i'm using vista ultimate and also used vista black edition and yes, it is up to date, but it's d same. i've reinstalled OS three times but still nothing.
with c++ 2008, i meant "Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable Package (x86)".

to GecT, my studio (animation studio) is currently working with MAYA 2008 (we've tried both 8.5 full fledgely and also 2009) on Windows Vista Ultimate!!! if u didn't knew it works with Vista....
the specs used in my studio are
at least core 2 duo 3.0 ghz
G45 or above
3 GB RAM
and every system has got at least 256 MB (lates) graphics card.