User Successfully Runs Windows XP on Old Processor After 2 Months of Attempts
Overcoming Limitations: Windows XP on Obsolete Hardware
Even more than two decades after its release, Windows XP is still used by many teams, especially in the medical and research fields. Recently, an enthusiast managed to run Windows XP on an outdated processor, the Intel 80486, known as i486, which was originally incompatible with the system.
The Challenge and the Achievement
On the MSFN blog, user Dietmar shared his two-month journey to overcome this limitation. He modified Windows XP to remove the restriction imposed by Microsoft, allowing the operating system to run on the 486 processor.
The Modification Process
Dietmar detailed the process on the forum, explaining that the key to the modification was replacing two executable files: ntoskrnl.exe and ntkrnlmp.exe, available on archive.org. Replacing these files in the path C:\Windows\System32 removed the CMPXCHG8B instruction, which was blocking the installation of Windows XP on 486 processors.
The Current Reality and the Value of the Achievement
While this feat has no practical use today, as there are no longer computers with this processor, Dietmar’s achievement highlights the power of programming and the importance of patience and persistence. This project not only demonstrates Dietmar’s technical capability but also serves as a tribute to those who dedicate their time to preserving and exploring the history of technology.
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