Windows 7 - Upgrading to Win 7?

Asked By Kenny

21-Nov-09 05:46 AM

Running the Win 7 Upgrade Advisor it tells me that:

1. Your current graphics adapter will not support the Windows Aero user
interface. If you want to experience the benefits of Windows Aero, contact
your PC manufacturer or retailer to see if an upgrade is available.

Graphics card is an Nvidia AGP Geforce 6600 with 512MB RAM.  There are Win 7
drivers available for this card but will they solve the Aero problem or is
the card incompatible from a hardware point of view?
Is Aero purely cosmetic and could I live without it?

2. Creative EMU10K1 Audio Processor (WDM)
Creative Technology, Ltd. Creative Game Port  Not compatible The
driver installed for this device is not compatible with Windows 7.
This is a Soundblaster Live 5.1 soundcard.
Win 7 drivers are available for this so I am assuming it will work OK.

. 3. hp deskjet 840c series
Hewlett-Packard Unknown We do not have compatibility information
about this device.




HP Support says Win 7 will install a basic driver with limited functions,
it is a fair age now so maybe it is time to break out and buy a new one.

Any advice appreciated

Kenny

21-Nov-09 06:25 AM

In the Vista era, Aero was supported by PS/VS shader 2.0 and a card having
a minimum of 128MB of RAM. Looking at the particulars here, I'd say your
card passes the Aero test.

http://www.gpureview.com/GeForce-6600-AGP-card-191.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Aero

Model (WDDM) driver, Pixel shader 2.0 in hardware, and a minimum of 128 MB
of Video RAM"

The requirements listed here for Win 7, remain the same as for Vista.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/What-is-the-Aero-desktop-experience

HTH,
Paul

21-Nov-09 08:43 AM

Thanks for the reply, did a bit of Googling  and it seems Win 7 will
automatically disable Aero if it is not supported and works perfectly without
it.
Aero has also been described as eye candy by an MS MVP.

Kenny

21-Nov-09 09:37 AM

Your GeForce card should support Aero.
But you can live without it.

--
JS
http://www.pagestart.com

23-Nov-09 03:28 PM

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1) Your nVidia 660 AGP "should" work correctly with the correct
drivers from www.nvidia.com.

2)  Creative would probably want to "sell" you the revised drivers
from Windows 7.  I was never able to download a "full" driver to
install from their web sites.  Their driver download expect a previous
driver to have been installed

3) Replace the printer.  Several manufacturers tend to "drop" their
driver development from their older printer models, especially when
newer Windows verisons are offered.