Hewlett-Packard is now offering free Windows Vista upgrades on select HP systems. To be eligible for free upgrades starting today, customers must purchase (or have purchased) between October 26, 2006, and March 15, 2007, a new HP Pavilion, Compaq Presario, or HP Digital Entertainment Center PC bearing the "Microsoft Windows Vista Capable" designation. Purchases must come direct from HP or from select retailers, and customers can upgrade only to the version of Windows Vista that corresponds to the version of Windows XP installed on their PC, HP said.

HP's upgrade plan appears to be free to customers as long as they purchase an eligible PC and have access to HP technical support if they need it during the installation process. According to the vendor, customers who sign up for the free Vista upgrade will receive a kit containing the OS upgrade DVD once it is available, along with an additional DVD from HP that holds the drivers they will need to complete the installation process. The DVD also has a guide spelling out the correct upgrade procedure, HP said.