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I'm not really sure about this, so I thought I would ask here, since it's global exposure.
It's my belief that if I bought a modern computer with a Intel or AMD CPU, that I can't load and run Windows 7 32 bit. Sort of like the notion that AMD and Intel put fuses in the CPU, so upon firing up the CPU, it locks that CPU to the motherboard, and you can't remove the CPU and sell it, and put another CPU in.
So I've been led to believe that a modern computer bought in the USA, has a CPU with a lock that won't load Windows 7, or go backwards with an OS. But then I think of the UK, and how do they buy new computers that can run Windows XP, or Windows 7? Or like in Thailand, a friend bought a new laptop with an Intel CPU that runs Windows XP. Is it just the USA? or certain countries, and other countries don't have that restriction?
I'm trying to gather information on this, so I can upgrade some computers at the office, and run Windows 7 32 bit until we can find some accounting software that is 64 bit that we like. Still running DOS apps from the 90s here, because we are old and like them. Well we own them and they work fast and efficient.
If it ain't broke don't fix it
Discover my world at jkirkerx.com
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"So I've been led to believe that a modern computer bought in the USA, has a CPU with a lock that won't load Windows 7, or go backwards with an OS."
I have never heard of this lock thing. It might be that the modern CPU doesn't have a feature the older OS needs, but Intel and AMD have always been diligent in maintaining compatibility. There is just way too much code out there.
Charlie Gilley
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” BF, 1759
Has never been more appropriate.
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There are no "fuses" or "locks" in CPUs for anything like that. It is highly likely that a modern computer can run Windows 7. A better option would be to install a more recent OS, like Win 10 or 11, and run your software in a compatibility mode. I have software from 1999 that I run in Win10 and it still runs OK once the compatibility settings are correct and it has a wizard to help with that. Modern OSs are much more secure so I recommend using one.
"They have a consciousness, they have a life, they have a soul! Damn you! Let the rabbits wear glasses! Save our brothers! Can I get an amen?"
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I remember reading that there is a sort of "fuse" in some CPUs that detects if it's been severely overclocked, but that's to do with warranty. It doesn't actually disable anything, just records that you pushed it hard!
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Your biggest hurdle will be drivers. The chipset drivers from intel or AMD may not wish to execute on your installation, instead will give you the "Your PC isn't correct for this installation" or something ambiguous as that. It has been my finding that Lenovo for whatever reason will have the most flexible driver installers but it's been 10 years since I put windows 7 32 bit ( which I'm typing this on ) on an ASUS i5 laptop. Which isn't a brand spankin new one but it took a good week to get it all working.
The largest hurdle will be the wifi as todays pcs has no ethernet port so you will have to use another pc and a thumb drive to download and hope as windows 7 is almost sure to not have default drivers for the wifi.
You may get by with a usb wifi but again, no CD either today.
I really dislike 10 & 11. - We don't even acknowledge 8/8.1
Once you get connectivity you can worry about the display the will likely be 800 x 600 at best without drivers, and sound cards. You may have to pop the back off the see what wifi card-ette it has in it, then pray there is a driver out there somewhere for it.
I would suggest you use 64bit windows 7 if you must use 7 because no matter how much ram you put in the sucker you're never going to see more than 2gb on 32 bit anything.
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jkirkerx wrote: how do they buy new computers that can run Windows XP, or Windows 7?
My guess would be one of the following.
First possibility is that it is not new. It was put together using old computers.
Second possibility is that the components are new - in that they are newly manufactured. However the hardware used was actually created/designed long ago. This is somewhat demonstrated in that the Z80 chip (CPU) which I messed with in 70s is still being manufactured. Costs a lot less now though. Not even accounting for inflation.
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The only OS lock I can think of would be DRM and I don't remember what Windows has what when it comes to that.
It was the case at one point that an official licensed Windows copy would somehow come up with something like a hash value using hardware data like SSD + mobo + cpu serial numbers, and if one of the three changed it would count it as a new machine and invalidate the license. People were not happy about that and I think it got changed.
I'm not sure about a bunch of the most recent processors but over the years Intel in particular has sold various "unlocked" versions of its upper tiers.
This lock though, it's not about OS. It's about overclocking the chip to run faster.
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I forgot about that - the license key tied to hardware. I think in the last few years, MS came up with a better process (or just turned it off). I haven't seen it in a while. I would occasionally have an issue with a cloned drive.
What I read a while back is that when a set of chips come out of production, AMD/Intel try to run that at max performance - only some will pass. They reduce the clock speed and get a few more to pass, and so on binning the processors and pricing them accordingly.
Charlie Gilley
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” BF, 1759
Has never been more appropriate.
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It's been a while since I saw @BillWoodruff around. Does anybody know if he's okay or not?
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October 2023 is the last message I can find Pete
In a closed society where everybody's guilty, the only crime is getting caught. In a world of thieves, the only final sin is stupidity. - Hunter S Thompson - RIP
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Yeah, I found that. I miss his musings.
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Yes he's an interesting chap
In a closed society where everybody's guilty, the only crime is getting caught. In a world of thieves, the only final sin is stupidity. - Hunter S Thompson - RIP
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If I recall correctly (and bear with me, as my memory is techy) he mentioned awhile back that he wasn't going to spend as much time here due to health issues?
So I imagine any news wouldn't be good where his absence is concerned. 
Check out my IoT graphics library here:
https://honeythecodewitch.com/gfx
And my IoT UI/User Experience library here:
https://honeythecodewitch.com/uix
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There all leaving us, Henry the Elephant, Darlek Dave & Nagy Vilimos (well they grew up) & now Bill.... 
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Paraphrasing: gaudeamus igitur vivimus sumus!
Mircea
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Think that means (German very RUSTY) "Let us enjoy life...something" ???
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It's supposed to be Latin: Let us rejoice while we live.
Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows.
-- 6079 Smith W.
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Daniel is right. Just for context, Gaudeamus igitur[^] is some kind of student anthem that we sang at uni reunions. 10, 20 30, 40 years... oh my gosh! we are still alive 
Mircea
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'Gaudeamus' used to be sung by all at the conclusion of graduation ceremonies back in the day (downunder at least).
Software rusts. Simon Stephenson, ca 1994. So does this signature. me, 2012
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Indeed. I forgot about the grad ceremony... too far back in the mist of time 
Mircea
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Well, i had my time off as well but wasn't Dave willing to become the PM of Britain and therefore left? 
Rules for the FOSW ![ ^]
MessageBox.Show(!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(_signature)
? $"This is my signature:{Environment.NewLine}{_signature}": "404-Signature not found");
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Yep, I remember that.
"In testa che avete, Signor di Ceprano?"
-- Rigoletto
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glennPattonWork3 wrote: well they grew up
Perhaps CodeProject should be renamed The Lost Boys.
Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows.
-- 6079 Smith W.
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glennPattonWork3 wrote: There all leaving us, Henry the Elephant
While DD and Nagy simply had other pressing matters (politics and booze, methinks), Henry actually passed away.
He's the reason I'm on CP.
Decided to ask a question on here once, over ten years ago already, and Henry gave a good answer and even answered some follow up questions.
After that I decided CP was worth joining.
Unfortunately, after that I met some less pleasant individuals (who're all banned by now).
All in all I've met more good people than bad though
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He has indicated several times in his posts that his health is not good.
In addition, his age group is probably not the youngest.
Either way, let's hope he just takes a little break and that he will return ![Rose | [Rose]](https://codeproject.global.ssl.fastly.net/script/Forums/Images/rose.gif)
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