Aging laptop and windows 7

[IT_WinSec]

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@nellyp wrote:

Do you think it would be possible to install windows 7 and then install XP over the top of it?

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No, there are different OS and 7 is newer than XP, there is no way you can install one over the other.

The only options is to disable SATA mode / disable AHCI / enable ATA mode / enable IDE mode (different words for the same thing - if this is possible through the BIOS) 

or

have HDD SATA drivers built-into the XP installation image

or

install SATA driver from a floppy prior to installation process

or

use old type of HDD - IDE/PATA type.

More info: 

>> https://www.raymond.cc/blog/install-xp-setup-did-not-find-any-hard-disk-drives-installed-in-your-com...

If not you will need to use an alternative newer operating system (e.g. Windows 7...) . Have you considered trying Linux based OS ?

[nellyp]

Thank you for your help. I have not considered a Linux system as I am not familiar with them. I have been told that it can be difficult to have compatibility  between programmes.

[IT_WinSec]

Hi,

I don't want to force into such thing and I don't want to urge you or be pushy.

However, for an aging laptop that old you do not have much of a choice with regards to operating systems and apps - not all modern apps from today will run on such an old computer and also the operating systems. If this laptop's gonna be used for Internet, writing, chat, etc - Linux is perfect choice as for such a thing it requires less of a hassle, not too much new learning, etc.

Of course you cannot run a single Windows app directly on Linux as MS Windows is completely different OS from those based on GNU/Linux. For some apps there are versions for them - e.g. Mozilla Firefox Windows edition and Linux edition, Skype Windows version and Linux version, but there is no MS Office available for Linux, for example. For such cases, people use alternative apps with similar functionality OR they run virtual machines inside Linux .

Linux will install on such an old computer, it's free (0 USD price), it's going to be updated (not like XP which is not supported not updated) and generally speaking overall Linux is more secure by design than most Windows installations. Don't get me wrong, I do not make it an ad - GNU/Linux is not a choice for everyone but it does deserve serious consideration when it comes to old computers you want to keep, if you are going to use them for basic stuff and if you don't want to invest much $$ into them.

If you make certain upgrades on this computer, MS Windows 7 may be able to run. However due to the old processor, components and not much of a RAM, it will not run as good as in a new machine and you may feel some slow down. Of course, a different option is to invest some money and get a new PC - there are plenty of option on HP's web site www.hp.com

[nellyp]

Thanks again for your input.

I use this computer as my 2nd computer. It is for work as I like the feel of the keyboard. My other computer gets to do all the hard work (games played by my son etc). i use this one for Microsoft office programmes, PDF docs, the internet (a lot), and sometimes watching movies (sometimes connected to my TV).

Perhaps I will look into a linux system, but I have a friend who has just told me he has an XP disc that has the SATA drivers on it, and he said it is a slimmed down version (not sure how), so I am going to give that a go first.

Cheers

[IT_WinSec]

Thanks for the input. Please come back if you need further assistance or provide additional feedback. Cheers!