Windows XP to Windows 7 on M1710's

Question

Hello all,

I have a question about moving from windows XP to windows 7 on my three Dell M1710 laptops. As purchased, about 2007, they all came with windows XP with their own XP disc and COA on each machine.

If I were to buy a Dell windows 7 disc from ebay will I be able to do a fresh install of the windows 7 operating system using the XP COA product key on the machines. Or do I need a windows 7 product key as well as the windows 7 disc?

I have run the Windows 7 upgrade advisor on the laptops and it suggests that the 32 bit operating system is the version I need.

Hope you can help.

Philip_Yip · Answer

Attempting that would be attempting software piracy. The XP COA is not valid for a Windows 7 installation and each system needs its own Windows 7 license. Moreover the system locked preinstallation mechanism of the Dell Reinstallation DVD will reject this system as Dell never sold it with Windows 7 thus if you try it you are simply wasting cash on the Reinstallation DVD. Technically speaking you should use the Windows 7 Upgrade or Full License license:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-Windows-Premium-Upgrade-Edition/dp/B002DGS81C/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1388994852&sr=8-3&keywords=windows+7+upgrade+vista+xp

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=windows+7+full&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Awindows+7+full

However these are becoming less readily available and the system builders/OEM license can also be used which is a slightly cheaper alternative. The system builders/OEM license has the limitation that it cannot be transferred from one PC to another. Also if strictly adhering to the licensing terms this should only be used if you are going to sell the computer on however many people use them to upgrade their system:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-Windows-software-intended-builders/dp/B004Q0PT3I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388994949&sr=8-1&keywords=windows+7+oem

For best results see my Windows Reinstallation Guide/A Clean Install of Windows 7/8.1:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/

As Dell doesn't support this system for the Windows 7 Upgrade, they have not provided up to date Windows 7 drivers however I have provided them here:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/driver-sets/xps-laptops/

You might also consider installation of Windows 8.1 simply for the fact that Microsoft are promoting it more than Windows 7 hence it is more readily available and often slightly cheaper however many people do not like the changes in Windows 8.1 from Windows 7 so I would recommend using the Enterprize trial of Windows 8.1 to evaluate it (instructions to get the trial are also documented in the Windows Reinstallation Guide) before deciding on purchase.

ceptor · Answer

Thanks Natakuc4 that's great information. So if I want to load the 32 bit windows 7 OS on my 3 XP machines then I would need the full version of windows 7 and not the OEM version?

Philip_Yip · Answer

You need the upgrade/full version of Windows 7. For example the 3 user upgrade license:

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Windows-Premium-Upgrade-Family/dp/B002MV2MG0

However as mentioned the Windows 7 OEM/System builders version is more readily available and cheaper although you would need 3 of them:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116983

As mentioned strictly speaking it should be used on a computer for resale. Technically you can use the system builder license and it will still work and activate; the important point to note is that you won't get Microsoft software support from it hence the cheaper price.

Use of this OEM System Builder Channel software is subject to the terms of the Microsoft OEM System Builder License. This software is intended for pre-installation on a new personal computer for resale. This OEM System Builder Channel software requires the assembler to provide end user support for the Windows software and cannot be transferred to another computer once it is installed. To acquire Windows software with support provided by Microsoft please see our full package "Retail" product offerings.

ceptor · Answer

Hello again, just to round off I did buy 3 copies of Windows 7 Home Edition with SP1 32 bit OEM versions. They all loaded quite easily and the versions were all activated with the product keys supplied with the O/S software. The M1710's all seem to be working fine without too many problems. They scored 5.9 on the windows experience index in control panel if that means anything. On one of the machines I also installed a 240GB SSD and 4GB memory from crucial.com which again seems to have worked quite well, so far..

Philip_Yip · Answer

It sounds like it was well worth the upgrade on the machines. The one with the SSD should be quite snappy. :)

Windows General

Windows XP to Windows 7 on M1710's

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