Does Your PC Have Enough Horsepower To Run Windows 7?
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There are some changes that everyone should be aware of before considering an upgrade path to Windows 7. First is that Windows XP users will not be able to upgrade. Windows XP users will need to do a clean install. Only those using Windows Vista can upgrade directly. Which always brings up the following question. Should a user upgrade or do a clean install?
I personally always do a clean install. Some others may differ and have successful completed upgrades without incident. Most expert computer users generally recommend a clean install. The decision on which option to use is up to the user.
Microsoft has a beta version available for their Upgrade Advisor for Windows 7. Microsoft states that the advisor will:
Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor examines a PC’s processor, memory, storage, and graphics capabilities, identifies known compatibility issues with installed software and devices and finally provides guidance on how to resolve those issues if possible.
So if you are thinking of making the move to Windows 7, give the Upgrade Advisor a try first. The tool is a freebie.
Comments welcome.
Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor can be downloaded from here.
5 Comments
the oracle
May 8th, 2009
at 10:18am
Three of my machines are double the minimum requirements save for the graphics - new video cards for all, if I want to run it on those machines.
Funny, the video chip makers decided to stop producing drivers for these same chips…
Also, odd that the tool for analyzing this is given the ‘beta’ moniker… Just another unfinished Microsoft product. ( I set a restore point before the installation, just in case - BTW, you’d hardly think that an install was necessary, but then, the Microsoft programmers think that their code on your machine should be considered a privilege!)
Fort
May 8th, 2009
at 10:26am
Good idea. I’m running RC on an AMD Athlon64 3400+ (2.4ghz single core), 1.5GB of DDR400 RAM, 30GB HD (it’s what I had spare), MSI FX5600-256MB AGP video on a PC Chips M861 socket 754 single channel RAM motherboard. Certainly NOT high end specs, but it runs Win7 much than I would have expected Vista to run.
I would recommend a better video card and at least 2GB RAM, and probably a hard drive made in this century.
But it’s good enough to get a feel for Win7 and be able to tell my clients to wait if they can for when it hits stores.
Ryan Farmer
May 8th, 2009
at 10:41am
It says my Linksys WMP54G adapter is incompatible with 7, works fine.
It says my Logitech Quickcam is compatible, but installing its software corrupts Windows 7 beyond repair.
I wouldn’t trust this.
Ron Schenone
May 8th, 2009
at 11:36am
Hi Marc,
Video cards always seem to be the stumbling block for Vista and now it appears 7 as well. 7 gives my NVidia 9500 w/1G of RAM on board only a 4.9 rating.
Fort,
XP Mode does work well.
Ryan,
Thanks for the info. Maybe this is why the tool is still beta. LOL.
Ryan Farmer
May 9th, 2009
at 12:03pm
Speaking of an XP Mode, Virtual Box can run a copy of any OS in Seamless Mode on any OS Virtual Box runs on, so I could even run Vista or Windows 7 apps on a Fedora desktop for example, and Virtual Box is free.
Just an idea for the people that can’t afford the really expensive Business or Ultimate but have a copy of XP laying around.
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/8070/88092008.png
http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/1375/94707187.png
“Remember Luke, the security problems will be with you, always”
http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/4752/98622450.png
WinFLP is a really trimmed down XP for old computers.