install windows xp or vista ultimate on new machine?

J

jasonli18t

New Member
Newbie here. I just built myself a new computer and i'm wondering if vista ultimate will run smoothly on it, or if i should use xp. I just bought vista ultimate through my college for 15 dollars which is a steal. Even though it's the "upgrade" dvd i've been told i can install a full version onto a formatted hard drive with a trick i'm sure you're all aware of. (if this doesn't work, correct me)

i also have xp if needed and currently have it on the IBM thinkpad T40 pentium M 1.5 ghz that im using right now and it runs pretty fast.

here are the specs of my build (budget build to replace my 2.2 ghz athlon xp tower)

Motherboard: ASRock ALiveNF7G-FullHD (7050 4RAM 256M-VID SND LAN RAID)

CPU: Athlon X2 5000 AM2 Dual-Core (2.6GHz 1280k 2000FSB 65w)

RAM Memory: 4GB 800MHz (2X-2GB) DDR2 PC6400 RAM

Hard Drive: 250GB 7200RPM SATA2 HDD

Optical Drive: BLACK 22X Dual Layer DVD-RW Burner

PC Tower Case: BLACK Steel Gaming & Side-Fan Mid Tower

Power Supply: Okia 550W BASIC LOAD

I plan to use this computer at home. I do NOT play any games and will be relying on the on-board video. I like to watch movies, use dreamweaver from time to time, and maybe some very light video editing. I will also be upgrading the sound card and be hooking the computer up to my 2.1 non-computer sound system which consists of a yamaha natural sound receiver, two mission 727 30 inch floor speakers, and a JBl SUB10 10 inc self powered subwoofer.

thanks for any replies
 

My Computer

System One

If you want to use the entire 4GB RAM, Vista x64 needs to be installed. Just make sure all of your hardware is compatible with x64. Xp 64 doesn't have enough support to even be considered as an option at this point. Vista should run smooth on that system.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brew
    CPU
    Intel E7200
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte EP45-UD3P
    Memory
    Kingston 4GB DDR2-800
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATi Radeon HD3870 PCIe
    Sound Card
    Creative Labs Audigy 2
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 940BW
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 7200.10 SATAII 250GB x2 RAID 0
    Western Digital 640AAKS
    PSU
    Antec Neo550
    Case
    Antec P180
    Cooling
    Zalman 9500
    Keyboard
    Logitech S510 Combo
    Mouse
    Logitech S510 Combo
    Internet Speed
    Comcast @ 10Mb

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Compaq Presario/SR5113WM
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ 1.9Ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N68-LA
    Memory
    PNY Optima Memory DDR2 2GB 2x1 kit
    Graphics Card(s)
    PNY Nvidia 8400 GS 256MB
    Sound Card
    On board RealTek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer X163W LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 160 GB SATA 3G (3.0Gb/sec)
    7200 rpm
    Western Digital 160 GB IDE
    PSU
    Dynex 400w
    Case
    Nothin Special
    Cooling
    Stock
    Keyboard
    Standard 102 key with volume and sleep buttons
    Mouse
    Wireless Logitech LX7
    Internet Speed
    Comcrap 10mb cable
    Other Info
    Insignia 2.1 speakers, wireless Xbox 360 controller w/plug n play charger, Belkin wireless G + mimo usb network adapter.
atl530i said:
If you want to use the entire 4GB RAM, Vista x64 needs to be installed. Just make sure all of your hardware is compatible with x64. Xp 64 doesn't have enough support to even be considered as an option at this point. Vista should run smooth on that system.
Click to expand...

thanks for the reply. i have the disc for vista ultimate 32 bit, SP1. this won't be able to utilize all my RAM? :(

i know i could upgrade to 64 bit for a small fee through Microsoft, though i've never been able to find out what that "small fee" is.
 

My Computer

System One

I think its a good upgrade jasonli18t
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Compaq Presario/SR5113WM
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ 1.9Ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N68-LA
    Memory
    PNY Optima Memory DDR2 2GB 2x1 kit
    Graphics Card(s)
    PNY Nvidia 8400 GS 256MB
    Sound Card
    On board RealTek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer X163W LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 160 GB SATA 3G (3.0Gb/sec)
    7200 rpm
    Western Digital 160 GB IDE
    PSU
    Dynex 400w
    Case
    Nothin Special
    Cooling
    Stock
    Keyboard
    Standard 102 key with volume and sleep buttons
    Mouse
    Wireless Logitech LX7
    Internet Speed
    Comcrap 10mb cable
    Other Info
    Insignia 2.1 speakers, wireless Xbox 360 controller w/plug n play charger, Belkin wireless G + mimo usb network adapter.
Cyberwolf said:
I just vomited in my mouth when i saw the processor your using.

~coughs~ time for an upgrade ~coughs~ :D
Click to expand...

Can we please keep this constructive.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Workstation
    Manufacturer/Model
    doofenshmirtz evil incorporated
    CPU
    Ryzen 9 5950X
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Crosshair VIII Formula
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance RGB PRO Black 64GB (4x16GB) 3600MHz AMD Ryzen Tuned DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT 16GB ROG Strix LC OC
    Sound Card
    Creative
    Monitor(s) Displays
    3 x27" Dell U2724D & 1 x 34" Dell U3415W
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 Pro 1TB M.2 2280 PCI-e 4.0 x4 NVMe Solid State
    Drive
    PSU
    1500W ThermalTake Toughpower
    Case
    ThermalTake Level 10 GT
    Cooling
    Enermax Liqtech 240
    Keyboard
    Surface Ergonomic.
    Mouse
    Logitech Performance MX
    Internet Speed
    350 Mb/s
    Other Info
    WinTV NovaTD
    HP CP1515n Color Laser
    Sony BD-5300S-0B Blu-ray Writer
    Microsoft LifeCam Cinema
    APC 750i Smart UPS
  • Operating System
    windows 10
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Pro 3
    CPU
    1.9GHz Intel Core i5-4300U (dual-core, 3MB cache, up to 2.9GHz with Turbo Boost)
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4400
    Monitor(s) Displays
    12" Multi Touch
    Screen Resolution
    2160 x 144
    Hard Drives
    128GB
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Keyboard
    yes
    Internet Speed
    350 Mb/s

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    * BFK Customs *
    CPU
    Intel C2Q 9550 Yorkfield
    Motherboard
    ASUS P5Q Pro
    Memory
    8GB Dominator 8500C5D
    Graphics Card(s)
    XFX ATI 1GB 4870 XXX
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD 7-1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1x 47" LCD HDMI & 2x 26" LCD HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080P & 1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    2x 500GB 7200RPM 32MB Cache WD Caviar Black
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX
    Case
    CM Cosmos RC-1000
    Cooling
    Tuniq Tower 120, 2x 140mm and 3x 120mm case fans
    Keyboard
    HP Enhansed Multimedia
    Mouse
    Razer Diamondback 3G
    Internet Speed
    18.6Mb/s
    Other Info
    My First Build ;)
thanks for the reply.

alright, i'm trying to install vista 32 bit right now on a blank formatted hardrive that came with my barebones setup listed above. it won't work. it gets up to the point where it asks for drivers, and i put in the appropriate cd, and it can't find the drivers. i also don't get this "RAID" stuff, or how i should be doing this. anybody have any idea how to install a clean version of vista 32 bit from an upgrade dvd onto a blank hard drive? please help. thanks
 

My Computer

System One

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Compaq Presario/SR5113WM
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ 1.9Ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N68-LA
    Memory
    PNY Optima Memory DDR2 2GB 2x1 kit
    Graphics Card(s)
    PNY Nvidia 8400 GS 256MB
    Sound Card
    On board RealTek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer X163W LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 160 GB SATA 3G (3.0Gb/sec)
    7200 rpm
    Western Digital 160 GB IDE
    PSU
    Dynex 400w
    Case
    Nothin Special
    Cooling
    Stock
    Keyboard
    Standard 102 key with volume and sleep buttons
    Mouse
    Wireless Logitech LX7
    Internet Speed
    Comcrap 10mb cable
    Other Info
    Insignia 2.1 speakers, wireless Xbox 360 controller w/plug n play charger, Belkin wireless G + mimo usb network adapter.

My Computer

System One

this is quickly becoming a nightmare. i need to get this up and running...why won't it just work? what do my "raid" settings need to be? it says it needs a driver for my cd/dvd drive. i only have one hard drive. i have a vista ultimate upgrade dvd. someone help me out here
 

My Computer

System One

i switched to an older dvd-rom drive using one of those large black connectors with the wide gray thing. now i know longer get the error i got before, and i can get up to the part where i choose where to install vista. but now it doesnt detect any hard drives! i have a single western digital caviar 250 GB hard drive, and it appears in BIOS. this is getting REALLY frustrating. don't let me hate vista...help me.
 

My Computer

System One

Hello Jason, be sure the devices are connected securely, maybe they have a 'bad' connection!

















Later :shock: Ted
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    * BFK Customs *
    CPU
    Intel C2Q 9550 Yorkfield
    Motherboard
    ASUS P5Q Pro
    Memory
    8GB Dominator 8500C5D
    Graphics Card(s)
    XFX ATI 1GB 4870 XXX
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD 7-1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1x 47" LCD HDMI & 2x 26" LCD HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080P & 1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    2x 500GB 7200RPM 32MB Cache WD Caviar Black
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX
    Case
    CM Cosmos RC-1000
    Cooling
    Tuniq Tower 120, 2x 140mm and 3x 120mm case fans
    Keyboard
    HP Enhansed Multimedia
    Mouse
    Razer Diamondback 3G
    Internet Speed
    18.6Mb/s
    Other Info
    My First Build ;)
alright guys i finally got it to work. had to use an old dvd-rom drive, and not use the RAID crap as suggested by the manual for my mobo. i had no problem getting the included new dvd-rw drive to work once vista was installed.

all is well now, except one thing, i got a score of 1.0 of that windows performance test thing. it's only because the graphics say "standard vga graphics" and gaming graphics are "not detcted". is this correct? i am using a vga LCD monitor with the onboard graphics...but i assumed the onboard graphics would give me a score at least...it is in fact an HD capable motherboard. it is also detecting 0 MB of dedicated graphics memory when there should be like 256, unless i don't udnerstand onboard graphics properly.

what could be the issue?
 

My Computer

System One

Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Compaq Presario/SR5113WM
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ 1.9Ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N68-LA
    Memory
    PNY Optima Memory DDR2 2GB 2x1 kit
    Graphics Card(s)
    PNY Nvidia 8400 GS 256MB
    Sound Card
    On board RealTek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer X163W LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 160 GB SATA 3G (3.0Gb/sec)
    7200 rpm
    Western Digital 160 GB IDE
    PSU
    Dynex 400w
    Case
    Nothin Special
    Cooling
    Stock
    Keyboard
    Standard 102 key with volume and sleep buttons
    Mouse
    Wireless Logitech LX7
    Internet Speed
    Comcrap 10mb cable
    Other Info
    Insignia 2.1 speakers, wireless Xbox 360 controller w/plug n play charger, Belkin wireless G + mimo usb network adapter.
I had thought i did but apparently i didn't. i got the graphics up to a 3.7 and gaming graphics to a 3.0 which seems reasonable for onboard.

my other scores:

processor: 5.1

RAM: 5.9

Hard Disk: 5.9
 

My Computer

System One

Not bad jason, just save your money and get a better graphics card then your score will be better. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Compaq Presario/SR5113WM
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ 1.9Ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N68-LA
    Memory
    PNY Optima Memory DDR2 2GB 2x1 kit
    Graphics Card(s)
    PNY Nvidia 8400 GS 256MB
    Sound Card
    On board RealTek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer X163W LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 160 GB SATA 3G (3.0Gb/sec)
    7200 rpm
    Western Digital 160 GB IDE
    PSU
    Dynex 400w
    Case
    Nothin Special
    Cooling
    Stock
    Keyboard
    Standard 102 key with volume and sleep buttons
    Mouse
    Wireless Logitech LX7
    Internet Speed
    Comcrap 10mb cable
    Other Info
    Insignia 2.1 speakers, wireless Xbox 360 controller w/plug n play charger, Belkin wireless G + mimo usb network adapter.
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