Although I use a Mac for professional reasons, at home for convenience I use an old Windows XP computer. However, Windows XP isn't going to last indefinitely, so I am faced with buying the new Windows 7.

What are the marked differences between it and the new Windows 7? I'm told the user interface is mostly similar, except for the Control Panel. And what is Windows Defender like? I presume it's the onboard firewall?

Any advice and info is gratefully received.
Thank you.

amando96 wrote:

Can that computer handle windows 7?
Windows 7 System Requirements Upgrade PC Video Graphics Media

Probably not, because of its limited 3GB RAM. Thanks, though.

rmg126 wrote:

Yes, Windows Defender functions as a firewall and antimalware scanner, but I don't use it at all as I have another A/V program that I prefer. WD is supposed to be pretty robust thought.

Windows Aero is GPU-accelerated, so the cool 3D effects don't hog much RAM or CPU.

Only thing to worry about is, if the computer is too old, 7 will be far more sluggish than XP. I've always recommended a graphics card upgrade when upgrading to 7, but if the computer is a certain age or older, the graphics card will use an older interface such as "vanilla" PCI or AGP. I don't think any AGP graphics cards are still powerful enough to run Windows 7. Your best bet may be to just avoid the 7 upgrade altogether and do a periodic reinstall of XP to keep things responsive.

Just for the fun of it, I installed 7 on an old Dell from 2003 that had a Pentium 4, 1 GB of RAM, a 32 MB AGP graphics card and a 30 GB 4200 RPM hard drive. The experience was not pleasant at all. Extremely sluggish, and much slower at booting/shutting down than XP. :cool:

The last bit sounded like real fun! I bet it went sluggish - W.7 uses 64-bit, doesn't it? The home brew comp we use is 32-bit. I'd imagine it might get smokin'.

I think the best thing by far would be to buy a new desktop comp altogether, and use the screens already in place. What with the new browser system, and getting MS wotsit processor already factory-installed, it would be cheaper than messing around with the old one. We have a splendid Samsung monitor. It's ace. The existing desktop uses an equally brilliant Thermaltake case. I'd be inclined to re-use it.

That was very useful - thanks!

Originally the 3 GB RAM was trimmed back because the system became unstable when we first began using W.XP. The RAM was DDR2, but refitted when we were last in Greece because it was much faster. So the computer fairly well skips along, even now. It's fine for our basic needs, but the Mac beastie I use for work we can throw anything at, and it wouldn't so much as sneeze. But then, the Mac's RAM is far higher for the applications I use.

I like taskbars, so would look forward to having more practical, functional use. I'll be looking around soon.

Incidentally, a friend has an awesome Asus NX90 which uses W.7 - so I should have a snout around on it.

SE7EN wrote:

Windows 7 is extremely better than XP, and you can break the 3GB limit if you get the x64 of Windows 7 (AND if your CPU can support x64) otherwise 3GB stays the poor limit. Other than that, I've been using Windows 7 since Beta through RC and pre-ordered it and got it on release. I've loved it since Beta (even if a few of my things didn't work, but hey it was Beta) everything I use works including shit that's not supposed to work. Overall, I'd only ever use 7 on a system with Intel 2 Core Duo with 1.5GB or more, anything lower and I'll be like this:

Control Panel is not much of a difference, its better in my opinion.. And if you're one of those people that loved the Classic Mode in Control Panel, well it's pretty the same in that section. But yeah, Win7 FTW.

Many thanks, Matt. Very helpful and informative.

The home brew comp we use is an Intel 2 Core Duo, that nice 2.66Gz, a pretty fast little system even though it must be a good 4 years old now. Its Thermaltake case helps keep the innards nice and cool even in Kalymnos during summertime's 90F, and the machine is quiet, considering. The case has 6 fans going and was enough to keep the machine from zonking out.

I've boned up Amando's link and found it handy - thanks, mate. I think migrating over to Win7 is going to be exciting, at least.

rmg126 wrote:

Core 2 Duo? Oh! That's not that old at all (well, slightly obsolete now, but by no means terrible.) And that also tells me there's a PCIe x16 slot for a video card if you decide to get one.

Got me interested now, you two.. what if I pillaged the guts of the comp, saved the case and added a new CPU? My ex-bf, still friendly, is a comp techie. Would it be financially viable to salvage the comp and build it up for Win7?

I've no idea. But for you techie heads, here's the spec. It was a year 2006 build.

~ * ~


LGA 775 for Intel® Dual Core Core™ 2 Extreme / Core™ 2 Duo / Pentium® D / Pentium® 4 / Celeron® D
- FSB 1066/800/533 MHz
- Supports Hyper-Threading Technology
- Supports Untied Overclocking Technology
- Supports EM64T CPU Chipset - Northbridge: Intel® 945P
- Southbridge: Intel® ICH7R Hybrid Booster - CPU Frequency Stepless Control
- ASRock U-COP
- Boot Failure Guard (B.F.G.) Memory
- Dual Channel DDRII memory technology
- 4 x DDRII DIMM slots
- Supports DDRII 667/533
- Max. capacity: 4GB*
*Due to the chipset limitation, the actual memory size may be less than 4GB for the reservation for system usage under Windows® XP, Windows® XP 64-bit,
Windows® Vista™ and Windows® Vista™ 64-bit. Needed for full 4GB
Slots - Supports ATI CrossFire™
- 6 x PCI slots
- 2 x PCI Express x 16 slot
- 1 x AGI Express slot (PCI Express x 4)
- 1 x PCI Express x 1 slot Graphics - n/a Audio - Realtek ALC888 7.1channel CODEC with High Definition Audio LAN - Gigabit LAN 10/100/1000 Mb/s
- PCIE x 1 Realtek RTL8111B
- Supports Wake-On-LAN Connector - 4 x Serial ATAII 3.0 Gb/s connectors, support RAID (RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 10, RAID 5 and Intel® Matrix Storage), NCQ, AHCI and "Hot Plug" functions
- 2 x eSerial ATAII 3.0 Gb/s connectors (shared with 2 SATAII ports), support "Hot Plug" function
- 2 x ATA100 IDE connector (supports 4 x IDE devices)
- 1 x Floppy connector
- 1 x IR header
- 1 x HDMI_SPDIF header
- 2 x IEEE 1394 headers
- CPU/Chassis FAN connectors
- 20 pin ATX power connector
- 4 pin 12V power connector
- SLI/XFire power connector
- CD in header
- Front panel audio connector
- 6 x USB 2.0 headers (support 12 USB 2.0 ports) Rear Panel I/O ASRock 8CH_eSATAII I/O
- 2 x PS/2 Mouse Ports
- 2 x PS/2 Keyboard Ports
- 2 x COM Ports
- 2 x Parallel Ports (ECP/EPP Support)
- 6 x Ready-to-Use USB 2.0 Ports
- 4 x eSATAII Ports
- 1 x RJ-45 LAN Port
- HD Audio Jack: Side Speaker / Rear Speaker / Central / Bass / Line in / Front
Product Group CPUs



Manufacturer INTEL



SKU 3567



Product Name INTEL CORE 2 DUO E6700 1066FSB SKT775 RET



Web Address Laptop, Notebook, Desktop, Server and Embedded Processor Technology - Intel



Model Number private



Package Type Retail



Warranty 3 Years Direct With Manufacturer



Interface Socket 775



Bus Speed 1066MHz



Core Name Conroe



Core Frequency 2x 2.66GHz



Core Voltage 1.35v



Process Technology 65nm



L1 Cache 32KB + 32KB



L2 Cache 4MB



Special Features Intel Wide Dynamic Execution
Intel Intelligent Power Capability
Intel Smart Memory Access
Intel Advanced Smart Cache
Intel Advanced Digital Media Boost



Package Contents Heatsink & Fan

Please would a Mod close my thread?

Many thanks all those who helped solve my question, provide good answers and gave me a lot to consider. Very helpful.

Not so Aleksandr. Idiot.:rolleyes: