It will be very difficult to print Vista installation CD

Windows Vista will give you a new "cool" graphical interface, as long as you don't use pirated software.

With the new operating system, Microsoft will provide a lot of interesting and fun graphic tricks, from transparent windows, 3-way flip to animated icons.

However, before displaying this glamorous "glamor" aspect (called Aero), Vista will run before a test program to make sure that the version you are using is version Genuine.

" Those who do not install the genuine version of Windows Vista will not enjoy the taste of Aero, " the Microsoft representative said.

"Control barrier"

This step is Microsoft's latest strategy in attacking the software and illegally copying its software products / operating systems. In the fall of 2004, Microsoft began testing the Windows Genuine Advantage program, a software that acts as a customs barrier, confirming what is a legitimate Windows version and what is pirated software.

Although it was originally an optional program, Windows Genuine Advantage has now become a mandatory procedure for many forms of Windows XP download.

Microsoft is considering attacking pirated software as the ultimate key to revenue growth of Windows, the operating system being used for more than 90% of personal computers.

However, it is not only users of new copying software that are locked out of Vista's advanced graphics features. Aero does not serve anyone who buys Windows Vista Basic, the cheapest user version released by Microsoft. The irony is that even if you install the most advanced version, you're not sure if you can enjoy Aero graphics if your computer doesn't have enough memory, graphics processing power or graphics chips don't support it. New Vista.

Microsoft has not yet announced the appropriate hardware configuration for Vista - the operating system is expected to be released in January next year. However, the company introduced some guidelines for Aero this week.

What do you need?

3-way flip between open windows.Source: Archer

To run Aero, the system will have to meet some specific and very demanding requirements, including the memory bandwidth width must be at least 1800 MB / sec. The guide said that Vista will integrate a tool to "measure" these parameters, but specifically the current system must how to meet the Vista standards set, Microsoft does not say.

The system will need a graphics chip with a dedicated drive for Vista. The minimum graphic memory capacity is not too strict, depending on the screen size. For example, a computer with a single screen of 1280 x 1024 pixels or lower will need 64MB of graphics memory. For larger screens, the memory capacity requires 256MB, which is not including the extra memory in case of using additional screens.

Microsoft says that the requirements in this guide are not final, and that the instructional information for current PC users will "be available soon".

There are also a number of Web-based measurement tools such as SiSoftware Sandra, which provide system memory bandwidth widths. However, the Vista-specific system performance measurement tool is still being developed by Microsoft

For their part, buyers and even computer retailers are struggling to understand these parameters. Analyst Michael Cherry said he didn't even know how much memory bandwidth the computer is using. " I know where to start to measure this debt, " Cherry said.

According to Cherry, the work Microsoft needs to do now is "translate" those high-tech requirements into a language that is easier to understand for ordinary users. " Don't let me know just what I mean by just an electronics engineer ."

Thien Y