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

[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.

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

Thanks, David. Yeppers, the service guy just now told me it does have a readable COA sticker. However, it's in service for a few days, so there's not much I can do until then. I'm thinking of asking him to perform a clean install, but I haven't gotten to that point yet. He's doing a search for me of a very important file(s) that I lost during the malware attacks which is another story not for this thread. Thanks for your help; and further suggestions are always welcome.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

If you decide to do your own install, you should locate your Dell "service tag" (I think that's what it's called).

If you have that tag, you can enter it at the Dell support site and it should link you to all necessary drivers, manuals, BIOS versions--all available downloads.

The Windows installation disc will provide somewhere between most and all necessary drivers--but you should certainly download the Ethernet driver (NIC driver) as you cannot get on the Internet without it--and you might have to do just that if the Windows installation disc doesn't provide it, for whatever reason.

 

[Zoomy]

It is called a Service Tag. I've used it numerous times before. But, what I didn't know is to download the ethernet and chipset drivers before doing a clean install of the OS. Thanks for the tip.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

After your install, you'll need to go to Windows Update for security reasons, if nothing else.

You have to be careful about what updates you accept--if you aren't careful, you may well have Windows 10 forced on you. There are steps to minimize the chances of that happening--primarily configuring Window Update properly before you ever go on the Internet and/or downloading and installing an application designed to prevent the installation of Windows 10.

But maybe you want Windows 10--depending on your resistance to something that's "free". Or maybe not. If you don't want it, you have to be pro-active to avoid it.

 

[Zoomy]

Thanks for the warning. I'm not fan of Windows 10 yet.

 

[Layback Bear]

Another tip when using a laptop.

Keep your laptop plugged into the wall socket while installing, updating, or any thing else with your new install. You don't want to run low on power when doing such things.

 

[AddRAM]

Excellent advice Jack, never update a laptop on battery.

 

[anonymousyam]

What do you actually need to install windows 7 again? or do you just want to get rid of the viruses? because if you can you probably should just try to get rid of the viruses but if you can't then you must have either a key to download it or the actual disc.

 

[AddRAM]

We can always post the link for him if he needs to download the iso file.

 

[Zoomy]

What do you actually need to install windows 7 again? or do you just want to get rid of the viruses? because if you can you probably should just try to get rid of the viruses but if you can't then you must have either a key to download it or the actual disc.

That's the intent, Anon. I want a clean reinstall.

 

[BrightBlessings]

You can get clean ISO win 7 SP1 from here Microsoft DigitalRiver Mirror though you do need a torrent client.