Can this old computer run Windows 7 or 10?

[itakey]

I have an old machine that has been running Windows XP forever. Stable as all hell, but as we all know Windows XP support is dead.

Here are the computer specs:
Motherboard: Abit IP35E
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813127031
CPU: Intel Dual-Core E2160 CPU
RAM: 4GB (1X1GB) DDR II - 667 MHz/PC2-5300 HP PX976AT

I tried to load Windows on it, and it fails along the way every single time. Sometimes it won't even start the install but will show a portion of the install screen. I tried a few times and with a few different ways I read online but with no luck. Unsure if this was because I was trying with an SSD Drive?

I would use it only as a secondary machine for random stuff, maybe some surfing, to store a hard drive and share files, etc.

I know it doesn't have some type of SSD compatibility on the motherboard. I forget exactly what the name of it is, but I remember reading it didn't have it.

Can this computer successfully load Windows 7, or is it just too obsolete and not worth bothering? Its been with me so long I feel bad getting rid of it, especially since it still runs XP perfectly fine.

 

[chuckm]

I have a similar setup and it runs 7 fine. I did have to upgrade my video card because of driver issues. Pretty sure mine will do 10 also.

 

[JackMDS]

The Abit Abit IP35Ecan run both Win 7 and 10.

Make sure that it have Video card that can handle it. nVidia 8400GS is sort of the minimum.

There is large range of CPUs that run on it, for decent functioning you have to Run one of the the top of line that the Mobo can Use (like the Intel Core 2 Quad - Q8400 ).

That said, computer based on the above will work well as a Internet, email and small office work, and sorage. Do not expect it to be a good gaming or photo/video editor machine.

There are SATA II ports on the IP35E. I.e, it run SSDs.

 

[itakey]

I have a similar setup and it runs 7 fine. I did have to upgrade my video card because of driver issues. Pretty sure mine will do 10 also.

The Abit Abit IP35Ecan run both Win 7 and 10.

Make sure that it have Video card that can handle it. nVidia 8400GS is sort of the minimum.

There is large range of CPUs that run on it, for decent functioning you have to Run one of the the top of line that the Mobo can Use (like the Intel Core 2 Quad - Q8400 ).

That said, computer based on the above will work well as a Internet, email and small office work, and sorage. Do not expect it to be a good gaming or photo/video editor machine.

There are SATA II ports on the IP35E. I.e, it run SSDs.

That may very well be the issue, didn't even think about the video drivers! I just looked back at my notes and this is the card I am running in that machine:

XFX PVT86SWAHG GeForce 8400 GS 256MB on-board Supporting 512MB DDR2 PCI Express
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150246

Do the windows 7 drivers exist for this card? I tried to look but couldn't find them quickly for XFX, but I did find GeForce 8400 GS drivers on the geforce.com website, think those should work?

And how do you go about installing the drivers if I can't get to the install or get it to execute properly? Must I run the install in some other way that lets me update the drivers first? Or do a fresh Windows XP install and update the driver, then try to update to Windows 7? The version of Windows 7 I have is a pro version.

Any tips appreciated.

 

[vailr]

Double-check that you're connecting the SSD to one of the Intel SATA ports, and not to a 3rd-party SATA port, such as J-Micron.
Ideally, you'd also want to select AHCI mode (in bios setup) for the Intel SATA port, but that option may not be offered.
The CPU could be upgraded to something better/faster using a second-hand CPU purchased off of eBay.
However, update the bios first, to the most recent version.

 

[JackMDS]

Win 7/10 will install card like the one that you link to using its generic VGA drivers and then you can Run the nVidia downloaded drivers.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Win7 64-bit shouldn't be a problem on that board. Consider updating your BIOS to the newest (BIOS 18?) for that board.