XP or Vista?

not sure about Autocad (check there website).

Do worry about Vista unless you have to, do what I do and install it on a partition as a dual boot.

Don't run VM not worth it with only 2Gb of RAM.

It will want to boot to Vista by default however with your system it should only take about 5 seconds to give you the option to select earlier version when your ready you can try to get Vista to work the way you want, if you have problems you can always boot XP!

Your question presents us with hardware and software requirements. The temptation is to consider the answer with only that in mind.

In considering which OS to install, also consider what other benefits there will be from running either OS. For instance, as a support professional, I get asked to support a variety of Operating systems, and knowledge of those systems is critical to my success. Are there any other benefits you can get from one or the other?

On the surface, your hardware seems to be more than the minimum hardware requirements, however when considering hardware, look to the Hardware Compatability List (HCL) to ensure device driver support for all your installed hardware. See http://www.microsoft.com/hcl

When considering software compatability, the previous poster was correct, see the vendors websites, or check with Microsoft's technet website and search for the latest Vista Application Compatability Update. December 07's is here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943302/en-us

Finally, a word about Virtual Machines. While it is true, as a previous poster said, that 2 GB of ram is light for running VM's, consider upgrading to 3 or 4 GB of ram, which would allow you to run a VM with an alternate OS. Ram is cheap right now, and worth upgrading to the maximum that your hardware allows.

Hope that helps!

-=Ed

As an experiment I loaded Vista on one of my PCs, and have XP on the other ten or so.

I have been working with PCs since Bill Gates was in diapers, by the way.

Vista is cool, but XP works better.

Vista interface is neat and fun and very much like a mac. But WHY does it ask me for permission for every stupid little thing? It's like that stupid warning on my lawn mower that warns me not to use it indoors.

I've never had Vista BSOD on me (yet), but I've had weird and unsolvable problems with my AV software and my HP printer (like HP has decided not to write Vista drivers for it, and NO other drivers will work.)

To choose Vista would not be 'horribly bad' choice, but I would bet that some weird problems might result. The Interface is mighty cool, so it's like that beautiful woman who throws up a lot, you learn to live with it.

For best performance and rock solid reliability XP Pro.

If you want looks and less performance Vista Ultimate. Though a bit more RAM wouldn't go astray.

That is providing that [b]All[/b] your Software is Vista Compatible and it should be from the list provided but you still should check at the Makers Web Site for any other not mentioned and I would also Check the Auto CAD Program.

Col