http://www.varigraphics.com/graphics-adapter-aero/
graphics adapter aero
Windows 7 on a 2004 Computer?
It’s 5 yo. It’s an hp pavilion a706n, 1 GB RAM. I did run the Win7 Upgrade Advisor, & it looks like my “graphics adapter” (got NO idea what that is) isn’t capable of running the Windows Aero thingy. Do I even need that? But everything else looks good. I don’t play video games but I do watch a mess of movies on this comp.
However, I don’t have a DVD burner & I’ve read around that THAT is a must for Windows 7. Any advice is greatly appreciated, esp. on what I need to do to meet the min. requirements of Windows 7.
I don’t really think I have the money to spend on a new PC this upcoming fall & winter.
Technically you can run Windows 7 (only in 32 bit mode) if you upgrade to the MAXIMUM RAM: 1 GB (2 x 512MB ram sticks) PC2700 and buy a AGP 8x video card that supports Windows 7
Whether you should spend the money to upgrade is not an easy decision:
1) Only supports 1GB RAM ( 512 MB is standard ) You must upgrade to 1 GB (2 x 512MB ram sticks) PC2700 (very slow by today’s standards)
Both the 32 and 64 versions come with Windows 7
For 32 Bit Windows 7 you should have a minimum of 2 GB RAM
For 64 Bit Windows 7 you should have a minimum of 4 GB RAM
With only 1GB RAM expect it will run much slower as ir uses the much slower hard drive to simulate the additional RAM you need but can not install.
2) You have Integrated video that will be have to be upgraded to a separate video card. you have one AGP 8x video card slot available. No computer in the last several years has an AGP slot so it will be of no use if you buy a newer computer later.
3) You have a ATX style 250 watt power supply; most high performance video cards today recommend 450- 500 watt minimum
Video cards: Any on the following page will work $50- $115 try to stick with the best rated with the highest number of reviews
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048%201069609639%201068642010&bop=And&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&ActiveSearchResult=True&Order=RATING
)
Video card performance comparisons:
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/
Memory:
1GB (2 x 512MB)
Speed : DDR 333 (PC 2700)
3 Results; $36
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010170147+1052308476+1052407860&QksAutoSuggestion=&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&Configurator=&Subcategory=147&description=&Ntk=&CFG=&SpeTabStoreType=&srchInDesc=
Power Supply (if needed): $50
You may need to contact the video card mfr. to determine what size power supply they recommend.
Avoid cheap, $30 or less power supplies as they are probably garbage
The first one ($49.99) is probably the best choice.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010090058%201131309959%20113142554%201131414177&name=451%20-%20500W&ShowDeactivatedMark=False
graphics adapter aero
20 Ways to Increase The Life of Your Laptop’s Battery
Mobile computing has got better with lighter components, better chips and faster processors. But the Achilles heel of a laptop has remained its battery. So here are we are going to look at ways to increase laptop battery life.
Modern graphic intensive operating systems and resource hungry applications are cutting down the life of your laptop’s battery every day. The average battery life per continuous use still stands at a maximum of three to four hours. So, a fast depleting battery could very swiftly put the crutches on your ‘mobile’ road trip.
Falling just short of carrying an extra pack of batteries in the back-pack, are several ways to keep the juice flowing through the batteries.
1. Ship shape with a defrag
Regular defragmentation helps to arrange data more efficiently thus making the hard drive work less to access the data. The quicker the moving hard drive works lesser is the load placed on the battery. Thus, your batter can last longer. The effect is minimal, but this efficiency goes hand in glove with hard drive maintenance.
2. Kill the resource gobblers
End the background processes that are not vital. Monitor the resource usage through a ‘Ctrl-Alt-Del’ which brings up the Windows Task Manager (in Windows). If you’re not on the internet, it is safe to shut down the immediate non-essential programs running in the taskbar like the antivirus and the firewall. Weed out unnecessary programs running as start-ups by launching the system Configuration Utility from Run – Msconfig – Tab: Startup. Uncheck the programs which you don’t want to launch and reboot the computer once.
3. Pause the scheduled tasks
It may be a defrag or a virus scan, but make sure it is scheduled for a time when you are near a power outlet. If not then nix them for the moment.
4. Unplug external devices
USB devices are the biggest drainers of battery power. Unplug all external devices like an external mouse, PC cards, Wi-Fi, external speakers, Bluetooth and even an attached iPod.
5. Empty the CD/DVD Drives
Even if you don’t intend to use it, don’t leave any CD/DVDs as leftovers in the drives. A spinning drive sucks battery power like a sponge.
6. Go local
Desist using the DVD/external drives while running on batteries. Shift the content to the hard drive or run using (free) virtual drives like Pismo File Mount or even Microsoft’s Virtual CD ROM Control Panel.
7. Lower the lights
The LCD screen of a laptop is another huge power sink. Calibrate the brightness to the lowest level you can tolerate using the Function key toggles or using the Display Settings applet in the Control Panel.
8. Kill the sounds Mute the speakers and try avoiding the use of multimedia software to maximize the battery life. Installed sound schemes also drain a battery perceptibly.
9. Rid the screensaver
To maximize battery life by a little, switch off the screensaver.
10. Visit Power Options
Get familiar with power management through the ‘Power Options’ applet in the Control Panel. Both XP and Vista come with advanced power management features which shut off components like the monitor and/or the hard drive after specified intervals. This again depends on the chosen ‘Power Schemes’ (for XP) in the same applet. For instance in XP, ‘Max Battery’ under Power Schemes can be selected for maximum battery optimization.
Similar settings can be found under ‘Mobile PC’ in the Control Panel of Vista.
11. Turn off the looks
Today’s OS’s like Windows Vista come with features like ‘Aero Glass’ which are resource guzzlers. One can turn it off and go for the ‘Classic’ appearance which consumes less power. In Vista, click on Desktop – Preferences – View Colour – Appearance – Classic Appearance and Windows Basic graphical interface. In XP it’s – Display Properties – Theme – Windows Classic.
Linux and even Macintosh are better optimized for longer battery life.
12. Hibernate is better than Sleep
In the Stand by mode (or sleep mode), the computer turns of the hard drive and the display but memory remains active while the CPU slows down. This draws on the battery. In contrast, hibernation mode is better because the computer saves the current state and shuts itself down completely thus saving power.
13. Get the most…work on the least
Working on too many programs while on the battery is a sure fire power drainer. Keep use of graphic intensive applications to a minimum. Working on a spreadsheet consumes much less than playing your favourite game. to increase the life of the battery open just one or two programs concurrently.
14. Ram in more RAM
Adequate RAM reduces the load on Virtual memory which by default resides on the hard drive. though every extra bit of RAM uses up more power, it increases overall savings by short cutting access to the power hungry hard drive.
15. Keep it clean
A laptop with blocked air vents will generate more heat thus reducing the life of the battery. clean the air vents regularly to keep operating temperatures low. allow for open space around the vents for air to circulate freely. Keep the area around the laptop clean to avoid entry of dust.
16. Temperature is a silent killer
Undue heat kills off a battery slowly but surely. Avoid leaving the laptop under direct sunlight or inside a closed car.
17. Avoid the memory effect
A problem more for the older Ni-MH batteries than for Li-Ion batteries on which most modern laptops run. Memory effect relates to the loss of battery charge when they are repeatedly recharged after being only partially discharged. It can be prevented by discharging the battery fully and then completely recharging it. Li-Ion batteries on the other hand have no problems with partial discharges and re-charges and complete discharge is never recommended for this type.
18. Update software and drivers
This sounds a bit incongruous but then newer drivers and software are often designed to be more efficient (and hopefully less resource hungry).
19. Use the right adapter
Ensure that the adapter you use to charge the laptop battery is an original one or one with the correct specifications. A mismatch in the wattage could cause an overload thus damaging the laptop and the battery.
20. Pack it up
If you don’t plan to use the laptop on batteries for quite some time, ensure that the charge is nearly 40 percent – remove the batteries and store it in a cool place.
A typical lithium ion battery has an overall average life of 2-3 years. With some care and caution, its mortality can be delayed.
Have you found your own way to increase battery life of your laptop? Share the ‘life giving’ tips with us in the comments.
About the Author
We launched itsbattery.com to help reduce the cost of replacement laptop battery by offering premium quality laptop batteries at amazingly competitive prices, all in a secure and convenient platform. All our laptop battery are manufactured by state-of-the-art manufacturing plants. Our laptop batteries are guaranteed to meet or exceed the original equipment’s specifications on all counts of durability, structure and fit. To add to it, our laptop batteries are backed by a 30-Day Money Back Guarantee and a full 1-year free replacement warranty for any form of manufacturing defects. At itsbattery.com, we value our customer relationships tremendously which shows in the unmatched quality of our customer service. We have a dedicated team of customer service executives who are always eager to help you find the laptop battery you need by supporting you with their extended product knowledge and expertise on laptop batteries.
…and If I Can’t Benefit from the Windows Aero Interface Experience?
I just ran the Windows 7 Upgrade advisor on my parents’ computer which currently runs Windows XP just fine. (don’t ask why I’m looking to upgrade this machine). The advisor (application) says “your graphics adapter will not allow you to fully experience the Windows 7 Aero Interface Experience.” (or something like that). I’m not looking for an “experience” and neither are my parents. The computer is only a few years old. Is this a valid reason I should not upgrade? Thanks.
No. Upgrade, you won’t be sorry.
Aero is just eye candy anyways.
How To Force/Change Windows Taskbar Colour And Make Transparent
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