New
#11
It might be worth the money to get a DVD R/W drive now since the prices are fairly reasonable now. Do you know what kind of Video card slot your computer has ? (AGP or PCI, or other ?)
Thinking of installing Windows 7
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Posts : 9,606 Win7 Enterprise, Win7 x86 (Ult 7600), Win7 x64 Ult 7600, TechNet RTM on AMD x64 (2.8Ghz)
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New #12
I am not quite sure. Should I be concerned about the 256 MB Graphics Memory?
Operating System: Windows XP* Professional, Service Pack 3 (5.1.2600)
Default Language: English
DirectX* Version: 9.0
Physical Memory: 2039 MB
Minimum Graphics Memory: 8 MB
Maximum Graphics Memory: 256 MB
Graphics Memory in Use: 9 MB
Processor: x86
Processor Speed: 2791 MHZ
Vendor ID: 8086
Device ID: 2992
Device Revision: 02
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Posts : 9,606 Win7 Enterprise, Win7 x86 (Ult 7600), Win7 x64 Ult 7600, TechNet RTM on AMD x64 (2.8Ghz)New #13
You may want to run this program System Info for Windows.
It will tell us your motherboard & video card, etc.
Upgrading you video card will depend on how much graphics intensity programs you use, Gaming, graphics software designing, watching videos, etc
SIW | System Information for Windows by Gabriel Topala
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New #14
I installed that program. It says that I have 256 MB of video RAM as well. I will be doing basic Internet surfing, e-mail, and Youtube. Sometimes, I run Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004. Do you think I'll be okay? My concern is if Windows 7 doesn't work well, I want to be able to somehow revert back to XP. Thanks for all of your help!
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Posts : 9,606 Win7 Enterprise, Win7 x86 (Ult 7600), Win7 x64 Ult 7600, TechNet RTM on AMD x64 (2.8Ghz)New #15
Since HD's have become fairly cheap also, & you only have a 80GB hd, would you consider getting a new HD to put win7 on & saving your XP HD as is just in case you don't like win7.
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New #16
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New #17
So I'd be okay with 256 MB of video card space? How does the Windows.OLD folder work? How exactly would I revert back to XP using that? I am pretty sure I am going to like Windows 7, but just in case...
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New #18
Have a look of my post at the end of the previous page that you might have missed. Windows.old is just transferring your files from XP. But I would very highly advise you to make a clean install and not an upgrade. Just save you own data yourself. Anything extra that you let the system do spells trouble.
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New #19
Sorry, I missed that post. Thanks for all of your help! Is the backup to the external hard drive the same procedure as imaging it to the DVD? If so, can there be other files on the external hard drive, or can the image be the only one on it? Also, can I still use Microsoft's tool to transfer all of my files and settings onto the hard drive while the image of XP is on there as well? Thanks once again!
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New #20
Yes, the XP backup image should be saved to an external drive. I would use free Macrium Reflect which is easy to use and reliable. You make a boot CD which would be used if you ever need to reimage your HD from the stored image file.
From your ongoing description, I believe you'll be fine with Windows 7. Just make sure to bring any issues to the appropriate forum here and you'll get the help you need to sort it out.
You'll want to be sure you have the latest BIOS version update, boot the Win7 DVD to get the cleanest possible install using Custom>Drive Tools to delete all partiitions, create New one(s) as you wish, then format before install. The installer will see XP during bootup to allow use of Upgrade version key.
The installer is mostly driver-complete, with newer arriving quickly via Windows Updates. Then get any missing drivers/apps from the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer/device. Get your system image after it is set up as you like using WHS's tutorial.
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