Windows 7 Built 7100 - Pentium II 266 , 256MB RAM, Dell Optiplex GX1

The case is left open to prove this. The video is also left unedited. Hardware support is problematic, even the PCI ethernet card is not supported by Windows 7. The graphics chip is an ATI Rage Pro - or similar - with 2MB of video memory. Windows 7 runs a Standard VGA driver at 800x600 , 16-bit colour, and 60hz refresh rate.

Ironically, the USB 1.1 controller built into the motherboard worked. But the very old sound chip did not.

How did this work? Windows 7 will not install without 512MB of RAM. To get around this, I found a patched winsetup.dll file. However, to get this to work - I had to install Windows XP Pro, then use a patched CD. I could not inject the patched file into the UDF iso, so I dumped all the files and made a non-bootable DVD-R disc from Ubuntu 8.10. From there, I changed the file permissions of the winsetup.dll file in one of the directories of the disc, and replaced it with the patched one.

From there, I booted the CD from Windows XP - and performed its alternative installation, since direct upgrading is not possible.

The machine copied the files, after bypassing the memory check, and created its own startup method off of the hard disk after XP rebooted.

The install took a few hours.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Windows
• windoze
• seven
• build
• 7100
• Pentium
• II
• 266
• 266mhz
• mhz
• 256
• 256MB
• 256mb
• RAM
• install

[Remi1115]

I don't think that I can believe this.

[dctmpeg]

@Remi1115 - I will admit it is a tad hard to believe... on the other hand, look at how slow it runs. I am likely going to try this again once I can find another working Pentium II box. This one has since been thrown out. Lol.

[jacosalem28]

My Pentium 3 back then can't even handle Windows XP. How in the world like this happened?!

[shadow444222]

U CHEATED!

[2fast4all]

I got 7 running on an old ATHLON 700mhz with 768mb of ram, fx5200 graphics and gigabit ethernet, runs like a champ!

[unacomn]

Well, my old P2 233 could run XP, and people keep telling me that W7 actually runs better than XP, so I guess it's possible.

[uaujuan]

@bigsteamfan jaja, ok but I thought that with only 256 mb of memory you could only work with all graphics effects off!

[bigsteamfan]

@uaujuan Aero is DISABLED dude, can't you see ? Aero does all the awesome 3D animations and transparency of the windows... here the window just pops in and is not transparent...

[uaujuan]

256 mb with aero??!.... thats imposible!!

[gonowinfo]

Yes, it can be. With about 256MB RAM and Win 7 Pro, we can use Avira Internet Security and Web game. Follow my videos to see those. Thanks

[xpenzo]

you installed windows with 512mb of ram... i know it because i've done it!! XD

[sharinganZuko]

@shadow444222 lol...

[shadow444222]

@sharinganZuko yeah and i heard you like butt sex. ohh what now mofo got ya good didn't I lol.

[sharinganZuko]

@shadow444222 Lol i heard that when people get owned they use those shitty ass comebacks