Windows 7 on older computer?

[Jhsto]

Hello,

I register especially registered to here to ask that should I install windows 7 on my older computer, which at the moment lacks of speed. It usually crashes if there is 3 tabs or more running on the same time. Temperatures stay pretty cool also, so no problem there.

Specs are about this:

512MB DDR1 RAM
~200MB ATI Radeon
About 2Ghz Processor (i think)

It is package computer from HP bough on 2005. It runs on Windows XP Media Center. Also, if I would install windows 7 on it, can it be installed on the same partition to save the older files and pretty important documents?

Any experience on these? Im afraid that my RAM does not cover the needed specs for Win7.

 

[Imperfect1]

Even if it's possible to run Windows 7 on your system (considering your deficiency in RAM, among other things) it would be a very difficult process that would probably cause you more problems and frustration than pleasure. I think you're better off not installing Windows 7 and saving yourself a lot of aggravation.

 

[Jhsto]

I see. Though before this I searched some threads saying that Win7 is running smoothly on their old laptops.

Ill wait for some more replies before making my decision.

 

[Imperfect1]

Of course. It's always good to get a consensus of opinion. But for whatever it's worth, the issue is NOT that your computer is older, it's that, as you said yourself, your specs are not sufficient to run Windows 7 at all, let alone without constant problems.

 

[beman36]

it'll run fine! but You wont be able to run the aero theme and use a basic theme, I have seen se7en on a pent 3 no problems...but I would recomend picking up an XTRA 512mb ram...

 

[Jhsto]

it'll run fine! but You wont be able to run the aero theme and use a basic theme, I have seen se7en on a pent 3 no problems...but I would recomend picking up an XTRA 512mb ram...

Extra 512 DDR1 RAM = 60$

 

[Jak3]

How can 512 MB of DDR1 RAM cost $60? In the UK you can pick it up for £13 which is about $21.
Jak3

 

[Jhsto]

How can 512 MB of DDR1 RAM cost $60? In the UK you can pick it up for £13 which is about $21.
Jak3

Well, I have to consider it. The fact is that the computer is used generally for banking and as work machine. However, it would still require some power.

 

[JaidynM]

As you will see in the following link, Windows 7 requires at least 1GB RAM to run smoothly.

Windows 7 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Of course, you can install it if you want, but I strongly recommend against it. My old computer (which was extremely out-dated) had about 1GB RAM and it was all over the place. Trust me, it is VERY frustrating when your computer freezes for a couple of minutes when you open more than 2 programs.

You also say in your System Specs that you have Windows 7 Ultimate too. Is this on a different computer? Is it possible to use the other computer?

Sure, Windows 7 is great but for your sake, please stick with XP.

 

[Jhsto]

As you will see in the following link, Windows 7 requires at least 1GB RAM to run smoothly.

Windows 7 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Of course, you can install it if you want, but I strongly recommend against it. My old computer (which was extremely out-dated) had about 1GB RAM and it was all over the place. Trust me, it is VERY frustrating when your computer freezes for a couple of minutes when you open more than 2 programs.

You also say in your System Specs that you have Windows 7 Ultimate too. Is this on a different computer? Is it possible to use the other computer?

Sure, Windows 7 is great but for your sake, please stick with XP.

Yes, I run on my gaming computer with Win7, but the discussion is about the older computer.

 

[Bongo]

You should run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor an see what it tells you.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/10956-windows-7-upgrade-advisor.html
like what the others have said you'll need more RAM.
Jerry

 

[DeaconFrost]

The RAM would be the only thing holding that system back from running properly. Check eBay for some used RAM.

 

[alphanumeric]

If you want to try before you buy, install but leave the product code window blank. That will let you run it for 30 days as a trial, longer if you use the rearm command. If you have a 32 bit DVD I would use that, if you don't just borrow one from a friend.

 

[strollin]

... Also, if I would install windows 7 on it, can it be installed on the same partition to save the older files and pretty important documents? ...

If you bump up the RAM and decide to go ahead, you won't be able to do an in-place install fron XP to Win 7 & to preserve your installed apps and data. You would need to do a clean install, meaning to wipe the disk during the Win 7 install. You would need to backup your data, do the clean install, then re-install all of your apps and restore your data.

 

[Imperfect1]

Take a look at this thread Windows 7 on OLD computers that may give you some additional help from posters who are running (or trying to run) Windows 7 on older computers.

 

[jimbo45]

How can 512 MB of DDR1 RAM cost $60? In the UK you can pick it up for £13 which is about $21.
Jak3

Hi there I agree -- why bother these days -- a NEW netbook can be had for around 200 - 240 USD -- IMO a MUCH better purchase.

Using Old equipment only makes sense if there IS an advantage in using it - such as very serviceable scanners / photo printers etc.

The Video in any case on an older machine is likely to be very poor in any case.

There is nothing wrong in using that machine as a HOME File and Print server but I'd get a new machine myself since the prices on lower end but VERY passable kit is really cheap at the moment.

These days that old machine won't be up to it when browsing the web -- even with the extra 512 GB RAM -- modern Multi-media that you get on a lot of web sites needs faster chips and decent video processing.

Running that machine as an "everyday desktop" will lead to frustration / or certainly not a pleasant user experience.

Keep it as a basic File and Print Server -- that way you can use it and learn something about Servers and Linux too.

A Linux file and print server will EASILY run on that machine -- you wouldn't even need to up the RAM although I would as a matter of course.

Zillions of compact Linux distros are available for FREE download all over the web.

If you've never used Linux before - note that for several years now there has been no problem with LINUX READING and WRITING to Windows NTFS file systems so sharing files between your Linux server and Windows is NO problem- SAMBA is the normal system for sharing and is included in almost every Linux distro that I've ever seen.

A good site to start learning is this one.

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/

and the SAMBA site

http://www.samba.org/


Cheers
jimbo