Windows 7 graphics drivers

You will need a new video card to be able to get all the Windows 7 graphics and features such as Aero.

However, the 3100/E310 only has a PCIeX1 slot or PCI slots and that will limit the selection of Video cards.  In addition, the power supply is only rated at 230 watts which will limit you even more. 

Best  option is to go back to XP with this model.  If you want Win 7 go PC shopping. 

I can't afford a new PC at the moment, and I'm becoming quite committed to Windows 7, so is there a driver for the Dimension 3100 graphics adaptor that will at least give me some advanced functionality, such as some DirectX acceleration features.

Failing that, I guess my only other alternative is to go dual boot, and use XP for Google Earth.

I must say that I'm not impressed with Dell for dropping support on a five year old machine

You don't need a new computer (probably), as firebird said, you need a new graphics card. Dell may not have tested the 3100 hardware with W7 ... or it tested it and found it or some components not compatible with Windows 7.  Five years is an eternity in computer time and MANY computers that old - especially low-end computers and hardware - are flat out not compatible with advancements in modern operating systems (XP is not "modern"). No computer mfg maintains support for operating systems beyond the "life" of a home computer. The 31003100 would have shipped years is before even vista was in testing stages.

Hi, I have a Dimension 3100 PC that was happily running Windows XP SP3. Then a recent bulk update from MS messed things up... I started getting all sorts of .NET frameworks issues, so to cut a long story short, I've switched to Windows 7. In retrospect, I've spotted a note from Dell saying they don't recommend this upgrade for my machine, but I've had surprisingly few problems... the biggest one is that xcept Google Earth will no longer run in what it refers to as 'DirectX' mode. I've obtained DirectX 11, but still no joy. When I run the DirectX diagnostic utility, I note that regardless of my Display settings, all the DirectX acceleration features are turned off. I suspect this is why GE is unhappy... when I look at my Graphics Adaptor in Device Manager, I notice that the device is called 'Standard VGA Graphics Adaptor', and the driver looks like a Microsoft generic one. Is there a way round this or must I either revert back to XP, or buy a new machine? Thanks for any help.... Rod

Did you try running the win 7 upgrade advisor HERE. Again it might be your driver for oyur graphics card, if you have a really old card, then there might not be a win 7 driver.