I got a refurbished laptop, problems with installing programs

[Silicate Wielder]

Okay I just got a refurbished Toshiba Satellite A25 and I'm having problems installing google chrome, I keep getting this error stating that my OS is not supported, even though it runs just fine on my Windows XP virtual machine I've had on my mom's laptop.

[Rayquaza]

In System Properties, what OS is shown?

[HunterSteele]

In System Properties, what OS is shown?
I like how instead of just asking him what his operating system is, you make him check System Properties right away, pre-empting the "how do I check" question.

[ackmedsgirl666]

You might need an update in your drivers or something

[Silicate Wielder]

I run "Windows XP Home Edition Version 2002 Service Pack 1"
and if it helps the virtualmachine on my mom's laptop runs TinyXP, I'm not sure which exact version though.

[Rayquaza]

I run "Windows XP Home Edition Version 2002 Service Pack 1"
and if it helps the virtualmachine on my mom's laptop runs TinyXP, I'm not sure which exact version though.

I've just found your issue:
http://support.google.com/chrome/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=95411

You need to have Service Pack 2 or above to run Chrome on XP. It's amazing what a quick Google Search tells you! But I must say, I'd strongly consider performing an upgrade to Windows 7 or Ubuntu.

[Silicate Wielder]

I want to get ubuntu or atleast vista but I only have 512 mb of ram. that's not enough for running a VM in ubuntu or to even run vista. I tried to run the ubuntu livedisk but it lags on its own. >_>

[HunterSteele]

I'd strongly consider performing an upgrade to Windows 7 or Ubuntu.
That's ridiculous. Windows 7 is $320 to purchase. That's a lot of money that he doesn't need to spend just to install Google Chrome. Even if Ubuntu is free there's no way you can expect someone to go through the hassle of backing up all their files, installing a new OS, and learning to use it just to install their web browser.

If someone is having serious trouble with Windows then it's borderline acceptable to suggest they get a new OS (although it still kind of isn't) but it's not right to drop "I'd get Windows 7 or Ubuntu if I were you" in a topic if someone's just asking for a bit of help.

[Rayquaza]

That's ridiculous. Windows 7 is $320 to purchase. That's a lot of money that he doesn't need to spend just to install Google Chrome. Even if Ubuntu is free there's no way you can expect someone to go through the hassle of backing up all their files, installing a new OS, and learning to use it just to install their web browser.

If someone is having serious trouble with Windows then it's borderline acceptable to suggest they get a new OS (although it still kind of isn't) but it's not right to drop "I'd get Windows 7 or Ubuntu if I were you" in a topic if someone's just asking for a bit of help.

Ok, firstly, I just love how you haven't actually contributed anything helpful to the topic whereas I actually sorted out the OP's problem.
Secondly, the reason I say performing an upgrade is a good idea is because Windows XP Service Pack 1 is incredibly outdated. And you should learn to read between the lines too, the OP said it's a refurbished laptop. He hasn't even installed his own browser yet; it is highly unlikely that the OP will have so much data to back up at this point to transfer to another PC.
And lastly, clearly now that I know of the OP's circumstances, what with having only 512 RAM available, I'm obviously not going to recommend an upgrade a second time knowing that the PC will not support it well.

[Silicate Wielder]

I've already used ubuntu, and I still haven't deleted my backups yet, at the moment I'm just storing everything on my flashdrive untill I can install TinyXP when I get internet at my place so I can download the drivers for my laptop. and Shadow I probably will perform an upgrade to windows 8 (I tested it out at WAL-MART and I liked it) once I upgrade my RAM to atleast 2 gigs

but what do you think? should I install TinyXP over my current OS? It turns out my recovery disk is for windows 98. (No way I'm using 98 as a main OS)

[answers-101]

it depends what OS the laptop is running on. quite alot of Linux Distro's and a couple of iOS's have trouble installing certain files. u need to use the command line and insert the route to the installation page to download the file in this case.