Installing XP on Older Computer

[Guest]

I have a friend who has an older computer without an OS installed on it, and
he wants to install XP. What are the minimum and recommended specs for
running XP, and how would I check? Would the BIOS be able to tell me
everything I need to know?

 

[Unk]

I have a friend who has an older computer without an OS installed on it, and
he wants to install XP. What are the minimum and recommended specs for
running XP, and how would I check? Would the BIOS be able to tell me
everything I need to know?

Windows XP Upgrade Advisor
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/upgrading/advisor.asp

The Upgrade Advisor is a tool that checks your system hardware and software to see if it is
ready for upgrade to Windows XP. If you run Upgrade Advisor while you are connected to the
Internet, and if your system needs updates that are available on the Windows Update Web
site, Upgrade Advisor will find and install the updates for you.

Which Edition Is Right for You?
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/whichxp.asp

Hardware compatibility list
http://www.microsoft.com/hcl/


I have XP installed on an old 400 Mhz Dell laptop with 256 Mb RAM and it runs just fine.

 

[Roberto]

I have a friend who has an older computer without an OS installed on it,
and
he wants to install XP. What are the minimum and recommended specs for
running XP, and how would I check? Would the BIOS be able to tell me
everything I need to know?

This is what MS have to say on the subject:

Your computer must meet the following hardware requirements:
a.. Processor
a.. Minimum 233 megahertz (MHz) or higher processor clock speed
required, 300 MHz recommended
b.. Intel Pentium and Celeron family, AMD K6, Athlon, Duron family, or
compatible processor recommended

Note Windows XP Professional supports both single-CPU and dual-CPU
computers, but Windows XP Home Edition only supports single-CPU computers.
b.. 128 megabytes (MB) of RAM or higher recommended (64 MB minimum
supported, may limit performance and some features)
c.. 1.5 gigabytes (GB) of available hard disk space
d.. Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher resolution video adapter and monitor
e.. CD-ROM or DVD drive
f.. Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device
To determine if your computer is compatible with Windows XP Home or Windows
XP Professional, visit one of the following Web sites:
Windows XP Home
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/upgrading/checkcompat.mspx

Windows XP Professional
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/upgrading/checkcompat.mspx

Personally I wouldn't recommend anything less than the following:

600MHz P111 or Athlon

256MB RAM

20GB HDD

64MB Video Card

rgds

Roberto

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

Take a look at this MS article
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314865

What they list is the barebones minimum. You'd actually want a much faster CPU and at least 128MB, but better at 256MB memory.
A much much larger hard drive than what they list. (actually what they list for 1.5 GB drive is minimum to install XP. That does not cover later usage for storing user stuff.)

Take a look at the BIOS & see what it does show.

 

[Fishman >]

1.5 GB drive is minimum to install XP.
+
30Gb drive to put on the security & critical updates.
That's this weeks

 

[Wolf Kirchmeir]

I have a friend who has an older computer without an OS installed on it,
and
he wants to install XP. What are the minimum and recommended specs for
running XP, and how would I check? Would the BIOS be able to tell me
everything I need to know?

This is what MS have to say on the subject:

Your computer must meet the following hardware requirements:
a.. Processor
a.. Minimum 233 megahertz (MHz) or higher processor clock speed
required, 300 MHz recommended
b.. Intel Pentium and Celeron family, AMD K6, Athlon, Duron family, or
compatible processor recommended
[...]

What they don't say is that you'd better have a well-charged coffee
maker handy. Such a machine will run XP s-l-o-o-o-o-w-l-y.

 

[Guest]

I just checked out the BIOS, it's a Pentium 2, running at 300 MHZ, 64 MB RAM.
Would he maybe be better off installing Windows 98? What are the requirements
for that, and where can you get a copy now? Personally, I recommended just
purchasing a whole new computer for $300-$400, but he doesn't really want to
spend that.

 

[Gordon]

I just checked out the BIOS, it's a Pentium 2, running at 300 MHZ, 64 MB
RAM. Would he maybe be better off installing Windows 98? What are the
requirements for that, and where can you get a copy now? Personally, I
recommended just purchasing a whole new computer for $300-$400, but he
doesn't really want to spend that.

You'd be OK running Windows 98 on that - not sure about any apps though....

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I just checked out the BIOS, it's a Pentium 2, running at 300 MHZ, 64
MB RAM. Would he maybe be better off installing Windows 98?

Absolutely! Those specs are completely unsuitable for Windows XP.

A 300MHz processor would be very slow, but even worse is the 64MB of RAM.
How much RAM you need depends on what applications you run, but almost
everyneeds at least 256MB for decent performance. Even with 256MB,
performance would be poor with a 300MHz processor, but it would at least be
usable. But with only 64MB, the machine would be so slow as to be unusable.

What are
the requirements for that, and where can you get a copy now?

Try eBay.

 

[Wolf Kirchmeir]

I just checked out the BIOS, it's a Pentium 2, running at 300 MHZ, 64 MB RAM.
Would he maybe be better off installing Windows 98? What are the requirements
for that, and where can you get a copy now? Personally, I recommended just
purchasing a whole new computer for $300-$400, but he doesn't really want to
spend that.

Yes, Win98 would be a better choice for that old machine. Lots of people
have the Win98 install disk kicking around. (I have one, hanging on to
it "just in case". Silly, I know, esp. since I never liked Win98.) If
all he wants is e-mail, word-processing, and a few games, it will do
fine. IIRC, there's a Mozilla available for Win98, a better bet than the
IE that comes with Win98. Won't find drivers for newer printers, though,
and printers as old as that machine are not likely to be functional. May
have trouble finding current AV and firewalls that work with Win98, too.
So, on balance, it's not a good idea to try to make the old hardware
functional, IMO.

If your friend doesn't want to spend the bucks on a new machine, he
might spring for a two or three year old 486 or box, should be running
at 1GHz or close to it, with 256MB RAM or better, and a 40GB HDD or
better. Should cost $150 or less including monitor - if the seller wants
more tell him (politely) to go dream his dreams somewhere else. XP will
run OK on such a box. (I'm running Win2K on a similar box, SP4 plus all
updates and patches).

HTH

 

[Plato]

I have a friend who has an older computer without an OS installed on it, and
he wants to install XP. What are the minimum and recommended specs for
running XP, and how would I check? Would the BIOS be able to tell me
everything I need to know?

A PII 400 w/512 ram at least.