Find out if your PC can run Windows 7?

Rikki

Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

Find out if your PC can run Windows 7 - - - MICROSOFT

To see if your PC is ready for Windows 7, download the free Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. It scans your PC for potential issues with your hardware, devices, and installed programs, and recommends what to do before you upgrade.

John_Gray

I've found a few stupidities with this program.
Firstly it only runs on XP upwards, so no chance of checking your old Windows 95 box! :rotfl:
Secondly it will quite happily say that you need to increase the memory in the PC to 2 GB - when the motherboard isn't capable of it.
Thirdly, it works on the 'minimum specification', which for Microsoft usually means the absolute minimum to get the operating system to load, but not actually provide an adequate "user experience". By this I mean that the result is Agonisingly Slow.

Rikki

I have just run the advisor and even though my laptop is five years old it will run windows 7. I am presently surprised. :j

I need to upgrade the ram which I am looking to do anyway.

Twinny99

How do you go about upgrading (and pls bear in mind you are talking to a complete novice here:o)

Do you have to buy something? I've got Vista at the moment

John_Gray

Rikki wrote: »

I have just run the advisor and even though my laptop is five years old it will run windows 7. I am presently surprised. :j
I need to upgrade the ram which I am looking to do anyway.

The distinction I was making was between 'will run' and 'will run well'. The Advisor says that our dozen-or-so five-year-old PCs will run Windows 7, but knowing how they run on XP I take the suggestion with a pinch of salt.

penrhyn

Twinny99 wrote: »

How do you go about upgrading (and pls bear in mind you are talking to a complete novice here:o)

Do you have to buy something? I've got Vista at the moment

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-Windows-Home-Premium-Version/dp/B002DUCMT2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1257098248&sr=8-1
You have to buy the windows 7 software, full edition preferably.
Then you back up all your data using Windows easy transfer, and an external hard disk (the one you use for your backups)
Install Windows 7
Transfer your data back to the PC.

PS Its also possible to upgrade from Vista, however current wisdom recommends the clean install as its less problematic.

Also if you don't know your Bios from your RAM, and your PC isn't bust its probably best to leave well alone.