My 7 is Slow: A Guide to Upgrading Your XP Machine for Optimum Performance with Windows 7

While your first instinct may have been to buy a new machine, that may not be in your plans right now. That means your end goal should be making your current machine as efficient as possible.  This piece will help you to do just that.

Make Sure That Your System Meets The Minimum Requirements

This is the first thing that you should do.  Ideally, it should be done before the upgrade occurs, but if you are already there, then you need to take this stop post change over. The minimum requirements for running Windows 7 on your machine are: 

• 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor.
  
• 1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit).
  
• 16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit).
  
• DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver.

Additional requirements to use certain features:

• Internet access (fees may apply).
  
• Depending on resolution, video playback may require additional memory and advanced graphics hardware.
  
• Some games and programs might require a graphics card compatible with DirectX 10 or higher for optimal performance.
  
• For some Windows Media Center functionality, a TV tuner and additional hardware may be required.
  
• Windows Touch and Tablet PCs require specific hardware.
  
• HomeGroup requires a network and PCs running Windows 7.
  
• DVD/CD authoring requires a compatible optical drive.
  
• BitLocker requires Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2.
  
• BitLocker To Go requires a USB flash drive.
  
• Windows XP Mode requires an additional 1 GB of RAM, an additional 15 GB of available hard disk space, and a processor capable of hardware virtualization with Intel VT or AMD-V turned on.
  
• Music and sound require audio output.

Of course, that information will do you no good if you do not know what your system is packing. In the next section you'll find instructions for discovering what your system has currently.

XP instructions

If your computer is running Windows XP, you can find out what kind of hardware you are packing with the following steps: Select Start > Control Panel > System. This launches the System Properties dialog box.

Alternatively, right-click the My Computer icon (usually on your desktop or accessible from the Start bar) and select Properties. Also, using the "General" tab on your "System Properties" window will display all of the important RAM and processor details

If your computer is running Windows 7, you can find out details about its system using the following steps:

Select Start > Control Panel > System. 

This brings up a box showing basic information about your computer, such as the type of processor and the amount of memory installed.

You can get further information about your graphics card, sound card and attached peripherals, too. Clicking on Device Manager from the left-hand Tasks menu will show you more information about the hardware you have installed.

Now that you know your basics, we can talk about how to make the needed upgrades to your system, but first we need to look at some basic safety tips for  working inside your case.

• Always remember to turn the power off before servicing anything. Having all of the power from an outlet coursing through your body is not a fun thing.
  
• Remove anything conductive from your hands before working inside your computer. This will reduce your chances of having a snag or getting a jolt.
  
• When you come across labels that say "No serviceable components inside," don't take it as a challenge or even a suggestion.
  
• Be sure to ground yourself with either a grounding strip or by touching the case frequently.
  
• Never force a part into a slot. If it does not fit, try rotating it 180 degrees. If it does not fit easily either way, then the part is probably wrong for the slot.

Now, on to the upgrade instructions.

Memory, sound and video cards

Adding new memory 

1. Find out how much memory your computer has via this process: choose Start, then Control Panel, then Performance and Maintenance, then System.
   
2. Check your manual or manufacturer's Web site to determine whether there are open memory slots on the motherboard, and what kind of memory you will need. Now you can place your order. Once the memory arrives you can move on to the next step.
   
3. Find a stable and clean working surface.
   
4. Shut down and unplug. This means unplug everything, including the keyboard, mouse and monitor.
   
5. Lay your computer on its side and open the case. The exact procedure will vary by your case type.
   
6. Locate the memory slots and take your cards out of the packaging.
   
7. Gently place them into the slots and apply light pressure. Once they have snapped into place, you are done.
   
8. Close up the case and set your system back up.

Upgrading your sound card

1. Find out what sound card you have currently in your computer by going through this process: choose Start, then Control Panel, then Performance and Maintenance, then System.
   
2. Check your manual or manufacturer's Web site to determine which models of sound card your machine can use. Do not deviate from that list. You may have to email them to ask if it is not explicitly stated. Now you can place your order. Once the memory arrives, you can move on to the next step.
   
3. Find a stable and clean working surface.
   
4. Shut down and unplug. This means unplug everything, including the keyboard, mouse and monitor.
   
5. Lay your computer on its side and open the case. The exact procedure will vary by case type.
   
6. Locate the sound card slot and take your cards out of the packaging.
   
7. If there is a card in the slot already, release it and pull it out. The release will be a small clip if you have one.
   
8. Insert you new card. If your clips are not manual, you can replace them.
   
9. Close up the case and set your system back up. 

Upgrading your video card

1. Find out what video card you have currently in your computer by going through this process: choose Start, then Control Panel, then Performance and Maintenance, then System.
   
2. Check your manual or manufacturer's Web site to determine which models of video card your machine can use. Do not deviate from that list. You may have to email them to ask if it is not explicitly stated. Now you can place your order. Once the memory arrives, you can move on to the next step.
   
3. Find a stable and clean working surface.
   
4. Shut down and unplug. This means unplug everything, including the keyboard, mouse and monitor.
   
5. Lay your computer on its side and open the case. The exact procedure will vary by your case type.
   
6. Locate the video card slot and take your cards out of the packaging.
   
7. If there is a card in the slot already, release it and pull it out. The release will be a small clip if you have one.
   
8. Insert you new card. If your clips are not manual, you can replace them.
   
9. Close up the case and set your system back up.

Now that you have made any and all of your basic hardware upgrades to your system, we can take a look at some of your software-based options for improving your system's performance.

Disabling optional features

Features in Windows 7 that you can turn off safely include:

• Games - Internet Games
  
• Internet Explorer 8
  
• Internet Information Services - FTP Server
  
• Internet Information Services Hostable Web Core
  
• Media Features
  
• Microsoft .NET Framework 3.51
  
• Services for NFS (Network File System)
  
• Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications
  
• TIFF IFilter
  
• Windows Gadget Platform
  
• Windows Search
  
• XPS Services
  
• XPS Viewer

And here's how to turn them off.

1. Open the Control Panel (All Items view), and click on the Programs and Features icon.
   
2. In the left pane, click on the Turn Windows features on or off link.
   
3. If prompted by UAC , click on Yes to approve.
   
4. Close the Programs and Features window. To Turn Off a Windows Feature, uncheck the selected feature.
   
5. When done, click on OK.

Removing unwanted programs

2. Open Programs and Features by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Programs, and then clicking Programs and Features.

3. Select a program, and then click Uninstall. Some programs include the option to change or repair the program in addition to uninstalling it, but many simply offer the option to uninstall. To change a program, click Change or Repair.  If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

Now that you know how to give your system a speed boost, and make your old hardware work as efficiently as possible, nothing can stand in your way.  Nothing can stop you from doing everything that you want with your system.  Semper upgrade.

Do you still have some questions that need answering?  Then check out the FAQ.

FAQ

How do I know what type of memory I need?

Choosing memory for your system is not as hard as it may seem.  The best and simplest way to do that is to get a model number off of one of your existing chips.  Then you can just get that number chip from the same maker.

How will I know if my video or audio card is compatible?

The best thing to do is get the information on your motherboard.  The maker's website should be able to give you a list of compatible audio or video cards.  If you shop from that list, you will be sure it is compatible.

Will turning off features change my experience as an end user?

Yes.  Your Windows 7 would look and function differently.  While most of it will be the same for functioning, you may find some menus differ.  Viewing will be the main difference.