Ok, don't laugh- R505-EL model questions

I'm wanting to upgrade my XP OS to Vista Ultimate, will that work? --sy

 

. . . on a Sony Vaio . . .

 

Without knowing your exact config - here's the short answer: probably not:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/systemrequirements.mspx

YOu can also download and install windows vista advisor to verify

 

Thanks, I'll give that a try.

 

YIKES! No wonder I'm having so many problems with my Vaio. I wound up at a site called PC Mighty Max and they found 2394 problems- from registry files to broken start-up files. Do you recommend that I purchase the license to fix this or would all of this be fixed when/if I can upgrade?

I can upgrade to Vista Ultimate but I'll need more HD space and my graphics card is incompatible. I currently have 30 gig HD, they reccommend at least 40- can i add more space? The graphics controller I have is Intel 82830M- can that be replaced also?

 

Why do you want to install Vista?

 

FYI, PC Mighty max is a rouge anti-spyware.

http://www.2-spyware.com/remove-pc-mightymax.html

DO NOT listen to what it says and remove it immediately. Look at this sticky in the security sub-forum for better and safer alternatives.

Your computer is too old to fully experience Vista. It will probably run(really slowly unless you have 2GB of ram) but I dont recommend it. Also you cannot upgrade your video card(only a few laptops can do this-see stickies in the gaming forum of NBR for more information).

Edit: if you want to try out a new OS, try Linux(there are many choice if you go with this route and it will run better then Vista). Look in the Linux forum for more info on Linux Distros.

 

I'm in college online @ Kaplan and I have Word 07 and it's integrated to work best with Vista. I have so many problems with the computer I can't depend on it so it's mostly just sat for the last 6 mo. I need to do something, since Vaio didn't send an XP OS disk to use (I know, I should have made my own back-up disk, I wasn't aware at the time) I thought I might be able to put Vista on it, but if not, I'll buy the XP OS to put on it.

 

DO NOT listen to what it says and remove it immediately. Look at this sticky in the security sub-forum for better and safer alternatives.

Your computer is too old to fully experience Vista.

Edit: if you want to try out a new OS, try Linux(there are many choice if you go with this route and it will run better then Vista). Look in the Linux forum for more info on Linux Distros.[/QUOTE]

Thank you for giving me the link to remove MightyMax, I'm doing this as I type. Will Linux run Microsoft Office 2007?

 

Thank you for giving me the link to remove MightyMax, I'm doing this as I type. Will Linux run Microsoft Office 2007?[/QUOTE]

To use Office 2007 on a linux distro, you will need something called 'Wine'(basically a program that allows windows programs to run on a Unix based systems).

Since I am not familiar with wine(I have only dabbled in Linux a wee bit), but I did a google search and I believe its possible(though you will probably need to tweak some setting/config files etc).
http://wine-review.blogspot.com/2007/12/microsoft-office-2007-on-linux-with.html

Another alternative to MS office is Open Office(free program like Office)

Though, if you like the performance of XP(Office 2007 works fine on XP), I suggest sticking with it. If you want to pursue the Linux option, make a new thread in the linux forum to ask what distro is recommended for your laptop(list full specifications) and your question about Office 2007.

 

The Sony site may have the restore to original factory state disc. I have a 3 1/2 year old vaio that I had not made restore discs for and just last month I ordered the discs for $20. They may still have yours in stock.

 

Thank you Cat Mom, I will check that out also.

 

I just called Sony and they don't have any disks for my model. Aw well, I'll have to go another route. Thanks everyone for all of your help. sy