Installing Windows 7 on Area 51 m7700

I have read a few postings on this forum of individuals trying this upgrade and some say easy and others cannot find drivers for Nvidia GeForce Go 6800.

I purchased this computer new back in July of 2005. Here are the specs:

Processor: Intel® Pentium® 4 520 Desktop Processor w/ HT Technology 2.8GHz 800MHz FSB 1MB Cache
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition with Service Pack 3
LCD Display: 17" WideXGA+ 1440 x 900 LCD Clearview Display
Motherboard: Intel® 915P PCI-Express Chipset
Memory: 2.5 GB of RAM
Video Card: Area-51m 7700 NVIDIA GeForce™ Go 6800 with 256MB of DDR1 memory
Hard Drive: Single Drive Configuration - 110GB 5400 RPM
Primary CD ROM/DVD ROM: 24x10x24 CD-RW / 8X DVD Combo w/Software MPEG2 Decoder
Sound Card: Intel® High-Definition Audio (24-bit, 192Khz) with 7.1 surround sound
Communications: Integrated 10/1000Mb Gigabit Ethernet & 56K V.92 Modem
Wireless Network: Internal Wireless 802.11b/g miniPCI Card

Except for replacing the LCD screen, hard drive and upgrading the memory, the computer runs fine.

I have never updated the Bios as I have heard if things go wrong you now own a "brick".

I am considering attempting to upgrade to Windows 7 and came across this page at the Alienware website.

http://4help.alienware.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/6096/kw/Installing%20drivers%20on%20Area-51%20m7700%20windows%207

Is this all I would need to perform this installation and if so what version of Windows 7 would this group recommend?

I have been happy with XP Home for 6 years. Just looking for something newer and more secure.

Thanks

Thanks for you quick reply.

I have been using "Get Thermal" for several years to control the fan speeds and love it. I believe this is what has kept this computer running cool along with yearly cleaning and applying Arctic Silver. Will the "Get Thermal" program still work with Windows 7?

You recommended Windows 7 Home Premium. Which version, the regular Home Premium or the Home Premium upgrade?

Do I need to upgrade the bios?

Thanks

Thanks for your assistance.

I do not know how soon I will attempt this upgrade but if I run into trouble I know someone here will assist.

Thanks again qhn

Back again -

I was checking the prices of Windows 7 and the Home Premium is $200. There is a version called Home Premium OEM for much less. Around $120.

What is the difference between the two and can I use the less expensive one?

Thanks

Thanks for the explanation.

If I understand correctly, the less expensive one would be OK to use.

If my Area51 m7700 were to become useless (motherboard failure etc.) then the OEM version would probably not be able to be installed on another computer.

If the current computer I am using would die, then my next investment would be a new computer that already has Windows 7 on it. This new computer would have it's own Windows 7 restore disc and it would be irrelevant if the original OEM license could transfer to the new computer. Is that correct? In the meantime, I would have saved about $80 going OEM.

Does this make any sense?

Thanks again for answering my questions.