Does Optiplex 320 supports Windows 7?

I think the manufacturer has deliberately refrained from providing a Windows 7-compatible driver for that chipset. Therefore, you're likely to have very limited video functionality and that will detract from the Windows 7 experience.

If your mainboard has a PCIe-x16 slot and you're in the States, you can get a cheap DX9-compatible card like this. Under $20 after rebate.

Yes it supports WINDOWS 7 Just fine.

There are not issues with the video.   You can only do WDDM 1.0 aka VISTA video.

If you need the speed of wddm 1.1 you will have to buy a DirectX 11 graphics card with WDDM 1.1.

There are no other "issues".

Since this is Integrated Video I Highly Recommend at least 2 Gigs of System Ram due to 128 Megs being shared with

the onboard  video chip.

http://downloads.dell.com/video/ATI_ATI-Radeon-Xpress-X1100_A03_R172873.exe

This is something I have done before.  Been there Done that.  It works fine.

Install OS

DOTNET is needed for ATI drivers.

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=17718

then Chipset

http://www2.ati.com/drivers/10-2_legacy_vista32-64_dd_ccc.exe

then network

then video

then directx june 2010

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=8109

then internet explorer 8

then flash 12 for youtube videos

http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/

then shockwave flash 12 or higher

http://www.adobe.com/products/shockwaveplayer.html

then java

http://java.com/en/download/manual.jsp

I have to upgrade the OS on my Optiplex 320 with the end of XP Pro support on 4/8.  I plan to go to Windows 7 Pro.  Does anyone know if the list of steps written by SpeedStep on 1/11/12 at 1:36pm are still accurate?

Get  Windows 7 and make sure you have 2 Gigs of ram.

There are no win7 drivers VISTA drivers must be used.

The system will take 2 Gig DDR2  Sticks but the BIOS may need to be updated First. There are NO Windows 7 Drivers but VISTA works fine.

It will not be good if you have 1 Gig of ram.

2.5 or 3 Gigs works 4 does not. It will not POST with 4 gigs aka 2 sticks of 2 gigs.   It will not work with 2 Gig modules without current bios.

Description	Version	Released	Supported OS	Download
Dell OptiPlex System BIOS, 1.1.12 OptiPlex 320 System BIOS	1.1.12	8/24/2009	BIOS
Dell OptiPlex System BIOS, 1.1.9 OptiPlex 320 System BIOS	1.1.9	7/26/2007	BIOS

Yes it supports WINDOWS 7 Just fine.

There are no issues with the video.   You can only do WDDM 1.0 aka VISTA video.

If you need the speed of wddm 1.1 you will have to buy a DirectX 11 graphics card with WDDM 1.1.

There are no other "issues".

Since this is Integrated Video (Steals System Ram) I Highly Recommend at least 2 Gigs of System Ram due to 128 Megs being shared with the onboard  video chip. You do not get this ram back if you add a Video card.  DOTNET is needed for ATI drivers and DELL system detect.

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=17718

http://www2.ati.com/drivers/10-2_legacy_vista32-64_dd_ccc.exe

Hi,

I've actually updated mine while ago.

All you need is the latest BIOS update and the Vista video driver (basic video functionality only though).

Just one thing on what Speedtep said: I've upgraded mine to 4 GB with Kingston sticks and it boots and works just fine.

If you are into puting some money on the machine, I'd upgrade the video card and throw a SSD.

You will never regret it.

Good luck with the update!

The AMD Driver set is newer and the last version that works. The latest catalyst drivers past 10.2 do not work or recognize the video. They also include Chipset driver.

http://www2.ati.com/drivers/10-2_legacy_vista32-64_dd_ccc.exe

You get WDDM 1.0 functionality with the AMD Drivers but they require DOTNET to install.

 http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=17718

 My experience with 2 gig dimms was that it does not post with 2 X 2 gig modules YMMV.  It also did not work at all with 2 gig modules with older versions of the bios.

Thanks SpeedStep and Waldo.p!

Speedstep,

Whenever I click on the link you provided for the AMD driver set I get redirected to the following page:

http://support.amd.com/en-us/download/incomplete

Any suggestions?

I have to upgrade the OS on my Optiplex 320 with the end of XP Pro support on 4/8.  I plan to go to Windows 7 Pro.  Does anyone know if the list of steps written by SpeedStep on 1/11/12 at 1:36pm are still accurate?

The drivers for the OptiPlex 320 are on the Windows 7 SP1 disk and you don't have to download them. How do I know? I tried it myself on my own OptiPlex 320.

Dell™ OptiPlex™ 320 has Integrated ATI Radeon® X300 Graphics.

which means ATI Radeon Xpress 1100 Integrated Graphics is ATI, integrated X300 graphics.

That means Catalyst 10.2 period end. They obviously want you to go thru hoops to get to the link.

http://support.amd.com/en-us/download/desktop/legacy?product=Legacy1&os=Windows%207%20-%2064

http://support.amd.com/en-us/download/desktop/legacy?product=Legacy1&os=Windows%207%20-%2032

The legacy CCC and Game software is not there.

http://support.amd.com/en-us/download/desktop/legacy?product=Legacy1&os=Windows%207%20-%2032

Nor is Directx June 2010

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=8109

ATI Software also requires DOTNET to install.

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=24872

So download Directx June 2010 and extract to a folder then run DXsetup.exe

Then install DOTNET 4.0

Then download 3,572 windows updates.

Then install the Catalyst 10.2

You can then try WOW and Starcraft etc you will need to create an account but the game and the account are free.

http://us.battle.net/account/download/

Starwars is also free now.

http://www.swtor.com/free