Windows 7 on an old laptop?

[luckycharms]

Hi Folks,

I have an old thinkpad t43 that came with XP. Do you think Windows 7 would run ok on it, or would it be really slow? This laptop holds a maximum of 2GB ram, so perhaps that would be the kicker. Or, maybe something like Windows 7 Starter would be lighter?

Thanks!

 

[mart4494]

Sure it should install fine but suggest you check out the manufacturers website to make sure the Win7 drivers, etc are available. You could always create a separate partition and work dual boot OS for a while to make sure. That's what I did with a Samsung laptop. Once I was convinced everything was working as it should I then deleted the old XP and kept Win7. But suggest you do check out the Thinkpad site first.

 

[rraod]

Windows 7 x86 version will run fine on this system. Don't try the 64 bit OS as it needs more than 4 GB memory to run comfortably.

Other than 2 GB RAM, the processor should be fast enough to give good Windows experience.

 

[dreamer]

First of all check out manufacturers homepage if all drivers are available for your said model.

Visit this link Download: Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details and run the upgrade Advisor to check if your laptop can run windows 7 or not.

Lastly You can always dual boot windows xp & windows 7 to have the best of both OS's.

 

[bbearren]

I'm running Windows 7 x86 on a Dell Latitude D800. Dell had no Windows 7 (or Vista) drivers for the D800, and says the D800 won't run 7. The Microsoft Upgrade Advisor also said it wouldn't run Windows 7 because of the graphics card. I had to modify the graphics driver using nVidia Mobility Modder, but Windows 7 had generic drivers for the rest of the hardware. It won't do Aero (not a big deal) and it only has 2GB RAM, but it's as crisp as the XP that I dual boot on that laptop.

 

[dreamer]

I'm running Windows 7 on a Dell Latitude D800. Dell had no Windows 7 (or Vista) drivers for the D800, and says the D800 won't run 7. The Microsoft Upgrade Advisor also said it wouldn't run Windows 7 because of the graphics card. I had to modify the graphics driver using nVidia Mobility Modder, but Windows 7 had generic drivers for the rest of the hardware. It won't do Aero (not a big deal) and it only has 2GB RAM, but it's as crisp as the XP that I dual boot on that laptop.

Windows 7 will and can surely run on generic drivers no doubt about that.But you need drivers in case you need Bluetooth,inbuilt webcam and want to utilize your graphic card.

Well there is no harm in trying windows 7 for 30 days trial period to see if everything is working and upto your satisfaction,then buy license or activate windows with your valid product key.

 

[bigmck]

I have a second computer, a Dell Latitude D600. It came with XP and I installed Win 7. It only has one GB of ram and it seems to me it runs better on Win 7 than XP. I have no regrets about switching. Like was said above, you can't get Aero but can use the Classic Windows and it works fine.

 

[luckycharms]

thanks folks. i'll give it a shot and report back.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
Actually the 2GB RAM isn't a problem as even these OLD single slot Laptops can be fitted with a single 4GB Module and this will work just fine.

Note it will NOT be one of the more modern DDR3 modules --these have a different nr of pins to the DDR2 modules which is what you'll need for that old laptop -- Even if you DON'T up the memory it will run W7 just fine.

Cheers
jimbo