What happens in upgrade if my graphics card won't take Aero?

[jbcouk]

Update advisor tells me my current PC will not take Windows Aero (or Outlook Express) in an XP to 7 upgrade. Losing Outlook Express, of course, doesn't worry me. If I just go ahead and use a Windows 7 CD to change the OS on the machine, without doing any adjustments re. Aero - what will happen?

Naturally I'm hoping that someone will tell me not to worry, and that the machine will just retain the XP user interface. Is there some kind soul who knows about these things that can give me the good news, please? The reason I'm asking is that I don't want to buy a 7 CD and then find out it can't be done.

 

[gregrocker]

It will revert to Basic theme and likely run and look just fine, if there are no other issues found by Windows 8.1 - Microsoft Windows.

On some of my installs I've been able to get the latest XP driver to perform better by installing in http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/316-compatibility-mode.html

Before doing the Win7 clean install look over these same steps for doing a perfect http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164 which compiles everything not to forget in the old install, the actual steps to get the cleanest and best install, and the tools and methods to keep it that way.

During the actual install whose steps are illustrated here in http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html you'll want to use the Drive Options pictured in Steps 7/8 to delete all partitions, create and format new as you wish, then install to the first large partition (ignoring the small boot partition it creates).

Feel free to ask back if you have any other questions.