New Laptop

[exfarmer]

I've just bought my first (second hand) laptop and I have a question, It's currently running Windows XP so I'm thinking of upgrading it to W8 but if I do this what will I lose? My main worry is will I lose the WIFI and have to reinstall it? I don't have any recovery cd's for the laptop.

[Jism Jim]

Maybe
You must find out what wifi chip your laptop uses. Then check for Windows 8 drivers for that chip. If they exist, or if Windows 8 contains those drivers already, you should be fine.

[Jenny48549]

Try going here:

http://anonym.to/?http://www.microso...patCenter/Home

That's the Win 8 compatibility center. They have a scan to see if your apps and devices will be compatible with it.

[MrInBetween]

Originally Posted by jenny48549

That's the Win 8 compatibility center. They have a scan to see if your apps and devices will be compatible with it.

I'd be interested to hear what sort of results you get on the hardware side from that scan. If you bought a laptop that had XP installed, it may well be underpowered for 8.

[exfarmer]

Originally Posted by jenny48549

Try going here:

http://anonym.to/?http://www.microso...patCenter/Home

That's the Win 8 compatibility center. They have a scan to see if your apps and devices will be compatible with it.

Unfortunately it will only work on Win 7 and above, the scan refused to work on XP.

Machine is an old Toshiba Tectra A9, 2gb ram, 120 gb hdd, Intel core 2 duo cpu @2.00 GHz. All I've been able to find out so far about the WIFI connection is, Intel pro/wireless 3945 ABG network connection. I have a W8 disc that I used on the main PC which I will be using to upgrade this machine. Stats are very similar except the PC has a slightly less powerful cpu, 1.8GHz.

[Rick Danger]

I don't know. Seems you've given yourself a tall task.

Try referring to this: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...ta-xp-tutorial

[savager]

One thing to bear in mind is that microsoft has just pulled support for windows XP so no more security updates will be forthcoming.

[Rick Danger]

While you hang onto Win XP, spend some time with this thread. Lots of good information.

http://www.vintage-erotica-forum.com...ise-of-xp.html

[exfarmer]

Originally Posted by exfarmer

Unfortunately it will only work on Win 7 and above, the scan refused to work on XP.

Oops, I didn't scroll the page down and missed the XP version.

Here's the results,

Windows 8 Upgrade AssistantWindows 8 Upgrade Assistant Report
Computer name:YOUR-10F19F641C
Operating system:Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Manufacturer:TOSHIBA
Model:TECRA A9
CPU:Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T7250 @ 2.00GHz
Memory:2.1

For you to review
Install an app to play DVDs
You may need to install an app to play DVDs in Windows 8.
More info
Secure Boot isn't compatible with your PC
Your PC's firmware doesn't support Secure Boot so you won't be able to use
it in Windows 8.
More info
Your screen resolution isn't compatible with snap
If it's possible, change your screen resolution to at least 1366 x 768 to
snap apps.
More info
Microsoft Interactive Training
Not compatible
TOSHIBA ConfigFree
Version 5.90.07
Go to the app website for help
TOSHIBA HDD Protection
TOSHIBA Corporation, Version 2.0.1.6
Go to the app website for help
Windows Media Technologies
Not compatible
TOSHIBA Disc Creator
TOSHIBA Corporation, Version 2.0.0.7a
Reinstall it in Windows 8
Alps Touch Pad Utility
Update available
Bluetooth Stack for Windows by Toshiba
Toshiba, Version 5.00.00
Go to the app website for help
Easy Capture
Go to the app website for help
Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1
Reinstall it in Windows 8
Microsoft Office 2003 Web Components
Microsoft Corporation, Version 11.0.8003.0
Update available
Microsoft SQL Server 2005
Microsoft Corporation
Solution available
Microsoft SQL Server Setup Support Files (English)
Microsoft Corporation, Version 9.00.2047.00
Solution available
Protector Suite 5.4
UPEK, Version 5.4.0.2934
Go to the app website for help
TOSHIBA Controls
Go to the app website for help
TOSHIBA Mobile Extension
Go to the app website for help
TOSHIBA Mobile Extension3
TOSHIBA, Version 3.86.00.XP
Go to the app website for help
TOSHIBA PC Diagnostic Tool
TOSHIBA Corporation, Version 3.2.3
Go to the app website for help
TOSHIBA Power Saver
Go to the app website for help
TOSHIBA Security Assist
TOSHIBA, Version 1.1.9
Update available
TOSHIBA TouchPad On/Off Utility V2.5.1.0
TOSHIBA, Version 2.5.1.0
Go to the app website for help
TOSHIBA Utilities
TOSHIBA Corporation, Version 4.30.15
Go to the app website for help
TOSHIBA Zooming Utility
TOSHIBA, Version 2.00.00.24c
Go to the app website for help
Windows Internet Explorer 8
Microsoft Corporation, Version 20090308.140743
Update available
Windows Messenger 5.1
Go to the app website for help
Wireless Hotkey
Version 2.0.0.6
Go to the app website for help
Texas Instruments PCIxx12 Integrated FlashMedia Controller
Texas Instruments Inc
Update available

Compatible
2007 Microsoft Office system
Microsoft Corporation
Adobe Reader 8
Adobe Systems Incorporated
Alps Touch Pad Utility
Business Contact Manager for Outlook 2007
Microsoft Corporation
Intel(R) Matrix Storage Manager
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment 6
Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1
Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 Service Pack 2
Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 Service Pack 2
Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1
Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft Office 2007 Primary Interop Assemblies
Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft SQL Server VSS Writer
Microsoft Corporation
Mozilla Firefox 30.0 (x86 en-GB)
Mozilla
Shockwave Flash
TOSHIBA Assist
TOSHIBA Disc Creator
TOSHIBA Corporation
Alps Pointing-device
Alps Electric
Intel(R) 82566MC Gigabit Network Connection
Intel
Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection
Intel Corporation
Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family
Intel Corporation
Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family
Intel Corporation
Realtek High Definition Audio
Realtek
Texas Instruments PCIxx12 Cardbus Controller
Microsoft
TOSHIBA Software Modem
Agere
TouchChip Fingerprint Coprocessor
UPEK

I don't mind re-installing apps and programs I've done it many times before on PC's. Trouble is I have no idea what several of those programs do or if they are important.

[Rick Danger]

You should be spending a lot of time on the Toshiba support website. Anything from Toshiba, Intel, Texas Instruments, RealTek, Agere, or Alps are system utilities or device drivers.

First off, you'll want to see if there is a firmware (BIOS) upgrade for your laptop. Next you'll need to determine how many of the aforementioned system utilities or devices drivers has Toshiba updated to be Windows 8.x compatible.

Not sure why you have Microsoft SQL Server on your machine unless you're a database developer. If you aren't, you probably will be deinstalling this anyway. As far as other applications, Windows 8.x is kind of funny. Somethings you might think will not work will. I actually have Photoshop Elements 2.0 up and running, along with Office XP Professional. This despite the fact that Microsoft says Office XP will not run.

See if you can buy a memory upgrade for you laptop. I have Windows 8.1 64-bit running in 4Gb of RAM and it behaves a lot better than my old Toshiba A205 did with Vista 32-bit running in 2Gb. Pop another 2Gb in or if you can afford to go for the maximum amount your machine can take.

Oh, if you have regrets about not upgrading first to Vista PLEASE DON'T. Forgive a 2nd generation New Yorker for butchering the King's English but Vista WAS BLOODY AWFUL. I bought the A205 brand new with Vista Basic preinstalled and it was the worst experience I've ever had with Windows. And I go back to Windows 3.1. My niece bought a Vista laptop and now she's a happy MacBook user. Bollocks !

Take a good backup of your machine, just in case you need to restore Windows XP and your current apps. Apply the BIOS update (if available), and any device driver updates that Toshiba can provide. Then go ahead with installing Windows 8.0 or 8.1.

Take two diskettes and call me in the morning......................