Dell Diminsion 8400 HD failure and replacement

You cant install windows 7 on a 10 year old Dimension 8400 that came with XP.  You can get a newer pc with windows 7 to replace the dead 8400 for $100 with Win7 home and $200 with win7 pro which is what the software costs anyway.

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My old desktop computer Diminsion 8400 had HD failure.  Disk was making grinding noises at startup..  Sometimes requiring several restarts to get it to work.  Anyway it failed and I eventually got the blue screen of death code 0x00000024.  Tried what I could to get the computer back online so I could remove files and pics.  No luck.  I had already purchased a new HD for this desktop.  So I had a local computer shop attempt to pull my documents, pics, favorites and desktop off it.  They we able to do this and put it on my external HD. So my question is I have this brand new HD to install in the desktop.  Old HD had Windows XP on it.  But my newer laptop Dell Studio 1749  has Windows 7.  Can I install the windows 7 on the desktop using the disk that came with my laptop?  If so any guidance on how to do this. This install will be on a brand new HD Thanks, Todd 36racin No, a Dell OEM copy of Win 7 cannot be installed on a computer that did not have Win 7 factory installed, you will need to buy a new upgrade copy of windows 7 that has it own COA. Bev.

I installed Win 7 Pro+SP1, 32-bit, on a brand new HDD in my Dimension 8400 over a year ago, and it's still working fine. Using it every single day, and posting here with it now. So if you want to upgrade the OS, it's certainly doable.

As Bev said, you'll need to purchase a copy of Win 7 with a valid product key in order to legally install and activate Win 7 on your system.  Shop around for the best deal from a reputable vendor. Just make sure the product key is valid and the OS disk includes SP1, whether you buy Win 7 Home or Pro, 32- or 64-bit 

If your D8400 can run 64-bit version of Windows, go for that because it will be faster. The Pentium in my D8400 can only run 32-bit software so I updated to 32-bit Win 7.

Win 7 will install most of the drivers you need for the basic PC hardware but you may have to dig around for one or two drivers. My D8400 came from Dell with a SoundBlaster Live! 24-bit audio card, but none of the drivers Win 7 offered would work with this card. I poked around on Creative's own site and found a driver that works.

You will have to go to the Microsoft Update site and download/install lots and lots of updates, even if your disk installs 7+SP1.

If you just want to reinstall XP on the D8400, you can legally use any Dell OEM XP Reinstallation disk, as long as it's the same version as Dell installed, eg XP Home or XP Pro or XP Media Center. Service Pack doesn't matter, so use one with SP3 if you have it. Otherwise use one with SP2 and you'll have to download/install SP3 plus all other updates afterwards.

Assuming it's the same version that Dell installed, the installer shouldn't even ask for a Product Key, but you should have a sticker on the tower with a key if you need it. Note: the key on the sticker will only work with the factory installed version of XP, so you can't use it to upgrade from Home to Pro.

XP is no longer supported by Microsoft, so there are no new security updates since 2014, and the system will be at risk if you connect it to the internet. That would make Win 7 a better choice, assuming you want to buy it.

Since this is a home office type use computer.  And it rarely get used.  I'd hate to get rid of it for another one.  I also have two laptops available for use.  Which we do use daily.  One is a XP operating system and the other is the Win 7 system.  The XP system Dell 1525 I think is also acting up alittle.  Not sure how much longer it will survive.  I have atleast one XP reinstallation disc but I'm unsure which computer this one was installed in.  Does it matter or can I install this one?

One more thing about Win 7...

If you decide to buy Win 7, make sure it's not an "upgrade" disk. Some Win 7 disks are only for upgrading Vista to 7.

You need the full installation version of Win 7, (a) because there's no OS on the new HDD to upgrade, and (b) even if your drive had XP on it, XP can't be upgraded to Win 7.

In your situation, only a clean/full install of Win 7 will work.

No, a Dell OEM copy of Win 7 cannot be installed on a computer that has not Win 7 factory installed, you will need to buy a new upgrade copy of windows 7 that has it own COA.

Sure you can. (However, in this case, a product key will be needed, as Win7 SLP was not enabled for this model.

If you decide to buy Win 7, make sure it's not an "upgrade" disk. Some Win 7 disks are only for upgrading Vista to 7.

Win7 upgrade disks will clean-install, and double-installing will satisfy upgrade activation requirements.

This is my original configuration or components from searching my service tag on the Dell site.

32 Bit or 64 Bit will show up in BIOS under Processor Info  it will say EM64T   NX is under SECURITY labeled Execute Disable Bit.  Sometimes the setting listed in bios is wrong so if its not working you enable it and if that doesnt work try disable and see if it installs again.

This does not however indicate that you can run windows 8.1 or 10 in 64 bit.

In addition to NX aka Excecute Disable Bit in Bios under security 8.1 and up require LAHF/SAHF and CMPXCHG128 in order to install.

Currently cannot get to that screen.  Everytime I attempt to start computer I get a blue screen of death screen as noted originally.

 PENTIUM 4 PRESCOTT DT, Pentium 4 Prescott DT, 3.0GHZ, 1 MEGB, 800FSB is listed in your document.

That's a Pentium 630 and is a 64-bit processor with NX capability. Be sure to confirm for yourself.

Processor in my D8400 is a Pentium 540  that's only 32-bit.

This is also on my list.  It says Windows XP Professional, 32 BITS.   So I guess it's 32 BITS?

Not necessarily. A 64-bit CPU will run 32-bit software.

It was an option to upgrade to XP, 64-bit even if you got a 64-bit processor. So you might not have paid the extra amount to upgrade.

You should still be able to open BIOS setup by rebooting and pressing F2 immediately, even if you don't have a hard drive installed. BIOS setup should ID the processor for you. If it's a 540, it's 32-bit. If it's a 630 that's 64-bit.