Will Vista work with my HP Pavilion a1243w Desktop?

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Guest

I bought this computer about a year ago, and it doesnt have a sticker that
says Windows Vista Compatable. I ran the upgrade advisor, and the only thing
it says I need is more ram. So I bought more ram, and was wondering if I
need to update the BIOS. Thanks for your help!
 
Hey Razor--

The recommended Vista System Requirements from MSFT are:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/systemrequirements.mspx

Most of us feel you should have at least a GB of RAM, but some of people run
Vista on less:

If there is variability in the specs, you didn't tell us what came on your
box. Some of them can run Vista. For example from the specs of this one:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4532523

Processor: 2.0GHz AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Processor with enhanced virus
protection, 512KB L2 Cache, 2000MHz System Bus

Memory: 512MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM memory (expandable to 4GB), 4 DIMM
(184-pin,DDR) (three available)

Hard Drive: 80GB 7200RPM Ultra DMA hard drive

Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005

Optical Device: Double Layer 16X DVDR/RW drive with CD writer capabilities:
16x DVDR, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD+R DL, 4x DVD-R DL, 16x DVD-ROM, 40x
CDR, 32x CDRW, 40x CD-ROM

Expansion Slots: 3 PCI (2 available) and 1 PCI Express slot (available),
Expansion Bays: 2 external 5.25" (one available), 1 external 3.5" (one
available), 1 internal 3.5" (occupied)

Ethernet: 10/100BaseT network interface

Modem: Fax/Modem: 56k modem

Graphics & Audio: Integrated ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 with up to 256MB shared
video memory, Integrated audio, 6 speaker configurable

You can always load Vista and see how well it runs for you. I can't guess
your processor and MB of RAM.

Good luck,

CH
 
In fact, I've found the upgrade advisor to be very inaccurate on numerous
occasions--suggestive of MSFT's trying to push hardware on people who may be
intimidated because they are less than knowledgable about what they might
need. It also had several false suggestions for one of my boxes where Vista
runs fine, considering some of the congenital defects it birthed with as an
RTM that were not fixed, and I don't expect to be fixed in any SP.

CH
 
If you've updated your RAM and the upgrade advisor indicates Vista will run,
then it will. You didn't indicate the specs of the machine so it's
difficult to say how well it will run but in general if the CPU is
reasonably new (say within the last year or so) and you have 1GB RAM or
more, a video card with 128MB of RAM (minimum - dedicated is preferred, but
shared will also work) and sufficient free disk space, Vista should run
reasonably well. As with all such things your mileage may vary.

Joe
 
What answer does HP give you?

--


Regards,

Richard Urban MVP
Microsoft Windows Shell/User
 
Microsoft Redefines "Vista Capable" as Minimum Experience

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=6843

Two weeks ago, Dianne Kelley started a class-action lawsuit against
Microsoft alleging the software company is engaging in deceptive practices
by branding new computers with a Windows Vista Capable logo even if they
could only run Vista Home Basic. Although Microsoft strongly refutes Kelley’s
claims, the threat of a lawsuit may have caused the software giant to change
its description of the Windows Vista Capable program from:

“Through the Windows Vista Capable program, Windows XP-based PCs that are
powerful enough to run Windows Vista are now available from leading PC
manufacturers worldwide, including Acer Inc., Dell Inc., Fujitsu Limited,
Gateway Inc., HP, Lenovo, NEC Corp., Sony Corp., Toshiba and more. The
Windows Vista Capable logo is designed to assure customers that the PCs they
buy today will be ready for an upgrade to Windows Vista and can run the core
experiences of Windows Vista.â€
to

“A new PC running Windows XP that carries the Windows Vista Capable PC logo
can run Windows Vista. All editions of Windows Vista will deliver core
experiences such as innovations in organizing and finding information,
security, and reliability. All Windows Vista Capable PCs will run these core
experiences at a minimum. Some features available in the premium editions of
Windows Vista — like the new Windows Aero user experience — may require
advanced or additional hardware.â€

All in all, Razor I'd perhaps contact HP since we don't know what your specs
are, and we have given you what is needed to run Vista (and some HP boxes
have that) and I don't see any real downside consequences from just trying
to run Vista on your machine, whatever the specs, and seeing what happens.

Good luck,

CH
 
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