Another common compatibility issue which we have yet to explore is the problem of incompatible or missing software drivers. Without the correct Windows Vista drivers to run it, your computer's features like the network connection and sound will refuse to work correctly or just not work at all. Worse, installing drivers meant for XP can often cause disastrous results in Windows Vista.

While most recent computer hardware from reputable manufacturers should have Vista drivers available for it by the time you read this, that does not mean that your hardware will work with Vista 'out of the box'. This is a common problem faced by those attempting an upgrade to Windows Vista.

Most products manufactured by major hardware vendors that are still in business will have Vista drivers available; you just need to find them. If your product was purchased on or before January-April 2007, chances are that the drivers that came with it are not Vista specific or compatible. Even if Vista drivers are included, they may not install automatically using the 'autorun' feature of the CD.

You need to be careful with this, as it is quite possible to install drivers intended for Windows XP and cause problems with your Vista installation. Certain products carried 'vista compatible' stickers around the date of Vista's release, even though they did not contain Vista drivers out of the box.

Best practice is always to look on your hardware manufacturer's website and obtain the newest Vista compatible drivers for your particular hardware. If you are obtaining Vista drivers for your motherboard, remember to always install the chipset driver (or the Intel INF update application for Intel chipset motherboards) before ANY other drivers.

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- 99 Windows Vista Performance Tips and Tweaks - Windows Vista Crash Recovery and Repair Installs - Making Old Software Compatible with Windows Vista - Installing Windows Vista - Safe Mode in Windows Vista For Crash Recovery - Stopping Vista From Thrashing Hard Disks to Death - 10 Steps to a Secure PC - 101 Tips and Tweaks for Windows XP - 104 Killer Tech Tips for Windows XP - 99 Performance Tips for Windows XP - Annual PC Checkup Checklist - Assembling Your Own PC - Back up and Restore Data in WinXP - Browser Hijacking and How to Stop it - Building a Home Theatre PC / HTPC - Burning CDs and DVDs - Cloning WindowsXP - Converting Videotape Into Video Files - Crash Recovery: The Blue Screen of Death - Creating a Weblog / Blog - Creating MP3 Music Files - Decrypting Lost Document & Zipped File Passwords - Diagnosing Bad Hard Drives - Diagnosing Bad Memory - Dual OS Installation of WindowsXP 32-bit/64-bit - Encryption and Online Privacy - Ergonomics & Computers - Flashing a Video Card BIOS - Flash Memory Data Recovery and Protection - Firewalls and Internet Security - Firewall Setup and Configuration - Forgotten Passwords & Recovery Methods - Formatting and Partitioning a Hard Drive - Fundamentals of Upgrading a PC - Hard Drive Data Recovery - Home Networking and File Sharing - How to Install An Intel Socket 775 CPU and Heatsink - How to Fix Homesite Design Mode to Work in WindowsXP/ Vista - How To Make a Budget Desktop Computer on the Cheap - How to Update a Motherboard BIOS - Installing RAID on Desktop PCs - Installing WindowsXP

- Internet Connection Sharing - Legally Copying Software and Music - Linux Part 1: Getting Familiar - Linux Part 2: Installing a PC - Linux Part 3: New Software - Little Known Features of WindowsXP - Making DVD Movies from Video Files - Most Common Ways to Kill a PC - Optical Drives & Recording Formats - Overclocking the CPU, Motherboard & Memory - Overclocking the Videocard - Preventing Data Theft from a Stolen Laptop - Printer Sharing on a Home Network - Quick Guide for Eliminating Spyware and Hijacker Software - RAM, Memory and Upgrading - Registry: Backups, Repairs, and Protection - Remote Access to Computers - RSS Feed Setup & Subscriptions - Setting up an FTP Server in WinXP - Slipstreaming WindowsXP with Service Pack 2 - Spyware Protection and Removal - Stopping Spam - Synchronizing Files and Folders - Unattended Windows 2000/XP Installations - Understanding & Creating Batch Files - Understanding & Tweaking WindowsXP Services - Upgrading A Motherboard Without Reinstalling - Upgrading Win98 to Windows XP - USB Memory Drive Projects & Tips - VPNs and Internet Connection Security - Website Hosting From A Home PC - Website Hosting With Apache - Windows XP Command Prompt - Windows XP Safe Mode Explained - Wireless Home Networking - Wireless Network Security Got an idea for a Guide we haven't already covered? Send it in.