Solved Installing full OEM W7 on Dell which is currently XP

[pawz7]

can someone remind me please, just on one point. We want to install a full unused OEM Dell Windows disk onto a Dell computer which originally shipped with XP. What happens about the product key? Normally you do not need to enter it when installing on an OEM - but which one will the BIOS expect and accept? I don't want to give the machine to my daughter and three months later it complains that the licence isn't 'genuine'.

 

[torchwood]

Hi Pawz,
Depends on what kind of OEM license.
Standard OEM license can only be used on the comp it was shipped with, (ie the facory install)
OEM system builder can only be used once, on the comp it was originally installed on, (usually home builds)
Retail can be moved to any comp..

Upgrade licenses were issued for and by OEM's to move from XP/Vista to W7, but are limited to that comp only.

Roy

 

[fireberd]

Along with the OEM issue, you also have to be concerned with drivers for the XP machine. You failed to note the Dell model number which would help. Many older XP Dell's are not fully Win 7 compatible. I know the sound hardware is an issue. On the Dell forum, many users that upgraded from XP to Vista (or Win 7) had to install a separate Vista/Win 7 compatible sound card as there were no Vista or Win 7 drivers available. Some of the other hardware devices had issues (depending on model).

 

[alphanumeric]

How did you come to have an unused Dell OEM install media? Actually what do you mean by unused? If it's from another PC that is no longer in use, it's not transferable. When used on the original PC it was shipped with it would activate via OEM-SLP. The PC that shipped with XP likely won't have the BIOS SLIC table entry for Windows 7. If that is true, you will be prompted to enter a key during the install. Branded OEM install media is not transferable. It's meant for a specific make and model of PC.

 

[pawz7]

alphanumeric, it is a new, unused Dell disk as first stated in my post. The box is a Dell box which shipped with XP. we want to upgrade it for my daughter as the machine recently became unstable and needed the system re-installed. I have put XP back on but it needs to be upgraded to SP3 from SP2 and so far I have not found any MS site from where I can do that via Firefox, and IE7 is not working. Putting Windows Seven on seems the way to go.

Fireberd it is a Dimension 3100

 

[pawz7]

have got sp3 from MajorGeeks, so getting there for XP. We have another Dimension 3100, and I shall put the W7 disk on there and see what happens, so one way or the other, she should have a working computer at the end of it all.

 

[fireberd]

Dell has Vista 32 bit OS drivers for this model. The Vista drivers should work on Win 7, as it is basically "Vista improved".

For the install, as we always noted for older OS' on the Dell forum, the correct install is (1) Install Windows (2) Install Dell Desktop Support Software (3) Install Intel motherboard chipset drivers (4) Install Device drivers including Video, Sound, Ethernet, etc. Win 7 may install SOME drivers but best to follow the install sequence to ensure the correct Dell drivers.

Product Support | Dell US

I had a similar model (5100/E510) and it worked OK on Vista. Never upgraded it to Win 7 as I replaced it with a new Win 7 machine but it should have worked OK.

 

[torchwood]

Hi Pawz,
Dont think it will work, as i stated earlier OEM did supply upgrade disks. but for XP to vista / vista to W7.
(not heard of XP to W7 but its possible).
Before you try the W7 have a look at the OEM site for your make/model see what was required to prepare the comp for the newer system, FAQ section.

Roy

 

[fireberd]

The only thing needed is the procedure I outlined. Nothing else is "needed" for the upgrade. I recall many of this model upgraded to Vista, when I worked the Dell forums, and nothing special was needed. The only BIOS upgrade listed is only to add additional CPU support, and is listed as optional.

 

[pawz7]

well chaps, I will put your advice onto notepad and consult as necessary. When the W7 disk comes it will be a reformat and clean install. I do have a Vista OS here if I needed to do a hop, but hope a clean install will work. I am SO tired now I can hardly think straight - been at this all day and I am an old lady. Getting XP back on was straightforward enough, and putting some of Mandy's stuff back, but getting the browser upgrade and SP3 was a bit of a run-around. Thank you Firefox and Major-Geeks! Getting the right itunes for XP was also a challenge - and though that is on, it still won't play , saying the itunes version of the files is later than the app, yet it would not allow me to download a later version... grr...so I have put VLC on temp, hoping that soon we will have the sister machine running on Windows Seven, when many of these difficulties will not be an issue. It is doing some updating now, so I have come on my own computer for a rest. Thankyou for your advice. I will come back to this thread when it is done and report

 

[bigmck]

Have you ran the Win 7 Upgrade Advisor as of yet? It will tell you if your PC is capable of running Win 7.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/10956-windows-7-upgrade-advisor.html

 

[alphanumeric]

alphanumeric, it is a new, unused Dell disk as first stated in my post. The box is a Dell box which shipped with XP. we want to upgrade it for my daughter as the machine recently became unstable and needed the system re-installed. I have put XP back on but it needs to be upgraded to SP3 from SP2 and so far I have not found any MS site from where I can do that via Firefox, and IE7 is not working. Putting Windows Seven on seems the way to go.

Fireberd it is a Dimension 3100

I'll ask again, how did you come by this "unused" disk? Does it have a COA sticker with it, with a product code on it? OEM branded install media usually ships with a PC, or is ordered for a specific model PC. Just because its a Dell branded disk doesn't necessarily mean it can be used on any Dell PC. That's not how it works. If there is no COA sticker, it can only be used on a Dell PC that is already licensed for that version of Windows. You could end up with an unlicensed, unactuated Windows 7 install. Just so you know.

 

[AddRAM]

This unused disc you`re using has to have its own Windows 7 activation key, the bios on the Dell pc will not activate it.

 

[torchwood]

If and when you get to W7, run the Mgadiag tool,
If its an upgrade, a couple of extra data lines are created, as an identifier.

Roy

 

[pawz7]

the new system is on - but not without drama. The disk came, with a new PID - except the disk was not 'new' as described by the seller; the packet had been unsealed and the disk was clearly second-hand, with a slight scuff and marks of usage. The PID was new however.. I did a clean install on an empty drive and that all went as it should, but when we got to the activation bit, the PID was rejected. I had to do an automated telphone call to MS to get the system activated. All the original drivers for chipset, graphics, sound and network went on fine, and we are now in the process of getting system updates and putting the apps, security software and personal stuff on for daughter. I think I am getting too old for this - I have worked on repairing and refurbishing computers since Windows 98 days but it seems more stress than fun now - me brain ain't up to it anymore. Thank you for all your help fellas.

 

[alphanumeric]

I'd chalk that one up to being lucky. That should not have activated, even with phone activation. Contrary to what some might think though, Microsoft is pretty lenient with system activations. With the PC being a Dell and the install Media being Dell they gave you the benefit of the doubt. You should be all set now though, so enjoy.

 

[AddRAM]

Be sure not to install any Windows 10 updates if you do not want Windows 10