The Upgrade Advisor told me...

[jmflu]

Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor is telling me my current graphics adapter won't support the Windows Aero user interface. It's telling me to contact my PC manufacturer to see if there are any upgrades available. What does this mean? Call Dell?? Should I just go out and buy a new graphics card? If so, which one? (I am currently running XP.)

It's also saying I only have 512 MB of RAM and I need at least 1 GB for 32-bit Windows 7 for optimal performance. Is 512 MB how much space I had to begin with, or how much I have now since I loaded so much stuff onto my computer? Not sure what to do about this one, either.

Thank you for your assistance. I just found this forum. I bought Windows 7 yesterday and have been dealing with the aggravation of backing up my entire system for 3 users and finally got through the difficulties of that, only to see now that I can't just install W7.

[jdc2000]

Post the model number of your Dell computer and we can better advise you on what you would need. 2GB of memory would be recommended. The model number will tell us what type of graphics card to recommend.

[SuperSparks]

RAM is another word for the memory, and has nothing to do with how many programs are loaded (that's hard drive space). You definitely won't have a particularly good experience with only 512MB, that's the minimum we recommend for WinXP. You don't actually need the Aero interface, and Win7 will just disable that if it doesn't find adequate hardware. However, it sounds like you have quite an old PC there, and you may be a bit disappointed in how Win7 runs on it. I've got to be honest, I wouldn't install Win7 on WinXP spec hardware myself.

[jmflu]

I have a Dell Dimension E310 that was purchased almost 4 years ago.

I'd like to run the Aero... that looks neat! But I could just purchase 2G of RAM and replace the other, right?

I'd love to know what you all recommend for a new desktop purchase... basic but with everything you'd want to have...

Thanks!!

[photolady]

According to Dell you can add up to 2gb of memory. Which means, 1gb per slot because you only have two slots. Remove the 512 that is in there and replace with 2 1gb modules.

Here's the specs for your computer in the link below:

http://support.dell.com/support/edoc....htm#wp1052310

Be advised though, since the advisor says your onboard video that won't run Aero, there isn't much you can do about the onboard (you can't change that because it's built in). However, you have some empty PCI slots where you can add a better video card.

[Train]

PCI video cards examples.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...09642&name=PCI

[jmflu]

Do any of you have W7? If I just replace the 512 with 2G, since I can't run Aero, do you think I will be missing out on a very cool component of W7 that was part of the reason people bought it?

Thank you all very much for your input!

[photolady]

I run Windows 7 but my computer was built by me to run the newest OS. See my signature.

Upping the ram will help but without a better video card, you'd probably be disappointed in Windows 7 look and feel. May as well stay with XP.

[jmflu]

I could not help but see your signature! It is very impressive... in fact, it is a foreign language!

I am happy to replace the video card, but that won't allow Aero to run, right? What WILL it do?

[photolady]

That's because my computer was built by me, and doesn't have a brand on it like your Dell does.

If you upgrade the video card to one listed to be compatible with Windows 7, you could use Aero and it will be like what you want to see.However, even upgrading to a new video card, as SuperSparks said, as old as your computer is, I wouldn't install Windows 7 on it either.

[ecross]

You know jmflu I ran the Windows 7 Upgrade Adviser before I upgraded my system and it told me that my sound card was not compatible. Later, I discovered Creative labs released a driver for my sound card so I don't think the Adviser is necessarily correct and accurate.

I checked out your computer from Dell and the system does provide Vista drivers so I think it could also run Windows 7. Even though Dell may not provide them, you could always check the manufacturer of the device.

Technical Support for Dimension 3100/E310
http://support.dell.com/support/topi...IM_PNT_P4_3100

[SuperSparks]

If a computer will run Vista, then it will run Win 7. They are essentially the same underneath, and Win 7 has been specifically designed to be able to use existing drivers.

[buf]

I have been missing your usual informative posts and comments ecross.

[jmflu]

I just called Staples to ask about buying 2G of RAM and a video card to upgrade my current system. The guy told me they have been running a special on a PC that has been selling out. I wonder if any of you are familiar with the Compaq CQ 5210 Desktop, with 3G RAM, a 500HD, and a DVD burner with "Light Scribe." Apparently it's a "basic" system (and should I really go with basic again??) but for $400 it's a steal! Should I buy this system and just forget about trying to upgrade my current system??

[Train]

What do you have now?