Solved Installing Windows 7 pro 64bit OEM COA on Dell motherboard

[Zoomy]

Anyone's help would be appreciated.

A few years back, I bought a Dell Latitude with Windows 7 Pro SP1 64bit preinstalled with no COA disk.

I recently picked up a few viruses that I've determined require me to completely reformat the disk and start anew. However, I don't have the original OS disk but do intend to purchase one.

My question is: Can I install a new Windows 7 pro OS COA on a Dell motherboard without violating any of Dell's rules and requirements, and will it install and work properly? I fear that Dell is too proprietary with its components that could bar me from installing the OS properly.

Any unsolicited suggestions and comments will be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[townsbg]

An OEM copy is tied to the motherboard that it was installed on so unless you bought a special license for multiple computers it will not activate on the new motherboard even if it is also a dell. That is the downside to using an OEM license. You will need a retail copy to transfer it to a new motherboard.

 

[DavidE]

Does the Dell have a Win 7 COA sticker with a readable key ?
If it's a laptop, it might be in the battery compartment.

 

[Zoomy]

An OEM copy is tied to the motherboard that it was installed on so unless you bought a special license for multiple computers it will not activate on the new motherboard even if it is also a dell. That is the downside to using an OEM license. You will need a retail copy to transfer it to a new motherboard.

Thank you much for the response. However, I'm not sure I fully understand. I've always thought the term OEM mean't from the original manufacturer - in this case, Microsoft - and is the same as "retail". The motherboard is currently existing. The OS will be new once I purchase it. Are you saying, if I buy the OS, it will not install properly because it's a new motherboard to it? And, no, I don't have multiple licenses. Can you clarify, please?

 

[townsbg]

Sorry I misread your post. If you are intending upon using a new serial number then you shouldn't have any problems provided that it hasn't already been used. OEM copies are designed to be sold to manufacturers cheaper than retail however there are stipulations as to their use. They can only be used on one computer ever unless the license specifies that it is for multiple computers.

 

[DavidE]

If you have a Win 7 COA sticker with a readable key you should not need to purchase a new OS / license.

 

[Zoomy]

Does the Dell have a Win 7 COA sticker with a readable key ?
If it's a laptop, it might be in the battery compartment.

Thank you for the response.

It is a laptop and it is in the shop getting a new internal display. I won't know the answer to your question until the maint. guy calls me back. Meanwhile, what does the COA (cert of authenticity) with a readable key imply?

 

[DavidE]

If you have the readable COA key, you can do a clean install of Win 7 using that key.

 

[Zoomy]

Sorry I misread your post. If you are intending upon using a new serial number then you shouldn't have any problems provided that it hasn't already been used. OEM copies are designed to be sold to manufacturers cheaper than retail however there are stipulations as to their use. They can only be used on one computer ever unless the license specifies that it is for multiple computers.

Ahhh, now I understand what you are saying. Yes, the OS software will, or should, have the ubiquitous serial number and would be new to my existing Dell motherboard, and never used. Thanks for explaining the difference between OEM and retail. I didn't know that. And, yes, I expect it to be one license.

I hope you are right that it will install without problems. However, if you think of anything else I should know, please do not hesitate.

Thanks.

 

[Zoomy]

If you have a Win 7 COA sticker with a readable key you should not need to purchase a new OS / license.

I'm checking into that now. I don't have the laptop near me, it's at the shop getting a new display.

Thanks for the advice. I didn't know, really, what COA and readable key actually implied. Now I do. If it exists, that would be a financial coup since I was prepared to buy a new license version.

Thank you very much. Any further advice will be welcomed.

Thanks.

You guys on this site are very, very helpful.

 

[DavidE]

Yup, it would be a waste of money/license if you have a readable key.
Don't ever post a screen print of your COA sticker without blacking out the Key.
Here is an example of what a COA sticker looks like.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Assuming you have a readable COA sticker, the more difficult task will be making installation media to install Windows 7.

At one time, you could easily download an ISO file from Microsoft and burn it to a bootable DVD and install from that--or put it on a bootable USB flash drive.

But the ISO files are more difficult to find now. Microsoft wants you to move to a new operating system.

However--they can be had. I haven't kept track of exactly where you can find one, but someone here will know.

You need to prepare to convert that ISO into a bootable DVD or bootable USB flash drive--whichever you can use and prefer for the installation.

 

[DavidE]

The ISO's are available again via Heidoc and downloaded from MS using the Windows ISO Downloader.exe available here:
https://heidoc.net/joomla/technolog...icrosoft-windows-and-office-iso-download-tool

 

[Zoomy]

Assuming you have a readable COA sticker, the more difficult task will be making installation media to install Windows 7.

At one time, you could easily download an ISO file from Microsoft and burn it to a bootable DVD and install from that--or put it on a bootable USB flash drive.

But the ISO files are more difficult to find now. Microsoft wants you to move to a new operating system.

However--they can be had. I haven't kept track of exactly where you can find one, but someone here will know.

You need to prepare to convert that ISO into a bootable DVD or bootable USB flash drive--whichever you can use and prefer for the installation.

With your information, I just got off the phone with Dell rep. They can provide a bootable flash drive for around $20. Not too bad. Wish I could find the ISO's though.

 

[Zoomy]

The ISO's are available again via Heidoc and downloaded from MS using the Windows ISO Downloader.exe available here:
https://heidoc.net/joomla/technolog...icrosoft-windows-and-office-iso-download-tool

Wow, you guys are fantastic. Thanks for the link.

 

[groze]

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Zoomy

Tip, unless you use wifi. Make sure you download the chipset & ethernet drivers from dell. You will need to install the chipset & ethernet drivers before getting online & installing other drivers. Also, since you are paying for a service call, you ought to ask the place how much more it would cost to do a clean install of windows 7 pro, it shouldn't be that much more. If the shop uses the wrong key, you can change it to the one on the back of your machine when you get it back.

 

[townsbg]

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7

 

[Zoomy]

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Zoomy

Tip, unless you use wifi. Make sure you download the chipset & ethernet drivers from dell. You will need to install the chipset & ethernet drivers before getting online & installing other drivers. Also, since you are paying for a service call, you ought to ask the place how much more it would cost to do a clean install of windows 7 pro, it shouldn't be that much more. If the shop uses the wrong key, you can change it to the one on the back of your machine when you get it back.

Thanks for the advice. I wouldn't have figured that out until the last moment.

 

[Zoomy]

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7

Thanks for the link. I will use it when I get my 'puter back from the service shop.

 

[DavidE]

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7

The last i know of is that site does NOT work for an OEM PC license, such as a Dell pre-installed.
Maybe things have changed, i don't know.

imho, The question still is, does the OP have a readable Win 7 COA sticker ?
Without knowing that, it's impossible to best advise what to do.

I'll drop off until you know about the COA sticker, if you have questions for me.
I think i ask too many questions and just confuse things