Transitioning out of XP

Discussion in 'Software' started by nienaberm@fuse.net, Apr 25, 2014.

  1. nienaberm@fuse.net

    nienaberm@fuse.net Private E-2

    There is conflicting info about how best to upgrade from XP. Am looking at Windows 7 but there seem to be issues about the mechanics of making the upgrade. Windows 8 appears to need more time. Any opinions/ personal experience?
     
    nienaberm@fuse.net, Apr 25, 2014
    #1
  2. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi

    There are many factors to upgrading as in are you upgrading a corporate network or just a home PC?

    How old are/is the PC?
    Is the hardware you have and all of it as in mouse, keyboard, printer, graphics card etc compatible with Windows 7 or 8? you can run the Windows 7 Upgrade advisor to check the compatibility of your PC

    If your PC is say over 6yrs + old then think with the cost of Windows 7/8 is the hassle worth it with old hardware, in the main better to do a full PC upgrade to hardware that's compatible with the later Windows versions. Do also check that all your favoured software is Windows 7/8 compatible or have updates to make them compatible.


    Can use these
    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/help/upgrading-from-windows-xp-to-windows-7#T1=tab01


    Personal note:
    I have updated many PCs to Windows 7 or 8 fine from XP based PCs but some do need a bit of research into Drivers for hardware as this is the main sticking point.
     
    DavidGP, Apr 26, 2014
    #2
  3. mdonah

    mdonah Major Geek Extraordinaire

    As DavidGP states, device drivers can be a major sticking point. My laptop was an XP laptop on which I tried Win 7 and 8 and couldn't find compatible device drivers. Vista, on the other hand, configured all devices except 2 quite nicely on OS installation. The two devices it didn't configure, my XP drivers work for.

    I also tried Win 8.1 and it too configured my devices on OS installation and the ones it didn't configure, it automatically offered to install my XP drivers in compatibility mode and they worked.
     
    mdonah, Apr 26, 2014
    #3
  4. plodr

    plodr MajorGeek Super Extraordinaire Moderator Staff Member

    Personal experience from March 2014: I have an XP desktop purchased in 2009. I bought a Win 7 upgrade disk around the same time. I'm not ready to let go of XP. I won't put it on the internet. I used Easeus Partition Master. The 32 bit version is free and since XP is 32 bit, I needed to install a 32 bit version of 7.
    I partitioned my hd into 60GB (XP) and 80GB (7). I then did a clean install on the 80GB partition.
    My upgrade disk installed fine but I was not able to install SP1. I tried 5 times and did all sorts of troubleshooting in between the attempts, including running the system readiness tool and updating the update installer. I eventually downloaded the Win 7 with SP1 ISO and installed that in the 80GB partition. I'm posting from the Win 7 install here.

    So, if your hd is large enough and you have a legitimate key for Win 7, consider dual booting. I will eventually wipe the XP partition, after I'm positive I have everything from that side I want. Win 7 has a very good built in partitioning tool so extending the 7 partition to the full hd won't be as troublesome as partitioning XP to make room for another Windows install.
    Also if the computer is 5 years old or newer, Windows 7 probably has all the drivers for it. I did not have to search for anything and I was also able to install my HP networked printer without downloading any drivers.
     
    plodr, Apr 26, 2014
    #4
  5. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi

    Also if you give us your PC make and model if the likes of a DELL, HP, ACER etc, or if a custom build your motherboard make and model and we maybe able to help you with driver advice if you hit a sticking point.

    But I agree with plodr and if you have the HDD space a dual boot maybe a good way to see if you have issues, but the Upgrade Advisor for Win 7 should show you potential issue areas.
     
    DavidGP, Apr 26, 2014
    #5
  6. nienaberm@fuse.net

    nienaberm@fuse.net Private E-2

    Thanks to all for their input!

    The primary computer is a Dell Dimension 3000 with a Intel Pentium 4 CPU running at 3.00 GHz, 2.0 GB of RAM and 50+GB of space on the C:/ drive.

    The Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor Report tells me that the Intel 82865G Graphics Controller is not compatible with Windows Aero. It also tells me that a few drivers are suspect but they can be updated. Most everything else (mouse, printers, audio, most software) is compatable with Windows 7.

    When I spoke to Dell about what would be needed for the upgrade, they told me curtly that I needed a new system (of course). They would give no information or help as to drivers, controllers or anything else. So much for customer loyality for someone with three Dell machines!
     
    nienaberm@fuse.net, May 9, 2014
    #6
  7. mdonah

    mdonah Major Geek Extraordinaire

    Since you only have a PCI slot, this graphics card may solve the Windows Aero issue. But, if you're a gamer, it won't do your games much justice.
     
    mdonah, May 10, 2014
    #7
  8. AtlBo

    AtlBo Major Geek Extraordinaire

    nienaberm@fuse.net...

    mdonah is right. I would definitely look into a graphics card for that PC. A 3.0 GHz pentium can do some work, so it would be worth the small expense to upgrade your graphics and have access to all the features of W7.

    Just looked at the Passmark benchmark for the GeForce graphics card. It benches at 27 compared to the newer cards which are at 6000 or even 7000, so I think I would recommend something more like an NVIDIA quadro NVS290. It uses only 15 watts of power and benchmarks at 102, almost 4x better.

    This is a workstation graphics card that I have used in a core 2 duo PC system, and I have played QuakeLive using it an even games like Silent Hunter 4, which is very graphics intense for a circa 2000 game.

    For general use other than games, the NVS290 I think would be far better than the GeForce 6200. Also, the NVS290 can be bought new on eBay for as low as $10 delivered:

    http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sac...adro+290&_dcat=27386&rt=nc&LH_ItemCondition=3

    Another good option would be a Radeon HD4350. It uses around the same amount of power and benchmarks at 177. Probably going to run a little bit higher in price, but seriously better performance than the NVS290 in this range of graphics cards.

    If you buy a graphics card, make sure you get a full height card for a tower PC and not a low profile one. Also, make sure you have a DVI to VGA adapter if the card doesn't have a VGA connector.

    Graphics cards are such a huge improvement over onboard graphics for the era of PC you have, especially. Wholeheartedly second mdonah's suggestion and recommend this upgrade if at all possible...
     
    AtlBo, May 10, 2014
    #8
  9. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi

    sadly I would have to agree with Dell in that the Dimension 3000 is too old to really run Windows 7/8 properly, XP is the best OS for that spec of hardware I'm afraid. You could probably get to as an OS upgrade to Windows Vista 32bit ok, as there are Dell drivers available for this OS, but I would not as you really would need 4GB ram to run it ok as with Win 7/8 4GB + or ram is really needed.

    We could get Windows 7 to work with your PC but it would not be great as to speed or experience, as more hardware as ram expansion to 4gb and as mentioned a new GFX card and likely a larger HDD as 50GB does not cut it these days in which Windows versions can take up 20GB+ easily

    I would honestly put the effort and save cash for a new PC with Windows 8.1
     
    DavidGP, May 10, 2014
    #9
  10. plodr

    plodr MajorGeek Super Extraordinaire Moderator Staff Member

    Someone at another forum had a Dimension 2400, here is his solution from last week
    He unboxed the computer on Thursday or Friday and is now getting familiar with Windows 7.

    I've purchased 2 refurbed business Dell computers in the past for my husband. The desktop he is currently using with Win 7 was purchased more than a year ago and cost me something like $189 and included a genuine Windows 7 MS holographic DVD! You don't even get a DVD with a new computer. I did pay a bit more to get an additional 2 GB of RAM installed so the computer has 4GB.

    Look around and you might be able to get a refurbed business computer with Win 7.
     
    plodr, May 10, 2014
    #10
  11. JJJones

    JJJones Private E-2

    The used business machine is a worthy idea. I too have recently bought a used dell for my husband. It came with 4G ram and win 7 x64 for $140. Aside from a few tweaks and updates, it has run quite well for him and we are happy with it.

    If you are upgrading the older machine, be sure to go make sure your drivers are up to date after. Most makes of computers, motherboards, etc these days have auto-detect programs on their websites to run to locate drivers and updates. I just upgraded an xp 32 to a 7 64, but I had to reconfigure around a couple of cards that were too old to be reinstalled, so if you have the right ingredients to put back in you can probably do it. It sounds as though a new video card might be a good solution as well.

    Good luck!
     
    JJJones, May 10, 2014
    #11

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