Help on installing Windows 7 on my old Dell e510

Question

I need to reformat my Dell E510, it has been running slow, but instead of using those recovery disc or the factory restore, I am going to use this extra Windows 7 64bit I have. I want to do a clean install, as I got a virus on my computer and it has been running fairly slow lately. The video drivers offered by ATI are better, which is one of the bigger reasons for this update. Also, I would like my OS to utilize all my RAM.

But I need some tips, as I never installed a new operating system on a computer before.

My questions are:

Should I keep those old Dell e510 partitions? Or should I install windows 7 over everything and clear my entire hard drive? I still have those OS/recovery disc that came with the system. If I don't need those other 2 partitions, I would just like to get rid of them for the extra space (I think one of them is just a recovery partition, and the other is some diagnosis tools).

How would I install the the OS? Do I just go in the BIOS and just boot from the disc?

Will the Dell Drivers still work on Windows 7 64 bit? I know I can get the video drivers from the AMD website, But I would need to still get the working chipset, network, and audio driver from the dell website.

My dell e510 has a few upgrades from the stock hardware:

ATI 512MB 4670 HD

405 Watt PSU

4 GB RAM

Intel 3.4 GHz Pentium D

I ran a Windows 7 pre scan, and it said I can install 64 bit.

Dell-Amit V · Answer

Hi Shpati,

Dell has not tried and tested the system with windows 7 operating system; the drivers will not be available for the system.

Once you clean install Windows 7 operating system the previous partitions/data will be lost.

You may use this link http://dell.to/16wLj8F to assist you to install Windows 7 on the system. Also, you may try this link will assist you to http://dell.to/Hitxzd find updated Windows 7 driver.

Hope this helps. Feel free to reply for any further question.

ieee488 · Answer

I am going to use this extra Windows 7 64bit I have.

That Windows 7 DVD will NOT activate on your desktop PC. That Windows 7 license belongs to the other PC.

You will need to BUY a legitimate license of Windows 7.

Shpati · Answer

ieee488, Yes I know that. This an unused Windows 7 OS that I bought a while ago.

Shpati · Answer

Dell-Admit V,

Since it looks like the drivers from the Dell website won't work on Windows 7, does not mean the Dell e510 will not work with Windows 7, or will it still work with no problems?

I assume I can just use the built in Microsoft Windows driver update to get the drivers for the chipset, audio, and Ethernet? It won't be perfect, but I guess it will work. The video driver will not be an issue at all, as I know I can get that off of the AMD website.

Since I am going to do a clean install of Windows 7, could I still go back to the way the system was when I first bought it using the old recovery disc I have? Just in case Windows 7 fails.

Philip_Yip · Answer

Follow Windows Reinstallation Guide/A Clean Install of Windows 7:

http://philipyip.wordpress.com/dell-community-forums/

As you are installing because of a virus problem (and XP is reaching End of Life) it is highly recommended that you carry out the option Step 7a and securely wipe the hard drive with DBAN.

For drivers I have an unofficial set here:

http://philipyip.wordpress.com/unofficial-driver-sets/dimension-desktops/dimension-5150-windows-7-64-bit/

Shpati · Answer

NATAKUC4, do I have to use floppy disk for your drivers? � I don't have a floppy drive.

Philip_Yip · Answer

Do not use a floppy drive, use a USB flash stick.

Shpati · Answer

This is now my brother's computer, so I am going to clean install it this weekend for him.

So I should clean install with Windows 7 64bit, then I download those drivers you had?

Also, if I copy the chipset and audio driver, will the computer be able to use internet and have good sound?

The only thing I will really need to update is the chipset and audio. I have an ATI 4670 HD on this machine, so no need for audio drivers. And I can get all those OS updates through Windows Update after I set up the machine.

Philip_Yip · Answer

Everything on this model should work natively out of the box with Windows 7 including internet and audio.

However the drivers I provide will be a bit more up to date and the system should perform slightly better with them.

Regarding the video driver use the ATI update [Variant B] and ignore the Intel 82945G [Variant A].

Shpati · Answer

Ok thanks. I was only concerned about the chipset and sound b/c some people reported their Dell e510 not working with Windows 7 64bit.

Windows General

Help on installing Windows 7 on my old Dell e510

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