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Microsoft Windows Vista

 

Microsoft Vista and UniSA

Microsoft Windows Vista Business is the preferred version and all testing has been completed on this platform. Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise is also approved for use. The OEM version is not to be used. Each workstation requires a license to be purchased in order to be eligible to upgrade to other Microsoft Desktop Operating Systems under our volume licence agreement (Campus Agreement). Other versions of Vista are not recommended for use. UniSA recommend that Service Pack 1 is applied to address some of the known operating system issues.

Please note that while Windows Vista is approved for use, Windows XP Professional remains the Universities preferred operating system for all desktop and notebook systems.

How to gain access to the software

Vista Business SP1 is located on the software server. All UniSA IT Support staff have access to the Windows Vista installation files.

UniSA Windows Vista Installation Guide

The University has created an installation guide with several configurations that we believe allows the University to best utilise Vista Business . Please note this is a guide only.

ISTS Installation Guide for Windows Vista Business SP1

Application Compatibility

ISTS have tested a range of third party and corporate applications with Windows Vista Business SP1. See the link below for the list of applications tested and the results.

Vista Business SP1 Application Compatibility

Microsoft have released a list for IT Support staff that has 3995 applications listed (both Microsoft and third party). See the link below for the applications and results.

Application Compatibility List for IT Pros Version 1.0

Licensing and Activation

UniSA uses the Key Management Service (KMS) to assign licenses to clients. Default activation period is 7 days with an activation interval of 2hrs. You have a 30 day grace period before you will be forced into reduced functionality mode. Once activated your client will continue to renew activation every 7 days by default and that can be set to a maximum of 30 days. These settings are configured client side.

For users who do not have regular contact with the Universities network, we recommend you apply for a MAK license key.

How do I activate my Vista license? 

Note: While UniSA has under 25 machines registered on the KMS server you will receive an error stating "The return count from your Key Management Service is insufficient". Once we have gone over this threshold you will receive confirmation that Windows Vista has been activated. You will also receive an error in the system tray stating activation failed. This will also disappear once we have reached 25 clients

Wireless

To connect to Eduroam follow the steps in the Getting connected to Eduroam using 802.1x Guide

Known Issues/Differences 

Roxio 9/Sonic Solutions Software Drive Compatibility: These products will install but when you attempt to run them you will receive a "Drive Compatibility" error. You are still able to use this software as per normal just ignore the error.

Using the Run As command: To use the run as command in Windows Vista Business with SP1 you need to have UAC configured a specific way. If you have the UAC turned off you will be able to select run as but certain options will be unavailable (ie. you will not be able to expand certain OU's in Active Directory) See How do I configure UAC so I can use Run As and Windows Server 2003 Admin Tools? for more information.

Oracle: You will only be able to install Oracle 10.2.3.0 Vista patch and above. Previous versions of Oracle are not compatibile and you are unable to upgrade from a previous version. For detailed instructions on how to install Oracle on Vista see How do I install Oracle 10G for Vista?

Folder Structure: Many of the old folder's are obsolete under vista. See the list below for the new folder names and locations

XP: Documents and Settings
Vista: Users

XP: Documents and Settings\$USER$\My Documents
Vista: Users\$USER$\Documents

XP: Documents and Settings\$USER$\My Documents\My Music
Vista: Users\$USER$\Music

XP: Documents and Settings\$USER$\My Documents\My Pictures
Vista: Users\$USER$\Pictures

XP: Documents and Settings\$USER$\My Documents\My Videos
Vista: Users\$USER$\Videos

XP: Documents and Settings\$USER$\Application Data
Vista: Users\$USER$\AppData\Roaming

XP: Documents and Settings\$USER$\Cookies
Vista: Users\$USER$\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies

XP: Documents and Settings\$USER$\Local Settings
Vista: Users\$USER$\AppData\Local

XP: Documents and Settings\$USER$\NetHood
Vista: Users\$USER$\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Network Shortcuts

XP: Documents and Settings\$USER$\PrintHood
Vista: Users\$USER$\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Printer Shortcuts

XP: Documents and Settings\$USER$\Recent
Vista: Users\$USER$\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent

XP: Documents and Settings\$USER$\SendTo
Vista: Users\$USER$\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo

XP: Documents and Settings\$USER$\Start Menu
Vista: Users\$USER$\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu

XP: Documents and Settings\$USER$\Templates
Vista: Users\$USER$\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Templates

XP: Documents and Settings\$USER$\Local Settings\Application Data
Vista: Users\$USER$\AppData\Local

XP: Documents and Settings\$USER$\Local Settings\History
Vista: Users\$USER$\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\History

XP: Documents and Settings\$USER$\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files
Vista: Users\$USER$\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files

XP: Documents and Settings\All Users
Vista: ProgramData

XP: Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data
Vista: ProgramData

XP: Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop
Vista: Users\Public\Desktop

XP: Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents
Vista: Users\Public\Documents

XP: Documents and Settings\All Users\Favorites
Vista: Users\Public\Favorites

XP: Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu
Vista: ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu

XP: Documents and Settings\All Users\Templates
Vista: ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Templates

XP: Documents and Settings\Default User
Vista: Users\Default

 

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