Your computer can run Vista - with a new driver or six

Stan Beer
Thursday, 01 February 2007 15:52

Opinion and Analysis

Here I am sitting in front of my brand new Dell Latitude notebook complete with Core 2 Duo processor cranked up to 2GHz, 2GB RAM and the latest integrated graphics chip. Sitting beside the notebook is a brand new boxed copy of Windows Vista Ultimate donated by Microsoft for evaluation at the media launch. That shiny new black curved box looks so chic and classy, so why haven't I removed the shrink wrap yet?

The problem is that like all well behaved users contemplating an upgrade to Vista I've just done a system scan to determine whether my computer is up to the task. The good news is that, according to Microsoft, it is. It can run any version of Vista, Aero interface, Flip 3-D and all. The bad news is that the story doesn't end there

The Vista Upgrade Advisor program tells me: "There are no known system issues preventing you from upgrading to Windows Vista."

Before I have a chance to do a handspring, however, I catch myself and realize that there is a troubling word in the above sentence. The word is "known".

My elation gradually dissipates when I discover a sentence which states that Microsoft cannot find information on three of the hardware devices in or connected to my computer. Two of them were supplied by Dell when my system was configured and one is my printer.

Hence, I discover my four year old Canon LBP-810 laser printer, still running as good as the day I bought it, is unknown to Vista. Also unknown is my Dell Latitude's NWADI Bus Enumerator (loads built-in drivers at boot time) and SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC (providees high fidelity audio).

Microsoft's Upgrade Advisor tells me for information on compatibility with Vista I should: "go to the device manufacturer's website or Windows Marketplace, or contact your retailer." Well it looks like I'm going to have to contact my retailer because there's no useful information available from the other two sources.

I don't really feel like spending an extra few hundred for a new laser printer just so I can run Vista but I've been toying with the idea of getting a low-end color laser anyway. However, the other two devices are brand new and supplied by Dell, so there really is no excuse for them not to be recognized by Vista.

But wait there's more. My excellent current security package CA Internet Security Suite 2007 will not be available for Vista until March 31. What do I do for security in the meantime?

To top everything off, I'm informed that my Intel PROSet Wireless software and Alps Pointing-device driver might have minor compatibility issues after upgrading to Windows Vista. For more information, I should go to each vendor's website.

The boxed evaluation copy of Vista Ultimate sitting next to my laptop would cost AUD$750 here in Australia were I to buy it. I have the latest hardware that Dell has produced, yet even before I install Vista hardware and software issues have surfaced. Do I really want to install the new operating system just yet? Not really.