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The Windows Vista™ boot process differs from Windows® XP in the way the operating system is located and initialized. Start-up begins with the BIOS loading the Master Boot Record (MBR) on the bootable disk. The MBR in turn loads the Partition Boot Record (PBR) on the active partition. So far, Windows Vista remains relatively unchanged.

Windows Vista is different from XP starting by the fact the PBR code written by Windows Vista no longer looks for Ntldr. The new boot loader in Windows Vista is Bootmgr. This component loads the Boot Configuration Database (BCD), which in turn loads an OS loader boot application (Winload.exe, in the case of Windows Vista). Finally, the OS loader application is responsible for initializing the kernel. This process is illustrated below.

You can think of this change in two elements:

The two key actions performed by Ntldr in previous Windows versions have been divided between two components:

1. Bootmgr reads the boot configuration, including device and path locations.

2. WindowsSystem32Winload.exe initializes the kernel.

The boot configuration stored by Boot.ini in previous Windows versions is now stored in an extensible database, BootBCD, the Boot Configuration Database (BCD).

These changes are significant because of the impact they have:

1. The boot process can be extended to support other applications, such as other operating systems or other versions of the OS.

2. Only nonversion-specific components are stored in the root of the active partition. This means that theoretically Windows Vista could be installed on a machine running some future Windows version with the same boot structure, and it would not break the boot process for that future version. With legacy Windows, installing an older Windows version last causes the newer version to fail on start-up. This is due to version-specific code improvements in Ntldr.

3. Tool-oriented boot entries can be supported to offer maintenance options on boot when a previous start-up failed. In the past, Windows supported an menu provided by a target operating system. This new structure can make tools available earlier during the boot process, meaning that they are available even if all OS-specific boot entries are damaged. The Windows Memory Diagnostic tool is provided in the boot menu in this way.

BCD Store

The Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store contains boot configuration parameters and controls how the operating system is started in Microsoft Windows Vista operating system. These parameters were previously in the Boot.ini file in BIOS-based operating systems or in the nonvolatile RAM (NVRAM) entries in Extensible Firmware Interface-based operating systems. You can use the Bcdedit.exe command line tool to affect the Windows code which runs in the pre-operating system environment by adding, deleting, editing, and appending entries in the BCD store. Bcdedit.exe is located in the WindowsSystem32 directory of the Windows Vista partition.

The BCD is a database used by Bootmgr. It contains the functions of Boot.ini and is located in the {ActivePartition}boot folder

Bcdedit.exe

You can use Bcdedit.exe to modify the Windows code which runs in the pre-operating system environment by adding, deleting, editing, and appending entries in the BCD store. Bcdedit.exe is located in the WindowsSystem32 directory of the Windows Vista partition.

Boot.ini Compared to BCD

BCD eliminates the need for Boot.ini in Windows Vista, although Boot.ini is still present on dual-boot systems for backwards compatibility. Because the BCD boots to the boot environment first instead of Ntldr, the location of Ntldr is not verified unless a legacy operating system is chosen.

Configuration Tools

The BCD store can be modified or repaired using several tools:

System Properties in Control Panel

SystemPropertiesAdvanced.exe

Msconfig

Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) Startup Repair

Bcdedit.exe

Bootrec.exe

Most of these tools enable you to perform simple tasks, such as setting a boot menu timeout, setting a default operating system, or configuring boot options such as /SOS and /SAFEBOOT. Others are repair-oriented tools; Startup Repair and Bootrec.exe, in particular, provide automated mechanisms for fixing problems in the BCD.

Bcdedit.exe is the main tool for detailed BCD store modifications. You can use Bcdedit to change Bootmgr options; add boot, delete, and edit boot entries; import and export the BCD store; and create a new store if it becomes significantly damaged. Bcdedit.exe is located in the WindowsSystem32 directory of the Windows Vista partition and is also available in WinRE.

BCD Store Location

The BCD store is a registry hive, stored as BootBCD on the active partition. This hive is loaded but hidden from view in Regedit.exe within Windows Vista. The store is loaded to the following registry location: HKLMBCD00000000.

You can also view the store manually in WinRE by loading the hive from the Boot folder. To obtain a copy of the hive on a running system, use the Bcdedit /export filename command to export a hive file for offline examination. This command exports the BCD store to a file called filename in the current directory.

Related Components

Msconfig

Msconfig is the preferred PSS UI tool for managing boot settings. The tool supports BCD and allows the user to enumerate all BCD objects in the system store. It allows certain elements to be altered for each OS object, including debug settings, safe mode settings, and other popular PSS options. It cannot be used with the WinRE console; Bcdedit needs to be used in these cases.

Bcdedit.exe

Bcdedit.exe is a command line tool that can be used to manage BCD settings. In summary, Bcdedit.exe is a replacement for Bootcfg.exe. However, it is enhanced for better scripting and to expose some of the more powerful features of BCD that bootcfg.exe did not expose for manipulating Boot.ini. Bcdedit.exe is designed to work on previous operating systems and in recovery environments.

For more details on this topic please go to www.wintechhelp.com

Windows Vista may be the next big thing, but it still contains enough quirks and unaccountable behaviors to vex anyone. This unique guide not only discusses the most irritating features of the latest Microsoft operating system and how to get around them, but also explains how to improve Windows and do more with the software than Microsoft intended. You’ll find information on setup, installation, upgrade from other Windows versions, the revamped interface, new security features, (more…)

Microsoft has designated 2 levels of compatibility for the Windows Vista release. These 2 levels refer to hardware that will support Windows Vista to varying degrees. These levels are designated Windows Vista Capable and Windows Vista Premium.

Windows Vista Capable PC

Windows Vista capable, means that your present hardware meets the absolute minimum requirements install and run Windows Vista.

A modern processor (at least 800MHz).
512 MB of system memory.
A graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable, with a minimum of 64mb of RAM.
Windows Vista Premium Ready PC

A Windows Vista Premium Ready PC, means your hardware meets the minimum requirements to use most additional features of Windows Vista that enhances the user experience. In other words, the higher minimum requirements will improve the system performance and enhance advanced media such as Windows Aero. These are the recommended minimum requirements.

1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor). 1 GB of system memory.Support for DirectX 9 graphics with a WDDM driver, 128 MB of graphics memory (minimum), Pixel Shader 2.0 and 32 bits per pixel.
40 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space.DVD-ROM Drive.Audio output capability.Internet access capability.
Summary

The biggest difference between Windows Vista and Windows XP are the system memory and video requirements. Windows XP will run well with 128 MB video card and 1 GB of system RAM. Ironically that should be considered the minimum to install Windows Vista.

Windows Vista is much more graphic intensive than Windows XP and creates a richer media experience. Of course these requirements increase the cost of hardware needed to run Windows Vista. For those who have been dragging there feet on the video and RAM front have the media creators and PC gamers to blame for the extra cost.

If you have read some of my other computer articles or guides you will already know that I never recommend using advertised minimum hardware requirements. When you read the words “minimum requirements”, the bare minimum is what you get. Any time you upgrade a PC to the minimum recommended requirements the results will always be a disappointing.

With that in mind, my recommendations for installing Windows Vista are the following.

2 GHz +, 64 bit or Duel Core processor (Intel Duo Core or AMD X2 for Gaming)2 GB +, of matching system RAM
256 MB +, ATI or nVidia graphics card (not integrated on board)
40 GB +, Hard Disk (15 GB free space required for Vista install)
CD-DVD ROM
Other required hardware should be obvious.

Take note that video integrated on to the motherboard is NOT recommended. Integrated video uses system RAM which robs your system of resources and increases your memory requirements. Also there are add-on video cards that use system RAM and have very little memory of there own. When buying an add-on video card read the memory specifications very carefully.

Windows Vista will run smoothly on a PC meeting these recommendations. Most users will only need to upgrade their video card and add system RAM. Windows Vista supports most of the same hardware that Windows XP supports. Motherboards, Modems, Ethernet, Hard Disks and other common hardware in use today are supported.

Part 2 – Windows Vista Optimization In part two I demonstrate steps to take that will optimize the raw performance of Windows Vista to save yourself ram and time. Coming Soon: Part 3 – Windows Vista Desktop and Interface Customization My system: Dell Vostro 1500 Intel Pentium T7300 2.0Ghz 2GB RAM 120GB HDD Nvidia 8600M GT Song: DJ Shadow feat. Mos Def – Six Days Remix I get my wallpapers from here: interfacelift.com

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Windows Vista Ultimate with SP1

Microsoft Windows Vista is the latest workstation version of the Windows operating system and is designed for both home and business users. MSN Encarta describes a vista as a scenic or panoramic view, and that’s exactly what Windows Vista provides. Not only does Windows Vista have an all-new look, complete with stylish graphical visualizations, easier-to-navigate menus, and enhanced personalization capabilities, but the operating system is also the first version of Windows in which the user experience scales to the hardware capabilities of the computer on which Windows Vista is installed. Although the graphical bells and whistles are excellent, many of the most powerful features in Windows Vista are those that you won’t see at first glance, including the many enhancements for reliability, security, usability, and mobility.

Microsoft provides multiple versions of Windows Vista. There are two versions for home users and two versions for business users as well as an all-encompassing version for users who want all available features. Unlike its predecessors, Windows Vista allows you to upgrade between versions.

Regardless of which Windows Vista version you are using, the core features and the way you work with the operating system are the same. Because of this consistency, this book points out the differences between Windows Vista versions only where necessary.

Upgrading the Windows Vista Versions

Unlike its predecessors, you can easily upgrade Windows Vista versions by using the Windows Anytime Upgrade utility or a Windows Anytime Upgrade disc. You can:

· Upgrade from Windows Vista Home Basic to Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Ultimate.

· Upgrade from Windows Vista Home Premium to Windows Vista Ultimate.

· Upgrade from Windows Vista Business to Windows Vista Enterprise or Windows Vista Ultimate.

Upgrade from Windows Vista Enterprise to Windows Vista Ultimate.

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