What would you install on it?

[Devon68]

So as it's close to Christmas I'm feeling a bit nostalgic. I remember getting my first PC in 2004 and playing Need for speed Underground for the first time (it was my first PC game ever). That was a really great memory and I was kind of hoping to repeat it this Christmas. I dont want to play it on my current PC so I decided to dust off my old PC (the one from 2004) with the following specs:

As you can see it has windows 7 installed on it. The problem is that the hardware is so outdated it wont let me install any browser and thus let me use the internet. I tried installing windows 10 lite but it wont install. I cant go back to Windows XP either. Even went as far as to install puppy linux but it's a no go. Should I just give up and leave it as it is, and play the game I wanted since I dont need internet for that to install and work.
What would you install on it? or would you leave it as it is?

 

[tussinman]

What would you install on it?

Are you referring to games, programs or hardware ? Programs you could try the pale moon browser, should work with your hardware. Games I'd be playing GTA vice city, fear, unreal tournament 2003/2004, KOTOR

 

[freeagent]

Crysis of course.

 

[Rei]

So as it's close to Christmas I'm feeling a bit nostalgic. I remember getting my first PC in 2004 and playing Need for speed Underground for the first time (it was my first PC game ever). That was a really great memory and I was kind of hoping to repeat it this Christmas. I dont want to play it on my current PC so I decided to dust off my old PC (the one from 2004) with the following specs:

View attachment 179231
As you can see it has windows 7 installed on it. The problem is that the hardware is so outdated it wont let me install any browser and thus let me use the internet. I tried installing windows 10 lite but it wont install. I cant go back to Windows XP either. Even went as far as to install puppy linux but it's a no go. Should I just give up and leave it as it is, and play the game I wanted since I dont need internet for that to install and work.
What would you install on it? or would you leave it as it is?

I'm curious... Why would it let you install Win7 but not Win10? They are both of the same WinNT 6 line. Does your processor not support SSE2?
I'm not even aware that there is any browser that is limited by an older hardware in such ways. My rig (as shown on my profile's system specs) is a tad bit newer than yours but can use Win10 & any latest browsers just fine, so why can't yours?

 

[Devon68]

Are you referring to games, programs or hardware ?

I'm referring to the OS as in try windows 10 again or some other linux distro. Will give pale moon browser a go. Firefox, chrome and opera is a no go.
The games I already know what I want to play.

I'm curious... Why would it let you install Win7 but not Win10? They are both of the same WinNT 6 line. Does your processor not support SSE2?

No it does not support SSE2. That is the main problem. That might be the reason why it wont install win 10 lite.

 

[Rei]

I'm referring to the OS as in try windows 10 again or some other linux distro. Will give pale moon browser a go. Firefox, chrome and opera is a no go.
The games I already know what I want to play.

No it does not support SSE2. That is the main problem. That might be the reason why it wont install win 10 lite.

I though Athlon XP still also had support for SSE2? It is from 2004 after all. I can see now why Win10 & most newest browser won't install since they require SSE2 support. Yeah, Pale Moon, Basilisk & Internet Explorer are the only browser I can think of that could still work. I guess you could try Avant Browser, Lunascape or SeaMonkey as another browser option.

I cant go back to Windows XP either.

Why? I'm dual-booting WinXP & Win10 on this desktop. Both of my laptops & a nettop also run off WinXP. Despite having weaker hardware than my desktop & running the OS off a mechanical HDD, my WinXPs all performs much faster than my desktop's Win10 which runs off SSD.

 

[Goodman]

You know that you can still update windows 7 , if your last windows 7 updates was a few years ago you can still have all the updates that were made until the 14 January 2020 included Directx (webdirectx) , so you can have windows 7 with all the update till that point

I got Windows 7 all up to date & I can run any browser I want, I installed & used Chromium (free open sources) not Chrome
But i'm in dual boot win7 & linux Feren OS & also don't use windows anymore for the past few years I probably boot into windows only twice in a year

As for Linux there is a lots of there that should work just fine on your PC like Pupy linux , Lubuntu , LXLE , Zorin OS or any XFCE DE should be lite enough

Edit:
You know I got lots of old PC (about 15 maybe more?) in my basement anything from Pentium 1 to Core 2 duo , Athlon xp to Phenom II x4
I should built a old Athlon & see how it goes with windows 7 and some Linux distro's

I can't try win10 as I don't have one & frankly I don't want/need too I play all the games just fine in Linux & the very few games that don't run well in Linux I play them in Win7 (I play single player games never liked multiplayer games)

Mikey

 

[biffzinker]

I though Athlon XP still also had support for SSE2?

The highest SIMD support for the Athlon XP was SSE.

https://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/K7/TYPE-Athlon%20XP.html

The Pentium 4 (Willamette) started with SSE2.

Intel Pentium 4 CPUs also included 144 new SIMD instructions called SSE2.

https://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Pentium_4/index.html

 

[Rei]

The highest SIMD support for the Athlon XP was SSE.

https://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/K7/TYPE-Athlon%20XP.html

The Pentium 4 (Willamette) started with SSE2.

https://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Pentium_4/index.html

Yeah, I did know that Pentium 4 was the first to support SSE2 but I don't know which AMD processor first supported SSE2.
Well, I guess AMD was rather late in supporting SSE2.

 

[Devon68]

I will try installing a few browsers that were suggested.
If that fails I will try updating Windows 7 as far as it lets me. and try again.
Will report back tomorrow on how it goes. And provide some screenshots of the error's I may encounter.
Thank you so far for the suggestions.

 

[biffzinker]

Well, I guess AMD was rather late in supporting SSE2.

The Athlon 64 was the first AMD CPU with SSE2 support.

https://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/K8/TYPE-Athlon%2064.html

 

[Rei]

The Athlon 64 was the first AMD CPU with SSE2 support.

https://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/K8/TYPE-Athlon%2064.html

Lucky me then, I got an Athlon 64 X2 3800+. Dunno when it came out but my old man got it for me in 2010 (along with most of my hardware) when I was a 6 years old little brat.

 

[Goodman]

I will try installing a few browsers that were suggested.
If that fails I will try updating Windows 7 as far as it lets me. and try again.
Will report back tomorrow on how it goes. And provide some screenshots of the error's I may encounter.
Thank you so far for the suggestions.

Yes! let us know as it goes , if you run into any problems we'll try to help you out & I could also try to build an old Athlon like yours & see if I run into the same problems or not?

Mikey

Edit:
I've been collecting PC parts & games for years what ever I could fine for cheap , I always wanted to have a room with Retro gaming PC's but never had the time to do it or stocked in other Hobby's of mine like slot cars but mostly Home Theatre Cinema I love Sci-Fi & action movies (all Blu-Ray) 9.2 Surround sound & LED projector lots of good times...

Anyhow I recently started (few weeks ago) to make room for my Retro gaming PC's but it may take some time before I finish it , working 6 days a week so not much time for this right now but at the least it's a start so please forget about the mess I'll show better pics (start a Thread) when everything is done after Christmas is pass...

Here are some pics for now..

 

[Devon68]

Today has been a failure after failure. First I replaced the bios battery since the old one was empty. It would not let me update Windows otherwise, After changing the system time it found some updates but
it said it cant continue until I get some updates to defender. Downloaded KB4474419 and KB4490628. After installing the first update it said it needed to restart, but after that it would not boot. Downloaded Xubuntu and it was not really working out. Tried to install windows 10 32 bit but still nothing only a black screen and nothing happening. Will try reinstalling windows 7 later and start from scratch.

 

[Rei]

Today has been a failure after failure. First I replaced the bios battery since the old one was empty. It would not let me update Windows otherwise, After changing the system time it found some updates but
it said it cant continue until I get some updates to defender. Downloaded KB4474419 and KB4490628. After installing the first update it said it needed to restart, but after that it would not boot. Downloaded Xubuntu and it was not really working out. Tried to install windows 10 32 bit but still nothing only a black screen and nothing happening. Will try reinstalling windows 7 later and start from scratch.

Jesus!?! Sorry that had to happen to you. Sounds like something that I would bash my head against the wall over. Good luck on Win7.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Updating windows 7 can be a fun thing to do
You have to first install a better updater one on win-7 dvd or iso is bad can't communicate with ms well.

Related articles,

Simplifying updates for Windows 7 and 8.1 - Windows 7 Help Forums

While weve spent a lot of time over the past year talking about Windows 10 (including new roadmap details), we know that organizations are still working with Windows 7 too, regularly updating their W

www.sevenforums.com

Windows IT Pro Blog

blogs.technet.microsoft.com

1) Install windows without an internet connection and as soon as you get to your win-7
desktop switch the update settings to Never check for updates or it will clash with the stand alone installers

2) You will also need to ensure the built in windows update service is not running if it is Stop it and set to
manual or it will conflict with the stand alone installers.

3) KB3125574 is a very large update and will take a while to install be sure switch hibernation to off and also sleep mode

Hibernate - Enable or Disable - Windows 7 Help Forums

Nice tutorial Shawn but just in case hibernation option is not present even after typing this command, then just go to power options n click on Change advanced power settings, then expand Sleep n disa

www.sevenforums.com

Screen Saver - Turn On or Off - Windows 7 Help Forums

I have the windows seven home premium and no matter what I do, the screen saver won't work. My computer will sit idle for about a minute and a half and then the screen goes dark. The power settings on

www.sevenforums.com

4) Manually install KB3020369 Required for the next 2 to be installed.
5) Manually install KB3125574 This one has all update through April 2016 in it so it will take a little time to
install considering there are 350 updates to date so it's a good thing to wait a while for it to install.
5) Manually install KB3172605 Newest update client included in this one to get the update system working.

6) Afterwards reset the windows updates service to what it was before/ Default and update settings to your preference and check for updates.
Should be only 50 or so updates left to install.

Hi,
I'd make a system image with macrium reflect free before doing #6

 

[Goodman]

Today has been a failure after failure. First I replaced the bios battery since the old one was empty. It would not let me update Windows otherwise, After changing the system time it found some updates but
it said it cant continue until I get some updates to defender. Downloaded KB4474419 and KB4490628. After installing the first update it said it needed to restart, but after that it would not boot. Downloaded Xubuntu and it was not really working out. Tried to install windows 10 32 bit but still nothing only a black screen and nothing happening. Will try reinstalling windows 7 later and start from scratch.

I forget that Athlon xp was 32bit only so if you want to install Linux make sure it's a 32bit version & Xubuntu would be to "heavy" for your system , you should really try Lubuntu or Puppy Linux 32 bit , also for windows 7 updates you need to have at least SP1 install first unless you already got that with your DVD installation disk?

You could also try what TrashZone suggest...

If I think of something else I'll let you know later tonight

Mikey

 

[stinger608]

Excellent suggestions @ThrashZone

I have an ole S939 DFI LanParty that I've had issues with and might just give your suggestions a shot man. Thanks for sharing.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
You can get win-7/... media here
Heidoc.net

I have all the updates on my onedrive I'll try and fetch a link
Onedrive has been pretty weird lately with permissions

Hi,
Seems these microsoft links still work 32 and 64 bit too

These other links do prompt you to download as soon as you click on them just to give you a heads up
KB3020369
4b) download links,
Win-7 32 bit

https://download.microsoft.com/download/C/0/8/C0823F43-BFE9-4147-9B0A-35769CBBE6B0/Windows6.1-KB3020369-x86.msu

Win-7 64 bit

https://download.microsoft.com/download/5/D/0/5D0821EB-A92D-4CA2-9020-EC41D56B074F/Windows6.1-KB3020369-x64.msu

5) Then manually install KB3172605 main article page with all versions,

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3172605

KB3172605 download links,
Win-7 32 bit

https://download.microsoft.com/download/C/D/5/CD5DE7B2-E857-4BD4-AA9C-6B30C3E1735A/Windows6.1-KB3172605-x86.msu

Win-7 64 bit

https://download.microsoft.com/download/5/6/0/560504D4-F91A-4DEB-867F-C713F7821374/Windows6.1-KB3172605-x64.msu

Here's the big one

Microsoft Update Catalog

 

[QuietBob]

The problem is that the hardware is so outdated it wont let me install any browser

I'd suggest trying out one of these Goanna based browsers. They're intended for WinXP, but all are in active development. They should run on any SSE-capable CPU:

Serpent - a fork of Basilisk
New Moon - a fork of Pale Moon, by Serpent's developer
K-Meleon
Arctic-Fox
Firefox 49.0 should also install. To my knowledge, this was the last version that supported SSE.

You know that you can still update windows 7 , if your last windows 7 updates was a few years ago you can still have all the updates that were made until the 14 January 2020

However, on CPUs without SSE2 support, you can only download updates up to March 2018. This is when MS blocked further updates on SSE-only systems.

I've been collecting PC parts & games for years what ever I could fine for cheap , I always wanted to have a room with Retro gaming PC's

Did you know there is a specific thread for us nostalgic geeks?

You have to first install a better updater one on win-7 dvd or iso is bad can't communicate with ms well.

Let me suggest a different route. Windows 7 Image updater can automatically slipstream all updates released to this day into a Win7 image. I can personally vouch for this app, it's 100% safe and extremely efficient. I've used it multiple times to install Win7 from scratch. It's saved me countless hours of downloading and installing separate KBs with Windows Update, followed by multiple reboots.

The slipstreaming process itself is lengthy, but it's a one-off. You can then create a bootable pendrive using Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool from Microsoft and use it whenever you need to install the system. The installation process will take longer than usual, but again, this is way faster that relying on Windows Update. Just remember that the pendrive has to remain plugged in all the time until the installation fully completes.

EDIT: For older systems, uncheck "Integrate updated installer". This option replaces the original Win7 installer with the Win10 one.

 

[Devon68]

Will try some of the things suggested as it is fun to try different things. But it might take a few days to report back. Got to say I learned some really cool things I did not know before. But to sum it up today was a disaster. The PC does post but wont boot, only black screen. Wont start windows or linux installations from usb's or even from physical discs.
Will try to reset the cmos and try it tomorrow if I have the time.

 

[Goodman]

However, on CPUs without SSE2 support, you can only download updates up to March 2018. This is when MS blocked further updates on SSE-only systems.

Di not know that thanks for the info

Did you know there is a specific thread for us nostalgic geeks? .

Thanks! I'll post pics when I'll be ready...

Will try some of the things suggested as it is fun to try different things. But it might take a few days to report back. Got to say I learned some really cool things I did not know before. But to sum it up today was a disaster. The PC does post but wont boot, only black screen. Wont start windows or linux installations from usb's or even from physical discs.
Will try to reset the cmos and try it tomorrow if I have the time.

Maybe I'm wrong but I would thing more of a PSU or Graphic card problem if all you get is black screen after post...
Another thing it could be is a loose wire connector so open your case & see if all the wires plugs are push in all the way

Mikey

 

[ThrashZone]

Di not know that thanks for the info



Thanks! I'll post pics when I'll be ready...



Maybe I'm wrong but I would thing more of a PSU or Graphic card problem if all you get is black screen after post...
Another thing it could be is a loose wire connector so open your case & see if all the wires plugs are push in all the way

Mikey

Hi,
Yeah there is a workaround for more updates I've not used it though
7 ESU Bypass

 

[Goodman]

Hi,
Yeah there is a workaround for more updates I've not used it though
7 ESU Bypass

Thanks! but I wouldn't needed as I got Win7 Ultimate on my PC right now but when I'll be building older computers I'll be using one for Windows XP , one for Win98se & possibly my Pentium 1 with only pure MS-DOS 3.30 or 6.22 still got DOS games on 5.25" & 3.1/2" floppy disks

As for me I would not bother installing Win7 on anything less then dual core CPU with 4GB+ ram otherwise better of using WinXP or Linux
But let see if Devon68 can make it work & then maybe I'll try just for the fun of it

Mikey

 

[QuietBob]

Updating windows 7 can be a fun thing to do

It sure can. I for one didn't know about the cumulative update you mentioned, thanks for pointing it out. Always good to have alternatives. Also, I'll look into that ESU patch.

Will try some of the things suggested as it is fun to try different things. But it might take a few days to report back.

Do let us know how it goes. I'm a bit surprised that your AGP card installed without an issue.

As for me I would not bother installing Win7 on anything less then dual core CPU with 4GB+ ram

If it's meant for everyday use, I'd totally agree. Anything less might feel uncomfortable to work on. But old hardware can be fun to experiment with