install Windows 7 over XP

Question

I have the following computer:

Optiplex 960 Core 2 Duo Processor Quad x86 Family 6 Model 23 Stepping 10 GenuineIntel 2992 Mhz
BIOS version/Date Dell Inc. A05, 31/07/2009 Version 2.5

Currently I have a 32 bit XP OS installed.and I want to install Windows 7 64 bit.

How can I get the system to recognise my Windows 7 64 bit DVD ?
When I click on the DVD drive to access the W7 DVD I get the message: D:\ is not a valid Win32 Application

I have tried booting off the DVD but only get a black screen with no flashing cursor or active mouse.

This XP DVD can be accessed via boot mode hence the DVD-ROM is working okay.
As regards the Windows 7 DVD it can be accessed via the boot mode by two other computers with Windows 7 installed. Hence confirming there is nothing wrong with the DVD.

Can someone advise where I am going wrong. Please explain clearly as I am a novice at this sort of thing

Thank You

R

DELL-Ravi Ch · Answer

Hi Racepro,

Dell Optiplex 960 system is compatible with the Windows 7 operating system. I’d suggest that you follow the steps mentioned below and then try booting the system using the Windows 7 DVD.

Switch off the computer.
Disconnect the power cable from the wall.
Press and hold down the power button for 15 seconds.
Then connect back all the peripherals and check if the touch screen is working.

Also, would suggest that you run the diagnostics on the computer by following the steps mentioned in the video below and check if there is any issue with the hardware on your system.

http://dell.to/164l6g4

Please let me know the findings.

speedstep · Answer

Black Screen Blinking Cursor = DVDR Burned Copy Not an Actual Media. You cannot run X64 setup from 32 bit version of windows which is why its not a valid win32 application.

racepro · Answer

Hi, All is okay now, I installed Windows XP 64 bit Then I installed Windows 7 64 bit The Windows 7 64 bit disc is original and came with another Dell computer I purchased. All good now. Many thanks R

racepro · Answer

Thanks for the heads up. I wasn't awar.e

RoHe · Answer

The Windows 7 64 bit disc is original and came with another Dell computer I purchased.

It's not legal to use the Win 7 disk that came with another Dell computer on this system because the system was only licensed to run XP 32-bit.

You need to buy a license from Microsoft, eg, purchase a real Win 7 disk with its own valid product key to legally run Win 7 on this system.

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install Windows 7 over XP

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