updating a vista system

Hi everyone.  I've never been a member of a computer forum but I am a member of several others.  I'm just saying I am pretty good at not being a moron in forums.  I doubt that is reassuring for anyone but here goes.

So, I have a dell inspiron 1720.  I purchased it new in 2008.  I get it, its old; its running Vista. I want to update the operating system and wanted to see what a group thought.  Do I update with 7, 8.1, or try out 10 (clean install if necessary is fine)?  The hardware is as follows:

Intel core 2 duo T9300(2.5 ghx, 800mhx, 6m l2 cache)

4 GB, DDR2, 667 MHz 2 Dimm

High resolueion display (1920x1200)

256mb NVIDIA GeForce go 8600

Dual hard drives, 640G (2x329) 5400rpm SATA hard drive

Again, I know it is old.  I've been told it is not worth putting any effort into at all.  That any money spent would be better spent on something new.  I have something new.  However, this computer does still work for what it works for.  Music and data storage, entertainment (it works on a sound system I have), and it hooks up to a large projector.  I am not interested in purchasing a replacement.  I just thought I would throw this out there and see what others think.  If it can run Windows 10 without being glitchy I wouldn't mind.  I use this computer for photo storage as well so it may be better for that purpose of transferring files from my newer computer to this one.  If there is any other info anyone needs to better answer the question please ask.  Throwing it away, using it for trotline weight, or any other destructive action is not an option.   

Thanks for any feedback you have. 

I'm sure this has been asked here many times.  I thought maybe my system may be a little different than some others.  

Again, thanks.

The first thing to be aware of it that there is no free update path from Vista to any later Windows OS. Your system does meet the minimum requirements for Win 10 but I believe it might not run it very well. Having said that I recently overhauled a laptop of about the same vintage and it runs Win 10 surprisingly well with 8GB of Ram but that I think was DDR3 RAM.

As you say you have something newer and this computer is doing what you want it to do and doing it well I would be my advice to leave it alone to do it. The old saying 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it !'.

Chris Cosgrove

Fair enough. One suggestion though, if you have a spare drive handy remove your present C:\ drive and install 8.1 to the replacement. Then if it doesn't work very well - or not at all - then you can just put the C:\ drive back in and you will be where you are at the moment. Alternatively,  clone your C:\ drive using, for example, Macrium Reflect and you will be able to return.

There is no need for Win 8 if you decide to go that route, just download the 8.1 ISO and install. but before you attempt the install make sure that there are drivers for 8.1 available, especially the chipset drivers.

Chris Cosgrove

Fair enough. One suggestion though, if you have a spare drive handy remove your present C:\ drive and install 8.1 to the replacement. Then if it doesn't work very well - or not at all - then you can just put the C:\ drive back in and you will be where you are at the moment. Alternatively,  clone your C:\ drive using, for example, Macrium Reflect and you will be able to return.

 

There is no need for Win 8 if you decide to go that route, just download the 8.1 ISO and install. but before you attempt the install make sure that there are drivers for 8.1 available, especially the chipset drivers.

 

Chris Cosgrove

Thanks Chris.  I'm still uncertain.  I read that 7 was better for laptops that were not touch screen while 8 was more for touchscreen ready.  I think I'll just try 7 to start and see how it goes.  Again, appreciated. 

I think I'll just try 7 to start and see how it goes. 

 

I think I'll just try 7 to start and see how it goes. 

One advantage over Vista is that Windows Update still works, although you might have to manually install the latest Windows Update Agent and SP1 to get it working. (If you later decide to reinstall Vista, Windows Update will not work at all, so I agree with Chris that preserving your Vista installation would be prudent. Nothing wrong with using Vista for music and data storage!)

Of course the main advantage is better software support, particularly from major browsers and antivirus products in case you actually want to go online with this system. You should be aware that Chrome and Edge are expected to end support for Win7 in January 2022, but I suspect that 8.1 users are also in for a rude awakening. Remember how many software vendors ended support for Vista at the same time as XP? The same thing may happen to 8.1 for the same reason: no users (since most of them upgraded to 10 for free). In fact iTunes for Windows has already ended support for both Win7 and 8.1, as have a number of PC games. So the only advantage of 8.1 over 7 might be current patches from Microsoft, and those will end in January 2023.

 

Ok, just to keep track in my head.  I'm going to go with windows 7.  I think what y'all are saying is to run it as an update as opposed to a clean install that way I can still revert back to manufacture settings (i.e. revert to vista) if I had to.  Is that correct? 

Also, what about looking for any malware/virus/spyware that is currently on the computer.  Should I do that before I update or after?  Is there a preferred virus scan for either OS? 

Ok, just to keep track in my head.  I'm going to go with windows 7.  I think what y'all are saying is to run it as an update as opposed to a clean install that way I can still revert back to manufacture settings (i.e. revert to vista) if I had to.  Is that correct? 

 

Ok, just to keep track in my head.  I'm going to go with windows 7.  I think what y'all are saying is to run it as an update as opposed to a clean install that way I can still revert back to manufacture settings (i.e. revert to vista) if I had to.  Is that correct? 

No, it should be a clean install because in-place upgrades from Vista to 7 frequently fail. Chris Cosgrove mentioned Macrium Reflect, which could be used to make an image or clone of your system drive before you obliterate it. That is what I would do. He also mentioned the possibility of physically removing your system drive for safe keeping.

 

Understood.

Also, what about looking for any malware/virus/spyware that is currently on the computer.  Should I do that before I update or after?  Is there a preferred virus scan for either OS? 

 

Also, what about looking for any malware/virus/spyware that is currently on the computer.  Should I do that before I update or after?  Is there a preferred virus scan for either OS? 

Of course a clean install would also obliterate most any infections, but it is a good idea to scan before making an image or clone (otherwise your backup might be infected). When I was running Vista, I kept a copy of ESET SysRescue Live on hand for on-demand scanning. ESET also has an online scanner, but I never tried it. As you probably know, antivirus options for Vista are extremely limited (could discuss at length if necessary). Hopefully your Vista system has led a sheltered life, and you have something installed that still gets definition updates. With Windows 7 you would be able to use any antivirus except Microsofts latest protection for Windows 10, and I heard that Avira plans to end support for 7 and 8.1 soon.

Sheltered it has been.