Should I upgrade to windows 7?

[Bluehippo]

I have an old computer from 2005. It meets the minimum system requirements to run windows 7, however I don't know if it will be worthwhile. It has a pentium 4 2.8ghz cpu, 2gb ddr1 ram, and integrated graphics. Do you think this will be good enough to run windows 7 smoothly?

 

[Bill2]

Run the win7 upgrade advisor. It scans your hardware, devices, and installed programs for known compatibility issues and generates a comprehensive report.

Download details: Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

A few issues I have found on old machines:

1) The graphics card may not support aero, if (in case of intel) it pre-dates the 945GM. So you will not see the glass and transparency etc. effects. That can be a big let-down because it makes windows look very flat and XP-ish. But it depends on what your preferences are.

2) The CPU may not support hardware virtualization, so XP mode will not work unless you use a software solution like VPC.

3) 2 gb is the threshold RAM for win7. If you can add to it, it'll definitely improve your win7 experience.

4) Win7 drivers may not be available for some of the older devices. In that case you need to locate vista and xp drivers, which then need to be installed in compatibility mode.

5) Since you have a 2005 computer, I wouldnt be surprised if you also have earlier versions of many apps- these may or may not work in win7. A few apps I can think of (that no longer work) are adobe acrobat pro 7, partitionmagic and Office 2000.

 

[DeaconFrost]

To add to what BIll2 said, going by his points:

2.) XP Mode now works on non-VT enabled processors, with an extra update, but given the processor in question, any virtualization solution would run poorly.
3.) 2 GB would run great, but 1 GB is okay for basic usage. I used some old laptops for presentations, and they had single-core Pentium Ms with 1 GB of system memory, running Windows 7 x86 Pro just fine.
4.) Chances are, most drivers will be available either during the install, or through Windows Update.
5.) Windows Upgrade Advisor 2 will tell you if you have any software that isn't compatible. Don't worry if you do, though, because you can either get updated versions, or alternative apps in most cases.

 

[strollin]

I have a 3.0Ghz P4 machine with 1G RAM that runs Win 7 quite well. It has video integrated into the mobo and supports Aero with no problems. It would be able to run more apps simultaneously if I added more RAM but with 1G it runs well enough to surf the web and read email and such. It is able to run Win XP mode (as already pointed out, hardware VT support is no longer required) but again, with the installed RAM I'm limited in how many apps I can multitask with. However, performance is acceptable unless you want to play games.

 

[myzr7]

Bluehippo, Welcome to SevenForums. I would buy a new pc unless you know how to backup all you important data and then transfer it to your new OS. Also if you are very good at installing software and drivers then setting up and configuring maybe seven will work for you on your older PC. However if you buy new then you would have your older PC to use still while you get acclimated and setup your newer PC. You would stand a better chance against lost data because there is no upgrading from xp to win7. You must clean install 7, Good luck to you with this. Finally yes Windows 7 is very much worth the time and effort to move to.

 

[Spidey1976]

I'm running 32-bit Home Premium on a 2004 Dell Server just fine (including Aero effects and slideshow desktop) - specs: Xeon 3.06 gHz - 2 GB PC-3200 DDR - I'm also using an add on 256mb nVidia GFX card - runs great, including older games like the Sims 1 and Star Wars Empire at War

I tried Vista for a few months before getting 7 for it and 7 runs much better

 

[EpicThorn]

Your gear will run Windows 7 just fine. The laptop I am on now is way more under powered than your rig, and Win7 Home Premium hums along nicely.

 

[karlsnooks]

I have an old computer from 2005. It meets the minimum system requirements to run windows 7, however I don't know if it will be worthwhile. It has a pentium 4 2.8ghz cpu, 2gb ddr1 ram, and integrated graphics. Do you think this will be good enough to run windows 7 smoothly?

Follow myzr7's advice.

You will be happier with your end-result.

You can get win7 to run on very inadequate hardware, but----my experience on such systems has been that you are better off running XP sp3 on such.

 

[EpicThorn]

Ok, just slapped together a system matching your specs. Only downside was the sound drivers, needed to go online to find them.

 

[Bluehippo]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the advice. I already have my data already backed up on my newer computer. So I'm going to completely reformat the hard drive and do a clean install. The windows 7 upgrade advisor said I might not be able to run aero. But I could always just go to microcenter and buy a cheap pci video card.

 

[myzr7]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the advice. I already have my data already backed up on my newer computer. So I'm going to completely reformat the hard drive and do a clean install. The windows 7 upgrade advisor said I might not be able to run aero. But I could always just go to microcenter and buy a cheap pci video card.

Good deal Blue.. Sounds like you got a good plan together. You know there are all kinds of how to tutorials on this sevenforums to help you with your install. I did the same thing with a old sony vaio pc that had a P4 3.0 and 1g ram and it needed a graphics card upgrade to run aero. Lots of them to be had for around $40 online. Good luck to you with your project.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/257-windows-7-tutorial-index.html

 

[karlsnooks]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the advice. I already have my data already backed up on my newer computer. So I'm going to completely reformat the hard drive and do a clean install. The windows 7 upgrade advisor said I might not be able to run aero. But I could always just go to microcenter and buy a cheap pci video card.

Let us know how things go. I'd be interested in hearing if the results are satisfactory-I know they will work, but the question is if you are pleased with the end-result.

 

[strollin]

It will work fine as long as you have realistic expectations and don't be surprised when your WEI isn't all 7.9's!

 

[Colonel Travis]

It will work fine as long as you have realistic expectations and don't be surprised when your WEI isn't all 7.9's!

Just a side note - has anyone ever seen all 7.9s? I asked this in another part of the 7F a few months ago and no one had.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Just a side note - has anyone ever seen all 7.9s? I asked this in another part of the 7F a few months ago and no one had.

I have.*



* but those numbers were changed manually. WEI is largely useless, so I'm not sure why so many people get hung up on it (not accusing you...just make a generalization). I run it once to make sure Aero is enabled, and that's it.

 

[Bluehippo]

Sorry for the delay. I needed to go to the store to buy a DVD drive. While I was there I also picked up a Geforce 8400 gs pci video card. I just installed windows 7 and it works great. I'm loving the homegroup sharing feature. I remember with xp it was really confusing to set up a home network. Anyways the computer runs a little slower than it did with xp, but overall it's great. I think I might upgrade my laptop too.

 

[Petey7]

Glad to hear to hear it works well for you. My dad has a similar pc, and I was wondering if it would be capable of running 7. Not sure if he's actually want it or not, but good to know.