Datasheet

Chapter 1

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Getting Started with Windows Vista

The Hardware Compatibility List (HCL)

Along with meeting the minimum requirements, your hardware should appear on the Hard-

ware Compatibility List (HCL). The HCL is an extensive list of computers and peripheral

hardware that have been tested with the Windows Vista operating system.

The Windows Vista operating system requires control of the hardware for stability, effi-

ciency, and security. The hardware and supported drivers on the HCL have been put through

rigorous tests to ensure their compatibility with Windows Vista. Microsoft guarantees that the

items on the list meet the requirements for Windows Vista and do not have any incompatibil-

ities that could affect the stability of the operating system.

If you call Microsoft for support, the first thing a Microsoft support engineer will ask about

is your configuration. If you have any hardware that is not on the HCL, you may not be able

to get support from Microsoft.

To determine if your computer and peripherals are on the HCL, check the most up-to-date

list at https://winqual.microsoft.com/HCL/Default.aspx.

BIOS Compatibility

Before you install Windows Vista, you should verify that your computer has the most current

BIOS (Basic Input/Output System). This is especially important if your current BIOS does not

include support for Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) functionality. ACPI

functionality is required for Windows Vista to function properly. Check the computer’s ven-

dor for the latest BIOS version information.

Driver Requirements

To successfully install Windows Vista, you must have the critical device drivers for your com-

puter, such as the hard drive device driver. The Windows Vista media comes with an extensive

list of drivers. If your computer’s device drivers are not on the Windows Vista installation

media, you should check the device manufacturer’s website. If you can’t find the device driver

on the manufacturer’s website and no other compatible driver exists, you are out of luck. Win-

dows Vista will not recognize devices that don’t have Windows Vista drivers.

Hard disks are commonly rated by capacity. The following measurements are used for disk

space and memory capacity:

1MB (megabyte) = 1024KB (kilobytes)

1GB (gigabyte) = 1024MB

1TB (terabyte) = 1024GB

1PB (petabyte) = 1024TB

1EB (exabyte) = 1024PB

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