Jan. 30 might be Vista release date

Reader mail fills the spot this week as Microsoft gets ready to release Windows Vista while consumers get ready to flock to the stores for holiday shopping.

Question: When is the release date for Windows Vista?

Answer: That depends. You may be able to get it on a new PC sometime in 2006, but if you want to buy it shrink-wrapped in a box, try Jan. 30, according to the latest theory. Some PC makers will be offering discount coupons for the upgrade this holiday season in lieu of the actual product, depending on when Microsoft gets its production act together.

The product will come in various flavors, including Windows Vista Business ($199 upgrade price), Windows Vista Enterprise (price varies by license), Windows Vista Home Premium ($159), Windows Vista Home Basic ($99) and Windows Vista Ultimate.

(For the latter expect to have to fork over $259 for the upgrade, have a gig of memory and have lots of video RAM. This would be for the user of today's Windows XP Professional who also wants the graphics-intensive "Aero" experience.)

Question: I have been hearing about the Sony laptop batteries that have been recalled from different brands of laptops. How can you tell if your battery is recalled?

Answer: Every battery sold has a sticker on it (usually white).

Enter that sticker in your laptop manufacturer's recall Web site (they all have one now), and it will say if your battery is one of the ones affected. Because there are millions now out there, the Web is the only effective way of checking. If so you will be sent a new battery and a mailer for your old one. My Dell battery was recalled and I received my new one in a couple of weeks; my Apple battery took about four weeks.

(So far, Sony says, the recall has cost it $429 million. Youch. That's a lot of Wega TVs.)

Question: Can one replace the battery in an iPod 4G or do you have to mail them off someplace?

Answer: There are various Web sites that explain the process, which involves patience, a guitar pick and more patience. If you live near an Apple store or a computer repair place you trust, they can do it. Otherwise if you're good with your hands there's not much to it. The aftermarket batteries (if your warranty is expired) are better than Apple's and last longer. However, if you don't trust yourself, leave it to a pro or a teenager with steady hands.

WEEKLY WEB WONDER: Send a phone card to a U.S. soldier overseas today so he or she can phone home for the holidays. Go to the USO Web site, www.uso.org.

---

James Derk is co-owner of CyberDads, a computer repair company, and a computer columnist for Scripps Howard News Service. His e-mail address is jim@cyberdads.com.