XP Upgrade to Windows 7 - no driver for Intel board D875PBZ ?

[Erich56]

I'd like to upgrade a PC which so far was running on WindowsXP to Windows7. The Microsoft Upgrade checker told me that the hardware is okay for Windows7 (2 GB RAM, CPU Intel Pentium4 2x3GHz).
To be on the safe side, I checked the Intel homepage regarding the mainboard D875PBZ and found out, that there seems to exist no driver for Windows7 (or 8/8.1).
What I am surprised about though is that the upgrade checker did not warn me in this regard.
I would assume that if there is no mainboard driver for Windows7 I definitely cannot upgrade this system from XP to Windows7, right?
On the other hand, what is the Microsoft Upgrade Checker good for if it does not recognize such essential things?
Any ideas as to what I can do?

 

[Anshad Edavana]

Hi

Theoretically your board is capable of running "Windows 7" ( BIOS and chipset is okay ) and that is why "Upgrade Adviser" reported it to be compatible. I have successfully installed and managed to tun "Win7" on systems which has lower specifications than yours - such as one with 865 and 845 chipsets. However performance will be marginally low when compared to a modern system. SO i would highly recommend to upgrade your CPU (you can keep the old monitor and save cash )or buy a refurbished CPU which can run 7 fine.

However if you really want to check whether your system is capable of running 7, you can download genuine "Windows 7" install media from "Digitalriver" ( a Microsoft subsidiary ) and use that to do a test install on your system. Both download links and performance optimization tips are covered in the tutorial http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html

 

[Erich56]

is there a way to get or create some kind of boot USB-stick with which I start Windows7, instead of making a complete install on the existing HDD?

 

[Berton]

recommend to upgrade your CPU

Careful there, the CPU is the Central Processing Unit or 'chip' on the motherboard in the PC/Personal Computer case, many times the CPU upgrade will require a compatible motherboard and maybe new RAM/Random Access Memory.

 

[RoasterMen]

recommend to upgrade your CPU

Careful there, the CPU is the Central Processing Unit or 'chip' on the motherboard in the PC/Personal Computer case, many times the CPU upgrade will require a compatible motherboard and maybe new RAM/Random Access Memory.

He's pretty much stuck to a Pentium IV or Pentium D with such chipset (If it's socket LGA 775)

 

[Slartybart]

is there a way to get or create some kind of boot USB-stick with which I start Windows7, instead of making a complete install on the existing HDD?

Nope, but you could put a small 30gb drive in your box
Windows 7 only took up about 20 GB on my machine- some members said less on their machines.

That would give you a good flavor of Win7.

 

[Erich56]

That would give you a good flavor of Win7.

In fact, I have Win7 running on another computer anyway. So, it's not for the purpose of getting acquainted to it, but rather to replace XP which is no longer supported by Microsoft.

 

[Slartybart]

Ah, I see - thanks