RICHMOND, Va., Jan. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Circuit City Stores, Inc. will welcome the revolutionary new Microsoft(R) Windows Vista(TM) operating system (OS) with launch parties in select stores and a special Web event that will offer consumers an extraordinary opportunity to exchange views online with unbiased and recognized experts in the computing world.

Windows Vista is the next generation of Windows OS and streamlines the computing experience on the most familiar operating system on the planet. Windows Vista is designed to provide easier, more intuitive access to data and includes an enhanced multimedia entertainment experience, increased productivity and improved security. Personal computers using the new operating system and the new OS software are available for presale on January 27, 2007 at Circuit City stores and online at circuitcity.com, for pick up on January 30th.

Circuitcity.com will host a live forum from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET on Monday, January 29, 2007, moderated by Jim Louderback, editor-in-chief of PC Magazine, Patrick Norton, executive producer of PCMag.com's DL.TV podcast, and Joe Elias of Circuit City's firedogSM PC services team. The forum joins other special Windows Vista-related content on the Circuit City Web site and can be accessed from a link on circuitcity.com's home page.

During the forum, consumers are invited to post their questions about the new Windows Vista operating system and interact with the moderators. The forum will be continuously updated during the live program and forum posts will remain available to Web visitors to view afterwards. Consumers can also submit questions prior to the live forum, starting on January 25, 2007.

"We're thrilled to host this interactive forum," said David L. Mathews, president of Circuit City Direct, which operates the circuitcity.com Web site. "This is another step in our journey to create a sense of community online where people can exchange views and learn about technologies, products and services. We're particularly pleased to team up with recognized industry experts from PC Magazine and PCMag.com to provide this exciting opportunity for visitors to circuitcity.com."

"Moving to Vista doesn't have to be a problem," Louderback said. "We're here to help, and I'm happy that PC Magazine, DL.TV and Circuit City are teaming up to make the transition as easy and rewarding as possible."

The Windows Vista forum joins several other discussion forums already operating at circuitcity.com, dedicated to television, home audio, MP3, video sources and cables and accessories. Circuitcity.com staked out a retail leadership role several years ago when it started posting unbiased customer ratings and reviews of consumer electronics products.

Windows Vista Launch Parties and Boys & Girls Club donations:

Circuit City will host launch parties and special store openings at ten locations to celebrate the Windows Vista launch. From 10 p.m. January 29, 2007 to 1:00 a.m. on January 30, 2007, consumers are invited to get acquainted with the new OS, win prizes and meet celebrity guests. At midnight, customers will be able to purchase Windows Vista products.

Immediately preceding the start of the ten launch parties, Circuit City's firedogSM services team and Hewlett Packard will join forces to bring the benefits of Windows Vista to a local Boys & Girls Club. Each of the clubs will receive a fully-equipped computer lab that includes five Windows Vista PCs, monitors, all-in-one printers, digital cameras and accessories. firedog(SM) PC technicians will install the gear at the local Boys & Girls club and provide training for club members.

Circuit City locations hosting Windows Vista launch parties are: CC# 4121, Natick, MA (Boston market) CC# 828, New Tampa, FL (Tampa market) CC# 863, Coral Springs, FL (Miami market) CC# 3638, Hagerstown, MD CC# 3158, Wilmington, DE (Philadelphia market) CC# 3111, Schaumburg, IL (Chicago market) CC# 3552, Slidell, LA (New Orleans market) CC# 3226, Cool Springs, Franklin, TN (Nashville market) CC# 3735, Tyson's Corner West, Fairfax, VA (Washington, DC market) CC# 3549, Short Pump (Richmond, VA market) About Circuit City Stores, Inc.

Circuit City Stores, Inc. is a leading specialty retailer of consumer electronics and related services. The domestic segment operates through 642 Superstores and 12 other locations in 158 U.S. markets. The international segment operates through more than 950 retail stores and dealer outlets in Canada. Circuit City also operates Web sites at http://www.circuitcity.com, http://www.thesource.ca and at http://www.firedog.com.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010709/CCLOGO)