Help needed regarding OS/RAM

nac

nac

Level F
Guys, I need two help.
I am from Windows XP era. So I may not able to understand most of the latest terms you use when replying to this thread.

It's a five year old desktop PC
Intel Pentium Dual core E2160 @ 1.8Ghz
Asus P5G MX
Transcend 1GB RAM DDR2
Windows XP SP3 32bit

# 1
I have installed some heavy applications and now my system is slow. So thinking of getting 2 GB RAM. I don't know whether DDR3 would be compatible (I doubt it), but DDR2 is old and costs more than DDR3:mad:
Increasing RAM would solve my issue???
Note: System is performing fast when there is no "heavy applications" after a fresh installation of OS.

# 2
Thinking of upgrading to Windows 7 may be 8.
Is my system compatible for this upgrade?
Can I install Win 7 64 bit version in this system?
Any drawback of moving to 64 bit from 32 bit?
What should I know before installing a 64 bit version of Win 7?

Any suggestions regarding this would be helpful. Thank you.
 
1. you can only get DDR2 ram as your motherboard won't support DDR3.
2. For an OS upgrade better stick with win 7 and unless you are using 4GB or more ram you can live with 32 bit version.
 
Adding an additional 2GB of RAM is only advisable if the applications that you plan to run are not too stressing for the CPU. The 2160 is not a very fast CPU.

Upgrading to 64 bit is not recommended for less than 3GB or less RAM since it does not offer any benefits. Would suggest to stick with whatever Windows version you have a license for use.

Windows 7 - you need to check if you have full driver support.
 
Increasing RAM will definitely help a bit. What heavy applications are you using?

To see if you can install Windows 7 on your PC, you should run this Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-IN/windows/downloads/upgrade-advisor

It will check your system, and tell you whether it can run Windows 7 or not. It will point out the issues which need to be resolved in order to run Windows 7. If your system passes, then you don't have to worry about drivers much.. Windows 7 will install most drivers, and for missing ones, it will check Windows Updates, and download from there.

I have done this on 2 laptops and one desktop, and have been successful :).
 
Thanks guys...
I will stick with 32 bit version.
Vivek, I checked Asus website, and I don't see windows 7. I think my motherboard will not support windows 7. As Capri suggested, I try that tool.
 
If the motherboard site does not show drivers for Windows 7/8, it does not mean that your system cannot run Windows 7/8. As I said in my post, just check with Windows Upgrade Advisor, and it will tell you if your system can run Windows 7. A similar tool is available for Windows 8 too.

For drivers, I already told above in my post.. don't have to worry.
 
Bought 2GB Transcend DDR2 RAM...

It's faster than before, but not huge difference. I didn't know how to check what kind of RAM I have installed (not as many details I see in flipkart specification), so I downloaded a tool called CPUZ. It says, brand name is KINGSTON. :( But I bought transcend. Now I doubt whether this product is original or not.

Flipkart product image is like this... And my old RAM also looks the same...
transcend-jm800qlu-2g-400x400-imad42zw4aassqrt.jpeg


The one I bought is like this...
JM800QLU-2G-unit.jpg


But model number is same :([DOUBLEPOST=1380304322][/DOUBLEPOST]Checked in windows 7 site...
Searched for my motherboard... it says they don't have information about this mobo, whether it would support or not...
I will run that tool, Capri. I need to know that...
 
cpu-z - spd tab - select the memory slots and see if you can see two transcend / two kingston or 1 transcend and 1 kingston.
 
Slot # 1
Kingston 2GB :(
Slot # 2
Transcend 1GB[DOUBLEPOST=1380349482][/DOUBLEPOST]Registered the product with Transcend, it says it is a genuine product and lifetime warranty (but I was said it is a 3 warranty when I bought)...

But still, why it is saying Kingston???
 
I ran advisor tool. Green signal for almost all, except these...

Custom installation required
You'll need to perform a custom installation of 32-bit Windows 7 and then reinstall your programs. Make sure to back up your files before you begin.

(Is this a problem peforming a custom installation)

Adobe Media Player
Not compatible
This version of the program will not work on Windows 7.

(I don't know whether I am using this media player or not. So no idea, whether this would be an issue after upgrading)

Virtualization technology not supported
Your PC does not support hardware assisted virtualization technology.

(I googled about this, it seems like my proccessor doesn't support virtual machine. I have thought about installing a virtual machine long ago (around the time I bought this PC), but never tried it. I don't think there will any necessity will arise after upgrading).

Extra 15 GB of free space
For best performance, make sure your PC has 15 GB of free space before installing Windows XP Mode.

(Isn't it something to do with virtual machine? I have heard about XP mode in Windows 7, but don't know much about it. What's the use of xp mode? Can you guys briefly say what it is? So that I can determine, whether this could be an issue (serious) or not...
---------------------------------------------
I don't use outlook so no problem if it's not included in Win 7
They don't have compatibility information for Wordweb (dictionary). WW does have latest compatible version. So no problem here...
 
Did you read the label on the RAM stick itself? What does it say, Kingston or Transcend. If what you bought is different from what you had ordered, you can contact FlipKart and talk to them, or, you can arrange to return the product. Is your PC running fine with both RAM sticks? Does it show 3 GB RAM on your system? Check by right clicking on My Computer --> Properties, and it shows the system information.
 
nac said:
Custom installation required
You'll need to perform a custom installation of 32-bit Windows 7 and then reinstall your programs. Make sure to back up your files before you begin.

(Is this a problem peforming a custom installation)
Click to expand...

There are two methods of an OS installation. One if by performing an OS upgrade with an upgrade disk. Like, if you have Vista installed, the upgrade disk will install Windows 7 over it, thus upgrading it.

Whereas, custom installation, which is being talked here, is when you install Windows 7 fresh on your system with a Windows 7 disc, wiping out the old system altogether. So, don't worry about this point much. Making a fresh installation should be the way to go.

nac said:
Adobe Media Player
Not compatible
This version of the program will not work on Windows 7.

(I don't know whether I am using this media player or not. So no idea, whether this would be an issue after upgrading)
Click to expand...

You don't need to worry about this one. Ignore the message.

nac said:
Virtualization technology not supported
Your PC does not support hardware assisted virtualization technology.

(I googled about this, it seems like my proccessor doesn't support virtual machine. I have thought about installing a virtual machine long ago (around the time I bought this PC), but never tried it. I don't think there will any necessity will arise after upgrading).
Click to expand...

Yes, you can ignore this message too.

nac said:
Extra 15 GB of free space
For best performance, make sure your PC has 15 GB of free space before installing Windows XP Mode.

(Isn't it something to do with virtual machine? I have heard about XP mode in Windows 7, but don't know much about it. What's the use of xp mode? Can you guys briefly say what it is? So that I can determine, whether this could be an issue (serious) or not...
Click to expand...

Don't think this is a serious issue. When you will be installing the OS fresh, you will be having plenty of space on the C: drive. Make sure you keep enough space on the C: drive, so that it can hold the OS, as well as the various software that you will install after, and also Windows updates. 50 GB or more is advisable.

nac said:
They don't have compatibility information for Wordweb (dictionary). WW does have latest compatible version. So no problem here...
Click to expand...

You don't need to worry about such software. Most of the times, all software that run on XP will run without problems on Windows 7 or 8, unless the software are really old.

The tool has passed your system, and so you can go ahead and install Windows 7 on it. I think it should install without problems, and install drivers like video, lan, etc. In case it does not install some drivers, it's most likely that Windows Updates will find those missing drivers for you. Yes, for that you do need to turn Windows Updates on. Anyways, it's always advisable to keep Windows Updates on, as it keeps your system up to date with security patches and all.

Before installing Windows 7 on the system, I think it goes without saying that backup your important data, documents, music, photos, videos, etc from your old system.

Also, it would be good if you have the OS CD for your old system with you, so that in case for some reason Windows 7 is not able to install properly, then you can revert back to the old OS.
You can also make an image of the system in present state, with a drive imaging software like Macrium Reflect, or Paragon Backup & Recovery free... for the same purpose.

Good luck.
 
I referred online sellers when I was looking for RAM. And I bought it from a local store, it's not from Flipkart.
Yes, the label says it's Transcend. But CPUz says it's Kingston. Any possibility than CPUz might give wrong info??? Yes, I can see 3GB memory in My Computer properties.
I have registered the product, and the registration went fine. So it should be genuine, right? :(
--------------------------------------------
Win 7 Upgrade:
Good. Now I am good to go... Thank you Anup. :)
 
Yes, it's a possibility hat CPU-Z might be displaying it false. You can check with other system information software. There are quite a few good ones.

Speccy: http://www.piriform.com/speccy

Belarc Advisor: http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

HWInfo32: http://www.hwinfo.com/

WinAudit: http://www.pxserver.com/WinAudit.htm

All are free.

If it's showing 3 GB RAM for the system, and system is running fine without issues, then I think it's OK.

Check with the system software above, and if you still have doubt, you can always take the RAM back to the local store from where you bought it and satisfy your doubts.

And it's my pleasure to help :).
 
may be the OEM of the ram module is Kingston but it's a Transcend branded ram that's why Op was able successfully register it .. anyway, so far it sounds like a genuine transcend ram module.
 
CapriAnupam said:
Yes, it's a possibility hat CPU-Z might be displaying it false. You can check with other system information software. There are quite a few good ones.
Click to expand...
topgear said:
may be the OEM of the ram module is Kingston but it's a Transcend branded ram that's why Op was able successfully register it .. anyway, so far it sounds like a genuine transcend ram module.
Click to expand...
Hope these are the reasons... :)
Anup, I checked with those softwares. Two of them show the details I am looking for and it is KINGSTON. :( Other two didn't show or I didn't know how/where to look.
 
What @topgear says might be true.
Even if it is Kingston, it's a good brand too.. so either way its good. But yea, it's strange to hear of such things, where the label reads different, and the software shows different.

Anyways, for your satisfaction, you can call the shop and ask about this issue, why is it so.
 
sellers usually have less knowledge so the answer Op might get can be a lot more confusing :D so he better stick to forum posts and even at the time of RMA the outer label is only important .. no matter who has made the ram module for whom ;)
 
Yea, I think that's good advice.
It really sucks that the vendors themselves don't have much idea about the products they sell, or much knowledge about computers and stuff.
 
:D Alrighty then... I am calling them. I registered, and it says genuine. I go with it... :)
Thank you all you guys... I really appreciate your help. I will soon upgrade to Win 7.
 
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