[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Upgrading an impossibly old system to Windows 8 here

[MichaelPfeiffer]

Of course Windows 8 can run on 2GB of RAM. Isn't there Windows 8 tablets that have 1GB of RAM?

I used to run the Windows 8 Consumer Preview on a Pentium 4 with 1GB of RAM and a 60GB hard drive, though 30GB was partitioned to Ubuntu. It was slow an had a low Windows Experience Index around 3. So yes, Windows 8 can run on a old system, but XP works much smoother...

[waldojim]

MichaelPfeiffer, on 20 September 2012 - 11:02 PM, said:

Of course Windows 8 can run on 2GB of RAM. Isn't there Windows 8 tablets that have 1GB of RAM?

I used to run the Windows 8 Consumer Preview on a Pentium 4 with 1GB of RAM and a 60GB hard drive, though 30GB was partitioned to Ubuntu. It was slow an had a low Windows Experience Index around 3. So yes, Windows 8 can run on a old system, but XP works much smoother...

I ran earlier previews on AMD Athlon XPs as well. Also with 1GB of ram. I was actually surprised to see that Windows 8 can run perfectly smooth with a decent 3d card, and associated drivers.

[Aitionn]

An interesting exercise.

Rather than go to the enormous expense, time consuming and frustrating exercise of buying and installing windows 8 - try Linux.

It is free, will run on most old systems, has huge support forums, loads of free software and is easy to use. Free updates and loads of versions. Uses minimum ram, can be installed alongside windows and then removed if you don't like it, no viruses or expensive anti virus software - need I say more.

Try the links below and ditch windows for good.

http://hasben.hubpag...s-for-beginners

http://www.makeuseof...x-distributions

Most mobile users have moved form windows to linux based android or Apple os and it is only a matter of time before desktop/laptop users realise the expense and limitations of windows and follow suit. I appreciate what Microsoft has done in the past for computing but the endless expense and difficulties in upgrading may well be it's downfall. As this article admirably demonstrates.

Aitionn
Samsung Netbook N145plus
Kubuntu os
2gb Ram, 60gb SSD
Startup time = 14 seconds

[groberts116]

The problem with Linux in any flavor is graphic card drivers, there few and far between. Windows 8 at $39.00 is a cost effective system, especially if you want to run games. However, I would want more system power for gaming.

[frlwinslow]

I am running the Windows 8 64-bit Release Preview on a 2005 AMD Athlon 2GB system. I did do a complete re-install and restore of backed up Data followed by installing my programs. It was a rather simple and quick process. However, I did lose my WEB CAM (no modern driver for it) and Windows Media Player cannot play my DVD's and in fact seems to take over the system if I try to use it.

All-in-all the system is running well and even faster than XP was running!

However, while I will probably change our two laptops to WIN 8 this fall, I am seriously considering running Ubuntu 12.04 on the older desktop.

[Aitionn]

Windows may cost $39 but the uk version is £80 or $130. And that is every 2 years if you want to keep up to date with your OS.

Never had a problem with graphics drivers on any version of Linux I have tried. ATI even update drivers and provide the user interface.

I also use ubuntu on an old xp based machine again without any difficulty whatsoever.

I can recommend Ubuntu 12.04 on any machine but would recommend trying a number of distros to find one you like. Its a bit like comparing xp to vista, some bits you like and some you don't. Just give it a chance, break a monopoly and you never know you may well like Linux.

How long did it take to carry out the process in the article - hours or days?

[GetReal]

"For Windows 8 to work, the system must support data execution protection, and DEP must be enabled."

Within the past 4 to 6 weeks in a PCWorld article there was mention that 32-bit Windows-8 would run either with or without DEP enabled. (But, since the reorganization of this site I can't find it).

Who got that bit of info wrong and which is correct? If this be true then lots of even moderately old systems are locked-out, even though the units might otherwise have all the hardware needed.

MS bites again!

[dave521r]

I'm surprised you thought the XP programs would be carried over to Windows 8. If you have been following any of the online documentation you would have known that won't happen. I guess you believe if all else fails, read instructions :-)

[WillCheung]

Sorry. This article has nothing related to Linux and please don't do any ad for it.
Second, no virus for linux is just because you didn't know your system is already infected. You don't have anti-virus in your system to tell you that.
Third, unless you don't count laptop as mobile unit, then yes, other users are now using mostly Android or iOS. But I do know a lot of people are still carrying their laptops to school and to work. They are mobile.

[WillCheung]

I tried to upgrade a DELL Inspiron 5160, 1.25GB, 60GB HDD to Win8. Only successful to Win8 CP and not RP. Finally, I upgrade it to Win7 Ultimate and it works totally fine and smooth.

[databaseben]

well, if the old machine does pretty much everything you need it to do, then its probably "stupid" not to leave well enough alone.

[Internet2k4]

Seems this blows out of the water the claim that W8 is faster and runs on fewer resources than Vista/7. You built a pretty high-end machine for 2004, I bought a Dell with a weaker processor and 2GB RAM in 2007 that was designated for Vista, though I ordered it with XP.

I never regretted the decision to stick with XP, which is still doing everything well (knock on wood). I played with the idea of the $40 W8 offer for that machine, but this gives me deep second thoughts.

[lamorpa]

Quote

An interesting exercise. Rather than go to the enormous expense, time consuming and frustrating exercise of buying and installing windows 8 - try Linux. It is...

Or just don't use a computer and sit down and eat a sandwich! (I'm just trying to find a way to say something even more irrelevant)

[Aitionn]

With regards to WillCheung's comments.

Noted - the article is not about linux but an advert, all be it in my view a poor one, for Windows 8. Linux costs nothing so I can hardly be said to be advertising as that tends to suggest a wish to extract money.

I do have a virus scanner in linux, never had a virus detected and the software cost me nothing other than small voluntary donations to the compilers.

I note your comment about mobiles and concede the point.

I have tried to help poorer computer users who cannot afford to update hardware and software but alas........ I will post no more.

[basicbill]

I'm running the Windows 8 RTM on my 5 year-old XP laptop with no problems whatsoever... It has an older generation Core 2 Duo processor and 2GB of RAM and it runs like a brand new machine...

Windows 8 > Windows XP on older machines.

[PatrickC]

I run Windows 7 on a circa 2002 P4 machine with 2GB RAM and an AGP video card. It runs fine and I am still wrestling with the idea of buying a new machine. PCs do not have to be replaced every 2 years!

[AndreCostaubn4]

If you were upgrading from Windows 7, you would have had the same experience. If you were migrating to Linux, you would have had a bad experience because most of the hardware would not work and your existing applications would not work.

[A41202813]

@AndreCostaubn4

I Know Nothing About LINUX, But I Bet You Have Just Painted Somewhere In Yourself An Humongous Bulls Eye.

Cheers And Good Luck.

[RossFleming]

I'm running Windows 8 on a Dell Optiplex GX280 (P4) and it's silky smooth, could probably do with being upgraded to the 3.8P4 to help keep it smooth in some situations but other than that it's fine!