My PC at work is a Dell (Intel Core 2 Duo, 3Ghz, 4Gb RAM) running XP Pro. I wanted to put on Windows 7 but apparently it's not possible. According to our IT chappie Dell machines can only function with OS's that are pre-installed by Dell. We played around with it a bit today and it's true. We couldn't install Vista (got BSOD). Windows 7 installed but couldn't be activated That really had us puzzled. Then on trying to re-install XP we got more BSOD's.
The Vista was x64 Ultimate (I think), Windows 7 was both x86 Ultimate and x64 Ultimate. The XP was x86 Pro (2 attempts from 2 different discs) and 1 x64 Pro.
Anyone have a solution to this? Dell is no help - knowledge or speedwise - most likely they will have the usual response of "Bring it in and we'll re-install at X cost" and even then it'll take a month.
Anybody know of a fix for this? I'd prefer Windows 7 to run but XP will do fine. I have a sneaky suspicion the answer may lie somewhere in the BIOS. All help is greatly appreciated.
My Computer
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Own build
OS
Windows 7 x64 Professional
CPU
Intel Core i7-870 Lynnfield 2.93 GHz
Motherboard
Intel Whitesburg P55 LGA1156
Memory
Kingston Hyper X 1333MHz DDR3 4x4Gb
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia GTS 250
Monitor(s) Displays
AOC Q3279VWF 31.5"
Screen Resolution
2560x1440
Hard Drives
Western Digital 1000GB Hard Drive (SATA 3.0Gb/s, 7200rpm, 32MB Cache)
Verbatim 500GB (External)
According to our IT chappie Dell machines can only function with OS's that are pre-installed by Dell. We played around with it a bit today and it's true.
I cannot disagree more completely. I've worked for 2 different companies which extensively use Dell workstations and laptops and typically the very first thing we do is wipe the OS and reinstall the OS to our standards.
I've never had any issues installing a supported operating system using media either from Microsoft volume licensing or MSDN on any of these machines. Activation using our corporate MAK keys has not resulted in any issues.
What media are you using and which keys are you attempting to use? I suspect the problem lies in this area.
My Computer
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self-Built in July 2009
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
Memory
8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
Sound Card
Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
Monitor(s) Displays
23" Acer x233H
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
PSU
Corsair 620HX modular
Case
Antec P182
Cooling
stock
Keyboard
ABS M1 Mechanical
Mouse
Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
Internet Speed
15/2 cable modem
Other Info
Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
Go to http://support.dell.com and grab the updated BIOS for your model there. I've upgraded several Dell BIOS, and had never experienced such issue, so you should be in good shape.
My Computer
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
DELL XPS 700
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64, Windows Vista Ultimate x64 and Windows 2003 Datacenter Server x64 Edition
CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs)
Motherboard
nForce 590 SLI Intel Edition
Memory
8.00 GB DDR2 RAM @ 800MHz
Graphics Card(s)
nVidia GeForce 260 GTX 896MB DDR3 and AGEIA PhysX Card
Thanks for the help guys. Turns out the problem really does lie with Dell, and they want to charge too much to 'unlock it' so the company said to stay with XP.
Too bad really...
My Computer
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Own build
OS
Windows 7 x64 Professional
CPU
Intel Core i7-870 Lynnfield 2.93 GHz
Motherboard
Intel Whitesburg P55 LGA1156
Memory
Kingston Hyper X 1333MHz DDR3 4x4Gb
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia GTS 250
Monitor(s) Displays
AOC Q3279VWF 31.5"
Screen Resolution
2560x1440
Hard Drives
Western Digital 1000GB Hard Drive (SATA 3.0Gb/s, 7200rpm, 32MB Cache)
Verbatim 500GB (External)
Thanks for the help guys. Turns out the problem really does lie with Dell, and they want to charge too much to 'unlock it' so the company said to stay with XP.
What make and model Dell computer are you using? Something just doesn't sound right to me with the above information. I've used tons of C600-800 laptops, D600-D800 laptops and GX100, GX110, GX150's, GX240, GX260, GX280, GX620's, GX745's, GX755's all of which had no problem changing out the operating system.
My Computer
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self-Built in July 2009
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
Memory
8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
Sound Card
Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
Monitor(s) Displays
23" Acer x233H
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
PSU
Corsair 620HX modular
Case
Antec P182
Cooling
stock
Keyboard
ABS M1 Mechanical
Mouse
Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
Internet Speed
15/2 cable modem
Other Info
Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
Here's what I would do.. erase the existing partitions in your HDD using a disk partitioning utility of your choice (my suggestion is gParted)... making sure to delete the hidden dell partition ... then try installing windows 7. It should work perfectly. The person you talked to at Dell is full of sh*t.
2x 320gb Seagate Barracuda's - SATA 3Gbit/s - RAID-0 array
PSU
650 watt
Case
Antec
Cooling
Cool Master
Keyboard
Logitech diNovo Media Desktop
Mouse
see keyboard
Internet Speed
comcast cable
Other Info
7 Ultimate and 7 Pro twice each at home - Gigabit on the Network - Tomato on the Linksys - I freely share my wireless with my neighbors (8-10 additional devices)
That really had us puzzled. Then on trying to re-install XP we got more BSOD's.
