Found Inspiron 620 - Worth fixing up?

noonin,

Unfortunately, Windows 7 is no longer available for purchase through Dell for this computer. You would need to search the internet for a disk, possibly ebay. The upgrade DVD that you have will not work. Also, before spending hundreds of Dollars on this machine take a look at Dell Computers on sale at the link below. You may find one that is comparable in price to what it would cost to fix up the 620.

Dell Deals

I hear, you Jessie. I think I could get the computer working for under $200 except for the darn Windows license issue. How cheap can a copy of Windows 10 be picked up for? The Service Tag showed the computer originally came with Windows 7, so would an Upgrade work without the original HDD or recovery disc? Can you not install a Windows 10 license on a new HDD with Windows 7 OEM license embedded MoBo?

Would something like this work?

You may or may not be able to make a USB Recovery Media Based on Service Tag.

https://www.dell.com/support/contents/us/en/04/article/Product-Support/Self-support-Knowledgebase/software-and-downloads/dell-backup-solutions/Media-backup

Use Dell OS Recovery Tool to download an image and create a USB flash drive that will install the factory version of Windows that was shipped on your device. Driver and software updates will be required after installation. The tool says 8 gigs free which translates to a 16 gig OR LARGER flash drive.  The reason is that 8 gig drives are less than 8 gigs as are 16 gig drives which are 15 gigs and 32 gig drives are 28 gigs.  The difference is 1,000,000 vs 1,048,576 being a gig.

If it has a Legit Win7 Home or Pro COA you can install Windows 10 essentially free. You boot from the Media and when it asks for a key you click the button that says I do not have a key. Then later you get online and type the key in for HOME or PRO and it will activate. The only issue is that you cannot use a HOME key for Pro or a Pro Key for Home.  This means you can borrow a WIN10 OEM DVD  or Download an ISO of the current version 1803 and burn to DVD. The media is identical for Home or Pro.

Dell OEM DVD

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO

COA KEY

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-windows_install/how-to-install-and-activate-windows-10-using-your/d713f9f9-e91f-4ffe-a3c0-7ef9639a0559

The only exception where this applies is dependent on the license you upgraded from. If you change your motherboard and originally you upgraded from a Windows 7 OEM or Windows 8 OEM license, then your Digital Entitlement will be invalidated. You will need to purchase a new full version license.

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@noonin wrote:

1. except for the darn Windows license issue.

2. How cheap can a copy of Windows 10 be picked up for? 

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1. Is there a Windows-7 CoA sticker on the machine anywhere?

2. AFAIK, Windows-10 (upgrade) is still free at Microsoft.com .

Thanks Diamond,

I just tried the USB Recovery tool, but didn't seem to find the Service Tag number, even though it came up in Dell Support :Huh?:

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@noonin wrote:

I found an Inspiron 620 on the corner

Came with an i3 CPU, but HDD and GPU are missing, naturally.

I suggest you drop in a used HDD and use the on-board video to test it. At least make sure it passes a complete ePSA Diagnostics. A Linux "Live-DVD" might also boot/run for hardware testing.

IF IT PASSES ... Then you can start spending money on it. However, I would not spend much. Maybe someone has a free-cycle HDD or GPU for you? Maybe on-board video is barely good enough?

Yeah, SSD (for bootable Windows C: ) is the way to go. It will help compensate for machine's low-end CPU and GPU. Name-brand 240gb ones are only $75.

Media Recovery is NOT a Given.  This is especially true for WINDOWS HOME editions.

The tool works but does not have images for all dells in the last 100 years or even 10 years.

If your machine is 2012 or newer it likely has an image.

Dell is unable to supply OS CD's once the computer goes "marketing" EOL (end of life). You must purchase the OS CD from a 3rd party vendor

https://www.dell.com/community/Windows-General/Dell-Policy-for-OS-Operating-System-Media/m-p/5142539

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@Tesla1856 wrote:

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@noonin wrote:

1. except for the darn Windows license issue.

2. How cheap can a copy of Windows 10 be picked up for? 

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1. Is there a Windows-7 CoA sticker on the machine anywhere?

2. AFAIK, Windows-10 (upgrade) is still free at Microsoft.com .

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July 29, 2016 end of the free Windows 10 upgrade offer ends.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/windows10upgrade

The free upgrade offer extension for Windows 7 and Windows 8 customers who use assistive technologies expired Dec. 31, 2017.

Windows 10 Upgrade Offer is valid for qualified Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 devices, including devices you already own. Some hardware/software requirements apply and feature availability may vary by region and device. Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1 Update required. Some editions are excluded: Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise, and Windows RT/RT 8.1.

 Even if you do not have a key it will install it just wont activate.

However if you have a 7/8 Home or 7/8 Pro Key it will allow you to change the key to that online and activate.

I dont have a key

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@speedstep wrote:

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 The free upgrade offer extension for Windows 7 and Windows 8 customers who use assistive technologies expired Dec. 31, 2017.

  

I suppose that is the "official statement", however ...

I just did one in April-2018 (and this isn't the only one I've seen work lately)

https://dell.com/community/Vostro/Vostro-460-XPS-8300-Upgrade-Adventures/m-p/6055730/highlight/true#M1225

I'm also not seeing that this legit Windows-10 Activation (by digital entitlement) is different than any other. 

Maybe what I'll try is pulling my old Vostro's HDD out and seeing if it'll boot. I never wiped the Windows installation, just been using it as storage for my SSD Boot Drive. If it works, I'll look at a smallish SSD as they're about as cheap as a hybrid.

What kind of affordable GPU do you think would be good to run something like Kerbal Space? They recommend SM4 with 1GB VRAM (as a non-gamer, not sure what that means beyond the VRAM)

See this-- https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-desktop-computers/inspiron-small-desktop/spd/inspiron-3472-desktop 

It makes more sense that spending $200 on an old model that might not even work.

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@noonin wrote:

1. Maybe what I'll try is pulling my old Vostro's HDD out and seeing if it'll boot. I never wiped the Windows installation, just been using it as storage for my SSD Boot Drive. If it works, I'll look at a smallish SSD as they're about as cheap as a hybrid.

 

2. What kind of affordable GPU do you think would be good to run something like Kerbal Space? They recommend SM4 with 1GB VRAM (as a non-gamer, not sure what that means beyond the VRAM)

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1. Yeah, do whatever you need to do to thoroughly test it first.

2. That means Shader-Model-4 and 1gb on-video-card Video-RAM. That means almost any recent card in the past 5 years or newer will work. They will have 1gb or more memory because they need it. 

https://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/index.php?/topic/94603-hardware-ksp-system-requirements-what-is-the-recommended-gpu/

Actually, will my old Vostro HDD with Windows 7 be recognized or authorized to work with the Inspiron's motherboard?

Can I install the old Vostro HDD without the Inspiron tanking my Windows installation on  that drive, for the purpose of testing it? Will one of those Dell DVDs I showed the link to "For the re-installation of Windows 7" work with the Inspiron's MoBo if I were to buy s SSD?

Dell DVD's unlike other vendors are not Model Specific.

Recommended GPU is ASUS EAH6450

https://www.walmart.com/ip/16904529

Advanced format Drives (Any drive larger than 120 Gigs made after 2011) DO however STILL REQUIRE F6 drivers.   Dell DVD's will not activate windows however without an SLP KEY in bios or a valid COA Key Sticker on the box.

http://en.community.dell.com/techcenter/enterprise-client/w/wiki/deploying-dell-systems-with-advanced-format-hard-drives

Ancient 40 and 80 and 120 gig drives tend to NOT BE Advanced Format.  They also tend to be VERY inexpensive.  2.5 inch drives will need Dell R494D to mount.

https://www.amazon.com/Sparepart-Drive-Caddy-R494D-F767D/dp/B007Y8JI4U/

You may also want a cable extender

https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Dell-FOXCONN-SPLITTER-Desktop/dp/B00T74H5OE/

https://www.amazon.com/Generic-80GB-Internal-Desktop-Drive/dp/B00A6FGZ26

 https://www.amazon.com/Seifelden-Warranty-Notebook-Certified-Refurbished/dp/B00N89XX4A/