Windows Vista and a barebones

markaz

Power User
Without question, Windows 7 is a fine OS. It just so happens that I prefer Vista over 7 by a longshot. I have a HP Slimline that finding a graphics card is a near impossibility. I will not buy a new Slimline.
One of two things is going to happen. Find a barebones that will accept the HD in my current slimline or a barebones onto which I can install Vista.
Does anyone know where I can purchase a LEGITIMATE Vista disc, not an upgrade that infects eBay?

Better yet, if someone knows of a video card that will fit into the chassis of an HP s3700y, you are my new best friend. I just took delivery of a Gigabyte card that was 1/2 inch too long (hit the HD cage). I previously posted the issue and am getting tire of dealing with it. http://www.vistax64.com/graphic-cards/296235-onboard-video-going.html

Thanks in advance!!!
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion s3700y (PC)
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 5000+
    Motherboard
    Pegatron Acacia
    Memory
    3GB Micron Technology (PC2-6400)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDEA GeForce 8400GS
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Def Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Compaq WF1907
    Screen Resolution
    1360x768
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 320GB
    Case
    Slimline
    Cooling
    A little fan
    Keyboard
    eMachines Enhanced Multimedia
    Mouse
    Logitech M305
    Internet Speed
    2703 kbps
I found this at amazon: Amazon.com: Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate FULL VERSION [DVD] [OLD VERSION]: George Sansonm: Software

If you want to buy from ebay look for new orders with non-stock pics and see if they are sealed. You still take a chance. If you take a look at this one it appears to still be sealed as it is advertised: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Windows-Vis...perating_Systems_Software&hash=item4d01de51e3

As for video cards perhaps one of these will work: Newegg.com - Computer Hardware, Video Cards & Video Devices, Desktop Graphics Cards, Low Profile
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 8.1 Industry Pro x64
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion Elite HPE-250f
    CPU
    Intel i7 860 Quad core 2.8 ghz
    Memory
    8 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5770 1 gb ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Alienware 25 AW2521HF
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 &1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    1 TB x2
    Other Info
    https://www.cnet.com/products/hp-pavilion-elite-hpe-250f/
  • Operating System
    Windows 2012 R2 Data center/Linux Mint
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Poweredge T140
    CPU
    i3 9100 3.6GHz, 8M cache, 4C/4T
    Memory
    8GB 2666MT/s DDR4 ECC UDIMM
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    1 TB & 360 GB x2
    Other Info
    https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/productdetailstxn/poweredge-t140?~ck=bt
Thanks, townsbg. I appreciate all the info you provided. I think I'm gonna go this way. I like the Slimline, but when you can't find a graphics cards after 2 weeks........


Thanks, again.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion s3700y (PC)
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 5000+
    Motherboard
    Pegatron Acacia
    Memory
    3GB Micron Technology (PC2-6400)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDEA GeForce 8400GS
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Def Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Compaq WF1907
    Screen Resolution
    1360x768
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 320GB
    Case
    Slimline
    Cooling
    A little fan
    Keyboard
    eMachines Enhanced Multimedia
    Mouse
    Logitech M305
    Internet Speed
    2703 kbps
There are plenty of Microsoft Vista scams on eBay, but also plenty of legitimate ones too. The key is getting a good sense of the seller (their feedback history, the other products they sell, etc). Avoid sellers that have only a few feedback entries, and double-check that the feedback rating isn't mostly from buying but has a decent amount of selling represented. I bought a Vista Ultimate upgrade from an eBay seller and it turned out to be just fine, quite a bargain (at $42 shipped).

HP has made some terrific desktop machines over the years, but the Slimline models were not well ventilated and prone to problems. I know you probably like it for the small footprint, but it's now becoming quite an aging machine. The reduced case size also presents issues with PCI and AGP cards fitting.

When you say "Barebones", do you mean the PC kits?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion dv5t
    CPU
    Intel Core Duo 2.53GHz
    Memory
    4Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce 9600M GT 512Mb
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800 32bit
    Hard Drives
    Seagate Momentus XT 500Gb
    Hitachi Travelstar HTS543225L9A300 250Gb
    Mouse
    Microsoft 4000
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