1.Analyse your computer,prepare to update you should to download the tool name Windows Upgrade Advisor,this tool will check your computer and tell you which version VISTA can be installed in your computer. 2.Check your CPU If you want run VISTA,CPU Clock Speed at least 800MHz 3.Enough Memory If you want run VISTA,you had better use 512M. 4.Look at your Display Card 3D Aero glass effect is the new function in VISTA,so you must check your display card if soppor DX9 5.Sure that your have enough harddisk space Your harddisk at least to 40GB and keep at least 15GB free space 6.Ensure your have DVD driver VISTA is publish thought a DVD,so your computer must have DVD ROM 7.Choose a version fit for you VISTA have five version:Windows Vista Home Basic,Windows Vista Home Premium,Windows Vista Business,Windows Vista Enterprise,Windows Vista Ultimate Vista Ultimate.Which one will you choose?Maybe only you know. 8.Check the application compatibility You can download ACT(Application Compatibility Tool) to help you ensure that which application can't be run under the VISTA 9.Don't forget backup your data 10.Don't forget backup your Notebook Ok!VISTA as a new operation system,we should be cost more time to learn it and test it.This is a very interest thing for me.