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Win7 options on Supplied Dell disks
I have had my Dell Studio 540 Desktop since August 2009, it has worked OK so far. I have investigated about installing Win7 64 bit to get better use from the 4GB Ram - with a view to getting the RAM increased to 8GB.
I followed the MS guides about backing up software and data and ensuring the data is safe, but as it stated I had to go into the Windows and select a manual instal to get to the options to choose the 64 bit Option, I got the disks out from Dell (opened new software disks some 4 years after getting the PC. I then spotted the disks stated they had 32 bit versions only! :emotion-6:
Now can Dell send me the required disk on a free or 1 for 1 swap basis? Or will I have to pay to get a 64bit version of Win 7 - if so how much? Before it is suggested - I have no wish to upgrade to Windows 8.
Any help appreciated. :emotion-1:
Philip_Yip
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August 25th, 2013 14:00
Offtek are also quite good, I have used them for several systems in the past also:
http://www.offtek.co.uk/ram-memory-2/dell/dell-desktop-memory/studio-540/mid118109
They are slightly cheaper than Crucial for this model but theres not that much difference.
http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/listparts.aspx?model=Studio%20540&Cat=RAM
The .iso idea should work there has been a large number of people who have followed my guide without incident. Let us know how it goes. One other thing to also consider is using a Solid State Drive as a boot drive, this would make the system alot faster.
ieee488
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August 24th, 2013 15:00
Can't help you with the Dell Windows DVD.
However, note that the memory upgrade from 4GB to 8GB is going to cost you almost $200.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007611%20600006069&IsNodeId=1&Description=ddr2%20pc2-6400%20memory&name=8GB%20%282%20x%204GB%29&Order=PRICE&Pagesize=20
I wouldn't do it.
The reason the RAM costs so much is because it is DDR2 memory which is not that much in demand anymore.
New PCs use DDR3 RAM.
If I were you I would keep the PC the way it is.
msgale
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August 24th, 2013 18:00
8 GBytes of memory will cost about $120.00 http://www.crucial.com/ Crucial Memory. Buy two of
I do not recommend using the Newegg memory according to the Dell reference manual the maximum DIMM size is 2 GBytes not 4 GBytes making the Newegg memory incompatible
Philip_Yip
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August 25th, 2013 01:00
Probably Dell will not send you a 64 bit installation DVD as they only support the original OS the system is shipped with.
You can however download a 64 bit .iso from Digital River and use that for clean installation. In order to do this backup your Microsoft Product Activation using the Activation Backup and Recovery program (your product key/product activation is valid for both 32 bit and 64 bit). Download the 64 bit .iso (of the same version as your 32 bit e.g. Home Premium and install without entering a product key. Once installed launch the recovery part of the Activation Backup and Recovery program and restart your computer, your product should then be re-activated.
For full details follow Windows Reinstallation Guide/A Clean install of Windows 7:
http://philipyip.wordpress.com/dell-community-forums/
Jack Dusty
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August 25th, 2013 09:00
Thank you for thinking of Cruicial, a company in the UK that I have used a few times before and they make specifying the memory so easy. If I can do the clean install using the *.iso idea suggested in this topic, then the £100 UK becomes potentially worth it.
Jack Dusty
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August 25th, 2013 09:00
This sounds like a really good idea to try. I am going away for a few days but may well try it next weekend.
Thank you.
Jack Dusty
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October 17th, 2013 06:00
Just to feed back the results:
I am delighted with the instructions and I have actioned them as I added more RAM and an SSD.I am now enjoying my PC "as new" and I will highly recommend the proceedures decribed highly.
The part that I am most pleased about though was getting the .ISO CD burnt - this process just downloaded the files and burnt them onto to disk with minimal intervention by me.
Thank you.