Video update and Single/dual boot huh?

[Tom C]

I have installed Windows 7 on an HP Pavilion 710n running a single core 2.7
Gig processor. There are actually two issues with this system.

1. The onboard video is supplied by Asus and is an Nvidia. The video
shares system memory with the main processor, so at 256 megs, leaves only
750 or so for the system to run on. The computer will also not accept any
more than 1 Gig of Ram. Since there are no PCI Express or AGP slots
included on the main board, what if any, are the benefits of adding a new
PCI (standard) video card? Should I spend the money on a new video card
and set the bios to not use the onboard, or should I just replace the main
board with a new one and add a separate video card. This will of course
force an upgrade in parts, meaning new processor and memory. The computer
seems quite slow, but I really don't want to put too much into it, mainly
because it is primarily used for browsing the web along with some music and
image editing.

2. When I boot the computer, it gives me the selection screen so I can
choose to boot in either Windows XP or Windows 7 The system thinks there are
2 operating systems, but since I installed Windows 7, XP is no longer
installed. I have even gone so far as to delete the Windows Old folder. I
saw something about BCDEdit, but I have absolutely no idea what to do with
it. When I run it on the HP, it seems to run a script in a command prompt
window and disappears. Is there a boot file I can edit to eliminate any
references to Windows XP Pro and boot directly to Windows 7 without the need
to select anything?

As always, thank you all. You are the best and I've always admired what you
do to help people like me.

 

[Seth]

I have installed Windows 7 on an HP Pavilion 710n running a single core 2.7
Gig processor. There are actually two issues with this system.

1. The onboard video is supplied by Asus and is an Nvidia. The video
shares system memory with the main processor, so at 256 megs, leaves only
750 or so for the system to run on. The computer will also not accept
any more than 1 Gig of Ram. Since there are no PCI Express or AGP slots
included on the main board, what if any, are the benefits of adding a new
PCI (standard) video card? Should I spend the money on a new video card
and set the bios to not use the onboard, or should I just replace the main
board with a new one and add a separate video card. This will of course
force an upgrade in parts, meaning new processor and memory. The
computer seems quite slow, but I really don't want to put too much into
it, mainly because it is primarily used for browsing the web along with
some music and image editing.

Don't bother putting any money in it. Use money you have and save a little
further towards building or buying a new system.

2. When I boot the computer, it gives me the selection screen so I can
choose to boot in either Windows XP or Windows 7 The system thinks there
are 2 operating systems, but since I installed Windows 7, XP is no longer
installed. I have even gone so far as to delete the Windows Old folder.
I saw something about BCDEdit, but I have absolutely no idea what to do
with it. When I run it on the HP, it seems to run a script in a command
prompt window and disappears. Is there a boot file I can edit to
eliminate any references to Windows XP Pro and boot directly to Windows 7
without the need to select anything?

The easy way without screwing with other things that have the potential to
hose your system...

Right click "Computer" (in Start Menu"), choose "Properties". Click on
"Advanced system settings". Under "Startup and Recovery" click "Settings".
Make sure "Default operating system:" is "Windows 7" and uncheck "Time to
display list of operating systems:".

 

[PeeCee]

I have installed Windows 7 on an HP Pavilion 710n running a single core
2.7 Gig processor. There are actually two issues with this system.

1. The onboard video is supplied by Asus and is an Nvidia. The video
shares system memory with the main processor, so at 256 megs, leaves only
750 or so for the system to run on. The computer will also not accept
any more than 1 Gig of Ram. Since there are no PCI Express or AGP slots
included on the main board, what if any, are the benefits of adding a new
PCI (standard) video card? Should I spend the money on a new video card
and set the bios to not use the onboard, or should I just replace the main
board with a new one and add a separate video card. This will of course
force an upgrade in parts, meaning new processor and memory. The
computer seems quite slow, but I really don't want to put too much into
it, mainly because it is primarily used for browsing the web along with
some music and image editing.

2. When I boot the computer, it gives me the selection screen so I can
choose to boot in either Windows XP or Windows 7 The system thinks there
are 2 operating systems, but since I installed Windows 7, XP is no longer
installed. I have even gone so far as to delete the Windows Old folder.
I saw something about BCDEdit, but I have absolutely no idea what to do
with it. When I run it on the HP, it seems to run a script in a command
prompt window and disappears. Is there a boot file I can edit to
eliminate any references to Windows XP Pro and boot directly to Windows 7
without the need to select anything?

As always, thank you all. You are the best and I've always admired what
you do to help people like me.

Tom

The only 710n I can find on the HP website is a 'a710n'
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...ory&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=au&lang=en&product=431076
The specs on that page show it can accept up to '2' GB of RAM and that it
has and AGP slot onboard.
If that is the model you do have then taking the RAM to 2GB and putting in a
reasonable AGP will make it run 'reasonably well'

Like Seth though I don't think you'll get good value upgrading that PC.
It will always struggle with Win7 and would be better put back on to XP.
The money saved on hardware can then be put towards a new PC.

Best
Paul..

 

[Conor]

The computer will also not
accept any more than 1 Gig of Ram.

Rubbish. Potter over to www.crucial.com and use the memory selector tool.

 

[Tom C]

Thank you... All very good replies. Yes the computer is labeled a710n, but
the board definitely does not have a AGP slot. I have tried installing 2 -
1 Gig sticks of Ram, but it still only showed 1 Gig. I thought it may have
been a bad memory module, so I pulled out the memory and tested each one
individually and in both slots. Both chips worked fine in other one, so I
knew that both the memory and the slots were fine. I ended up taking the
memory back and replacing it only to have the same issue, so I posted my
questions here.

Since I bought the computer a about 5 or 6 years ago as a closeout floor
model from Fry's, it may have something other than what it is supposed to
have. I suspect it may have even had the board replaced before I bought it.
The processor was about the only thing that matched the specs. That would
also explain a lot of other discrepancies I have found between the manual
and the actual system. Thankfully, I am a lot more educated about
computers than I was when I bought this aberration. BTW, I am NEVER going
to buy another refurbished computer again. You just never really know what
you're getting.

Needless to say, I got the answers I was pretty much expecting from this
group. Thanks again. This thing is just too old to bother spending more
money on. So, I will take the advice and build a new system. Since I like
the case, I am probably going to replace the main board, memory and
processor. It may not be an HP any more, if it ever really was, but who
cares. I can definitely replace these a lot cheaper than buying a new
computer that usually comes with a lot of bloat ware.

I priced out some parts and came up with a decent system upgrade for about
$125.00. That includes a new board with onboard ATI video, memory, and
dual core processor. I have a couple of SATA drives to add into it, so...
Off to the store I go. As I said previously. This computer will not be
used for anything very heavy, mainly for browsing the web, music and some
photo editing, so it definitely doesn't have to be high end. For that
price, you can't even buy a decent video card.

 

[Dave]

Thank you... All very good replies. Yes the computer is labeled a710n,
but the board definitely does not have a AGP slot. I have tried
installing 2 - 1 Gig sticks of Ram, but it still only showed 1 Gig. I
thought it may have been a bad memory module, so I pulled out the memory
and tested each one individually and in both slots. Both chips worked
fine in other one, so I knew that both the memory and the slots were fine.
I ended up taking the memory back and replacing it only to have the same
issue, so I posted my questions here.

Since I bought the computer a about 5 or 6 years ago as a closeout floor
model from Fry's, it may have something other than what it is supposed to
have. I suspect it may have even had the board replaced before I bought
it. The processor was about the only thing that matched the specs. That
would also explain a lot of other discrepancies I have found between the
manual and the actual system. Thankfully, I am a lot more educated about
computers than I was when I bought this aberration. BTW, I am NEVER going
to buy another refurbished computer again. You just never really know
what you're getting.

Needless to say, I got the answers I was pretty much expecting from this
group. Thanks again. This thing is just too old to bother spending more
money on. So, I will take the advice and build a new system. Since I
like the case, I am probably going to replace the main board, memory and
processor. It may not be an HP any more, if it ever really was, but who
cares. I can definitely replace these a lot cheaper than buying a new
computer that usually comes with a lot of bloat ware.

I priced out some parts and came up with a decent system upgrade for about
$125.00. That includes a new board with onboard ATI video, memory, and
dual core processor. I have a couple of SATA drives to add into it, so...
Off to the store I go. As I said previously. This computer will not be
used for anything very heavy, mainly for browsing the web, music and some
photo editing, so it definitely doesn't have to be high end. For that
price, you can't even buy a decent video card.

I agree with the opinion of replacing the system. The bus is slower as is
all the other architecture. You should check the output capacity of the
power supply on the case you plan on re-using as it may not be high enough
output. Tiger Direct, as well as a lot of other suppliers, has "Bare-bones"
systems for reasonable prices, that way you can re-use your keyboard, mouse
and monitor if you wish. I also encourage you to look a quad-core while
you're at it. It is not a necessity and the dual will run as fast as almost
any software available today, but if the price break between quad and dual
is small it will be a good investment as software will continue to push the
hardware to the point a dual will be slow someday. If money gets in the way,
and until I hit the lottery I am I the same boat, the dual will be plenty
for several years.
Just my 2cents,
Dave