A31 upgrade from WinXP to Windows Seven worth it?

[eehoepp]

Hi. I am new to the forum, although I have browsed many times for useful information.
I tried searching this forum for info on Windows 7, but the search function doesn't like the "7", so it did not return any useful results.
I have an A31 currently running XP SP3 with all the updates. This is a 2652-M5U with the 1440x1050 screen. It still has the P4M 1.8MHz processor, but I have a 2.4MHz processor which I will install someday. I upgraded over time to 2GB ram & a 320GB hard drive, with a backup hard drive running in an Ultrabay adapter. I also have a couple of docks, ultrabay batteries for long flights, & other accessories.
Although this machine is heavy & clunky, I really like it & it still meets my needs. I need a machine with a "real" serial port for interfacing with the industrial equipment I program.
I have been having problems with my XP install & the recommended "fix" is to do an in-place upgrade of XP. I have not been able to find my XP disks since I moved a few years ago, so the in-place upgrade isn't a good option. I clone my primary HDD to the backup periodically & clone it back after XP fails to boot. Not a great solution, but it keeps me going.

My question: If I have to buy another OS to fix my boot issues, is it worth it to upgrade to Windows 7? What are the pros & cons?

Thanks in advance for your help.
Cheers, Eric

[Neil]

Try using google instead of the forum search. Search for your phrase with the following after it; site:forum.thinkpads.com. Works much better...

Short answer, 7 will work but not easy to get a graphics driver to work among other things. My advice would be to not spend any money on an OS, rather borrow an OEM XP install disk and install using the License key on the bottom of your machine.

[ajkula66]

W7 is a pain on any A31/p.

Stick with XP and you're golden.

If you need the original media for your machine (with XP pre-SP1 the way it came from the factory) feel free to drop me a PM...

[eehoepp]

Thanks for the advice. I think I will stick with XP. My copy of XP isn't original - I bought the machine used with a wiped HDD, but the COA under the machine did not work for installing XP. I bought a retail version of XP Pro at the time. I will have to keep looking through the boxes in the basement.

Cheers,
Eric

[Neil]

An OEM XP disk would allow you to use your ThinkPad license. It doesn't have to be original IBM, just any OEM disk. Not retail, not volume license or anything else but OEM. You are right about the retail version, you are only allowed to use the license on the package with those.