Windows 7 on a Dell Precision 370?

mrhamilton · 23 Jul 2011

Can anyone run Windows 7 on a Dell Precision 370? I have seen ppl say it is running. I had 32bit Windows 7 Ultimate working on my 370 for a few minutes. Then I installed Win 7 SP1 and it crashed. Now, I cannot get it to start or even freshly install again. I get Blue Screen Of Death ...F4 error, and it reboots. Does anyone have it running at all on a 370 or after SP1 it failed like mine? And which version of Win 7? Thanks (Sorry if this is wrong place to post. I am new here. Any help would be appreciated. )

fireberd · 23 Jul 2011

Given that Dell ONLY supports XP on this model and no device drivers for Vista/Win 7 it's a hit or miss on whether it will even work with Vista or Win 7. You are in "uncharted territory".

mrhamilton · 23 Jul 2011

OK. Thanks fireberd. That is what I was afraid of.

bobkn · 23 Jul 2011

mrhamilton said:

OK. Thanks fireberd. That is what I was afraid of.

Dell offers no Windows 7 (or Vista) drivers for the Precision 370. What it comes down to is that there are no guarantees that it wil run Windows 7.

It's not a new machine, but it has an Intel 925X chipset and PCI-E graphics. If I had to wager, I'd bet that it will accept Win7.

Can you boot the current installation in Safe Mode? If not, can you boot the machine from the Windows installation DVD?

apacro · 28 Nov 2011

just look for the files I am running the same thing as you and I am also running windows 7 32bit aswell as dimension 370 just find the xp files install restart and voila there ya go you got sound and all other needed files or if it is just sound like mine is just look for your sound cards files I can link you if ya need

DeaconFrost · 28 Nov 2011

Posting full system specs would help tremendously, but most likely, Windows Update will bring you any drivers you are missing.

Ztruker · 28 Nov 2011

I'm running Windows 7 Pro X64 on my Dell Precision 370 with no problems. SP1 and all updates are installed.
I did add a new video card (NVIDIA Quadro FX 3400/4400), 4GB ram and 7200RPM drives and it runs great.

bar2380 · 20 Jun 2012

running windows 7 Pro also.added more memory.runs great. mine is 64 bit.not 32. because computer is set to 64 bit.also. had vista 32 bit on.had to format hard drive.do clean install.works great.

Tofik · 27 Aug 2013

Ztruker said:

I'm running Windows 7 Pro X64 on my Dell Precision 370 with no problems. SP1 and all updates are installed.
I did add a new video card (NVIDIA Quadro FX 3400/4400), 4GB ram and 7200RPM drives and it runs great.

Greetings,

Could you be so kind to share you knowledge and give me some clues to upgrade my Dell Precision 370 to W 7 Pro?
Where can I find drivers?

Thank you in advace

Ztruker · 28 Aug 2013

I would recommend doing a clean install, formatting the install partition during the installation process. Always gives you a better, cleaner install then doing an upgrade. Means you have to backup your data first but I think it's worth the effort.

You will need a new video card. The onboard is not good enough to run Windows 7. I added a PCI-E Nvidia 256MB Quadro FX 4000 which though not a high end card is good enough for my needs. I also added a PCI Gigabit network card for better network performance. It works great with my Netgear Gigabit router.

I don't remember where I got drivers, but if you like I can zip them up and put in my Dropbox so you can get them.

I have:

BIOS Update
Chipset
Network (for the gigabit card)
Phillips DVD/RW but I don't remember if I installed this or it came with the computer
Sata
Video