Solved Upgrading to Win 8.1, need advice on a few things

Teitoku

Teitoku

New Member
Messages
32
Location
Manila, Philippines
I've recently acquired a Windows 8.1 Tablet and I was impressed by how Windows 8.1 worked so far. I was holding back on upgrading my desktop to Windows 8.1 but my current experience has now led me to the decision to update my desktop.

Before I make the jump, I have a few concerns. My desktop is a custom build that I did about a year ago. If you look at my system specs its a decent budget gaming desktop.

Here's a list of my few concerns:.

1. I misplaced the driver discs for my Motherboard (Asus). Is there any program that I can use to tell me the details of my motherboard so I know which driver I should download? I've seen a few from searching google but if there's a good program that anyone could suggest it would be most helpful.

2. Is 4GB RAM adequate for Windows 8.1? I plan to upgrade in the next few months (8GB) but will it cause an issue if I install Win 8.1 on my current setup?

3. Does Win 8.1 have a feature similar to what Win 7 had where you could download a WinXP virtual machine? I have a few older programs that are no longer updated that require WinXP.

Thanks in advance!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD A8
    Motherboard
    ASUS
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    2GB Palit Nvidia Kepler 630
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 19" Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1TB Seagate
    PSU
    Generic
    Case
    Generic
    Cooling
    Generic
    Keyboard
    A4 Tech Gaming Keyboard
    Mouse
    A4 Tech Gaming Mouse
    Internet Speed
    3mbps ADSL
    Browser
    Chrome and Firefox
    Antivirus
    Norton 360
    Other Info
    This is a custom made build PC that I put together. It may be low on the spec sheet but its decent enough to run a few games.
Check ASUS support site for drivers you need and updated drivers for your model PC , i can not show you because under your specs there is no model numbers, just make sure to select 32bit or 64 bit of Windows 8.1 whichever your OS has.
ASUSTeK Computer Inc. -Support- Drivers and Download

As far as programs, check the site, not sure what you mean exactly by programs...e.g...Utilities ?

4GB is fine, bit low for gaming, but will do o.k with Windows 8.1 . Upgrading RAM again check with ASUS support site look at there RAM QVL List under your PC model support list, make sure get right specification RAM for this motherboard.


Check here for older software, chances XP software may or may not work Windows Compatibility Center

Not sure about Virtual Machine, but chances similar to old software, mattering to software for Virtual machine, if older.
XP is not supported anymore, meaning will become a risk being used anyway.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro 64bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme 1502 (GX1502)
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 5820K 3.30 GHZ 64 bit 6-Core Processor
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-X99-UD3
    Memory
    G.Skill 16GB Quad Channel DDR4-2400MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 970 SSC ACX 2.0+ DDR5 4GB
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster ZxR 5.1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS PA24Q 24" Pro Art IPS LCD/LED Backlit 1920x1200
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200 16:10
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG 850 EVO 250GB SATA 6Gb/s 2.5" Internal SSD,
    Crucial MX100 512GB SATA 6Gb/s 2.5" Internal SSD,
    WD WD10EZEX-00RKKA0 1TB SATA 6Gb/s 3.5 Internal HDD
    PSU
    EVGA SuperNOVA 750 G2 750W 80 Plus Gold Full Modular
    Case
    AZZA Cosmas Black Gaming Case
    Cooling
    Cool Master Hyper 212 Evo Dual 120mm, ( 2) Noctua PWM 120mm Case Fans (1) Gelid PWM 120mm Blue LED
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800 Illumiated Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Wireless Trackball
    Internet Speed
    84mbps /94mbps
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox 41.0.1 / Microsoft Edge/ IE 11
    Antivirus
    Norton Security 2015
    Other Info
    Pioneer BDR-209DBK 16x Blu-Ray Burner, LG 24x Dual Layer DVD Burner,
    StarTech Front Bay 22-in-1 USB 2.0 Internal Multi Media Memory Card Reader,Logitech Z906 5.1 Speaker system
jds63 said:
Check ASUS support site for drivers you need and updated drivers for your model PC , i can not show you because under your specs there is no model numbers, just make sure to select 32bit or 64 bit of Windows 8.1 whichever your OS has.
ASUSTeK Computer Inc. -Support- Drivers and Download

As far as programs, check the site, not sure what you mean exactly by programs...e.g...Utilities ?

4GB is fine, bit low for gaming, but will do o.k with Windows 8.1 . Upgrading RAM again check with ASUS support site look at there RAM QVL List under your PC model support list, make sure get right specification RAM for this motherboard.


Check here for older software, chances XP software may or may not work Windows Compatibility Center

Not sure about Virtual Machine, but chances similar to old software, mattering to software for Virtual machine, if older.
XP is not supported anymore, meaning will become a risk being used anyway.
Click to expand...

Well I'll probably have to pry open my desktop case to have a look at the board model. The reason why I was asking if there was a program that could detect hardware was so I didn't have to open it up. Thanks for the advice anyway. As for my memory, I do know that the 4GB stick I have in there is DDR3, I don't have the exact speed of the memory but I have the box somewhere and I do have 3 extra slots left on my board.

Mark Phelps said:
Win8.1 pro has the xp mode feature.
Click to expand...

Cool! I should be able to run my Dad's old software that he can't live without.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD A8
    Motherboard
    ASUS
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    2GB Palit Nvidia Kepler 630
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 19" Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1TB Seagate
    PSU
    Generic
    Case
    Generic
    Cooling
    Generic
    Keyboard
    A4 Tech Gaming Keyboard
    Mouse
    A4 Tech Gaming Mouse
    Internet Speed
    3mbps ADSL
    Browser
    Chrome and Firefox
    Antivirus
    Norton 360
    Other Info
    This is a custom made build PC that I put together. It may be low on the spec sheet but its decent enough to run a few games.
Teitoku said:
jds63 said:
Check ASUS support site for drivers you need and updated drivers for your model PC , i can not show you because under your specs there is no model numbers, just make sure to select 32bit or 64 bit of Windows 8.1 whichever your OS has.
ASUSTeK Computer Inc. -Support- Drivers and Download

As far as programs, check the site, not sure what you mean exactly by programs...e.g...Utilities ?

4GB is fine, bit low for gaming, but will do o.k with Windows 8.1 . Upgrading RAM again check with ASUS support site look at there RAM QVL List under your PC model support list, make sure get right specification RAM for this motherboard.


Check here for older software, chances XP software may or may not work Windows Compatibility Center

Not sure about Virtual Machine, but chances similar to old software, mattering to software for Virtual machine, if older.
XP is not supported anymore, meaning will become a risk being used anyway.
Click to expand...

Well I'll probably have to pry open my desktop case to have a look at the board model. The reason why I was asking if there was a program that could detect hardware was so I didn't have to open it up. Thanks for the advice anyway. As for my memory, I do know that the 4GB stick I have in there is DDR3, I don't have the exact speed of the memory but I have the box somewhere and I do have 3 extra slots left on my board.

Mark Phelps said:
Win8.1 pro has the xp mode feature.
Click to expand...

Cool! I should be able to run my Dad's old software that he can't live without.
Click to expand...

o.k. what other member provided can show you model, just go to ASUS site for your drivers. What maybe most important for drivers is the chipset and controller drivers. Video and sound card can be gotten at there brands site. Best to possibly open it up and look at model, may need the revision number which is important to know also. Comes to RAM, along with speeds MHZ for this board and revision. Improper RAM give you boot up errors. Adding 2 more sticks to ones you have could cause issues unless they are same brand and specs as ones in there.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro 64bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme 1502 (GX1502)
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 5820K 3.30 GHZ 64 bit 6-Core Processor
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-X99-UD3
    Memory
    G.Skill 16GB Quad Channel DDR4-2400MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 970 SSC ACX 2.0+ DDR5 4GB
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster ZxR 5.1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS PA24Q 24" Pro Art IPS LCD/LED Backlit 1920x1200
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200 16:10
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG 850 EVO 250GB SATA 6Gb/s 2.5" Internal SSD,
    Crucial MX100 512GB SATA 6Gb/s 2.5" Internal SSD,
    WD WD10EZEX-00RKKA0 1TB SATA 6Gb/s 3.5 Internal HDD
    PSU
    EVGA SuperNOVA 750 G2 750W 80 Plus Gold Full Modular
    Case
    AZZA Cosmas Black Gaming Case
    Cooling
    Cool Master Hyper 212 Evo Dual 120mm, ( 2) Noctua PWM 120mm Case Fans (1) Gelid PWM 120mm Blue LED
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800 Illumiated Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Wireless Trackball
    Internet Speed
    84mbps /94mbps
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox 41.0.1 / Microsoft Edge/ IE 11
    Antivirus
    Norton Security 2015
    Other Info
    Pioneer BDR-209DBK 16x Blu-Ray Burner, LG 24x Dual Layer DVD Burner,
    StarTech Front Bay 22-in-1 USB 2.0 Internal Multi Media Memory Card Reader,Logitech Z906 5.1 Speaker system
Thanks for all the replies. I can now confidently upgrade (clean install) to Windows 8.1. Marking thread as resolved and giving reps to those who helped. Ty again!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD A8
    Motherboard
    ASUS
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    2GB Palit Nvidia Kepler 630
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 19" Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1TB Seagate
    PSU
    Generic
    Case
    Generic
    Cooling
    Generic
    Keyboard
    A4 Tech Gaming Keyboard
    Mouse
    A4 Tech Gaming Mouse
    Internet Speed
    3mbps ADSL
    Browser
    Chrome and Firefox
    Antivirus
    Norton 360
    Other Info
    This is a custom made build PC that I put together. It may be low on the spec sheet but its decent enough to run a few games.
Your welcome, can also reply back and let us know how it went or if you need more help.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro 64bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme 1502 (GX1502)
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 5820K 3.30 GHZ 64 bit 6-Core Processor
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-X99-UD3
    Memory
    G.Skill 16GB Quad Channel DDR4-2400MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 970 SSC ACX 2.0+ DDR5 4GB
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster ZxR 5.1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS PA24Q 24" Pro Art IPS LCD/LED Backlit 1920x1200
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200 16:10
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG 850 EVO 250GB SATA 6Gb/s 2.5" Internal SSD,
    Crucial MX100 512GB SATA 6Gb/s 2.5" Internal SSD,
    WD WD10EZEX-00RKKA0 1TB SATA 6Gb/s 3.5 Internal HDD
    PSU
    EVGA SuperNOVA 750 G2 750W 80 Plus Gold Full Modular
    Case
    AZZA Cosmas Black Gaming Case
    Cooling
    Cool Master Hyper 212 Evo Dual 120mm, ( 2) Noctua PWM 120mm Case Fans (1) Gelid PWM 120mm Blue LED
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800 Illumiated Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Wireless Trackball
    Internet Speed
    84mbps /94mbps
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox 41.0.1 / Microsoft Edge/ IE 11
    Antivirus
    Norton Security 2015
    Other Info
    Pioneer BDR-209DBK 16x Blu-Ray Burner, LG 24x Dual Layer DVD Burner,
    StarTech Front Bay 22-in-1 USB 2.0 Internal Multi Media Memory Card Reader,Logitech Z906 5.1 Speaker system
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