Is it still possible to do a clean install W-7 on a used PC?

Camille · 16 Sep 2020

I clicked on the:

What is the exact SNID number and serial number on yours?

"yours" and read it. It says that the Profile-6 ran XP and Vista Operating Systems when new.

Do these OS's give any clue to which Processor or Ram the PC has?

If I buy a Vista CD, is there a comparable set of install instructions for it?

If not, what would happen if I tried your install instructions?

Would it just not start or be very slow?

Sorry to be such a pain.

It's just that I own the PC and the OS CD and if possible would like to put them to some use.

SIW2 · 16 Sep 2020

You could try installing win7 32 bit and see how it goes. The worst that can happen is it will refuse, or fail to install.

Do you have 32 bit installation media?
The window 7 license key is independent of the bit version, it can be used either for 32 bit (x86) or for 64 bit (x64)

A machine that can run vista should almost certainly be able to run win7.
But that depends if the particular machine you have was specced for vista.
It might only be adequate for running XP.

If you want to run Windows 7 on your PC, here's what it takes:

1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor

1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)

16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)

DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver

SIW2 · 16 Sep 2020

Without knowing the machine specs, we can only guess.

The way to find out is by trying an install of 32 bit win7.

Camille · 16 Sep 2020

Windows is loading from the CD now.
Once I get it loaded, how do I get to:

Simplix Update Pack 20.9.10

Do I need a Browser to do it?

SURPRISE!

The sticker on the front of the PC says:
Intel Core 2 Duo and VPro if these labels mean anything about the Processor.

SIW2 · 16 Sep 2020

You could download simplix on a working pc. copy it to usb/dvd

Then plug that usb into the ancient machine. Copy it onto the hard disk and run it. Probably take a while on old hardware.

Camille · 16 Sep 2020

Thank you!

I should also mention that I needed to set the Date and Time.
That same screen said there was 4GB's of Memory, two plus two sticks.

It must have gotten stuck, for about 20 minutes so I restarted Windows.
I had to reset the Date and Time again.
Maybe I did it wrong the first time.

SIW2 · 16 Sep 2020

Are you installing 64 bit win7 or 32 bit ?

It is possible your machine is specced similar to this, which can run win7 32 bit:

Gateway Profile 6

I think it could take up to 2x2gb =4gb maximum of ddr2 ram. Very cheap nowadays, about £3 to £4 for a 2gb stick.

Camille · 16 Sep 2020

My PC physically looks like the one you gave the Link to.

SIW2 · 16 Sep 2020

They all look similar from the outside. The core 2 duo sticker you have could mean it is similar inside.
If so, one could have easily increased the ram at very little cost, but if you already have 4gb, you already have the max.

I had to reset the Date and Time again.

You might need a new cmos battery. They are pennies from hardware stores.
How to replace the CMOS battery

Camille · 16 Sep 2020

Well, I replaced the CMOS Battery with a new one.
Now, the PC does not Boot and an LED on the Motherboard is flashing.
It 'appears' to be flashing in a three blink rhythm.
I also noticed that the Power On Button, which is normally illuminated BLUE is now a light PURPLE.
Any ideas as to what I might have done wrong or caused?