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Broadcom Driver Help
I bought a new Dell laptop and I want to upgrade my old XPS 13 M1330 from Vista to Windows 7.
I ran the Microsoft Upgrade Analysis tool. The results were good, but for Broadcom Netlink Fast Ethernet, the tool said I should go to the device manufacturer's website, download driver, install Windows 7, then install saved driver.
Questions: Does this driver exist on the Dell site? If yes, where can I locate it? Be specific. If not there, how can I find it on Broadcom site? The Broadcom site has drivers, but not a file called Broadcom Netlink Fast Ethernet. Does it have a new name?
Any suggestions or help would be appreciated. Any other upgrade cautions are also welcomed.
Mary G
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March 22nd, 2016 12:00
IMO you would be better off replacing the vista computer instead of spending $100 on the win 7 upgrade. OR use the vista computer as is until you can replace it. That model should be almost at end of life. It is not worth spending any money on a 9 year old laptop.
You don't normally use ethernet on a laptop. You can add a usb wireless adapter for about $10.
Philip_Yip
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March 23rd, 2016 02:00
The Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor lists problems with the Broadcom driver but Windows 7 has the necessary driver inbuilt into the operating system.
As mentioned the cost of a full retail Windows 7/10 license is not worth the current price of the system hardware. I would instead advise taking the unofficial 10130 Insider Preview upgrade path to Windows 10 TH2 Pro:
http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/windows-xpvista-%e2%86%92-windows-10-free-upgrade/
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1RkaknDn7v8RDvZUZBKQnuIVM_cqbgs3