Run a basic version of Windows Vista on 128MB PIII?

Question

Right, now heres a challenge.

I know this is possible, because theres stuff on the net.. I've also heard about it.

I have a 128MB ram, PIII (Pentium 3) processor, notebook.
The notebook is DELL L400. I would upgrade to 512MB ram but i cant because the motherboard only supports up to 256MB ram..

So, i want to be able to run A windows vista on this laptop. Aparently there is a patch? If so, could you give me a link?

anyway at all to put vista onto this laptop with 128MB ram?
remember, i can upgrade to a MAX of 256MB ram.

If you need any more info to help me, just say so...
please help, i really want to put vista on this laptop..

thanks for your answers so far..

i know about linux and have used loads of versions including:
debian, kubuntu, xubuntu, ubuntu, suse, redhat, backtrack, auditor and so on..
they all either run on kde or gnome.. yup, know all that already :D.

Answer 1

Not possible, Vista requires at least 512mb ram just to even install. Not to mention how horrendously slow it would be.

From a google search, it seems most people were using Linux or Windows XP and skinning it to look like Vista.

Besides, XP > Vista.

Answer 2

Hmmm yes it is possible but frankly i wouldn;t run xp on 128mb ram much less vista. you could upgrade to 256 and it would run ok maybe throw in a jump drive and do the whole "virtual ram thingy" and yeah it would run OK. If I were you I would try a linux build like Ubuntu Its free and has great sleek graphics and doesn't eat memory I put Ubuntu on all my old machines and daul boot it on my new ones. (im on it now) the only drawback is you couldn't play microsoftgames like halo or run media player however their are exteremly simular alternitaves and you can run most windows apps with software called wine. Im new to linux and easily installed and was online within 15 minutes I wouldn't waste a vista license on your notebook I highly recomend A linux build like Ubuntu if you would like advice or help feel free to message me.

try this page http://anotherbloggerbloke.blogspot.com/2007/04/vista-my-foot.html

Answer 3

Minimum requirements for Vista - Direct from Microsoft.
Windows Vista Home Basic• 800-megahertz (MHz) 32-bit (x86) processor or 800-MHz 64-bit (x64) processor
• 512 megabytes (MB) of system memory
Note On system configurations that use system memory as graphics memory, at least 448 MB of system memory must be available to the operating system after some memory is allocated for graphics.
• DirectX 9-class graphics card
• 32 MB of graphics memory
• 20-gigabyte (GB) hard disk that has 15 GB of free hard disk space
• Internal or external DVD drive
• Internet access capability
• Audio output capability

Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Enterprise, and Windows Vista Ultimate• 1-gigahertz (GHz) 32-bit (x86) processor or 1-GHz 64-bit (x64) processor
• 1 GB of system memory
• Windows Aero-capable graphics card

Note This includes a DirectX 9-class graphics card that supports the following:• A WDDM driver
• Pixel Shader 2.0 in hardware
• 32 bits per pixel

• 128 MB of graphics memory (minimum)
• 40-GB hard disk that has 15 GB of free hard disk space (the 15GB of free space provides room for temporary file storage during the install or upgrade.)
• Internal or external DVD drive
• Internet access capability
• Audio output capability

source: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/919183/) System requirements for Windows Vista

Answer 4

with 256MB of ram, I suppose you could run it, but It would be so freaking slow. It takes a good while to boot on a good machine, much less something with those specs. If you can get it to run on those specs, it would take FOREVER to do anything. So I wouldn't try.

Answer 5

If this is a Dell unit, Is it under any tyoe of warranty or such?? If so or maybe not try calling Dell and ask them for this type of help. They can give you alot better input of info.