That's right get Microsoft's latest OS for FREE! Oh yeah there is a catch! To get it for free you need a computer that is capable of running it and a high speed internet connection or a dedicated phone line for you dialup users. Not all computer that are out now are capable of running Vista RC 1. "RC 1" or "Release Candidate 1" means this is NOT the final release and may be buggy! Before you download all 3 plus gigs of Vista be sure to complete the following check list.
- Find out if your computer at least meets the minimum requirements.
- Run Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor RC.
- Start the download and go watch a movie it's going to be a while before you can install this download!
- Or while this is downloading use this time to backup all that "info" on your hard drive. Because when you install Windows Vista it will all be erased! Your are forced to do a clean install not a upgrade install. So your hard drive is wiped clean.
- Gather all the drivers for everything you have attached to your computer. i.e. printer, modem, scanner, sound card, video card, anything attached to a pci or agp or pci-express slot inside your computer.
- After you have downloaded either the 32-bit or 64-bit version and completed backing up your hard drive. Install Windows Vista RC 1. It takes about an hour or less depending on your computer hardware.
- When the installation is complete and you are up and running check the "Device Manager" for problematic hardware. Look for "!" next to any installed hardware and solve the problem. You most likely can solve the problem by re-installing the driver for that item.
- Enjoy your new free OS.
- Now try to break it, if you can!
If any of this sounds like something you can do, give it a try. Running a program that is not a final release is not for everyone. But Vista is like walking into your house and while you were out someone painted, put in new carpet and upgrade your TV to HDTV. Everything you are use to doing in XP can be done with Vista. Most programs you currently use will install easily in Vista others you will have to use the "Program Compatibility" in Vista to get it to run. More information about Vista and it's many variations can be found at microsoft.com/windowsvista
If you do install it let me know how what you think of Vista. |
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