MS Vista and Office 2007 Upgrade: Questions?

Windows Vista and Office 2007: Question?

Physics Computing Services will be testing Windows Vista Enterprise Version and Office 2007 in our standard disk image of supported software. At present there is broad lack of support among third party software and hardware vendors (e. g., Novell Netware, printer drivers, etc.). Therefore, current Departmental desktops and laptops do not provide full compatibility between Windows Vista Enterprise Version and our environment.

PCS will continue testing as hardware and software vendors release updates that move us toward full compatibility. Until the time when PCS determines Windows Vista Enterprise Version and Office 2007 are compatible with our environment, we will not support Windows Vista and Office 2007 on any departmental PC.

Physics Computing Services will keep you updated as we evaluate Windows Vista and determine the optimal strategy in rolling Vista out to the department.

NOTE: PCS will not support computers running Windows Vista Enterprise Version until the staff has gained familiarity with it and Campus OIT Helpdesk can provide licensing and support. PCS is aiming to begin support in Fall 2007 along with OIT.

The Office of Information Technology has determined that the earliest they will be prepared to support the Windows Vista Enterprise Version operating system and Office 2007 will be Fall 2007. Versions other than Windows Vista Enterprise Version will not be supported. For further information on the status of Campus licensing of this software, please monitor the OIT Software Licensing Site click here.

Further, the IT industry is recommending waiting until release of Windows Vista Service Pack 1, due out in the 2nd or 3rd quarter.

As of 1 February 2007, Dell began selling Windows Vista factory installed only on new systems, Dimensions and Inspirons: on 7 February 2007, Windows Vista shipped on Optiplex or Latitude systems. Should you purchase a dell computer, specify either Windows XP or, after Fall 2007, Windows Vista Enterprise Version.

For Dell's site on its installation of Windows Vista, click here.

Should you wish to determine Windows Vista compatibility with your present system and software, you can test your system for its capabilities in running Windows Vista.

For Dell computers use the Dell Windows Vista Assessment tool available here.

For a more general test use the installable Microsoft Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor which can be downloaded, here.

For links to some useful web sites, see:

• For PC Magazine site, click here.
• For the MaximumPC site, with reasons you do not need Vista now, click here.
• For information on the End User License Agreement for Windows Vista, click here.
• For a tongue-in-cheek decision flowchart to upgrade to Windows Vista, click here.

• Laptops will use battery time faster, cutting usage in half. Solution: turn off the full graphics capability.
• Even with the recommended 2 GB memory and 256 MB video, your computer will run slower.

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