Windows 7

[delcecchi]

If it is from 2003 I wouldn't put a dime into is, you could buy a low end PC for under $400 bucks that could run circles around that thing and has Windows 7 already installed.

I've got one from 2005 that I am thinking about putting ubuntu on. Just for fun. But first I need to put a DVD drive on it, unless I figure out that I can install Ubutu from a thumb drive. Or a USB hard drive that I have lying around.

Update: Only needs a CD, so looks like I am good to go. Or a usb stick will work.

[MuleShack]

Can't you buy an internal dvd drive for like 20 bucks?

According to Dell, they don't make one for this model.

Don't want to waste money on other model that may not work.

[delcecchi]

Then you can go to best buy, and if it doesn't work for some reason that I can't think of right now but it could happen you take it back.

I would have no hesitation to order one on line. Look at it to see interfce. My old dell has some sort of parallel ide or pata or something, so I would just make sure what I bought had right kind of plug.

[spearchucker]

The machine he has will not run Windows 7 very well anyway,, so better off putting the money toward a new machine. Even the cheapest $350 laptop will be many times faster than what he has and will already have Windows 7 on it.

[Shack]

Yep, I missed that one.

If the PC is from 2003 with no upgrades since, I would agree to just upgrade to something newer than meets the minimum requirements for Win 7. I would bet the machine is not running even a G for ram. I believe that is the minimum the require. My son is running Win 7 on a 32bit Compaq Pas from 07 with 512 and it runs ok, but he has to baby the ram and is limited to just using it for the internet pretty much. I would say it would not even load “if” the machine has not been opened in the last 4 years and upgraded.

If you have a key, have the time & want to give it a run for the fact of seeing what happens, post the specs and lets us know if it works or not.

[MuleShack]

The software is up to date with updates etc, running XP pro with Serv pack 3.

It is a Dimension 8250 PC and in device manager it says 4 CPU 2.4ghz, 2.39ghz and 1 gig of ram.

I did run the windows 7 upgrade manager and it said it would work, except that the video card would not support the Aero features in windows 7.

I had upgraded memory a few years ago before I got the laptop because it WAS my primary computer for business. I inquired about adding memory when I talked to Dell this week and they said it was the old kind and that it would cost as much as a new (cheap) computer just to upgrade.

my main problem was that the two computers wouldn't see each other on the network and I always blamed Vista for that on the laptop. This week I was prepping the older PC for the upgrade organizing files etc and started playing with the settings of the network card. It turns out I had too much stuff installed or turned on for the card and as soon as I uninstalled or turned off some of the extra stuff the laptop could see the PC and vice verse. Being this PC isn't used daily and i can reach it from the laptop down stairs now there is no immediate need for change. I have been scouting a few of the systems out there and can get a decent one for under $400 with a good video card...might need some more depreciation later in the year.

Thanks for everyones input.

[PurpleFloyd]

Just ordered a new laptop today for my business:

Quote:

Hewlett Packard dv7t Quad Ed

• Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64-bit

• 2nd generation Intel® Quad Core i7-2630QM (2.0 GHz, 6MB L3 Cache) w/Turbo Boost up to 2.9 GHz

• 1GB Radeon HD 6490M GDDR5 Graphics [HDMI, VGA]

• FREE Upgrade to 6GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)

• FREE Upgrade to 750GB 5400RPM Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection

• $30 OFF!! Microsoft® Office Professional 2010

• FREE Upgrade to Norton Internet Security 2011 - 15 Month Subscription (activation required)

• 9-Cell Lithium-Ion Battery (over-sized) - Up to 9.5 hours of battery life +++

• 17.3" diagonal HD+ HP BrightView LED Display (1600 x 900)

• Blu-ray writer & SuperMulti DVD burner

• HP TrueVision HD Webcam with Integrated Digital Microphone and HP SimplePass Fingerprint Reader

• Intel 802.11b/g/n WLAN and Bluetooth®

• Standard Keyboard

• HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

Hopefully my accounting and design software will work with this new computer and W7. I am pretty fond of XP but my old laptop crashed and i really need a new one so we will see what happens.

[upnorth]

Have seen more than a few apps won't run on 64 bit and a few that just don't like "7" period. Most stuff is fine, but we are rolling back our next batch of PCs where I work to XP as if the apps don't work the PC winds up just being a paper weight.

[Scott K]

A lot of programs dont work on the 64 bit system, and that is mostly because the programs are old, and were written into 16 bit. Being most systems still write in the previous system, they will work with only the previous system. AKA, 32 bit allows 16 bit, 64 bit allows 32. But 64 wont go back to a 16 bit. So, all of the old programs that are 16 bit, wont work with a 64 bit system. It really isnt that hard to update the old 16 bit, to a 32, or a 64. As my work programs all had to be updated, and our IT guy spent a weekend redoing them, and everything works great now.