Upgrade network hardware to support windows 7

[spearfisher]

Hi,

I'm looking for some advice on installing windows 7 on to my network computers. The computers themselves are quite old but are sufficient for what I use them for. They have this motherboard -

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=1732&dl=1#dl

1 512 MB RAM chip (BT-DD266-512M-T321 (92 pin)), 1.6 GHZ processor running Windows XP (32 bit). The motherboard has 2 DDR1 slots and 2 DDR2 slots. I am required to install Windows 7 due to support of XP stopping.

My question is, what hardware upgrades would I need to support Windows 7? I'm thinking I can upgrade the current RAM and just about run Windows and the programs I need. Can anyone recommend and specific RAM to buy for this motherboard?

Also, while I'm here, the server for this network runs Windows server 2003. Should I be looking to upgrade to 2008? The network has about 30 client machines.

Thanks

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

Unfortunately there are no Windows 7 drivers for that motherboard model, neither are there any Windows Vista or Windows 8 drivers for it.

This means you cannot run any of the above operating systems with that motherboard model.
The link you have provided quite clearly shows there are no drivers for OS later than Windows XP.

 

[James Mason]

Also that motherboard only supports DDR ram, not DDR2... it's a really really old POS board in this day and age.

You need to do an entire enterprise system upgrade at this point man.

 

[hang-the-9]

Hi,

I'm looking for some advice on installing windows 7 on to my network computers. The computers themselves are quite old but are sufficient for what I use them for. They have this motherboard -

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=1732&dl=1#dl

1 512 MB RAM chip (BT-DD266-512M-T321 (92 pin)), 1.6 GHZ processor running Windows XP (32 bit). The motherboard has 2 DDR1 slots and 2 DDR2 slots. I am required to install Windows 7 due to support of XP stopping.

My question is, what hardware upgrades would I need to support Windows 7? I'm thinking I can upgrade the current RAM and just about run Windows and the programs I need. Can anyone recommend and specific RAM to buy for this motherboard?

Also, while I'm here, the server for this network runs Windows server 2003. Should I be looking to upgrade to 2008? The network has about 30 client machines.

Thanks

Those motherboards do not have both DDR and DDR2 slots, if you look at the motherboard you linked, all 4 RAM slots are the same. DDR and DDR2 have the cut outs in different spots, therefore the slots are only for DDR RAM. Plus the specs list DDR RAM only.

If you are constrained by budget, look for a computer recycler that can sell you a bulk order of used computers that have a more modern chipset and CPU that will run on Windows 7. You can probably get them for under $100 each with 1 or 2 gig of RAM in the systems. Considering the costs of trying to upgrade 30 systems with RAM and the Windows 7 license, you can be a lot better getting used business systems.

If those systems come with an OEM Windows 7 code on them (which many do) you will actually save money as you can re-use that code on that same computer. You can't use the code on a different computer, but you can install Windows 7 on the system with the code with no issues.

Look around for computer dealers in your area.