista drivers, and Windows Vista-compatible applications and hardware components that the kit does not include, these may be available from their respective component manufacturers.
Option 2. The computer is a Windows Vista Capable PC
HP will provide many of the necessary Windows Vista drivers, and where permitted, Windows Vista-compatible applications for the computer. Enter 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 may be necessary that the Microsoft Windows Vista kit does not include. These additional components may be available from their respective component manufacturers.
Option 3. The computer is a Windows Vista Capable PC 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 Windows Vista Express Upgrade from HP.
NOTE: The Windows Vista Express Upgrade may not be free in all countries or regions. Shipping and handling charge may apply.
Express Upgrade kits are available after Microsoft releases Windows Vista in early 2007. For more information about the Express Upgrade program, visit Express Upgrade to Windows Vista from HP . Included with the upgrade kit are Windows Vista-compatible drivers and applications. Additional Windows Vista-compatible hardware components may also be necessary, and these may 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 (anti-virus, spyware, firewall applications) is fully functional.
  2. Check HP Software Update for any other updates that may have become available from HP.
  3. Click Microsoft Update to get any other updates that may have become available from Microsoft.
  4. As may be necessary, install other Windows Vista-compatible drivers and application updates available from manufacturers for whose products you may be using. If applications that were previously functional in Windows have no Windows Vista updates available, it is recommended that they be removed from the system along with their associated shortcuts.
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Known issues after upgrading to Windows Vista
The following table identifies known issues that may be apparent after upgrading from Windows XP to Windows Vista. This table may not be inclusive of all issues, and therefore will be updated as necessary. Suggestions for remediation of 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 – May 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 boot-upATI Control Panel can be removed using Add/Remove Programs in Windows XP, or from Programs and Features in Windows Vista.
Audio/video playback quality – Choppy playback quality.Use Windows Media Player 11 for audio/video playback. CyberLink and InterVideo applications may be affected by choppy playback quality.
Catalyst Control Center – A Compatibility Report popup window appears, identifying that Catalyst Control Center may not be compatible with Windows Vista.Download and use an updated driver from AMD's support Web site .
DISCover Console – May not be functional after installing Windows Vista upgrade.Go to the DISCoverMyGames Web site to download games.
Error Message – Appears 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 appears, identifying Halo as not compatible with Windows Vista.Check Microsoft for a Windows Vista-compatible version of Halo.
HP Digital Imaging Monitor – Application 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 will 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 applications prompt that Administrator level privilege is required to run application.Right-click on the application executable file and select Run as administrator .
HP PhotoSmart Premier – Application will not launch.HP PhotoSmart Premier is not Windows Vista-compatible. Use Window Photo Gallery in Windows Vista.
Intel Viiv – Application may not open.Uninstall the Viiv application prior to upgrading to Windows Vista. Then, following the upgrade to Windows Vista, install a Windows Vista-compatible version of Viiv.
InterVideo Home Theater – Application does not appear to function.InterVideo Home Theater may not be Windows Vista-compatible. As an alternative, use Windows Media Player 11.
Microsoft Money 2005 – Attempting to launch Microsoft Money 2005, prompted to accept an application update that requires Administrator privilege.Click OK in the popup window to open the application.
MSN Installer – A Compatibility Report popup window appears, identifying that MSN Installer may not be compatible with Windows Vista.Acquire a Windows Vista-compatible version from Microsoft.
Muvee AutoProducer – Application will 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 will not open.Otto Matic may not be Windows Vista-compatible.
PC Doctor – May 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 PC model number.
Quicken 2006® – Cannot open application 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 appears, 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 appears, identifying that RealPlayer may not be compatible with Windows Vista.RealPlayer may not be Windows Vista-compatible. As an alternative, use Windows Media Player 11.
Rhapsody – A Compatibility Report popup window appears, identifying that Rhapsody may 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, visit Symantec Windows Vista Support .
Weatherbug® – Application does not open after upgrading to Windows Vista.Visit the Weatherbug web site 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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