Problems installing on Dell


  1. Posts : 913
    Windows 7 x64 Professional
       #1

    Problems installing on Dell


    My PC at work is a Dell (Intel Core 2 Duo, 3Ghz, 4Gb RAM) running XP Pro. I wanted to put on Windows 7 but apparently it's not possible. According to our IT chappie Dell machines can only function with OS's that are pre-installed by Dell. We played around with it a bit today and it's true. We couldn't install Vista (got BSOD). Windows 7 installed but couldn't be activated That really had us puzzled. Then on trying to re-install XP we got more BSOD's.

    The Vista was x64 Ultimate (I think), Windows 7 was both x86 Ultimate and x64 Ultimate. The XP was x86 Pro (2 attempts from 2 different discs) and 1 x64 Pro.

    Anyone have a solution to this? Dell is no help - knowledge or speedwise - most likely they will have the usual response of "Bring it in and we'll re-install at X cost" and even then it'll take a month.

    Anybody know of a fix for this? I'd prefer Windows 7 to run but XP will do fine. I have a sneaky suspicion the answer may lie somewhere in the BIOS. All help is greatly appreciated.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 913
    Windows 7 x64 Professional
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Oh yes, currently installed is Windows 7 x86. Not activated obviously.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 7,878
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #3

    bigseb said:
    According to our IT chappie Dell machines can only function with OS's that are pre-installed by Dell. We played around with it a bit today and it's true.
    I cannot disagree more completely. I've worked for 2 different companies which extensively use Dell workstations and laptops and typically the very first thing we do is wipe the OS and reinstall the OS to our standards.

    I've never had any issues installing a supported operating system using media either from Microsoft volume licensing or MSDN on any of these machines. Activation using our corporate MAK keys has not resulted in any issues.

    What media are you using and which keys are you attempting to use? I suspect the problem lies in this area.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 50
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64, Windows Vista Ultimate x64 and Windows 2003 Datacenter Server x64 Edition
       #4

    Go to http://support.dell.com and grab the updated BIOS for your model there. I've upgraded several Dell BIOS, and had never experienced such issue, so you should be in good shape.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 913
    Windows 7 x64 Professional
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thanks for the help guys. Turns out the problem really does lie with Dell, and they want to charge too much to 'unlock it' so the company said to stay with XP.

    Too bad really...
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 7,878
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #6

    bigseb said:
    Thanks for the help guys. Turns out the problem really does lie with Dell, and they want to charge too much to 'unlock it' so the company said to stay with XP.

    Too bad really...
    What make and model Dell computer are you using? Something just doesn't sound right to me with the above information. I've used tons of C600-800 laptops, D600-D800 laptops and GX100, GX110, GX150's, GX240, GX260, GX280, GX620's, GX745's, GX755's all of which had no problem changing out the operating system.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 6,243
    win 7 ultimate32bit, Win8.1pro wmc 32bit
       #7

    i have also clean installed and upgraded an I5100,I1501 and an I9400 did'nt have any issues at all all went very smoothly, so just go ahead and do it!
      My Computer

  8.    #8

    Here's what I would do.. erase the existing partitions in your HDD using a disk partitioning utility of your choice (my suggestion is gParted)... making sure to delete the hidden dell partition ... then try installing windows 7. It should work perfectly. The person you talked to at Dell is full of sh*t.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 196
    Windows 7
       #9

    Using an Optiplex 755 right now with w7. It had XP on it before. The windows key sticker on the top of the case is for Vista.
      My Computer


 

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