Windows 7: P4 + 768 Ram OS System and where to source disks for XP/W7.

Background have three old PCs that i want to use for very basic surfing and photo use Pentium 4s 2.8 and 3.4 with 768 or 1024 Ram.



Own 3 serials for Windows XP and 3 upgrades for Windows 7 from XP (online purchase direct from Microsoft and have the install programs saved on the hard drive). Please ignore the OEM issue as these pcs all have OEM serials but I do not want to focus on this issue for this discussion please.

I have 1 XP disk and 1 of the PCs will be shipped abroad for family use of internet, photos and skype (no gaming or demanding graphics etc) so I need duplicate discs to install.

Questions :

1) I want to install XP on the P2.8 and 768MB Ram will this cope with the Windows 7 upgrade.

2) Where can I source XP discs as 2 of the originals and damaged.

3) Is there an easy way to install Windows 7 update without installing XP first to save time?

4) Once installed I guess It will be best to use Windows 7 image backup of should I use something else. I used to use Norton Ghost V5 but the later versions appear more complivated. I need simplicity.

These are basic machines for very basic use.

Thanks for your help.

M

Question 1.

It will cope but just barely. The Processor is fine, but you'll be hurting for RAM for multitasking. Microsoft indicates 1GB RAM minimum for for 32bit Windows 7. I've heard of others on sevenforums installing Windows 7 on machines like Pentium 2s and Pentium 3s, like the infamous DocBrown. Theres a thread where people were bragging about this but I can't find it.

Question 2.

XP discs are a tricky subject. Unlike 7 discs which are legitimately available from Digital River distributions, I'm not sure whether you're allowed to download an XP iso off the internet legally.

http://www.mydigitallife.info/offici...digital-river/

Question 3.

What you meant was "Is there a way to directly apply your 7 upgrade key to a 7 installation without having to install XP first". The answer is yes.

Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

Question 4.

7 image backup is sufficient. Others on the forum would recommend programs like Macrium Reflect Free (http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx) or Free Backup Software: Paragon Backup & Recovery Free Edition - Overview

Hope that helps.

EDIT:- Found (one of) the threads for Question 1.

Will Windows 7 Run on a Pentium 3?

http://technabob.com/blog/2009/06/23...ow-can-you-go/

As long as you have legitimate copies of your OS's, you can burn ISO images of the OS you want and install the OS from the ISO DVD. Remember that the particular ISO download must be bit specific to the original OS bit type.

Download Windows 7 ISO (Official 32-bit and 64-bit Direct Download Links) « My Digital Life

Those are Pre SP1 ISOs.

Get the slipstreamed SP1 ISOs here:-

Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO from Digital River « My Digital Life

Thank you very much for the prompt responses, tips and guides. Going to read through them all now and see what will work best.

Will feed back any results

Awaiting your feed back eagerly.

Help

I've downloaded from digital river the following :

Windows 7 Home Premium SP1-U ISO
English x86: X17-58996.iso

As the key I purchased it from amazon/microsoft last year is for

Windows 7 Home Premium Family Pack Upgrade

and the key is a 3 user license, currently installed on 1 laptop.

When entering the key and I've triple checked correct entry the reports back as the key is invalid.

I do have the original ISO in file format ready to burn so 2 questions :

1) Why is the product key reporting not valid any workaround

2) As the machine is installing there appears to be no escape so when inserting the original iso dvd windows will only boot (taking me back to the install part requesting product key) and not allowing me to restart the install.

I cant locate any specific Windows 7 Home Premium Family Pack Upgrade download iso with SP1

Thanks again

M

1) That's funny. It should work. You can try activating via Phone by calling up Microsoft's toolfree activation phoneline which varies depending on your country.

How to contact a Microsoft Product Activation Center by phone

2) That's also strange. You should have an option to access windows without having to enter an activation key 1st. You have 30 days to use Windows as a trial before activation is required.

I think I have failed to explained myself properly.

This is not the activation part of the install, it's at the ''Type your Windows Product Key'' stage.

I have checked the original emailed receipt from Amazon and the key is correct.

So I need to phone Microsoft, are you able to helkp with a number as tehre appears to be many but none to specific.

Trying the install leaving the key entry ommitted.

Thanks again.

Well, you haven't specified your location, each number depends on your country of origin. US gets a different number, the UK gets a different one and so on.

Yes, try the install again without entering a key this time.