Why is my system not listed as "Vista Compatible" (even though I have the sticker)? + I'm confused about the "Express Upgrade!"

Okay, I'm thinking about signing up for the Express Upgrade to Windows Vista, but I'm really confused about the whole thing.

For starters, my laptop is not on the list that details those which are capable of running Vista ( http://global.acer.com/support/win_vista01.htm), although I have/can easily upgrade to the required hardware requirements needed to run Vista Home Premium Edition, etc. (Starangely, the list "skips" my laptop ... it says 5020,5030,5050 ... but says nothing about my 5040! Is it because my laptop isn't one of the "latest" ones?). Furthermore, when I downloaded and used the Vista Upgrade Advisor and ran it, it stated that it could not determine whether or not my computer could handle it, and that I should download the "newest" version of the Upgrade Advisor ... what's with this?

Okay, so, finished all of that ... I went to the Global Acer website and found out where I have to go to put all of the information into their system over the internet (i.e., COA, SN, Date of Purchase, etc.,) but I got really confused when the pages before it stated that I had to contact Microsoft AFC to recieve the "supplimentary upgrade DVDs." Was that the page that I was just talking about ( https://upgradeweb.moduslink.com/vista/Acer) or do I have to contact someone completely different so that I can get these DVDs? I'm only asking this because I am unsure as to what medium the update will come in ... like we can DOWNLOAD the update, but we won't have any CDs/DVDs. Sounds weird, but makes sense to me.

Also, do I even qualify for this upgrade? I didn't buy my laptop from a "brick and mortar store" but from a friend of the family who owns his own business selling/fixing Acer computers. I have a receipt from him and everything, and I did buy it within the timeframe that qualifies me ... but did people who bought their computers from "brick and mortar stores" receive special invoices/certificates which they will need to present in order to get the upgrade?

All in all, I'm pretty confused! PLEASE, someone straighten me out! I really want to upgrade my laptop, but because I'm a student there is absolutely no way that I can afford to pay the big $$ to buy it right off the shelves. And, by getting it from Acer, I not only have the Upgrade CD/DVD, but I can always uninstall it if I don't like it and go right back to my XP MCE (initial factory defaults)!

Thanks a bunch for everyone's help!

P.S. I have heard that when you UPGRADE to Vista rather than buy the full installation it does "de-activate" the old Windows COA (hence why they ask for it) and that I "won't" be able to return to my trusted MCE, but I did see a thread in here that details how to find hidden COAs on your system ... so I'm going to do that before doing anything with Vista!

P.P.S. My "video card" is an ATI 200m (256 mb of shared RAM). Does anyone know how this will handle Aero?

P.P.P.S. I'm from Canada (in case the answers are region specific).

 

You should run Vista fine.

Yes, you GPU can handle Aero fine.

 

Fantastic news! ... And a very quick reply!

Thanks!

 

Having tried Vista Ultimate, I recommend everyone to hold off on upgrading until SP1 at least. I am back on XP now.

http://www.forbes.com/free_forbes/2007/0226/050.html?partner=yahoomag