Hi, Having recently bought a new Windows 8.1 computer, I'd like to give my older computer to a family member. The latter machine was running Windows 7, but I'd like to be sure that it will support Window 8.1 before he invests in a copy of that OS only to find that it won't install.
My concern was triggered recently by this article in particular: http://www.pcworld.com/article/2058683/new-windows-8-1-requirements-strand-some-users-on-windows-8.html which refers to the requirement that the processor support the CMPXCHG16b instruction. The computer in question is a Dell XPS 630i, which I bought new in early 2009. The processor is identified exactly as follows (taken from the System screen in Control Panel): *Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q8200 @ 2.33 GHz 2.33 GHz* I have run the Windows 8.1 Upgrade Assistant and the only non-software incompatibility found was the lack of support in the firmware for the "Secure Boot" facility (whatever that is). Otherwise, only a small number of software products were flagged; no other hardware or processor complaints. Can someone either assure me that Windows 8.1 will install (and run) on this processor, or else let me know that it won't? If not, is there any direct test I can do on the computer (which is still running Windows 7) to find out for myself? Thanks. Mike -- Mike Friedman [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> http://mikefberkeley.com
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