Windows XP upgrade questions

[888qqq]

I am using XP Home on my PC. I ran the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant and got these two warnings:
1. "Install and app to play DVDs. You may need to install an app to play DVDs" in Windows 8".
2. "Secure Boot isn't compatible with your PC. Your PC's firmware doesn't support Secure Boot so you won't be able to use it in Windows 8".

Even if these two results are not a problem, considering my computer's specs can it run W8 optimally? I believe the 32bit version is best for my system, correct?

These are my computer's specs:
Motherboard: ASUS P5G41T-M LX PLUS, Intel G41 Socket 775
O/S: XP Home 32 Bit, SP3, version 2002
RAM: 4GB Crucial Ballistix DDR3, 1333 MT/S
CPU: Intel Celeron Dual Core E1200, 1.6 GHz, 512K, 800 MHz, OEM, Advanced
Intel G41 Express Chipset
Performance Series, Allendale, socket 775
PSU: Power Up 450 Watt ATX
HD: WD Caviar SE, 320G, IDE
Monitor: Samsung 2032NW, SyncMaster, 5ms, 3000:1, Dynamic Contrast, 20”
DVD burner: Memorex multi format, double layer
CPU fan:Ultra X Wind, aluminum socket
Case: from an old Compaq Presario

Is Windows 7 a better choice than W8? I've read quite a few negatives about W8, but W8.1 seems to be much more popular.

 

[gmaster456]

Your computer is more than sufficient for Windows 8.1. Any dual core machine with at least 2gb of ram will run it adequately although 4gb of RAM would be preferable for most things. Windows 7 would work just fine as well.

 

[choliscott]

I will say that I like Windows 8.1 Update 1 better then Win 8. When I tried W8 (right after it was released) I had some problems with it, but when 8.1 came out, all the problems I had went away.

I can say that both 8.1 update 1 & 7 are both stable. You can also get an add on that makes the Win 8 start menu look like Win 7, so between the 2, it would be what is cheaper

 

[Iron Woode]

I believe that you are using the onboard video rather than a add-in card.

If so, be aware that Intel does not have a GMA 4500HD driver for the G41 chipset for Win 8. It only supports wddm 1.1 and the only driver you get is a basic MS one.

If you are not going to put a video card in there is still hope:

http://www.neowin.net/news/how-to-install-legacy-intel-hd-graphics-drivers-on-windows-8

 

[bruceb]

The app for dvds should not be an issue. Many players out there that can do that for you. As for secure boot, I think that is an option that is coded into the BIOS .. so if your motherboard or BIOS is too old, it probably does not have that option. You don't really need it.

 

[RampantAndroid]

Is Windows 7 a better choice than W8? I've read quite a few negatives about W8, but W8.1 seems to be much more popular.

As others have said, I believe any system capable of running Win7 will run Win 8.1 just as well.

 

[uallas5]

Only thing I'd say is to go with 64bit. Otherwise you won't see all 4gb of RAM. You'll have to do a backup and format, not an upgrade, but I would advise to do that and not an upgrade even if you were sticking with 32bit.

 

[sm625]

You're not going to be happy with the performance. XP runs much more smoothly than 7 or 8 on a cpu like that. It is going to be constantly lagging and choking and freezing up for 1.2 seconds its going to make you want to throw it out the window. At the very least, get a cheap SSD.

 

[Compman55]

Win 8.1 will run nice. So will windows 7 with aero turned off. XP SP3 with all updates was typically slower than windows 7 or 8. XP SP1 or 2 on the other hand flew......

 

[888qqq]

Ok, I'll get W8.1. In another post of mine most responders said that 32bit is best for my system. I think my motherboard only recognizes 3gb of RAM, and I think I read that I should not have more than 3gb installed. But the RAM comes in 2gb sticks.

All I use my computer for is checking emails, surfing the internet, and watching Youtube videos,so would it still be a good idea to install a graphics card?

 

[escrow4]

You want a new PC. You have an ancient IDE HDD, an obsolete socket with a slow dual core and a PSU that I suspect will be ready to die pretty soon. If you want a modern OS use modern hardware.

 

[xgsound]

According to the Asus site, they have drivers for win7 and win8 in 32 or 64 bit. If you get 64 bit your memory will all be recognized and you can go to 8 GB. http://support.asus.com/download.as...5G41T-M+LX+PLUS&os=&hashedid=aatDJV8D3R1VmQwe

Your MOBO will accept up to a Dual Pentium E6800 (passmark 2145) which is almost 3X faster than your (passmark 800) Celeron, supports 1066 memory speed, and is currently under $40 on ebay. There is a large selection of other CPUs listed at the Asus site.

You do have SATA and can get a modern SSD when you're ready. A CPU upgrade will get you a 2145 passmark and 1066 mem speed. If the old machine was working for you the new CPU will feel like a rocket!

Edit: also found (thanks gmaster) Core 2 duo e8600 (passmark 2438 and 1333 mem speed) for $38 with free shipping from Florida http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Core-...CPU-/131250043441?pt=CPUs&hash=item1e8f1cba31

Jim

 

[gmaster456]

You're not going to be happy with the performance. XP runs much more smoothly than 7 or 8 on a cpu like that. It is going to be constantly lagging and choking and freezing up for 1.2 seconds its going to make you want to throw it out the window. At the very least, get a cheap SSD.

No. Absolutely not. I have a Windows 7 machine running on an ancient Pentium D and there's no freezing, stuttering or lag to speak of. 4gb RAM, amd 5450 and the original 120gb HDD.

 

[gmaster456]

He could also pick up a Core 2 Duo off of ebay for $20 and have a perfectly adequate system

 

[888qqq]

Ok, I'll get W8.1 64bit, upgrade the cpu, and install more RAM if doing so will increase speed. I didn't realize how cheap upgrading the cpu would be.

 

[Iron Woode]

According to the Asus site, they have drivers for win7 and win8 in 32 or 64 bit. If you get 64 bit your memory will all be recognized and you can go to 8 GB. http://support.asus.com/download.as...5G41T-M+LX+PLUS&os=&hashedid=aatDJV8D3R1VmQwe

Your MOBO will accept up to a Dual Pentium E6800 (passmark 2145) which is almost 3X faster than your (passmark 800) Celeron, supports 1066 memory speed, and is currently under $40 on ebay. There is a large selection of other CPUs listed at the Asus site.

You do have SATA and can get a modern SSD when you're ready. A CPU upgrade will get you a 2145 passmark and 1066 mem speed. If the old machine was working for you the new CPU will feel like a rocket!

Edit: also found (thanks gmaster) Core 2 duo e8600 (passmark 2438 and 1333 mem speed) for $38 with free shipping from Florida http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Core-...CPU-/131250043441?pt=CPUs&hash=item1e8f1cba31

Jim

yep.

his board is virtually identical to my gf's board - GA-G41MT-D3. I am getting her an E8500 to replace her pentium 4 630 cpu. Should make a huge difference especially when I put Win 8 on it.

 

[uallas5]

Ok, I'll get W8.1 64bit, upgrade the cpu, and install more RAM if doing so will increase speed. I didn't realize how cheap upgrading the cpu would be.

That sounds like a good plan, holding off on the RAM to see if it will make a difference. Honestly I would say an SSD would give you a HUGE performance boost compared to going from 4GB to 8GB. With the prices of SSDs now, I'd say that would be the biggest bang for your buck vs more RAM.

I have an old netbook that runs 8.1 perfectly fine for email, web browsing, etc., and that only has 2GB RAM and a dual core Atom. I does have an SSD however.

I also agree with what Iron said about a video card. Not only would you get better video performance, but you'd be freeing up RAM that would otherwise be used by the onboard video chip. Cheap but good video cards can easily be found on the egg and elsewhere on sale for about $20.

TL;DR good plan, go incrementally, you'll be able to upgrade that machine very easily for not much money.

 

[Hugh Jass]

You're not going to be happy with the performance. XP runs much more smoothly than 7 or 8 on a cpu like that. It is going to be constantly lagging and choking and freezing up for 1.2 seconds its going to make you want to throw it out the window. At the very least, get a cheap SSD.

How does it feel to be so clueless?

 

[VirtualLarry]

You're not going to be happy with the performance. XP runs much more smoothly than 7 or 8 on a cpu like that. It is going to be constantly lagging and choking and freezing up for 1.2 seconds its going to make you want to throw it out the window. At the very least, get a cheap SSD.

I disagree. During the course of upgrading and re-formatting a client's P4 HP system, I put in a WD 6400AAKS SATA HDD, that had a prior install of Windows 7 on it. It ran much smoother than the XP install on the older HDD. After I had re-formatted it with the factory XP CDs, it was back to semi-slugville.

I think that the improvements to Win7, really place it in a tier above XP, in terms of usability and smoothness.

 

[888qqq]

Would it be better for me to buy a cpu and motherboard combo from Newegg or Tiger Direct than buying a cpu and video card? That way I would get a new motherboard and newer technology. Would the onboard video card on a new motherboard be adequate for W8.1? Would my psu and ram be compatible with a new motherboard? I saw 7 or 8 cpu/motherboard combos on Tirger Direct and Newegg for around $100. I tried to ask Newegg if their motherboard/cpu combos would be compatible with my psu and ram and they wanted to charge me for telling me. Whatever.

 

[escrow4]

I stand by my original post. Your whole box needs to go if you want new tech. As a base you could get an i3 4330 + H97 mobo as a basic box and use the iGPU. That would be several times faster than what you currently have. I'd get a decent Gold rated PSU too.