Windows 7 + Dell Tech Support

[z3r0]

OK...so originally I went to Microsoft with this question and after almost an hour they turned me over to Dell. Here is the exchange I had with the technician.

From: Brian <[email protected]>
Received: 2/19/15 12:45:54 PM CST
To: Dell_Support_NAE837 <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Dell Inc., SR: 907439422

To whom this may concern,

Regarding the OS, I understand that originally the D-series laptops were designed for Windows XP , but XP did not come installed on the system when I purchased it from the eBay seller. The original OEM sticker is "X'd" out...as I mentioned to the support technician, and "Windows 7 Home Premium x86 for refurbished PCs" was written over the original install. So as you can see...I am in no need for an XP recovery disc as I am also aware that Microsoft has discontinued support for that operating system some time ago.

The problem that I had with Windows 7 HP, not Windows XP, was the fact that I eradicated Dell's recovery partition when I installed Linux Ubuntu 14.04LTS on the primary HDD. After several days, Linux proved to be difficult in the arena of program compatibility. So...I killed Linux with MS 10 Technical Preview as the new primary OS because I could not find any support for renewing my previous installation of Windows 7 on my machine. It was my ONLY option to continue using this device.

Hi Brian,

My apologies for the late response. I was on leave last Friday.

As much as we would like to send the Windows XP or Windows 7 reinstallation media, both parts are non shipping. The only media we have is Windows 8. However, this system was not tested to run with Windows 8. Also, there are no windows 8 drivers available online.


Thank you for being a valued Dell client.


Sincerely,

Karyl Rose
Case Manager
Dell | Public/Large Enterprise Chat Support

So...is the Windows 7 Home Premium 32bit for Refurbished PCs Product Key on the bottom of my Dell D620 NOW completely worthless? Am I able to reinstall Windows 7 on this machine if I burned the Windows 7 Home Premium 32bit.iso to a DVD and booted to install?

 

[voyagerfan99]

So...is the Windows 7 Home Premium 32bit for Refurbished PCs Product Key on the bottom of my Dell D620 NOW completely worthless? Am I able to reinstall Windows 7 on this machine if I burned the Windows 7 Home Premium 32bit.iso to a DVD and booted to install?

No. All you need is installation media (either a Windows 7 unbranded ISO or a Windows 7 Home Premium ISO). It doesn't matter if it's 32-bit or 64-bit, it will take the key with whichever version you use, as the keys are interchangeable between 32-bit and 64-bit.

You can try sticking your product key in here to try and get an ISO.

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-recovery

 

[z3r0]

So it doesn't matter that when I enter the product key on Microsoft's verification page that it tells me that it is OEM software and I can't directly download the iso file?

 

[voyagerfan99]

So it doesn't matter that when I enter the product key on Microsoft's verification page that it tells me that it is OEM software and I can't directly download the iso file?

No, because then I'll just tell you that I'll host a Windows 7 ISO for you on my Google Drive. Do you want 32 or 64 bit?

 

[z3r0]

No, that is quite alright. Thank you for offering though.

I'm downloading the .iso to my HP desktop that has burn capabilities. Haven't had the chance to do any upgrades to the Dell yet.

Thank you for your help, voyager. Dell had me convinced that I needed to purchase another copy of the operating system.

 

[voyagerfan99]

Of course they did. Once something is out of mainstream support, it's their job to just sell the customer a new product and forget the previous version even existed.