Dell OEM upgrade

[confusedpc]

Hi guys,
trying to install windows 7 and I get a message telling me that I need to contact dell to get an OEM upgrade...what does this mean?! Also I was under the impression that I could upgrade to windows 7 and not completely gut my laptop and loose all my programmes etc.. but read on a few forums that I'll have to reinstall Microsoft word among other things...is this true? Below is the technical part of the error message I got. Thanks

OEM Name: Dell Inc.; OEM Model: XPS M1330 ; BIOS Version: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A11; BIOS Date: 20080619000000.000000+000

 

[severedsolo]

Hi confused PC, It sounds like you might have to do a Clean Install i'm afraid, if you do a Clean Install it will not wipe out your files, it will just put them into a folder called Windows.old although you will have to reinstall your programs,

From the sounds of it, Dell have locked your copy of Vista against upgrading

 

[theog]

Are you using a Dell Upgrade DVD?

 

[Tews]

OEM manufacturers do not supply "upgrades" ... Windows will not allow you to upgrade an OEM version with a retail version... However you can purchase an Anytime Upgrade key that will allow you to do this...

 

[theog]

Latest BIOS A15.

Drivers and Downloads

 

[fireberd]

Are you trying to upgrade from a 32 bit to 64 bit OS? If that is the case you can't "upgrade" you must do a clean install.

 

[confusedpc]

ok, so its an upgrade version of win 7 home premium, and it came with both the 32 and 64 bit dvds, but my system currently runs on 32 bit so I was going to use that.
@severedsolo, surely they cant stop you from upgrading your OS?!
I didnt get an option to do a clean installation, maybe I'll try again. most of my programmes are downloaded apart from microsoft office so thats not really an issue, and I'll run a back up anyway for my documents even though @severedsolo said they get put in a folder.
cheers for the help so far

 

[fishnbanjo]

What exactly did you buy, i.e. 32 bit or 64 bit version? With Vista you can upgrade but you would need to purchase a DELL (OEM) upgrade disk since the upgrade path is Vista to Windows 7.

OEM-Original Equipment Manufacturer in this case DELL.

 

[confusedpc]

What exactly did you buy, i.e. 32 bit or 64 bit version? With Vista you can upgrade but you would need to purchase a DELL (OEM) upgrade disk since the upgrade path is Vista to Windows 7.

OEM-Original Equipment Manufacturer in this case DELL.

I bought from PC World the upgrade DVDs, and it comes with both bit versions, and its vista upgrade versions of windows 7 and i am currently on vista so i dont get why it doesnt work... why would i need dell to upgrade me? sorry if i sound extremely dense.

 

[theog]

Check your upgrade path.
http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/46168-windows-7-upgrade-paths-faq.html

& Upgrade your BIOS before installing.

 

[fishnbanjo]

Yes, what theog said upgrade your BIOS. You should be able to do a clean install and when it get to a screen the option will appear it does not happen straight away.

 

[gregrocker]

You apparently have a BIOS lock against upgrade from Vista. However since there is a newer BIOS version found by TheoG above, you can install it from Vista and it will likely overcome any BIOS lock and allow you to Upgrade to Win7 as you wish.

Run the Win7 Upgrade Advisor to make sure there are no other programs or drivers which could block install.

If you are able to make a Recovery Disk set off of the Recovery Partition, do so in order to have a path back to factory condition if needed. You can also then consider wiping the entire HD to give you a cleaner slate for install, as one of the unneeded Dell boot or utility partitions might be blocking install, too.

Once you clean any issues from the Upgrade advisor, insert your Win7 DVD and run setup as Admin. Choose to remain connected to internet to get latest updates/drivers into installer, then try the Upgrade install to see what happens.

Always back up your files first when doing any kind of Upgrade or Clean install.