Windows 7 on OLD computers

gregrocker said:

Hi again Charlie -

I'd try upgrading the RAM first. Many older GPU's run Win7 fine but with basic (not Aero) graphics. I hardly notice the difference when I use basic Intel 845GC graphics on laptop at the beach, then come home to full Aero.

You can decide to add the graphics card after you see how it runs on that Dell. There could be other hitches that Dell knows about which require aa test run anyway, but I doubt it. The kind of research you're doing tells me you'll likely sort it out as well as anyone can..

You have 30 days to activate any Win7 install which is plenty of time to decide what to upgrade.

Perfect timing, Gregrocker!

I have spend all day trying to figure out what I need to upgrade the B110, and the video is the most frustrating, because all the recommendations date back to 1998 or so, when PCI was common. Those cards are not common now, and it is difficult to confirm what meets the specs. Plus there are power supply headaches.

So I was indeed wondering, do I really need to upgrade from integrated graphics, or is it all about Areo (whatever that is: if I am looking at it on my 7 machine, I don't know it .) So I probably don't need it on this older machine.

Good point on Win 7 activation: don't want to waste a copy on a machine that doesn't work. BTW, is there any downside to purchasing an OEM copy?

With all the generous help here and other places, I think I'll do the installation myself, after all. That should keep the upgrade cost to about 1/3 of a new machine, or better if I don't need graphics.

Thanks, Charlie

gregrocker said:

OEM is for System builders who build rigs to sell. I would go with retail Upgrade which can migrate for life, unlike OEM which dies with the mobo. Best deal right now is Home Premium Family 3 pack for $129 on Amazon, 3 retail licenses for less than the price of one.

Thanks for the clarification! You put me on the right track to research and understand better the whole issue.

However I don't see an advantage in a Family Pack for me when I only have one machine to upgrade, even though a FP is the best value in a broader context.

gregrocker said:

You can also borrow or find an installer to see how it runs first, then buy and insert the key(s) within 30 days if you like it.

This suggestion I don't understand, in spite of further reading. I'm not sure what you mean by an installer. Further, one can't buy a key alone, only the entire product - which is OK by me (extensively discussed on MS forum).

I don't know if I can install a borrowed copy of Win 7 and activate it with the key from a new retail package (same version), rather than reinstalling the new purchase. Is the key tied to a particular cc of Win7?

Further, the update requirements for the two copies are likely to be different, and I don't know if updates are tied to the key or to some other identifier that tells MS what to download.

Any further enlightenment will be welcome!

Thanks, Charlie

Nice work hariharan,