In News: iYogi Re-Defines Technical Support – BizTech2.com

Remote managed services are gaining a lot of attraction these days. Companies are looking to outsource the maintenance and monitoring of their IT infrastructure to a third party to improve efficiency and save costs. BizTech2.com caught up with Uday Challu, founding partner and CEO, iYogi, to see what the company has to offer in this space.

As far as Enterprise and SME customers are concerned, which verticals are you focusing on?

Our focus will mostly be on small companies with around five to 100 users and also firms that have multiple small branch offices like travel agencies, retail stores etc.

What kind of support services do you provide to your customers? What is the Green PC service?

iYogi provides the next generation of remote computer support services for consumers and businesses. For consumers, our live 24/7 support extends to technologies we use everyday, including hardware, software applications, devices, peripherals and networking equipment. iYogi also offers a full range of business IT solutions including managed monitoring, managed services, set-up and installation services, and incident-based services.

Green PC Service

With the current state of the global climate and increasing dependency on the computer, iYogi helps PC users reduce their carbon footprint and save money at the same time. iYogi’s Green PC service is the first in the independent computer support industry to offer customers a way to save money, conserve energy and protect the environment by optimising their PC’s efficiency. Consumers and businesses can save up to $200 per year, per desktop, in energy costs with iYogi’s Green PC application. This green application makes the computer environmentally friendly by reducing power consumption by almost 50 percent.

Our Green PC dashboard helps customise power settings and calculate power savings in kWh (kilowatt hour). The Green PC dashboard also gives a status on the reduction of CO2 and how responsible usage will benefit the environment by saving trees. A customised service that increases the energy efficiency of computers, undertakes the below-mentioned three primary initiatives:

- Computer assessment, analysing settings and PC energy use
- Customised efficiency planning geared specifically to the individual’s usage patterns
- Implementing setting changes to maximise the computer’s energy use

What are the technologies that allow you to offer 24/7 support and ensure there is no downtime at the client site?

We have invested significantly in developing a comprehensive monitoring and management tools stack. This enables us to manage and monitor all devices in the office network as well as for branch offices and mobile users. Our tools continuously monitor the customer’s network and notify our NOC (Network Operations Centre) in case of problems. Based on the set of events, tickets are automatically generated and escalated to corresponding teams. Over and above our proactive approach, the customer always has an option to call our 24X7 support line for issues that are not identified via the monitoring tools.

Please throw some light on your proprietary iMantra technology.

iMantra is a CRM system, which is tailor-made to suit the emerging business needs at iYogi. It allows for the formation of individualised customer relationships with the aim of providing personalised services to each subscriber. This tool is built on the latest java technology with a layered architecture that makes it scalable and secure. This architecture provides a seamless workflow and independent channels for various business needs: sales, support, quality and customer service. The entire system can be exposed in the form of secure APIs and Web services, which makes it a re-usable entity.

Your business model is similar to BPOs in India providing technical support to offshore customers. What unique values do you bring to this ecosystem that would help a potential client choose you over a competitor?

iYogi’s business model is different from traditional BPOs. Some key factors that differentiate iYogi include:

- Direct-to-consumer and -small business: iYogi delivers technical support services directly to consumers and small businesses and is a global technical support brand based out of India. Unlike traditional BPOs in India, iYogi does not provide any private label support and/ or work on behalf of large OEMs or software publishers.

- Optimised Processes: iYogi has developed proprietary processes for consistently delivering on a resolution rate of 87 percent, which is among the highest published benchmarks in the support industry, where averages hover in the range of 50 percent.

- Comprehensive technology platform: iYogi’s global delivery platform, iMantra, gets smarter with every customer interaction. It documents every problem, the solution and relevant hardware and software aspects, while capturing each customer’s demographic information and creating a behavioural profile. All of this information is at the fingertips of iYogi’s Global Tech Experts. This set-up combines a knowledge base with a comprehensive set of tools and technology expertise. iYogi offers a range of tools that complement its remote support services for helping customers maintain technology at peak performance levels. iYogi’s products include iYogi Smart PC Scan, iYogi Support Dock, iYogi Green PC and iYogi PC Optimisation.

How do you plan to move up the value chain in the times to come?

The growing use and penetration of the Internet and new Web-based applications has consequently opened the door to threats and vulnerabilities, which affect the system performance and ultimately lead to degrading performance. If the threats are diagnosed early on, the impact on efficiency can be minimised considerably. Currently, a user only realizes that he needs technical support once the damage has occurred and reactive methods of support are used to recover from the loss.

At iYogi, we are developing our capabilities to not only provide support when demanded, but to also monitor, pre-empt and fix threats before they can cause any damage to the computer. This will be possible only by combining technology with processes that are capable of re-defining the way technical support is delivered today.

What is your India strategy?

Technically, we are capable of servicing any geography including India. At this stage, we are looking for the right kind of partners to find access to potential customers and provide them a consolidated, 360-degree solution and services for issues relating to hardware, software, network etc. We aim to launch our India services in the coming six to eight months. Our services will offer clients a one-stop solution for all their business needs.

Windows Internet Explorer 7 with: Mozilla is waiting for clarification

Within the Mozilla Foundation, is preferred, for now, reserve his opinion on the decision by Microsoft to remove Internet Explorer 7 Windows 8. In an internal mail, CEO, John Lilly, is clearly nonplussed by the effect of announcement of the firm of Redmond.

"It is impossible to assess what this announcement means that both Microsoft does not - completely and in detail - all the advantages and brakes for OEM Windows. Otherwise, it is not possible to know if Microsoft does not give a hand to take the other. And more, it is impossible to say whether this has an impact beyond the change in the technical process of installing the manufacturers, and if it makes it more difficult for users to migrate to Windows 7 "he says .

Media Player removed from Windows 2004 without effects

Until then, Microsoft has merely an announcement very vague. If the publisher does not Internet Explorer 8 (or only some parts?) Code in Windows that will deliver to manufacturers this summer, it does not abandon the install. In its statement, Microsoft spoke thus to assist manufacturers in the preinstallation of IE8 before the commercial distribution of computers.

In 2004, Microsoft had already been ordered to remove Windows Media Player. This condemnation by the European Commission in Europe led to the commercialization of a special edition, N, Windows. The edition was a flop, especially because back by PC manufacturers.

Brussels has launched an investigation to verify that Microsoft had not "made it less attractive commercially or operationally" Windows XP N compared to the full version. The editor believed to have played the game argument does not weigh in favor of the version without Media Player, which was sold at the same price as the version with the software.

Key manufacturers of the problem, before Microsoft

Or by removing Internet Explorer 8, Microsoft announced an edition E Windows 7 (Vista, always shipped with IE is not affected). An E, which reminds the N version of Windows XP. Moreover, given the close commercial ties between Microsoft and PC manufacturers, it will certainly difficult for publishers competing browsers to be treated fairly.

The software pre-installed on a computer generally by a commercial agreement with manufacturers. Difficult for the publishers, except perhaps Google and Apple, to negotiate contracts for multi-million dollar deal with Microsoft.

An acceptable solution for all browsers would therefore by a European Commission decision applies directly to manufacturers. It is considered one of the tracks, which would result in the obligation for manufacturers to propose, at the first connection to the Internet, choose your browser from a list of software.

Apple Releases Safari 4 for Mac, Windows

Apple on Monday released Safari 4, the next version of its Web browser for OS X and Windows users. The updated browser will also ship with Snow Leopard once the planned OS X 10.6 update arrives in September.

Safari 4 has been available as a public beta since February, when Apple unveiled the new version of the browser. The new version features the Nitro Javascript engine, which is aimed at improving Safari’s speed.

During Monday’s WWDC keynote, Bertrand Serlet, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering, touted the speed improvements to Safari, claiming the updated browser can execute JavaScript nearly eight times faster than Internet Explorer 8 and more than four times faster than Firefox 3. Safari 4 can also load eight pages three times faster than IE and Firefox, according to Apple’s figures.

Safari 4 will run as a 64-bit application in the forthcoming Snow Leopard update. That will further boost the performance of the Nitro JavaScript engine.

Also in Snow Leopard, Safari 4 will offer a a crash-resistance feature by running plugins as a separate process. he leading cause of crashes in OS X comes from browser plug-ins, Apple says; in the new version of Safari, if a plugin crashes, only that part of the page will be broken, while the browser will remain open.

Other improvements in Safari 4 include a Top Sites feature that gave users a visual preview of frequently visited pages; Full History Search for finding titles, Web address, and text of recently viewed pages; and a Cover Flow view for browsing bookmarks. Safari 4 Beta’s tabs-on-top feature, where Web page tabs were located at the very top of the window, is gone in the final release. Instead, tabs have returned to where they were in Safari 3, immediately below the bookmarks bar.

The new version of Safari includes HTML 5 support for offline technologies as well as support for advanced CSS Effects. According to Apple, Safari 4 is the first browser to pass the Web Standards Project’s Acid3 test, which looks at how well a browser adheres to CSS, JavaScript, XML, and SVG standards designed specifically for dynamic Web applications.

Safari runs on Mac OS X 10.4.11 or later and requires Security Update 2009-002. Apple says Safari 4 is available for download at its Web site.

Windows Vista Updates fail

You try to install updates in Windows Vista. However, the installation may fail, and you may receive the following error message:
"WBEM_E_CRITICAL_ERROR (0x8004100A)"

This issue occurs for one of the following reasons:

1. The PATH environment variable does not contain the following information:
%windir%\system32\wbem
2. The Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) registry subkeys have been modified. For example, if the registry subkey CLSID_WbemDefPath is missing, you receive the error message that is mentioned in the "Symptoms" section.

There are tow Method are use to resolve this issue,

Method 1

Add %windir%\system32\wbem to the PATH environment variable. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, right-click Computer, and then click Properties.
2. In the Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings area, click Change settings.

If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click Continue.
3. Click the Advanced tab, and then click Environment Variables.
4. In the System variables section, click to select Path, and then click Edit.
5. Add the following at the end of the Variable value text box:
;%windir%\system32\wbem
6. Click OK three times.

Method 2

Run the WMI Diagnosis Utility. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Download the WMI Diagnosis Utility version 2.0 (WMIDiag.exe). To do this, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=d7ba3cd6-18d1-4d05-b11e-4c64192ae97d&displaylang=en (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=d7ba3cd6-18d1-4d05-b11e-4c64192ae97d&displaylang=en)
2. Double-click the WMIDiag.exe file to extract the files that include the WMIDiag.vbs file.
3. Click Start, and then type cmd in the Start Search box.
4. Right-click cmd in the Programs list, and then click Run as administrator.

If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click Continue.

5. At the command prompt, type the following commands one at a time and press ENTER after each command.

Drive:
CD Path
WMIDiag.vbs

6. If the WMI Diagnosis Utility reports that WMI is not functioning correctly, follow the steps in the WMI Diagnosis Utility report to resolve the problem.

iYogi Announces Launch of Monitoring and Performance Tool For SMBs.

iYogi – a leading provider of technical support services with horizons in the US, UK, Canada and Australia – today announced the launch of its exclusive server monitoring tools for small businesses. The new product offers integrated technology solutions to surmount the users’ unique IT support requirements thereby enabling them to derive and share information, data, enable network performance analysis, and security trends critical to plan and mana ge their set of servers – 24x7.

Uday Challu, iYogi’s CEO commented, “Holding a significant niche for itself in the computer support industry, iYogi has always known to be on the forefront of adapting breakthrough technology to exceed customer service expectations. This time we have developed a tool offering value-add functionality which will help small business customers maximize the business outcomes of IT.”

iYogi’s monitoring tool provides real time observation and monitoring solutions to ensure more robust and reliable IT support and infrastructure for small buinesses. Small Business owners also get a comprehensive assesment of their IT environment to meet technology needs with the scalability for future growth and create preventative measures based on quick analysis of network device alerts, pre-failure indicators, performance benchmark and security issues.

The new Monitoring and performance tool will provide small business with the opportunity to test all technical and non-technical aspects of their servers and help them to strengthen overall IT infrastructure. The array of services will include: Patch Management, Security Auditing, Site Inventory, Real Time Alerting Script Based Management, and Rights Management Services for all critical server issues.

“Irrespective of the business being small or large, when the consumer chooses iYogi, he leverages the potential of an elite taskforce of Microsoft Certified System Engineers and Cisco Certified Network Associates, ready to service their critical assets, using the most advanced network asset tracking and Performance monitoring”, adds Challu.

Another factor where the Company aims to distinguish itself from its competitors is product pricing. Embracing the concept of service quality, iYogi offers competitively priced technical support services at no-haggle, low prices.

As for its small business support, the Company has integrated its exclusive Monitoring and Alerting Services under one price umbrella of just $480 annually. per server i.e. $49.99 per month. The price is certainly hard to find anywhere else.

For more information on iYogi Small Business Support, visit http://www.iyogibusiness.com/

Contact Details:
Company Name: iYogi Technical Services Pvt Ltd
Address: iYogi Inc.
12 Desbrosses Street
3rd Floor
New York, NY 10013
Toll Free no:1-800-237-3901
Work Number: 1-212-229-0901
Fax Number: 1-888-867-2715

Vista Faces an Uphill Battle with Businesses

Microsoft’s Windows Vista operating system appears to be losing traction with businesses. Fears of an uncertain economy are one factor, but there’s also a more fundamental reason: Many businesses still don’t see the need.

Consumers tend to buy new operating systems when they buy new computers. For businesses, however, moving to a new operating system is a strategic decision that takes into account much more: factors such as cost, the time it takes to train employees, and whether the new operating system is compatible with the hardware and software the businesses already use.

When Microsoft released Vista last year, businesses greeted it enthusiastically. While few businesses ever install a new system during its first year on the market, a 2007 Sanford C. Bernstein survey of corporate tech leaders found that 31% anticipated installing Vista by the end of 2008; 68% anticipated installing it by the end of 2010.

But over the last year, many businesses decided to delay moving to Vista — some, indefinitely. According to a new Bernstein survey, only 8% of tech leaders now anticipate installing Vista by the end of 2008. And only 26% say they’ll install it by the end of 2010.

What happened? Businesses just don’t see the value. Vista only runs on powerful computers, so installing the operating system often also requires buying a new PC, something businesses want to put off with tightening budgets.

The situation for Delaware’s state government is fairly typical. The tech department there recently decided to delay moving to Vista and instead installed XP, an older version of Windows, on about 40 new computers. The state didn’t want to train employees how to use Vista, and some of the software the state uses may not work with Vista, says Rob Revels, a tech official there. There’s no compelling reason to upgrade, he says.

Microsoft Vice President Mike Nash says that many businesses are making their decisions based on outdated impressions of Vista. “There’s a lot of misinformation out there that we’re trying to correct,” he says. Part of the problem for Microsoft: The company focused on security and manageability when it designed Vista, which, while important, are tough to market.

Still, not everyone is wary of Vista. The U.S. Air Force, for example, intends to buy 150,000 computers over the next several months that will run Vista. Kenneth B. Heitkamp, a tech director for the Air Force, says security is a top priority for his service. Additionally, he anticipates that buying PCs with Vista already installed and some of Vista’s energy and time-saving improvements will help the Air Force save more that $25 million in energy and management costs each year.

Yet even Heitkamp understands why Vista’s benefits aren’t generating more buzz. “You’ll never hear a consumer talk about security and manageability,” he says.

source: The Wall Street Journal

June 2008 Cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows Vista

A new cumulative update package for Windows Vista Media Center has been released this week. This update is called the June 2008 Cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows Vista and is also known as KB950126. It is available for download in x86 and x64 versions. It can be installed on systems running the original version of Windows Vista Home Premium or Ultimate Editions and the SP1 version of Windows Vista Home Premium or Ultimate Editions.

The June 2008 Cumulative Update includes the following fixes:

* All of the fixes previously included in the February 2008 Cumulative Update

* Improvements to the TV recording experience on systems that use analog tuners, do not have a set-top box and do not have any digital tuners installed.

* Blank screen that can occur when you switch between full-screen mode and windowed mode while playing a video.

* Empty removable media devices may be displayed in galleries (this issue was introduced in Windows Vista SP1 and only affects those systems).

* Client ID may not be set correctly if you use the Express setup option when launching Windows Vista Media Center.

* Memory leak in extender sessions.

* Updated frequency table for China.

* Channel names in Simplified Chinese are shown as unrecognizable characters.

5 Effective Steps To Make Your Vista Fly !

As usual, every generation of new Windows Operating System will consume far more resources than before, but this also means more features and greater user experience! It applies to Vista as well. In this article I will show you 5 very effective steps to speed up Vista, I can almost feel your Vista taking off! (Just kidding)

Without further delay, let's talk about the first step:
**Add more RAM - More memory means more resources to hold programs and services without accessing your hard disk. 4 GB is recommended, but you are limited to 3.2 GB to 3.6 GB RAM that actually available from a 4 GB memory machine. This is the limitation of 32 bits Vista ( x86), if you want more RAM support, you will have to upgrade to 64 bits ( x64).

Let's say you have a limited budget, and you want more speed, then the second step can help you:
**Use USB memory stick to run ReadyBoost - You can buy a 4GB USB memory stick with reasonably cheap price, and you can use it to accelerate your PC and transfer data between computer as well, many has reported ReadyBoost to be very effective on 512 MB and 1GB RAM computer, it can speed up Vista overall performance 20~50% faster.

Now comes the step 3, you really going to love Vista for this:
**Hybrid sleep mode - Sleep mode introduced itself since Windows 98, and now Vista extend this great feature and combine with XP hibernation mode to become hybrid sleep mode. It will allow user to shut down the computer instantly (Not really shutdown, but rather into sleep mode) and boot up instantly (5~7 seconds!). You do not have to worry about data loss due to power failure, because it saves your computer status in hibernation mode automatically before going into sleep mode, thus safe guard your data even you unplug the power!

The Vista default power plan on all new installations is conservative. You want that to your notebook to save power, but not your desktop computer! so step 4:
**Change your power plan to maximum performance -You want your processor to be ready in the fastest mode, by changing the plan to maximum performance, you can speed up Vista overall performance by another 10% to 15%!

Now the final step, and you need some technical knowledge to perform this:
Disable unused services - Many services in Vista is unused by most other users, by reducing the services run in background, you can dramatically increase Vista performance. However, you really need technical knowledge to perform this step, I urge you to find some guide and do some study before even trying it on your own computer!

This concludes the 5 effective steps to increase Vista performance, but the most effective way is still adding more RAM! Unless you really short of money, go get more RAM.

Vista Replacement or another Dump from Microsoft

News about Vista's forthcoming replacement has come to my awareness. The next version of Windows is so far called Windows Seven, the codename for Microsoft programs, has a tendency of changing throughout the development of new programs, for an example Vista used to be named Longhorn. The version of "Vista" is to be released in mid 2010, as announced by Microsoft them selves.

The important news is that as far as development efforts are concerned Vista is a closed book; Microsoft has begun moving towards their next great operating system, this of course leaves Vista to be a very slow paced project, further development or implementations to Vista, will be less or almost none existing.

At the time the Vista service pack is planned to get released in first quarter of 2008, alongside with this project in work, Microsoft has started building the contours of Windows 7. As earlier mentioned in this article, has announced the release date of Vistas replacement, the move is a deliberate attempt to try and force users into using Vista. Microsoft are currently working on implementing wireless network advances and include programs like Direct Connect, as component of the Windows 7 server edition.

It will be very exciting to see what kind of new implement Microsoft will deliver to the next operating system, lets hope it will be as good or better than the newest current version of Windows, Microsoft Windows Vista.

Update on Vista Language Packs from Microsoft

Microsoft has made available the updated Language Packs for users using Windows Vista SP1 as well as those running Windows Vista RTM. For those running SP1, the Language Packs should be showing up for you under Windows Update. The specific language packs which are being released are as follows:

• German
• English
• Spanish
• French
• Japanese
• Korean
• Bulgarian
• Czech
• Danish
• Greek
• Estonian
• Finnish
• Hungarian
• Italian
• Lithuanian
• Latvian
• Norwegian
• Dutch
• Polish
• Portuguese (Portugal)
• Romanian
• Slovak
• Slovenian
• Swedish
• Arabic
• Hebrew
• Croatian
• Portuguese (Brazil)
• Serbian (Latin)
• Thai
• Turkish
• Ukrainian
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Russian

Is it worth getting, Vista SP1 and if so, how can I get it?

This one is for my friend's who are queued on Vista Support SP1

Let's tackle the second question first. In mid-April, Microsoft began downloading the update, called Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1), to computers via online automatic updating. So if your Vista computer has automatic updating turned on, you may already have it. To find out, right-click Computer in the Start menu and choose Properties. If SP1 has been installed, it will be listed in the "Windows edition" section. and you not need to carry any further vista installation.

If you don't have the update, there are two ways to get it. You can turn on automatic updating by going to Windows Update, which is in the All Programs folder in the Start menu. Or you can download it manually from microsoft.com/downloads. Just be aware that SP1 is a big file (435 MB), so it will take time to download, even with a high-speed Internet connection.

Is SP1 worth installing? In Microsoft's words, it is "the complete set of Windows Vista updates Microsoft has issued over the past year plus additional enhancements to improve your PC experience. SP1 doesn't add new features or require you to learn anything new - it simply makes your PC more reliable, run more smoothly and even more enjoyable to use, all at no charge."

As yet it's unclear whether those claims are true. But there are some tangible benefits to SP1. For example, it includes the myriad security fixes Microsoft has issued since the release of Vista in early 2007. It also lets you change the default desktop search program to use third-party software from companies including Google and Copernic.

Bottom line: Consider SP1 as more of an oil change than a major tuneup. If you're happy with the way Windows is working, I'd put off updating at least until SP1 has been out for awhile and any bugs are fixed.

Microsoft Quietly Rolls out Vista Service Pack 1

Few service packs (SPs) have received more attention than Windows Vista SP1. Perhaps it's the general lack of confidence in Vista, or just high expectations for a release that will hopefully address some of the ongoing criticisms of the operating system. At least the controversy over SP1's availability has been settled: It's now available to all. Through my MSDN subscription, I got it before the official release for an early look.

Installation took less than an hour, during which my PC rebooted several times. But don't expect too much in the way of new features: This release targets performance, reliability and security.

Installations Issues
One thing you should note is that Microsoft has done away with the so-called kill switch, or reduced functionality mode. This function disabled the OS if it determined that it was no longer installed on the same system.

Instead, Microsoft has reverted to a nagging approach. If it detects what it considers a new system or an illegitimate configuration, it will remind you that the OS needs to be reactivated. The trouble is a combination of changes to the hard disk, memory and other system parameters detected by the OS can trigger that nag. Because I frequently make changes to my PCs, this is an annoyance I don't need.

Installing SP1 will also turn off Windows Defender and User Account Control. This may be disconcerting to less-technical users, because you'll have to turn them back on manually.

Performance is touted as a big advantage of this service pack, but the results here are mixed. In the first few days, you lose startup performance because all of your SuperFetch data, which is used to speed up performance, is cleared from your system. That eventually comes back. Other performance parameters, such as file transfers, launches and installs don't seem affected that much. Based on my testing, I couldn't make a generalization one way or the other about overall system performance.

No Major Improvement
Other new features include the ability to change the search tool to an alternative. You can also have BitLocker and the drive defragmenter choose a specific volume to work on.

Without extensive testing, it's difficult to get a feel for driver support, but my sense was to not expect too much in this area. My decade-old Lexmark printer didn't work with the original release of Vista. It still doesn't work with SP1.

It's not a major improvement like Windows XP SP2, but there's no apparent reason to not install it. If you don't see performance improvements, at least you'll have a bit more flexibility in how you make use of some of Vista's features.

Windows Vista SP1 now in 36 Languages

It has been almost a month since we released Windows Vista SP1 to Windows Update in 5 languages. To date: millions of people have successfully installed Windows Vista SP1 on their PCs. So we're happy to announce the next step for Windows Vista SP1 availability.We are excited to report that today we are making Windows Vista SP1 available to folks running Windows Vista in any of the supported languages. Starting today, users will be able to choose to manually install Windows Vista SP1 via Windows Update or download the standalone installer from the Microsoft Download Center (x86 and x64) for any of the 36 supported languages, not just English, Spanish, German, French, and Japanese. For now, it is available for users who visit Windows Update or the Microsoft Download Center. We encourage most users to get Windows Vista SP1 via Windows Update-which will provide the best update experience.

Now, Windows Vista PCs of any supported language can update to SP1. You may be aware we also make DVD images of Windows Vista with SP1 available to certain groups like TechNet Plus subscribers, MSDN subscribers, and Volume License (VL) customers. TechNet Plus and MSDN subscribers can download these DVD images in some languages today. The remaining languages will be made available in 2 additional groups over the next few weeks

Upgrade Your PC from XP Home Premium to Vista Home Premium

For most users who have Windows XP Home, the most logical upgrade path to Windows Vista is via the Home Premium version. And, the simplest way to get upgraded is to install the upgraded version of Vista Home Premium over your existing version of Win-XP Home.

Upgrade Preparations

Upgrading your computer’s operating system requires some preparation, so take these simple steps, and your upgrade path should be smooth. We’ll assume your computer will run Vista Home Premium with no problems.

Before you install Vista, make sure all your drivers are up-to-date with the latest Vista-compatible versions, and remember to back up all of your important files. Most OS upgrades go without a hitch, but every now and then a botched installation results in data loss.

At the beginning of the installation, you have the option to have Windows check for compatibility.

In fact, if you are sweating the transfer of commonly used data—such as user accounts, email messages, Windows and Internet settings, etc.—from one computer to another, the Windows Easy Transfer wizard can help. This is a free wizard-based tool that lets you seamlessly transfer files and settings, but not programs, from one computer to another using an easy transfer cable, a home or business network, a removable hard drive, or removable media

Starting The Installation

To begin the upgrade process, insert your Vista installation DVD into your computer’s DVD drive. The Install Windows setup screen will appear automatically once your disc is read by your DVD drive.

The first step in the installation routine presents two choices: Check For Compatibility Online or Install Now. Click Install Now to begin the installation, unless you wish to check your system for Vista compatibility one more time.

Next, Windows takes a few minutes to prepare for the installation. The next screen offers you the opportunity to download the latest updates before beginning the installation by clicking the Go Online To Get The Latest Updates For Installation link.

Keep in mind, however, that once you start using Vista, if you have set it up to automatically download updates, all the latest updates will automatically install. So if you want to install Vista without further ado, click the Do Not Get The Latest Updates For Installation link to proceed.

When you enter your product key, you can also tell Vista to automatically activate Windows when you go online.

At the next screen, enter the product key found inside your Windows package into the Product Key text-box. You also have the choice not to enter the product key at this time. But unless you have some compelling reason not to, it’s best to enter the product key when requested by the installation program.

Next, the installation routine presents you with the license agreement for Vista; click the I Accept The License Terms checkbox and then click Next to continue.

In the next screen, the Vista installation program asks you to choose between an Upgrade installation or a Custom (Advanced) installation. An Upgrade install keeps all your files, settings, and programs and simply upgrades Windows.

The Custom installation allows you to install a clean copy of Windows by giving you the option to erase the existing partition of data and install Windows to it. You can also select the partition where you want to install Windows or make changes to your disks and/or partitions. To upgrade from WinXP Home to Vista without the clean install, click the Upgrade link.

The next step generates a Compatibility Report, the final check for potential problems before installation begins. If issues are found, the installation program displays a warning advising you of the fact, along with a link for more information. If you want to find more information about the compatibility report, simply click the Click Here For More Information link, and Windows displays a list of hardware devices or applications that may not work properly once Vista starts.

If you see a lot of items on this list, you may want to consider aborting the installation, resolving the issues, and restarting the installation once updates to your system are complete. If you wish to proceed, click Next to continue with the installation.

Let The Upgrade Begin

Now the Vista installation begins in earnest. This is the slowest step of the process as the installation program performs five steps: Copying Windows Files, Gathering Files, Expanding Files, Installing Features And Updates, and Completing Upgrade.

A progress bar keeps you apprised of the installation’s progress as Windows is upgraded.

Once the install routine finishes the Installing Updates step, the system will reboot. You see a screen that tells you to, “Please wait a moment while Windows prepares to start for the first time.” Once the system restarts, you are returned to the installation program where Vista tells you it is Completing Upgrade. This step may take a while to complete, so be patient and let it run its course. When this step is finished, Windows reboots.

The next step in the installation process requests that you create an administrator account for Vista, complete with your choice of available icons to identify your account. Click Next to continue; in the next screen, you’ll enter a name for your computer and choose a background for your Desktop. Provide a name and then click Next to move on to the Help Protect Windows Automatically screen where you are given three choices: Use Recommended Settings, Install Important Updates Only, and Ask Me Later. To fully automate your computer’s security and automatic updates protections, choose the Use Recommended Settings option.

In the next few screens, you'll choose your time and date settings and select your computer's location. (The choices are Home, Work, or Public Location.) Eventually, you will come to a Thank You screen, where you click the Start button to launch Vista for the first time. At this time, the install program performs one final system check and launches the login screen. Once you log in to your account, a welcome screen appears followed by another screen informing you that Windows is preparing your Desktop. After a few minutes, your Desktop appears. (Get ready to wait just a bit longer as Windows prepares some personalized settings.)

Once your Desktop appears, Windows will briefly download updates and launch the Welcome Center, where you can view details about your computer, add new user accounts, learn more about Vista, and more. You’re now ready to go.

Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows Vista: The Upgrade Installation Process

Before one choose to follow the Upgrade Installation path, we recommend that one backs up all ones important data to external media like a CD/DVD or USB drive before proceeding with the upgrade installation.

From within Windows XP and with all programs and windows closed, insert the Windows Vista DVD and let it autorun. This setup screen below will appear and simply click on Install now




It's not really necessary to check for updates online at this stage but one may if one chooses to and then insert the product key




Accept the Licence Agreement and then select the Upgrade option. A Compatibility Report will appear with information about software and drivers which are not supported by Windows Vista. At this stage it is safe to abort the setup process if the Compatibility Report indicates that most of ones programs will not be compatible. One can do so by simply clicking the red "Close" button on the dialog window of the Compatibility Report. If one wishes to proceed with setup then simply select "Next" and the upgrade process will commence.




The setup process follows clear stages. These can be seen below. Once "Expanding files" has progressed for a while the system will restart.




On the system booting up again, "Expanding files" will continue, followed by another restart after "Installing features and updates" is complete. On restart "Completing upgrade" will continue and then the system will restart for a final time before booting into Windows.




Problems Experienced

With the specific upgrade installation under review, the following problems were experienced on finally booting into Windows Vista:

1. The system hanged for about 10 minutes on final restart at a pale blue entirely blank screen and from there it hanged again for about 15 minutes at a dark blue screen with only a mouse pointer and this text in the bottom right hand corner visible:

Windows Vista(TM) Beta 2
Evaluation copy. Build 5384

A hard restart from the power reset switch was necessary and then the system booted fully into Windows Vista for the first time.

2. Audio was very bad and scratchy and all attempts at rectifying this with a driver update failed. The Intel Audio Studio icon on the desktop failed to open the program too.

3. The Avast! AntiVirus icon on the desktop failed to open the program although the AntiVirus itself was active, despite it being known that Avast! is fully functional and compatible in Windows Vista.

4. The ATi Control Panel failed to open the program but in all fairness this had been indicated by the Compatibility Report.

5. Each and every time a Office 2007 application was opened, it first went into a "setup" mode before the application would open. Word was opened repeatedly and this occured on every occasion.



6. The system went into a BSOD while trying to update the sound drivers. On Restart sound was still bad and the system was left on for four or 5 hours. Out of the blue (pun intended) the system restarts randomly and I only become aware of this when I hear the really bad startup audio. This error message has been found on the desktop a number of times now and looking for a solution to the problem, unspecified drivers were identified as being the cause:

Vista Upgrade & Installation Options

Windows Vista know doubt provides one of the best GUI interface and resolution windows has came along with, and so it is a something that tampers every individual to go for it.

But going for a Windows Vista experience depends on the way you want to approach it for some it can be in the form of buying a new PC. The Personal Computers this days comes along with Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic.

For others, the experience begins by upgrading a current Personal Computer. If you plan to upgrade, it's important to understand the options that you are left out with before giving a go for it. Your choices depend on the version of Windows that is currently running on your PC and the type of computer hardware you have to run certain features. Here's how you can start planning for an upgrade to Windows Vista.

You can upgrade from your current edition of Microsoft Windows XP or Windows 2000 to a corresponding or better edition of Windows Vista by purchasing and installing an upgrade copy of Windows Vista.

The table below provides the outlines for the upgrade options mapped to the different Windows Vista editions.

(0)Requires clean install.
(0) In-place installation option available.

For any short of trouble shoot and assistance or tech support go through the link
Vista Installation

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