Windows Vista: Frequently Asked Questions

Editions of Windows Vista:

• Windows Vista Home Basic 
  
  
• Windows Vista Home Premium
  
  
• Windows Vista Business
  
  
• Windows Vista Ultimate
  
  
• Windows Vista Enterprise

For descriptions of the Windows Vista editions, visit http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/default.mspx

New Windows Vista user interface elements: 

For more information about Windows Vista features, visit https://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/features/default.mspx

• processor: 800Mhz, or 1Ghz for Vista Premium and Vista Ultimate
  
  
• memory: 512MB, or 1GB for Vista Premium and Vista Ultimate
  
  
• graphics: DirectX 9.0-compatible for Vista Home Basic. All other editions of Vista need a graphics card that supports Shader 2.0,  32 bit pixel and WDDM.
  
  
• video memory: 128MB, or 256MB for Vista Premium and Vista Ultimate
  
  
• hard disk drive: 20GB for Vista Home Basic,  40GB for other editions of Vista 

Windows Aero user interface: minimum hardware requirements

• DirectX 9 class GPU that supports Pixel Shader 2.0 and 32 bits per pixel
  
• Graphics memory:
  • 128MB of graphics memory to support a single monitor with no more than 1,920,000 pixels (horizontal x vertical pixel dimensions)
  • 256MB of graphics memory to support a single monitor with more than 1,920,000 pixels (horizontal x vertical pixel dimensions)
  • Graphics memory bandwidth of at least 1,800MB (WinSAT)

Q: Of the Toshiba computers manufactured too early to ship with Windows Vista, which ones does Toshiba support for Windows Vista?

A: Toshiba supports the following computer models with BIOS and software components for Windows Vista:

• Portégé M400, M405
  
  
• Qosmio G30, G35
  
  
• Satellite A100, A105, L30/35, M55, M100, M105, M110, M115, P100, P105, R20, R25, U200/205
  
  
• Tecra A6, A7, A8, M4, M5, M6, M7, S3

Q: Is Windows Vista a 32-bit or 64-bit operating system?

A: The distribution DVDs for Windows Vista include both 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) versions of Windows Vista.

Q: Is it possible to set up a dual-boot configuration on Toshiba computers for both Windows XP and Windows Vista? 

A: Yes, it is possible to set up a dual-boot configuration for both Windows XP and Windows Vista. Toshiba provides limited support (assistance with Toshiba drivers and utilities) for dual-boot configurations of Windows XP and Windows Vista. 

Q: Can Windows Vista be installed on the same partition as another operating system?

A: Toshiba does not recommend or support the installation of more than one operating system on a given hard disk partition. Problems may arise from the sharing of the Program Files folder between two versions of the Window OS.

Q: Some Toshiba computers have a special hidden Recovery Partition used if it is ever necessary to restore the computer's factory-preinstalled software. Will this partition be affected by upgrading from Windows XP to Windows Vista?

A: No, the Recovery Partition will still be in place after an upgrade from Windows XP to Windows Vista. Toshiba computer models that are sold with Windows Vista will have a Recovery Partition for Windows Vista.

Q: How can I learn about future releases of Toshiba BIOS updates and other software components for Windows Vista?

A: To be notified when new downloads of software components are available for your Toshiba computer, subscribe to e-mail notifications using Toshiba's Support Updates service.

Q: What is BitLocker?

A: Microsoft BitLocker Drive Encryption is a data-protection feature for Windows Vista (Enterprise and Ultimate editions). BitLocker prevents a thief from accessing the data on a stolen computer's hard drive, even if another operating system is installed.

For more information on BitLocker Drive Encryption, visit the following Microsoft webpage: http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/platform/hwsecurity/BitLockerFAQ.mspx

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