Vista Upgrade

Pro

6 February 2007

Your technology problems addressed by the experts at Ergo IT Services & Support Welcome to Smart Answers – the place where you can get plain English answers to your technology questions.

This month we focus on Windows Vista — Microsoft’s
new operating system.

The launch of Windows Vista is a major step forward for Microsoft after more than five years of development.

Windows Vista Business, the version of the operating system most likely to appeal to small businesses, is designed to help keep PCs running smoothly and more securely, making small companies less reliant on dedicated IT support. It also includes technology and tools to ensure PCs are up-to-date, more secure, and running smoothly.

For example, it includes an improved User Account Control system and built-in malware (spyware, adware, virus) protection. According to Steve Blanche, senior network engineer, Ergo, the integrated backup facility, automated updates, stronger security and improved searching and indexing provide compelling reasons for moving to Windows Vista.

Vista requires a significant hardware upgrade for users to take advantage of its features and the Aero interface. “It will work on a gigabyte of RAM, but you will probably need something above 2Gb,” Blanche says. “It’s very graphics intensive, CPU intensive and RAM intensive.” Users will also need a faster processor, better graphics chip, bigger hard drive and probably a better monitor.

Blanche believes there are “lots of advantages in using Vista”. He thinks most small businesses are likely to introduce the operating system into their organisations on an ad hoc basis when they buy a new PC. “There will be a bedding in process. Although XP demanded more (hardware requirements) than Windows 98, Vista has a larger jump in hardware requirements than Windows has had before.”

Most native XP programs will run on Vista but some may have to be run in ‘compatibility mode’ which will require a level of setting up. Blanche doesn’t think this will be too much of a problem because most business applications are run from the server nowadays. At the moment, Vista is confined to the desktop because the server version isn’t expected until the end of the year.

Users will be able to run older versions of Office on Vista but Microsoft will be keen for them to upgrade to Office 2007 because it shares the same look and feel as the operating system and takes advantage of many of its new features.

For help with your technical problems,
contact Ergo at askergo@smartbusiness.ie or Lo-call 1850 374 673