NEW DELL WIN7 OS, but I have old hardware devices!!!!!

[rivrbyte17]

Would someone please help me on this.
I built my own puter about six years ago, after wiping and formatting the older 32 BIT WINXP O.S. and installed a OEM version of WIN 7 PRO 64. I then had to search out 64 Bit drivers for my older Epson all-in-one NX300, (printer,scanner) Realtek Audio, CS5, etc.) I don't have any problems, to date, but I am in need of a faster i7, and More DDr3 to replace a very tired Q6600, 2.4, and 8GB DDR2 RAM, and replace my Nvidia 8600GT......OK....ENOUGH ABOUT ME.

.........My older sister Cathy, who continues to buying DELL products, just got tired of the old slow 32-Bit WinXP, and recently purchased a DELL, with WIN7 64-Bit O.S. I don't live close to her, but wanted to help her out, since she is NOT very computer literate....at all!

She had the GEEK squad come over today to hook up her computer and network Wi-Fi, but he left, without loading any programs, so basically, she doesn't have anything on her computer, except for the WIN7 O.S.

I believe she has a few software titles, like Microsoft OFFICE, she needs to install, and an older DELL Laser printer, but she does not know how to go about it. I told her to go to the device manufacturers websites to download the latest WIN7 Drivers for her hardware, and/or software to work...LIKE DELL.

Now she tells my mom that she can not find the CD-ROM...???...WHAT!....See what I mean? I saw another post here that DELL charges for new drivers??? This can not be true!

Is there a step by step, easy Installing software,hardware/drivers for DUMMIES?

Thank you for any piece of mind, anyone could give me.

 

[fireberd]

First there is nothing wrong with buying Dell. You seem to have something against that. I don't currently have a Dell, as I build my own, but I would not be averse to buying one.

Second since she "does not know how to go about it" with the software it may be best to pay someone to do that, if the software that is wanted to reinstall is compatible. Keep in mind OEM software that was delivered with the old PC is only legal for the PC it was delivered with. The geek squad will do what is needed, obviously for a price. The older Dell laser printer, may have drivers but without the model number I can't verify. Dell DOES NOT charge for drivers, another one of your misstatements, they are readily available on their download site at www.support.dell.com

 

[dsperber]

I believe she has a few software titles, like Microsoft OFFICE, she needs to install, and an older DELL Laser printer, but she does not know how to go about it.

Microsoft Office is licensed software. Depending on the type of license you had on the old machine, it may be possible to use it on the new machine... but in that case it would have required that you first UNINSTALL (which accomplishes "deactivation" on the MS license server for that old machine), in order to then be able to INSTALL it on the new machine. Again, that's assuming you had a "retail" product which would allow Office to be usable one any machine, but only installed on one at a time.

If you neglected to first uninstall this Office copy, you can phone MS to activate the newly installed version. They will be able to manually deactivate the old license from the old machine, and give you a new activation code (while you're on the phone with them) to get the newly installed version activated on the new machine.

In contrast, the retail MS Office Home and Student product comes with a license to allow it to be installed and used on up to THREE machines at the same time. So if you had that version of the product, you'd already have three licenses (one of which was used on the old machine) and even if you had neglected to uninstall/deactivate the old installation you'd at least have two more licenses which could be used now. Or, again, you could phone MS and go through the manual phone deactivation/activation process.

Or, if you only had an OEM copy of Office installed on the old machine then it would only be usable on that old machine. It would not be usable on the new machine, even if you knew the Office product license key from a label or however. It could not be installed on the new machine, as OEM copies are good for one machine only, period.

So, if you have the old "retail" Office installation materials (either CD/DVD or installer file downloaded from MS or elsewhere) and it was usable on more than one physical machine (subject to its license ability) you could proceed on the new machine. If you don't, then you'll have to buy a new retail copy (either in a store, online, or from MS, each with its own product and license considerations and price).

The new Dell machine may or may not have come pre-loaded with its own pre-licensed copy of MS Office for trial use, but you'll eventually have to pay for the license after the trial period expires. Or it may come with a special "free" ad-based version of MS Office, but that gets to be really annoying when those ads kick in as you're working.

All up to you, and what you had before, and what you want now. But you need to install it yourself on the new machine if some form of Office is not pre-installed already by Dell.