Vista Frequently Asked Questions
What edition of Vista does ND support?
Where do I purchase Windows Vista?
What are the differences among the editions of Windows Vista?
Will the software applications currently installed on my computer be compatible with Vista?
Will my computer run Windows Vista?
What are the recommended hardware requirements to use Vista?
Can I still use the same peripherals?
Links to Manufacturers Vista & Drivers Pages
Do I have to upgrade to Office 2007 if I upgrade to Windows Vista?
How do I determine which version of Vista is currently installed on my computer?
How do I get training on Vista?
What about OIT Computer Labs and Classrooms?
Where can I find more information about Vista?
What edition of Vista does ND support?
There are 2 editions that will be supported by the OIT:
- Ultimate – recommended version for ALL new equipment purchases, to provide Bitlocker, DVD encoder and full features and functionality.
- Enterprise – for University-owned computers only. Enterprise is used to re-image new computers, or for use on existing University-owned computers (Enterprise is not available pre-installed directly from Lenovo).
Additional information about Windows Vista Editions is available here.
Where do I purchase Windows Vista?
- Departments can purchase Vista media or new computers with Vista from Procurement.
- Students and other personal purchasers should contact the Computer Store.
Additional details and instructions for purchasing Vista are available here.
What are the differences among the editions of Windows Vista?
Microsoft has provided an excellent summary of the differences among the many editions of Windows Vista.
Will the software applications currently installed on my computer be compatible with Vista?
For commonly used and site-licensed software, we have checked vendor statements and found that most are now supporting Vista. For commonly used software, IT staff have been using Vista successfully for several months. The OIT maintains a summary of known issues at http://oit.nd.edu/msvista/issues.shtml.
If you are using an application not in widespread use at ND, or one that is specialized for a particular discipline, check with the software vendor for their Vista support status.
Will my computer run Windows Vista?
Microsoft has published a Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor to help you decide if your computer is ready to run Windows Vista.
What are the recommended hardware requirements to use Vista?
Minimum requirements are described at http://oit.nd.edu/msvista/requirements.shtml.
Can I still use the same peripherals?
If you have an older printer, scanner, web cam or other device that you connect to your computer, check with the manufacturer to verify that the device you have is supported for MS Vista, and that driver software is available.
Links to Manufacturers Vista & Drivers Pages
Do I have to upgrade to Office 2007 if I upgrade to Windows Vista?
No. You can continue to use Office 2003 on Windows Vista. In addition, you can run Office 2007 on Windows XP (Vista is not required).
How do I determine which version of Vista is currently installed on my computer?
1. Press CTRL + ALT + Delete.
2. The version installed is indicated at the bottom of the screen.
3. Click Cancel to return to the previous screen.
How do I get training on Vista?
A variety of tutorials, demos, and reference documents are available and are highly recommended to review when making the transition. Being prepared will ensure that you can maintain your productivity. You can find tutorial and reference documents here.
What about OIT Computer Labs and Classrooms?
Staff are currently planning to upgrade a test group of Computer Lab and Classroom PCs to Vista for the Summer session, with full deployment in Fall 2008.
Where can I find more information about Vista?
Contact your departmental IT staff for additional information, or the OIT Help Desk at 631-8111 (oithelp@nd.edu). In addition, Microsoft has published a wealth of information, tutorials and hosted discussion groups. Some useful links include:
Windows Vista Community - Links to discussions, blog, user groups, etc.
Windows Help and How-To -Links to detailed information and help on specific features
Learn About the Features - Links to alphabetical list of features and detailed desriptions