Windows 7 on an old computer?

[sillysock]

I'm wanting to switch my computer from Linux to Windows 7, but I need to know first if there will be any hardware incompatibilities or anything, as some aspects of my computer are rather weak.

Memory: 992.4 MiB
Processor: Intel Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.06GHz x2
Graphics: Intel 915G x86/MMX/SSE2
Current OS type: Ubuntu 11.10 32-bit
Disk: 491.2 GB

 

[linnemeyerhere]

sillysock,
Welcome to SF. Please use this provided tool to check you system !
Download: Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details

 

[sillysock]

sillysock,
Welcome to SF. Please use this provided tool to check you system !
Download: Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details

I can't get it to run, my brother installed Linux on hour computer after it got a virus awhile back, I have no clue how to get anything working in Linux

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Sorry buddy but that makes two of us. But hang tight as someone here will have the needed info. To me the 1gb of ram will way to small to function well, but you might be able to expand that or use ready boost to increase performance.

 

[Qdos]

sillysock,
Welcome to SF. Please use this provided tool to check you system !
Download: Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details

I can't get it to run, my brother installed Linux on hour computer after it got a virus awhile back, I have no clue how to get anything working in Linux

The upgrade advisor tool only runs on prior Windows platforms, not Linux...

 

[whs]

I see no reason why it should not run. To be sure, I would install Win7 but not activate it at first. If it runs, you can still activate it later.

 

[Solidwave]

It should work fine. I've seen good performance out of Win7 on a 1.7 GHz Pentium M laptop with a 1GB RAM and a 40GB HDD. If anything, Win7 32bit is slightly faster than XP on the same hardware.

You'll lose all your files if you switch from Linux to Windows as their respective filesystems are incompatible. If you have any data you need to keep, copy it onto external media formatted with a mutually compatible file system such as FAT32.

 

[stormy13]

It will work but don't go looking for any Windows 7 drivers for the chipset or Intel graphics as there aren't any, as Intel dropped support for the 915 chipset/graphics a long time ago. The best you're going to get for it is either whatever Windows installs buy default or the last XP driver,

Graphics — Older Intel® graphics controllers and Microsoft Windows 7* operating system

As a result you won't get Aero or any of the other new graphical affects in Windows 7. Other than that it should run fine.

 

[wanchoo]

I think it should work but you may have to increase the RAM to 2 gigs or over.

I suggest that you install XP on another partition (you have lots of space on the hard disk) and then run the Adviser as linnemeyerhere has suggested if want to be 100% sure.

 

[DeaconFrost]

I've run it on slower computers than that. Don't expect cutting edge performance, or Aero, for that matter, but it will definitely be usable.

The main components are fine, but if you have anything connected to it externally, like a scanner or printer, check their compatibility first.

 

[essenbe]

I think, like others have said, you should increase the ram, but everything else will work. I just installed Windows 7 on a laptop with a T2390 CPU and 2GB of ram. It works OK.

 

[1Bowtie]

Also do you have a retail version of Windows 7, if so is it OEM, Upgrade, or Full as these things make a difference in how to install.

 

[wanchoo]

Another thing. You might have to run the graphics adapter in Windows XP SP3 compatible mode like I am doing on my 5 year old Desktop. My graphics card does not support Aero but gives support to full resolution range in the compatible mode. Serves my purpose nicely.