Old Dell laptop able to run Windows 10

DaveG247

Afternoon all,

We've got an old Dell studio 15 laptop pp33l 1537 which my dad uses and still runs Windows Vista just out of interest I wondered if it could be updated to Windows 10? There alot of messages saying this can't be updated and there's no security updates etc.... me dad's moaning about getting a new one..... but considering he hardly uses it it seems a waste to me. Is there some tool I can download to check, I've had a Google but most the sites I've found look a bit dodgy. Cheers

unforeseen

Have a read of https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_other-windows_install/windows-7-81-10-compatibility-testing-for-windows/310e06a4-b181-45ec-ae6d-ee93a1632932

For Vista, you need to use the Windows 8 upgrade assistant to check compatibility.

unforeseen

The upgrade assistant will probably fail due to a lack of drivers for Win 8 and above.

However, I successfully run Windows 10 on a Dell Latitude D630 with 4GB Ram. This is dual core and similar specs to the 1537. I advise using 32 bit though.

grumpycrab

unforeseen wrote: »

I advise using [Windows 10] 32 bit though.

If you don't mind me asking, why?

unforeseen

grumpycrab wrote: »

If you don't mind me asking, why?

Based on the fact that a Dell 630 with a T7300 dual core CPU runs like an absolute pig with 64 bit if you can get it to install but runs 32 bit quite happily. A Studio 1537 has a lower spec T6400 CPU

poppellerant

Are you able to post a system report from something like HWiNFO?

If your Dad is prepared to spend money on a new laptop, then you might be able to upgrade the current one for far less money. The reason he probably doesn't like using the laptop is because it is probably so slow - this can be partly attributed to Windows Vista. But you could upgrade the memory and swap the hard drive for an SSD drive and the machine's performance would be transformed.

Aim for no less than 4GB of memory, 8GB if your budget allows. For an SSD drive, 120GB will be fine for the average user. 240GB will be more comfortable if there is plenty of music and photos to store. If he has an awful lot of photos and music, consider an external USB hard drive.

I wouldn't install 64 bit Windows unless the system has more than 3.5GB of RAM. Looking around at the specs, it's possible the laptop might have 3GB of RAM - enough to warrant 32 bit Windows, I believe. 64 bit Windows does consume a little more drive space than 32 bit when installed.

molerat

Have got a D531, D630 and D830 all happily running W10 32bit all upgraded to 4GB memory which can be picked up for peanuts on Ebay. W7 keys can be picked up cheaply which will still allow a free upgrade to W10. The D531 is a bit sluggish but not noticeably more so than it was on the original Vista.

DaveG247

Cheers for the comments folks, shall have a look at those links, think it might have 4GB of ram but from what I remember reading because it's only 32bit it can only use 3GB (I think). SSD had crossed my mind. As there's not much on the laptop would I be best doing a factory reset before any windows? Cheers

EveryWhere

DaveG247 wrote: »

Cheers for the comments folks, shall have a look at those links, think it might have 4GB of ram but from what I remember reading because it's only 32bit it can only use 3GB (I think). SSD had crossed my mind. As there's not much on the laptop would I be best doing a factory reset before any windows? Cheers

Update BIOS

Download, save and then run WinPhlash as Administrator by right clicking on the WinPhlash application and choosing 'Run As Administrator'. Keep laptop plugged in to mains.

Change HDD for SSD;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdqdZCjhKf0

120 GB SSD for as little as 20 Pounds these days.

Clean install Windows 7 64 bit to the SSD;



You should be able to pick that DVD up for a few Pounds. If not, you may be able to find someone who has one at hand.

The laptop can accept up to 8GB of RAM. Though 4GB and a clean 64 bit install to SSD, should bring the thing up to date.

Once Windows 7 64 bit is installed, you can decide whether you want to move to Windows 10 64 bit.

full-stop

On that particular laptop I would go with Win7 rather than 10 personally. Also not much point in getting the 64bit version as it is only really useful for >4GB of ram (and even then you can apply the PAE patch on 32bit o/s).

If your dad is anything like my mum, this laptop will essentially be nothing more than a 'glorified typewriter' ie emails, web browsing, some letters and as such 32bit, with 4GB of ram, will be more than fine.

I have a Dell D630 (Sata II) with a T9300 cpu (2.5Ghz Intel, Penryn core), 4GB Ram and an SSD with Win7 (32bit) and it's fine. Boots to desktop and ready to be used in 45secs flat (includes loading all AV, FW, etc).

Going from 4GB of ram to 8GB will make little to no difference to boot time or if you are not using intensive programs ie video editing, etc. Replacing a HDD with an SSD will make the laptop much faster (on the basis that it has Sata II interface at least).

Using 32 bit version may also probably make it easier from a driver point of view also.

Good Luck

PS If that laptop can run Vista it will run Win7

EveryWhere

full-stop wrote: »

On that particular laptop I would go with Win7 rather than 10 personally. Also not much point in getting the 64bit version as it is only really useful for >4GB of ram (and even then you can apply the PAE patch on 32bit o/s).

If your dad is anything like my mum, this laptop will essentially be nothing more than a 'glorified typewriter' ie emails, web browsing, some letters and as such 32bit, with 4GB of ram, will be more than fine.

I have a Dell D630 (Sata II) with a T9300 cpu (2.5Ghz Intel, Penryn core), 4GB Ram and an SSD with Win7 (32bit) and it's fine. Boots to desktop and ready to be used in 45secs flat (includes loading all AV, FW, etc).

Using 32 bit version may also probably make it easier from a driver point of view also.

Good Luck

PS If that laptop can run Vista it will run Win7

There are no adverse effects from running Windows 10, as opposed to Windows 7. Since the cost is exactly the same, then it's down to personal taste.
Both will work.

The device is not that old, so there will be no issue with 64 bit Drivers.

Definitely install 64 bit in the first instance. There is absolutely no reason why one should install 32 bit. The only reason would be if it were a x86 based CPU. But it is not.
So install a 64 bit OS in the first place, rather than messing around with PAE when you already have a 64 bit CPU.

I am running Windows 10 64 bit on a laptop more than eleven years old, so even older than the laptop in question.
The only device I have running a 32 bit OS, is a Netbook that can only accept 1.5GB of RAM.

So if it accepts 4GB of RAM or more, install 64 bit.