HEJINC,

 Sounds like you are almost good to go but I have a ? before giving more answers. Is your BIOS upgraded to A06? If not, do this "before" you start..

In reading your ? about the Win 7 disks, my opinion is you are going to be in trouble without the 25 digit product code. You will be asked for this during upgrade but you can leave the box vacant, hit next and move on. Then you have 30 days to register win 7 before MS will stop some features from working. You will keep getting a popup telling you how many days you have left of the 30 to register.  I may be wrong and maybe someone else should way in on this ?. The OEM version may give you trouble as well because it is OEM and if your friend has that OS loaded, I think it will be tied to their computer. 

You should be okay with drivers if you have them downloaded. Just make sure you follow the procedure in which order  to install them.

Good luck

Hi guys, two things to add. First I doubt very much the Win7 installation software is usable but as bellboy3 points out you can move on albeit for 30 days by leaving out the product code. Microsoft are pretty cute about registration and my guess is that as soon as a new installation registers the product code is checked to see if it is installed anywhere else. 

Secondly, nobody has installed Windows 7 32bit using the 64bit procedure. It would be great if someone tries and succeeds because we then end up with just one procedure. Also, the 64bit version was produced a while after the 32bit, following new revelations. Worth a try?

Best wishes and good luck Hejinc.

well my BOIS was A02 from 2006, wow. upgrade to A06, now!

I agrree, with out the key, i would be in trouble, that is why i stoped, LOL

now for the win 7 disk. my friend got 2 disk with her pc, one is win 7 & one win XP (she opt. for the downgrade). she is using the XP on her laptop. so the windows 7 disk , that she has, has never been installed anywhere, yet. :)  I don't have her laptop in front of me, so i can not check the dell sticker on it. i'm hoping there are two product keys. one for XP and one for 7. i was thinking the key was on the cd sleeve, it's not.  i'll just have to find it. :)

for the OEM from dell. other pc techs that i have spoken to ,said i can use any dell OS cd on any dell pc, just need the right product key for each.

thanks again for the help.

Hejinc

Being that you are upgrading from XP, ? arise. I did it from Vistax32. Now I'm a little concerned about you upgrading your BIOS as you are on A02 from 2006. There has been A04, 12-29-06, A05 4-11-07, and A06 7-17-07. Knowing you were on 02 with XP, am concerned about making the jump to A06. I  don't have the knowledge in regards to the Motherboard, Win XP, and that kind of jump to A06. If you go to driver downloads, see what is the optional Bios for your system today with XP. You need some advice here that I can't supply.

My 2010 was delivered in9-07 and I was at A05 with Vista. I moved to 06 with no problem as recommended.

Check this out.

If you can get the product key based on Dell tech support advice , then your one more step forward.  

HEJINC and crc2,

I believe when crc2 first started his upgrade, he went from XP to WIn 7x32 originally than on the 64bit.  He can clarify that and if that's the case, then the links to the procedure he gave you in this thread should work.  

Sorry about the mouse. Mines still okay as is warranty. Got 4 yrs when I got the machine and is good thru 9-11.  Have had the video card replaced twice, BT card once, keyboard & mouse once. I replaced the HDD to a 320GB Sata 7200 myself.

 See if crc2 confims Xp and do let your machine work for 24 hrs doing what you normally to make sure something isn't going to bite you with the BIOS change.

Another step forward...

i'm a little scared, worried, concerned, etc about the upgrade too! i have found no one that has done the upgrade from XP. i was one of the org. buyers back when these things came out. vista was not even an option back then.  the A06 bois upgrade went fine & the pc is working, so i think i'm good there. thanks for the info, that probably would have cuased a problem during or after installation. i did lose my connection to the keyboard & had to delete in the BT manager & reconnect it. not sure why?

i'm sure the key is somewhere, either on a sticker on the back or in the paperwork for it, i know she has it, i made sure she saved everything from the box!

b.t.w. my BT mouse just died after 3-1/2 yrs, the left click and hold, would not hold!. i suggest extending your warranty (hareware wise), i did, i added two years. out of my dells, this has had, a new cd-rom, new hd, new keyboard and now a new mouse. warranty was worth it. i have others that are over 6 yrs old or more & there fine???????????????????

i would have been lost with out your help on this, both of you. i owe you!!! :)

Good morning HEJINC and belboy3, there's a lot going on here so my first suggestion HEJINC is to set out a plan. First two priorties is to update the BIOS and back up everything externally. Having done that decide which way forward. I will try and help you to decide.

1. BIOS- I do not forsee any problem upgrading now and going straight to AO6 (see following PS). These are usually provided by the manufacturer, and as far as I know not touched by the company that assembles PC's ready for selling (like Dell). Well- that said I recall from the early 1980's a few that did like creating false DOS screens stating more memory that existed, and mucking about generally to get the parts they brought in like cheap nasty keyboards etc, working with obscure motherboards. Thankfully that's all in the past, except to say how DELL managed to cobble a premium paid bluetooth keyboard that falls asleep necessitating the constant irratation of realising your typing is not appearing in screen, and the need to ever tap the pad to wake it up, goes beyond comprehension!

Note: Bios AO6 is a fix to stop involuntary character repetition when logging onto your PC with a password. As I say things have improved generally speaking!

PS Afterthought- Contact DELL and ask for clearance to update to AO6. I suggest only due to the age of your M2010 and known motherboard issues. I suggest you write down the date, time, and name of the person you speak to when you call them. Don't get worried, just being cautious.

2. Back up. Follow precisely how backing up is described in the procedure. Back up everything including keys, serial numbers, passwords, emails, Intenet Explorer shortcuts, Network settings and so forth. I keep all critical stuff in a simple word document now 30 pages long. Every programme purchased on line is stored externally together with the original purchasing emails (containing serial numbers etc) ready to re-install whenever aided by copy and paste from my special Word document.  Boring yes, useful- absolutely! The key is to be organised so that a stupid dumb PC cannot effect your sanity.

3. Plan.

3a)  If you can afford it, then upgrade the RAM to 4GB (no more because of motherboard limitations) [thanks Dell] and upgrade the HDD (not above 500GB apparently) [thanks again Dell] and instead of throwing away the existing drive install it as a second drive (mine is Drive 'E') [you will need a tray and cable from DELL or a local store]. 

3b)  Windows 7 is the first operating system that focuses on a wide band of capability. It's good for low spec and high spec machines. And it doesn't matter whether you currenly use XP, or Vista. As belboy3 confirms I travelled from XP, to Vista, and now Windows 7 on both my 'travelling' laptop (Sony VAIO) and Barbeque (thats my  M2010's nickname). Choose which Windows 7 version you want and don't worry if you change your mind later. You can always re-install. I would like you to go straight in with windows 7 64 bit first of all as previously suggested, for the good of all forum members, but hey- it's no big deal. 

Note:    Initial installation only takes 30-40 minutes if you follow the procedure and only do a CLEAN INSTALL. This is important, you maybe upgrading your PC but you are not upgrading your operating system. All forum members agree the best way to install Windows 7 is with a CLEAN SYSTEM. So allowing Windows 7 to format your hard disc drive is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Hence the importance of backing up (2.)

3c) As previous, use the Windows 7 installation disc you have but as belboy suggested, don't register it.  Are you sure it's not a trial version??? Anyway, this will get you going and if you manage to overcome legalities/ownership you can always enter the code during your 30 day period. If time runs out you can always re-install XP and start again later. By this time you will have experience behind you.

OPTION- By all means do a full system back up of XP, but to save time do this AFTER moving all files to safe external sotrage. Another tip is to defragment what's left of XP (or any OS) before burning the full system image START UP disc.

Finally, simple, but often overlooked- have you checked the mouse batteries? A mouse should last many long years seeing as these days they have no moving parts apart from clicking.

Hope this helps! 

Greetings crc2 from sunny Michigan,

  Thought I would touch base with you as I have not heard from HEJINC. Don't know if he is still getting set up or crashed and burned. I guess time will tell.

Saw an interesting post this am about a guy with a fairly new Studio 1558 who had Win 7x64 on and reinstalled it to get rid of the fluff. Guess what he's now missing? The famous ACPI driver. His is ACPI\SM08800. This must be an ongoing mess for DELL. I was surprised it happened on a new machine.

Take care and will be watching for an update from HEJINC.

yes, i'm still here, just got hung up a little.  as for the crash & burn, i almost did. LOL. 

i have talked with dell, finally. (i went my friends office & called dell with laptop in hand. i can use the win 7 dvd installation. the key is built intot he DVD they said, i also have it just incase. as they said, i can use this disk on another dell.  i just hope it works, otherwise that is alot of rebuilding to go all the way back to XP. i know that other IT have done this, so we will see.  i maight also have another source for getting a 64 bit version of 7, so i'm taking my time. :)

i have been so busy, that why i have not had much time to work on this. i do not want to start until i feel 100% about this. 

as for the ACPI thing, i heard alot of ppl are having problems. i very rarely even use the FN+ functions anyway. so no big lose for me

very frustrated!!!!!!

hejinc

Good morning HEJINC and belboy3, we in Gloucester UK had a few days of sun while signs of spring are sprouting up everywhere, but more sub zero temperatures are due this weekend.

Regards the Studio 1558 I am not surprised. If all PC parts were supplied as retail, then I feel such issues would not rise. In my opinion as long as PC assembly companies squeeze component manufacturers to lower prices, then consumers end up with OEM versions that are not as complete as retail. The result being that not only are the components restricted in scope but also their limited drivers fall to the wayside while retail versions get updated.  Buying a DELL, or to be fair a SONY and most other popular laptops and desktop replacements, and desktops, all put componment manufactures to lower prices even though they then sell for as much as they can get away with. Even the likes of branded motherboards are subjected to this sort of downgrading approach to make big profits. So consumers thinking they are paying a premium for a quality desktop replacement, end up with anti-climax and frustration. Welcome to wearing a DELL straight jacket !  and welcome to the M2010 ! 

Anyone believing that OEM are retail versions backed by their Manufactuer's warranty should think again, perhaps OEM should stand for  Only Ever Minimal- or something like that? And that is what's wrong with the industry at large- in my personal opinion. Lesson learned?

In my own opinion the biggest problems with M2010 are Radeon Mobility x1800 video card (screen capable of increased resolution but cut back by lack of video card/driver upgradability), Bluetooth is simply an inherent defect and a disgrace, RAM is a joke when considering 64bit computing is supposed to release the full potential by ebign able to install large GB amounts of RAM, but even a mere 4GB maximum is cut back to 3.25GB, and likewise a faster bigger HDD is limited to 30mph on a high speed freeway, with a modest 500GB as maximum capacity. It's like riding a bike after buying a Farrari. Thanks Dell, for misleading us into thinking the M2010 was a desktop replacement, and then turning your back when asked to support Windows 7. I know of no other industry that gets away with such restrictive practises, and the sooner people start speaking up the better it will be. When we spend our money on computers we deserve the right to know what is actually being specified.  Componnents should state OEM if it is a cut back restricted version of the retail product, and all components including motherboards should be identified with their actual manufacturer out of  the supply chain. Lets face it, without knowing the facts, without being able to judge quality, without knowing how limited our investment will be, then how can we make an informed decision?   

OK HEJINC, you have an OEM disc that ships with new machines. It loads as OEM and being rerstricted as above discussed, you can forget getting any help from Microsoft if you lose it. Suggest you burn a copy a.s.a.p.  Other than that you are taking a wise approach towards switching to Win 7 (regardless of 32bit or 64bit) and belboy3 and I are standing by to help if needed. And just maybe Dell read these forums and taking note- and doing something about it. Uuuuummmm, I saw a cow jump over the moon last night.

Best wishes. 

well clan, i just bought a new 320 gig HD & my Windows 7 Pro 64 bit (full installation) is on it's way. it's looking like next weekend, i may begin. i'm just going to pull the exsisting 120 gig HD out & save it, just the way it is. i can always swap it back out! I'll try to document all my steps & post them.

anyone know where to find instructions on how to open this monster up??????? LOL

This is on Dell's support web site under manuals. Put in your type of computer and you'll find it. It  can either be viewed, as I'm giving you the link to, or downloaded. Your choice. ALWAYS disconnect power and all attachments  and battery before opening. Take precautions for static electricity as noted.

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/xpsM2010/en/SM_en/index.htm

Have fun.

HEJINC,

 Do go back in and edit  your last post and remove the asterisk's. This is considered taboo by Dell and they will remove the post.

Thanks