Hands-on: Installing Windows 7 on an old laptop

Your Average Joe (User):

"Have you tried Windows 7 on an old system, ..." - APC

Why ?

Raindog (New user):

Quoting Your Average Joe:
Why ?

I'll concur. Why?

Dan Warne (Regular user):

Well, lots of people have oldish PCs around that run XP well but couldn't remotely cope with Vista. There's a fair bit of curiosity over whether Windows 7's better performance (and suitability for netbooks) would make it run decently on an old computer too. If so, it's good news for people with spare old computers!!

Raindog (New user):

Quoting Dan Warne:
Windows 7's better performance (and suitability for netbooks)

that's rumoured better performance (on older hardware). As for suitability for netbooks, wont that be a different and stripped down version?
A Netbook build may breathe life into some old hardware, but given the proposed limit to running applications, it's likely an old copy of W2K or a build of Puppy Linux would be a better bet for ancient hardware.

gankul (User):

isn't that why you may as well put it on old hardware, to see if its just rumours of better performance or if there is truth to it?

The Big Baboo (New user):

Quoting Raindog:
Quoting Your Average Joe: Why ? I'll concur. Why?

Eh Probably guys Just to see if it works :)and to see if you can ;)

straker135 (User):

OTOH why not? First time I can remember that a new Microsoft OS has run better than the preceeding version on all sorts of hardware, but then this could be considered to be Vista SP3... Seven runs fine, and with Aero enabled on 2004 era AMD and Intel systems, both with 1.5GB RAM. Runs suprisingly well on a 2005 era laptop with 512MB shared RAM (32MB for video) and still runs Aero. On that system it feels nippier than the XP Professional already installed.

Course these systems are all only used for internet, document creation and media playing or presentation, no grunty games, thats what our game consoles are for. I do not want to have to pay for Win 7 on these systems however, will get it preinstalled on new systems when updating and will bung Linux distros on the old ones. Yeah I know could do that now, my son likes Kubuntu

Carmar (New user):

Yes, I use an old laptop in the kitchen to listen to internet radio (and find recipes, phone numbers etc). Handy and bullet-proof and can be used by anyone as no personal info is kept on it. And if it gets broken I don't really care. But I don't think I'll spend money getting a new operating system. Microsoft better lift its game considerably before I'll even think of wasting any more money on their products.

todd_h86 (New user):

Quoting Carmar:
Microsoft better lift its game considerably before I'll even think of wasting any more money on their products.

I dont remember the last time I bought a MS product off the shelf, I get the technet/msdn subscription licenses through work, but Im actually considering purchasing 7 whens it released.

todd_h86 (New user):

To people asking Why

Why not?
Why do i get people ording massive systems and asking for XP to be installed? Why?

CHOICE!

I have a few older laptops around my office and they have all got the Windows 7 build 7077 treatment, so when 7 is RTM and it comes time to sell/support the OS, I can say well I have tested it on a PC with these specs and this is what my experience was. I know I know its still in Beta build, but I cannot see the performance of Windows 7 decreasing, an increase would be an unexpected surprise though!

Also, I know for a fact that Windows 7 runs absolutley brillant on my EEE PC 701 (first gen - 900Mhz CPU 4GB SSD and 1gb RAM). Yes, I had to Vlite it to fit on the smaller drive and bump the RAM to 1GB, but I still have full functionality, except for the aero effects which on the smaller screen dont really matter. But it also means that on the newer netbooks (Aspire 1, Wind EEEPC 900 etc) or other atom based computers Windows 7 will run better than XP.

Why do people put linux on older machines? Because they can then use the latest build and not have to have a state of the art machine (most of the time)

Quoting Raindog:

A Netbook build may breathe life into some old hardware, but given the proposed limit to running applications, it's likely an old copy of W2K or a build of Puppy Linux would be a better bet for ancient hardware.

Fair comment, except with the Started Edition (what most netbooks will be loaded with) and the "3 apps running issue" it doesnt include multiple Internet Explorer Windows, or explorer windows or windows processes, so you can have IE open with many tabs as well as Media player running while using Word and still be able to open up a PDF file from Outlook if you so please, I have tested this myself on one of my old laptops, generally I had about 6 different apps open (mix of native windows and 3rd party apps) and nothing happens until I go one to far, in which case an error msg is popped up saying Im at my limit. This may change but I really doubt that MS would change the core definer between starter and other editions.

todd_h86 (New user):

As a side note, netbooks arent really used for intensive purposes (well not desinged for it anyway) so the limit of 3 apps isnt really a big deal, but if it was on a highend PC or notebook, that would be a different story. On my EEE PC I usually only have Outlook, IE 8 and MSN open at any one time, and occasionaly acrobat reader, so the 3 app limit wouldnt be a hinderance anyway

petert (Advanced Forumologist):

Quoting todd_h86:
On my EEE PC I usually only have Outlook, IE 8 and MSN open at any one time, and occasionaly acrobat reader,


It all come down to what constitutes an "application". Does it include a firewall and virus checker? If so, there is an immediate problem that one of the three will be used (if you used an integrated program).

todd_h86 (New user):

Quoting petert:
It all come down to what constitutes an "application". Does it include a firewall and virus checker? If so, there is an immediate problem that one of the three will be used (if you used an integrated program).


From the documents from Microsoft I have been reading, no, an application doesn't constitute a utility or service such as firewall, AV, and other background services, I have been reading of people using the beta and runnings certain apps as services and getting around the limitation, but it hasnt been spelt out what an app is yet but I can safely assume it wont include vital system utilities.

Raindog (New user):

Quoting todd_h86:
but I can safely assume

Assuming is never a safe thing to do!

Your Average Joe (User):

Quoting todd_h86:
CHOICE!

I'm not too sure why anyone thinking it would be wise to splurge on a new OS ($200 to $300) to run it on a 5 year old machine would consider that as a good 'choice' !
But hey ! Go ahead. MS would love it.

todd_h86 (New user):

Quoting Your Average Joe:
I'm not too sure why anyone thinking it would be wise to splurge on a new OS ($200 to $300) to run it on a 5 year old machine would consider that as a good 'choice' !
But hey ! Go ahead. MS would love it.

Well I dunno, lets look at it
Windows 7 - $200 - $300
New PC - $900 - $3000

Your logic seems flawed....

I have a lot of people who like to be to date but dont have the funds available for a new system everytime a new OS is released, so and OS that doesnt require a new decent system (ala Vista) is to me a good thing, especially in these tough economic times..... (I had to... I did..)

Your Average Joe (User):

Quoting todd_h86:
New PC - $900 - $3000

True ! But that would come with Win 7 when it is RTM OEM.

Jeff (New user):

Quoting Your Average Joe:
splurge on a new OS ($200 to $300)


You're being a bit generous there - That might just get you the starter edition or basic version (not that you can get it here in Australia). If you look at home premium it'll probably be ~$400, professional ~$500 and ultimate ~$600 (unless of course they have decided to be reasonable since vista...)

Your Average Joe (User):

Quoting Jeff:
You're being a bit generous there -

Unfortunately, you may be right here.
Although you could source it from overseas or, luckily, in my case I would get staff discount :)

Halcon (User):

I have a DELL Optiplex G260 computer, I have installed Windows 7 on it.
This Machine is a Pentium 4, 1.80 GHz with 1 GB of memory and 200 GB Hard Disk capacity (the last of the IDE technology, as most of the drives are now manufactured in SATA form factor).
Installation were good, I have installed the drivers for the Video, Sound, Network, I have found no problems.
The real concern is the price tag Microsoft will impose to this software, so many people will find it unattractive and jump off to the queue and get the pirated alternative.
My word of advice to Microsoft is to price this software to a lower price and a more relaxed licence for 5 computers in home use, this will not undermine its profits on the contrary it will sky-rocket its sales because people will be willing to buy it.
Also, a one size fit all version would be much better, leave apart the server edition (currently the 2008 version) as it, because that version is aimed for the medium and large companies; for the less privileged people who has nothing to do with that kind of environment let this software to be available for everyone.
I dare to challenge Microsoft to match the open source offerings for a free operating system, if some individuals or business need support, then its reasonable to charge a fee for the service, this is fair.
Now, I hope this is viewed in a more positive context, I know some people may want to buy this software anyway when it comes around, but it should be noted that not all can afford to upgrade to the latest version due to economic constraints if the user has more than one computer or maybe there are 5 PCs at home.
This software will be available some time later and a few months later it will be superseded by another version, then again another forced spending; I can't justify this trend.
This can't be called technology, nor progress or anything else.
This is a calculated plan to make a lot of profits out of the users wallets, this will not benefit everyone, sure some of you may say, if some people can't buy it, then don't cry out loud and use Linux.
Sure, why not? But then, how about Windows?, we are adapted to use it, on everyday basis, because everyone have bought a computer that already comes with the bloody OS loaded on Hard Disk.
Think again, Windows dominates the entire population (in computer terms) of 90% in the world, so this is an advantage for Microsoft to abuse of its position as a market leader and dictate its abusive terms of how many computers can use the software (Just one per disc).
Where there is a monopoly bigger like this, there are the ones who try to bypass the abusive terms of this company by making available pirated copies on many internet sites, I do not condone this practice, I notice this is the reaction for the ones that have been neglected a proper access to the software when pricing is sky high.
This is my view of the things around it, common sense should prevail over total abuse.

Tin (User):

I accidentally tried to install Win7 on a dodgy 1GHz Via based system the other day. The autorun (under XP) told me it was incompatible. I laughed and ejected the DVD-RW so I could burn Ubuntu onto it, which is what I had thought was on that disc to start with.

Michael J (User):

God I wish we'd had broadband when the beta was released! we got broadband about a week later!

Tin (User):

Oh well... The RC comes out publicly in about 10 days or so.

Raindog (New user):

Quoting Michael J:
God I wish we'd had broadband

A good many Australians will be saying that for many years to come.

WarrenB (New user):

I don't know about old laptops- I installed it on my new Toshiba -it installed ok and looked good but whenever I restarted the laptop it failed to successfully load. Its recovery processes would chug along until it offered to restore a previous session which had worked. This it could do but the problem was that each time it came up either with a different session or just the first session before any other programs were installed so that all the previous installations were lost. I gave up and reinstalled Vista.

Tin (User):

Sounds like crap drivers. Have you used Toshiba supplied Vista drivers, MS supplied drivers, or the latest drivers from the part vendors (NVidia, Realtek, etc)?

GeoffSpick (New user):

UPDATE - The RC version of Windows 7 detects and installs a driver for those pesky Radeon M 9600/9700 cards now during installation. It is dated 1/12/2008, so isn't exactly cutting edge and is signed as v8.561 but at least it works and saves a lot of hassle.

tim2hawkes (User):

thats a slow install i had an old l30 and it was a 15-20min install