Windows XP To Windows 7 ?

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 7 May 2014 9:16 am

Our old Dell desktop computer is about 10 years old. It still has Windows XP. We are going to purchase a new laptop and move into this century; however, I was wondering if I should update the OS on the old computer to Windows 7 and keep on using it, along with the new laptop.

Is there a website I can go to, whereby the computer can be analyzed to see if Windows 7 will work on it?

Lee, from South Texas

Ian Worley · Post by **Ian Worley** » 7 May 2014 9:52 am

this will give you what you're after:

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download ... aspx?id=20

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 7 May 2014 12:20 pm

A 10 year old Dell is not a poor candidate for Windows 7. That would put it in the Dimension 2400/8200/8300 era. That machine will not run Windows 7.

Steve English · Post by **Steve English** » 7 May 2014 3:04 pm

I have a Dell Dimension 4400(Celeron) 2.40g and a Dell Dimension 8250 (Pentium 4) 2.40g, both old computers. I upgraded both operating systems to Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit approximately 3 months ago. The 4400 only has two ram slots with 2gb ram installed (total). The 8250 has four slots. It will running 3.5gb ram in a couple of days.

Both systems run everything just fine with the exception of YouTube videos. When I'm trying to record audio to Audacity or Adobe Audition, they both stutter. I'm hoping the ram increase on the 8250 will eliminate that. Each system is also running dual monitors.

The wife and I both have new Win 8.1 touchscreen laptops with lots of mem and ram, but haven't really played much with mine yet.....still trying to get a few more miles out of the old guys. She's learning the new stuff, so I'll have someone to show me the ropes when I'm ready.

I also kept one hp with Win xp just to run some older programs that we still like to use. It's just not connected to the internet anymore.

Windows xp was berry,berry, good to me. I miss it

Ken Lang · Post by **Ken Lang** » 7 May 2014 3:18 pm

Microsoft has gone ahead and re-supported XP, tho for how long we don't know. I have an XP that I ran the update process with no problem. I probably use it online as much as my Win 7 laptop, which I bought because XP was ceasing to be supported.

That's an old 8300 and it still works fine.

Dave Potter · Post by **Dave Potter** » 7 May 2014 3:47 pm

Ken Lang wrote:Microsoft has gone ahead and re-supported XP, tho for how long we don't know. I have an XP that I ran the update process with no problem. I probably use it online as much as my Win 7 laptop, which I bought because XP was ceasing to be supported.

That's an old 8300 and it still works fine.

Hey, if XP still meets your needs, go for it.

I just like all the slick new features built in to Win7, and given the opportunity, I'd never go back. I'm referring to things like native drivers for **current hardware**, etc, and improved system internals, not the goofy fru-fru desktop animation, "aero", and the eye-candy that only slows the system down.

I'm unconvinced that Win8(.1) would be a good idea at this point -I've skipped version upgrades before. But for now, Win7's doing nicely for me, and I'm acutely aware that, were I still running an obsolete version of Windows, I wouldn't have been able to install the latest version of my video editor, Sony Vegas Pro 13, as I just did yesterday.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 8 May 2014 2:58 am

I had a Dell Dimension E510, which is one of the last Dimension models sold before Dell did away with the Dimension line and started the Inspiron Desktop line. It has a Pentium D925 (dual core) and 4GB of RAM (maximum that it could use). I upgraded it from the original XP to Vista 32 bit. It ran Vista 32 bit but I can't say it ran very well. I tried to use it for my Recording Studio system, with an older version of Sonar that was XP compatible and it was a bust. Older single core PC's are even less likely to run something other than XP very well.

In reference to the Dell's. Crucial Memory states the 8250 with the 500Mhz FSB (Front Side Bus) will only take a max of 1.5GB of RAM and the model with the 400 Mhz FSB will take 2GB of RAM. Dell manual states 2 GB for PC800 1.5 GB for PC1066. Crucial is what we recommended for non-Dell branded memory on the Dell forums as Crucial is guaranteed to work in Dell's. Dell' have a history of memory compatibility - there is no pattern on what will work and what will not work, one brand can work in one and not another of the same model. The only consistency we saw was the Kingston Value RAM did not work in any. The 4400 is listed as 1 GB max and the Dell manual also states 1GB max.

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 2 Jul 2014 9:50 am

Ken Lang wrote:Microsoft has gone ahead and re-supported XP, tho for how long we don't know. I have an XP that I ran the update process with no problem.

I'm probably the most stupidiest person when it comes to computers.
I still have have XP. The updates came right after I clicked on "switch off". It sometimes took a few minutes, sometimes less, but this hasn't occured for quite sometime. How did you run an update process, Ken?

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 2 Jul 2014 2:44 pm

Jack... How about a Dimension 9100? I ran the Win7 checker that microsoft has for download. The only things it said would have to be dealt with, was re-installing some of the programs. I bought Win7 for this computer a while ago, but have been scared to install it.

Wiz Feinberg · Post by **Wiz Feinberg** » 2 Jul 2014 2:56 pm

Joachim Kettner wrote:
Ken Lang wrote:Microsoft has gone ahead and re-supported XP, tho for how long we don't know. I have an XP that I ran the update process with no problem.
I'm probably the most stupidiest person when it comes to computers.
I still have have XP. The updates came right after I clicked on "switch off". It sometimes took a few minutes, sometimes less, but this hasn't occured for quite sometime. How did you run an update process, Ken?

There aren't anymore Windows XP Updates, except for updates you have missed. Go to Start > Programs > Windows Update to check if there any you don't have.

Ken Lang · Post by **Ken Lang** » 2 Jul 2014 3:01 pm

I ran the windows 7 updater for my XP. It says every thing will run with win 7, tho I'd have to run 32 bit.
The XP is nicer than the win 7 laptop, because of the big screen I have and the audio system.
I'll just keep using the XP till it breaks, then go to a Win 7 Desktop.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 4 Jul 2014 8:46 pm

Everything in my Dimension 9100 passed the update checker except the video card. If I put in a compatible video card, how do I disable the onboard video?

Dave Potter · Post by **Dave Potter** » 5 Jul 2014 5:49 am

Richard Sinkler wrote:Everything in my Dimension 9100 passed the update checker except the video card. If I put in a compatible video card, how do I disable the onboard video?

In the bios.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 5 Jul 2014 8:14 am

Thanks Dave.