Will Windows 7 Run on a Pentium 3?

[iseeuu]

The answer to this question is a resounding yes.

As a project, I took a Dell Latitude PCx Laptop, a P3 500Mhz with 512MB RAM, and installed the Windows 7 Starter Edition from the RC DVD from Microsoft. At this writing it is running well, at least as responsive at the original Windows 98 (the label states it is Windows 2000 ready).

This is how I was able to accomplish this:

The laptop has one internal drive but comes with a floppy and a CD. An included cable allows one external drive to connect (your choice) while the other can be inserted internally. There is one USB port.

First I created a Windows 7 System Repair Disc for 32 bit. You can install a 7 x32 on a 64 bit system, but not the other away around. I had a Dell Inspiron 1100 with the 7 RC and used that to create the Repair CD. Now I can boot into a Windows 7 x86 shell and proceed with the install.

Next I used a 4GB laptop hard drive and a USB case as my USB drive. Using a working 7 x64 computer, I inserted the multi-edition DVD of 7 I created, using this tutorial (thanks septprince), and copied the files to the 4GB USB drive. Then I plugged the USB drive into the USB port on the Latitude.

Now boot the Latitude with the 7 repair CD. The Latitude requires a F12 during boot to bring up a boot menu and select CD. System Recovery Options opens with choices of language and keyboard. Next "Use recovery tools" and at the bottom of the next menu select "Command Prompt". (I really dislike using the command prompt; I can never remember the syntax of those little commands)

At the command prompt you need to find the USB drive and "setup.exe". Type: "C:" without the quotes and hit enter. The command prompt will change to "C:\>". Type "dir" without the quotes and hit enter. This command will show you a list of what is in drive C, though most likely C is not your USB drive. Next try "D:", enter, "dir", enter. Then "E", etc until you find the USB drive. It helps to have given the USB drive a "Label" you will recognize when you were copying files to it earlier. Once you have located the USB drive, type: "setup.exe" without the quotes and hit enter. If it is there the Windows 7 installer will start and the rest is just a normal OS install.

The "Starter Edition" took up 7.5 GB of space. A recent "Ultimate" install used 9.26GB.

I am delighted with how the Latitude works with Windows 7. I believe it will breath new life into this old brick. However, I am having difficulty with the Ethernet. I am looking for newer PCMCIA nic cards that will be compatible with Windows 7 or other possible solutions.

Conclusion

Windows 7 is capable of running on Pentium 3 computers. However, performance is limited by the lack of processing power as compared to current computer technology.

 

[Zidane24]

The answer to this question is a resounding yes.

As a project, I took a Dell Latitude PCx Laptop, a P3 500Mhz with 512MB RAM, and installed the Windows 7 Starter Edition from the RC DVD from Microsoft. At this writing it is running well, at least as responsive at the original Windows 98 (the label states it is Windows 2000 ready).

This is how I was able to accomplish this:

The laptop has one internal drive but comes with a floppy and a CD. An included cable allows one external drive to connect (your choice) while the other can be inserted internally. There is one USB port.

First I created a Windows 7 System Repair Disc for 32 bit. You can install a 7 x32 on a 64 bit system, but not the other away around. I had a Dell Inspiron 1100 with the 7 RC and used that to create the Repair CD. Now I can boot into a Windows 7 x86 shell and proceed with the install.

Next I used a 4GB laptop hard drive and a USB case as my USB drive. Using a working 7 x64 computer, I inserted the multi-edition DVD of 7 I created, using this tutorial (thanks septprince), and copied the files to the 4GB USB drive. Then I plugged the USB drive into the USB port on the Latitude.

Now boot the Latitude with the 7 repair CD. The Latitude requires a F12 during boot to bring up a boot menu and select CD. System Recovery Options opens with choices of language and keyboard. Next "Use recovery tools" and at the bottom of the next menu select "Command Prompt". (I really dislike using the command prompt; I can never remember the syntax of those little commands)

At the command prompt you need to find the USB drive and "setup.exe". Type: "C:" without the quotes and hit enter. The command prompt will change to "C:\>". Type "dir" without the quotes and hit enter. This command will show you a list of what is in drive C, though most likely C is not your USB drive. Next try "D:", enter, "dir", enter. Then "E", etc until you find the USB drive. It helps to have given the USB drive a "Label" you will recognize when you were copying files to it earlier. Once you have located the USB drive, type: "setup.exe" without the quotes and hit enter. If it is there the Windows 7 installer will start and the rest is just a normal OS install.

The "Starter Edition" took up 7.5 GB of space. A recent "Ultimate" install used 9.26GB.

I am delighted with how the Latitude works with Windows 7. I believe it will breath new life into this old brick. However, I am having difficulty with the Ethernet. I am looking for newer PCMCIA nic cards that will be compatible with Windows 7 or other possible solutions.

Conclusion

Windows 7 is capable of running on Pentium 3 computers. However, performance is limited by the lack of processing power as compared to current computer technology.

Good work for providing evidence of the possibility of running Windows 7 on a P.3. Can't wait to read more informative posts from you in the future!

 

[septprince]

The answer to this question is a resounding yes.

As a project, I took a Dell Latitude PCx Laptop, a P3 500Mhz with 512MB RAM, and installed the Windows 7 Starter Edition from the RC DVD from Microsoft. At this writing it is running well, at least as responsive at the original Windows 98 (the label states it is Windows 2000 ready).

This is how I was able to accomplish this:

The laptop has one internal drive but comes with a floppy and a CD. An included cable allows one external drive to connect (your choice) while the other can be inserted internally. There is one USB port.

First I created a Windows 7 System Repair Disc for 32 bit. You can install a 7 x32 on a 64 bit system, but not the other away around. I had a Dell Inspiron 1100 with the 7 RC and used that to create the Repair CD. Now I can boot into a Windows 7 x86 shell and proceed with the install.

Next I used a 4GB laptop hard drive and a USB case as my USB drive. Using a working 7 x64 computer, I inserted the multi-edition DVD of 7 I created, using this tutorial (thanks septprince), and copied the files to the 4GB USB drive. Then I plugged the USB drive into the USB port on the Latitude.

Now boot the Latitude with the 7 repair CD. The Latitude requires a F12 during boot to bring up a boot menu and select CD. System Recovery Options opens with choices of language and keyboard. Next "Use recovery tools" and at the bottom of the next menu select "Command Prompt". (I really dislike using the command prompt; I can never remember the syntax of those little commands)

At the command prompt you need to find the USB drive and "setup.exe". Type: "C:" without the quotes and hit enter. The command prompt will change to "C:\>". Type "dir" without the quotes and hit enter. This command will show you a list of what is in drive C, though most likely C is not your USB drive. Next try "D:", enter, "dir", enter. Then "E", etc until you find the USB drive. It helps to have given the USB drive a "Label" you will recognize when you were copying files to it earlier. Once you have located the USB drive, type: "setup.exe" without the quotes and hit enter. If it is there the Windows 7 installer will start and the rest is just a normal OS install.

The "Starter Edition" took up 7.5 GB of space. A recent "Ultimate" install used 9.26GB.

I am delighted with how the Latitude works with Windows 7. I believe it will breath new life into this old brick. However, I am having difficulty with the Ethernet. I am looking for newer PCMCIA nic cards that will be compatible with Windows 7 or other possible solutions.

Conclusion

Windows 7 is capable of running on Pentium 3 computers. However, performance is limited by the lack of processing power as compared to current computer technology.

Nice work..

You guys should check out this thread: http://www.sevenforums.com/performance-maintenance/11624-oldest-dinosaur-running-win7-3.html

 

[iseeuu]

Nice work..

You guys should check out this thread: http://www.sevenforums.com/performance-maintenance/11624-oldest-dinosaur-running-win7-3.html

Yeah! I read that over before I started this project. It inspired me.

In my opinion, a P3 933MHz or above with 512MB Ram should be absolute minimum hardware if one really wants to use the PC. Can't do multi-media, but can surf and email and stuff. And the hardware is dirt cheap now.

Robert

 

[septprince]

The fact is computer geeks like us wont be satisfied by using such a old hardware and Windows 7 starter version.But we always like to push our computer to its limit....

 

[Capella]

The fact is computer geeks like us wont be satisfied by using such a old hardware and Windows 7 starter version.But we always like to push our computer to its limit....

well said
im glad that it would actually install on a pentium3
now lets try the pentium 2....

 

[czahn2001]

I am running a AMD 64 very upgradable and it runs 7 awesome. Buyt i was wondering if I could install the Rc to windows 7 onto a pentium 3 660 MHZ 13 gig drive 512 ram nvida gforce 440 mx with tv out. Is it possible for me to install windows 7 onto that machine. I am letting my friend use my old windows xp home because I just bought anew pc and it has windows xp professional on it which is better then home. I would run 7 on it but I can't burn dvds with it because I only have nero 7.10 ultimate. So i am running xp. But I am going to install windows 7 64 bit rc edition at the end of this month.

But the real reason is can I get it to work on that pc. and if it worked on the pentium 3 would it still be quicker then windows xp or would it be slower.

 

[Antman]

...But the real reason is can I get it to work on that pc. and if it worked on the pentium 3 would it still be quicker then windows xp or would it be slower.

The older machine is better suited for XP. By far.

 

[iseeuu]

I am running a AMD 64 very upgradable and it runs 7 awesome. Buyt i was wondering if I could install the Rc to windows 7 onto a pentium 3 660 MHZ 13 gig drive 512 ram nvida gforce 440 mx with tv out. Is it possible for me to install windows 7 onto that machine. I am letting my friend use my old windows xp home because I just bought anew pc and it has windows xp professional on it which is better then home. I would run 7 on it but I can't burn dvds with it because I only have nero 7.10 ultimate. So i am running xp. But I am going to install windows 7 64 bit rc edition at the end of this month.

But the real reason is can I get it to work on that pc. and if it worked on the pentium 3 would it still be quicker then windows xp or would it be slower.

Hi czahn2001 and welcome to Windows 7 Forums!

On this topic I can only offer an opinion (as others have done and will do after this) as to whether a P3, 660, 13GB, 512MB computer will successfully run 7. It is possible 7 will install on this machine although I had a P3 ASUS motherboard that 7 just refused to install on, so the only way to know for sure is to try. Your processing power is very limited and 13GB of space is barely enough to hold the 7 Ultimate RC. In my opinion, I think you would be dissapointed if you were to try to watch TV with the GeForce 440MX or burn DVDs. Had you considered other alternatives like ubuntu? Runs nicely on a P3.

If you choose to experiment with this box by all means, please post back and let us know how it turns out. No doubt, many others will wonder the same thing?

Robert

 

[czahn2001]

Windows 7 running on pentium 3

I just wanted to know because I have my copy on the pc for my friiend to use it. But I paid 150.00 for the os so I want to get it back. I was considering to install it on the pc becaue it is free and faster. but I was not going to try it unless Ineeded to. I would rather not on a pc that old. that pc is a ibm 335 gl. I was considering ubuntu 9.04 but he is illiterate so I didn't want to put that on there. because you need to know you way around a pc if you run that. otherwise you won't get far. I know how to run ubuntu farely well, but I have allot to learn. I like it better then windows though. but this person that I am letting him use that pc. well he would screw it up using that os. Because with ubuntu you have to be careful. it is nothing like windows.

I have windows 2000 but, He didn't like that. he said it was too slow. and xp ran faster.

So I don't know what I am going to do about that.

 

[czahn2001]

here is another question

How well would a del latitude 1.6 ghz centrina 32 meg raiden 80 gig hard drive run. Becauyse I have another friend I want to install the rc trial on his pc. because it is so much better then windows xp. I was wondering if it would run well on there.. well i don't know if it is a latitude or not I forgot. anywasy it is a centrino 1.6 ghz. So i was wondering would it be able to run windows 7 without any problems. on a 32 meg card. the pc can't be upgraded. to a better card. I am afraid because of the card being 32 meg that it may not work. because it requires more then 32 meg from what I read.

 

[iseeuu]

How well would a del latitude 1.6 ghz centrina 32 meg raiden 80 gig hard drive run. Becauyse I have another friend I want to install the rc trial on his pc. because it is so much better then windows xp. I was wondering if it would run well on there.. well i don't know if it is a latitude or not I forgot. anywasy it is a centrino 1.6 ghz. So i was wondering would it be able to run windows 7 without any problems. on a 32 meg card. the pc can't be upgraded. to a better card. I am afraid because of the card being 32 meg that it may not work. because it requires more then 32 meg from what I read.

Sorry czahn, but you lost me @ the 32 meg card? Translate for an old, sometimes dense man?

I have 7 on a Dell Latitude D505, running nicely. This D505 is using a 1.5 GHz Pentium M and 1GB of RAM memory. Includes a 30GB hard drive.

I hope this helps you some?

Robert

 

[DocBrown]

well said
im glad that it would actually install on a pentium3
now lets try the pentium 2....

I done both a Pent_3 & a Pent_2 Dual CPU



http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/1657-windows-7-old-computers-9.html




" Doc "

 

[iseeuu]

I done both a Pent_3 & a Pent_2 Dual CPU

AMAZING I guess it is back to the future of past computers?

Thanks for the link ...... nice post!

Robert

 

[verticalgrain]

Last night I installed 7 on a Pentium III 700 mhz with 512 mb ram - it was going to be a 500mhz 128 mb machine but at the last minute my friend gave me the 700 mhz processor and a bunch of extra ram.

It runs awesome - at least as fast as the windows 98 it replaced. It lags a little bit when I open a web browser or other programs, but it's not bad at all. Things like opening the start menu are very snappy, which is great.

Overall I am super super impressed with Microsoft for making 7 able to run on such old machines so well. It's brought this machine back to life for sure.

 

[iseeuu]

Last night I installed 7 on a Pentium III 700 mhz with 512 mb ram - it was going to be a 500mhz 128 mb machine but at the last minute my friend gave me the 700 mhz processor and a bunch of extra ram.

It runs awesome - at least as fast as the windows 98 it replaced. It lags a little bit when I open a web browser or other programs, but it's not bad at all. Things like opening the start menu are very snappy, which is great.

Overall I am super super impressed with Microsoft for making 7 able to run on such old machines so well. It's brought this machine back to life for sure.

I agree it is amazing. You can get a 933MHz socket 370 for $5, most P3 socket 370 motherboards will support that, and 1GHz to 1.14Ghz for $6 to $8 if supported. Don't know why one would spend any money on a P3, but parts are dirt cheap?

I couldn't get 7 to install with less than 512 memory, but after the install it would run (not well) on 256!

Robert

 

[verticalgrain]

I have several old PIII machines sitting around - lots of people give them away. I am envisioning a lot of use for these, such as a computer lab used mostly for web surfing.

 

[Antman]

Vertical Grain - heads up...

 

[verticalgrain]

Hi Antman - did I make a spelling mistake? Or are links not allowed in signatures?

 

[zigzag3143]

Hi Antman - did I make a spelling mistake? Or are links not allowed in signatures?

VG

Links see ruless here http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/8-forum-rules.html

Just a heads up

Ken