Can I use Dell Windows on my new computer?

[jfelano]

I have an old Dell Optiplex with Windows 7 (upgraded to 10).

I'm building a low power quad core AM1 system to replace it.

Is there a way I can use the Windows from the Dell on my new system? I heard if I put the Dell hd in the new computer I can, but I don't plan to use that hd as my main drive, so how can I get the Windows from the old hd to the new SSD?

Is this possible or do I have to spend $100 on Windows? Is there another option?

Bye the way it doesn't have a disk, just a cd key.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[cthulhuiscool]

If you have a valid cd key, the windows img files you should be able to dl an img of Win 7 for free
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/windows-usb-dvd-download-tool

Otherwise you could try mirroring your drive to a new drive. Be sure to defrag first.

 

[jfelano]

Thanks...so you think it will work?

My question is, when I'm firing up a brand new computer without any OS on it or drivers installed, how am I going to install Windows from a flash drive? I mean I don't know how to use DOS or anything like that.

As far as mirror, I wouldn't know where to begin.

 

[Ketchup]

Dells of that era usually have a code in the BIOS that the Windows install will look for. So if you change the board, for example, you would be prompted to call Microsoft and enter the code they give you to lift the restriction, as the new board wouldn't have the Dell key. If you are using the media for another computer, Microsoft won't authorize the activation.

 

[TuSpockShakur]

The product key on that Dell case has never been activated if the OS install was the original one that came with the computer or if was reloaded from the recovery partition. The Windows installation would have the manufacturer generic key used for activation as it was nothing but a cloned drive from the factory. The SLIC code in the bios would insure it's activation. The key on the outside of the case will work on any motherboard, but may ask you to call the Microsoft Product Activation Center. However you are violating the license agreement if you do decide to activate it on another machine because it is an OEM and not a retail key.

 

[JeffMD]

Ok so in short, no you can't use your DELL key on another computer. The way OEM keys work since windows 7 is in your BIOS is the REAL windows key. This is an OEM key that includes details about the motherboard that the OS checks to make sure it is on a legit machine.

The key on the sticker of the case MAY be the key in the bios, or it may be what they call a "customer support key" which is a unique key that prooves you own a legit copy of windows for any time you have to call customer support. These CS keys cannot be used to install windows with. I say MAY because back in the windows XP days windows used the same key for a whole batch of OEM computers inserted via software, so they needed a "fake" unique key for the user to call in with. With bios inserted keys, there is no harm in printing that key on the sticker now.

 

[jfelano]

Dells of that era usually have a code in the BIOS that the Windows install will look for. So if you change the board, for example, you would be prompted to call Microsoft and enter the code they give you to lift the restriction, as the new board wouldn't have the Dell key. If you are using the media for another computer, Microsoft won't authorize the activation.

Well that I have had to do many times, not an issue.

 

[jfelano]

The product key on that Dell case has never been activated if the OS install was the original one that came with the computer or if was reloaded from the recovery partition. The Windows installation would have the manufacturer generic key used for activation as it was nothing but a cloned drive from the factory. The SLIC code in the bios would insure it's activation. The key on the outside of the case will work on any motherboard, but may ask you to call the Microsoft Product Activation Center. However you are violating the license agreement if you do decide to activate it on another machine because it is an OEM and not a retail key.

I'm certainly going to try it thanks. However can you tell me how I install windows from a flash drive on a computer with no OS, do I just set bios to boot from that flash drive?

 

[jfelano]

Ok so in short, no you can't use your DELL key on another computer. The way OEM keys work since windows 7 is in your BIOS is the REAL windows key. This is an OEM key that includes details about the motherboard that the OS checks to make sure it is on a legit machine.

The key on the sticker of the case MAY be the key in the bios, or it may be what they call a "customer support key" which is a unique key that prooves you own a legit copy of windows for any time you have to call customer support. These CS keys cannot be used to install windows with. I say MAY because back in the windows XP days windows used the same key for a whole batch of OEM computers inserted via software, so they needed a "fake" unique key for the user to call in with. With bios inserted keys, there is no harm in printing that key on the sticker now.

It was a microsoft authorized refurbished dell, it came with a clean windows install, no bloatware or Dell anything. I had to enter the code on the outside of the case when I first turned on the computer after receiving it. So I really don't know what kind of code it is. However it's a brand new sticker so Im pretty certain it's not the cd key that was originally on it when it was sold as new.

 

[lightningbaron]

Refer to the license agreement. When you upgraded to Windows 10, you effectively surrendered your Windows 7 license.

Whatever floats your boat.

 

[jfelano]

Refer to the license agreement. When you upgraded to Windows 10, you effectively surrendered your Windows 7 license.

Whatever floats your boat.

Surrendered my license? LOL

I've upgraded several machines from 7, 8, and 8.1 to 10 and the licenses are fine, when you re-install you have to start at the original again (7,8, or 8.1).


You clearly don't know what your talking about.

 

[UsandThem]

Surrendered my license? LOL

I've upgraded several machines from 7, 8, and 8.1 to 10 and the licenses are fine, when you re-install you have to start at the original again (7,8, or 8.1).


You clearly don't know what your talking about.

It depends on the luck of the draw sometimes. I've had a several machines that I had to change out the parts on like a motherboard and CPU, and it didn't prompt me to put in a new activation code. Then a couple weeks later I changed the video card, and then at that point I got the error message. I called into Microsoft and explained I just changed some parts, but they wouldn't give me the new code and said it was tied to the previous motherboard. Same thing with my Microsoft Office 2007 that I bought. It states I have "reached the maximum number of installs" when I tried to reinstall it, and it is done. They refuse to give me a new code on that as well.

Before this, I had really always been successful calling in. In fact, going back to Windows 2000 every time I used to call in (I used to change my hardware A LOT), they never said no. Maybe they are starting to crack down on stuff, who knows.

All you can do is try it, call in if prompted, and see if you reach someone in India having the best day of their life and feeling nice.

I'm certainly going to try it thanks. However can you tell me how I install windows from a flash drive on a computer with no OS, do I just set bios to boot from that flash drive?

Yes, Microsoft provides a tool to create a bootable USB drive or disc. You just boot from that.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10/

 

[JeffMD]

So it sounds like they gave it a new license during the refurbish. If that is the case then the number should work fine on another computer. It allows like 4-6 new configurations before you need to call and get a reset.

 

[lightningbaron]

Surrendered my license? LOL

I've upgraded several machines from 7, 8, and 8.1 to 10 and the licenses are fine, when you re-install you have to start at the original again (7,8, or 8.1).


You clearly don't know what your talking about.

You can live in your little world. Go read the license agreement and then come back.

 

[jfelano]

No thanks I'll leave that for you to read, I have better things to do in my world.

I've re-installed the original OS 100x and never had a problem with the license that I forfeited. LOL, but thanks for coming, your a big help. Such a trooper.

 

[jfelano]

So it sounds like they gave it a new license during the refurbish. If that is the case then the number should work fine on another computer. It allows like 4-6 new configurations before you need to call and get a reset.

I'm gonna try it thanks.

 

[jfelano]

It depends on the luck of the draw sometimes. I've had a several machines that I had to change out the parts on like a motherboard and CPU, and it didn't prompt me to put in a new activation code. Then a couple weeks later I changed the video card, and then at that point I got the error message. I called into Microsoft and explained I just changed some parts, but they wouldn't give me the new code and said it was tied to the previous motherboard. Same thing with my Microsoft Office 2007 that I bought. It states I have "reached the maximum number of installs" when I tried to reinstall it, and it is done. They refuse to give me a new code on that as well.

Before this, I had really always been successful calling in. In fact, going back to Windows 2000 every time I used to call in (I used to change my hardware A LOT), they never said no. Maybe they are starting to crack down on stuff, who knows.

All you can do is try it, call in if prompted, and see if you reach someone in India having the best day of their life and feeling nice.



Yes, Microsoft provides a tool to create a bootable USB drive or disc. You just boot from that.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10/

Interesting, I've never had an issue where it said I reached the max. And of the maybe 5x I had to call, I never actually had to talk to anyone.

 

[UsandThem]

Interesting, I've never had an issue where it said I reached the max. And of the maybe 5x I had to call, I never actually had to talk to anyone.

You don't have to speak to a live person, but if you get denied doing an automated online or phone activation, you have the option of speaking to support.

In my case, they flat-out said no when I called. I'm not sure how many times I activated my Office over the years, but I was allowed to have it on one desktop and one laptop at a time, and with all the upgrades I used to do, I know I activated it many times.

With the Windows license, they said it was tied to my previous hardware since it was an OEM license. I really couldn't argue too much, because according to the terms/conditions of the OEM license, he was correct.

With my last couple of builds, I paid the extra $10 for a retail Windows 10 license so I wouldn't have to worry about it activating if I upgrade hardware.

 

[jfelano]

You don't have to speak to a live person, but if you get denied doing an automated online or phone activation, you have the option of speaking to support.

In my case, they flat-out said no when I called. I'm not sure how many times I activated my Office over the years, but I was allowed to have it on one desktop and one laptop at a time, and with all the upgrades I used to do, I know I activated it many times.

With the Windows license, they said it was tied to my previous hardware since it was an OEM license. I really couldn't argue too much, because according to the terms/conditions of the OEM license, he was correct.

With my last couple of builds, I paid the extra $10 for a retail Windows 10 license so I wouldn't have to worry about it activating if I upgrade hardware.

Yeah I usually by retail copy too, this just came with it. I may end up buying one still.

So your saying (in your previous post) that if I have a bootable flash drive, I can insert that into a brand new build without any drivers or OS, turn it on and it's going to find the flash drive and start installing Windows itself?

 

[Ketchup]

Any updates OP?

 

[jfelano]

I won't even get the parts till tomorrow, and depending on how I feel, not sure when I'll build it even though it'll only take about an hour at the most.

I got a tetanus shot on Tuesday, and on Sunday I fell very ill, a reaction that is basically the flu. All the symptoms of the flu, and I'm still very ill.

Will update soon as I can folks!

 

[UsandThem]

Yeah I usually by retail copy too, this just came with it. I may end up buying one still.

So your saying (in your previous post) that if I have a bootable flash drive, I can insert that into a brand new build without any drivers or OS, turn it on and it's going to find the flash drive and start installing Windows itself?

Yes. Many times with modern motherboards, the motherboard manufacturer has their default boot order to boot from a UEFI USB drive first if one is detected. If yours doesn't for whatever reason, just go into the BIOS and set it to boot from the USB drive.

 

[jfelano]

Thanks man! My case has been delayed 2 day's for some reason, waiting for it to put together.

 

[jfelano]

Ok so I got the machine running, using it now. What I ended up doing is not using the Dell key so that I can sell the Dell as a complete computer with OS.

I bought a Windows 10 Pro Key from Bonanza for $29.98. It's a legit OEM key. Can I use it with another motherboard? Dunno. How many times can I re-use it on this computer? Dunno. But since this is an office/home theater pc I don't plan on changing anything other than a cpu upgrade in the future, maybe.

By the way I'm very happy with this machine, It's silent, runs cool, boots super fast and is perfect for what I need it for. The graphics are so much crisper and cleaner over the old Intel E5200 I've been using.

I've calculated that the computer will pay for itself within 24 months in electricity savings since I use this pc for work and personal, it's on about 15 hours a day. (over the E5200 machine I've been using the last 6months)

AMD5350 Kabini Quad 25w
Asus AM1M-A Motherboard
8GB Gskill DDR3 1600
Team Evo L3 240GB SSD
Rosewill SRM-01 Micro-ATX case
Lite-on 24x DVDRW

$238 total including Windows 10 and shipping

Thanks again for your help guys!

 

[VirtualLarry]

I bought a Windows 10 Pro Key from Bonanza for $29.98. It's a legit OEM key.

I did a search for that, and it came up with a claimed genuine Win10 Pro OEM key for $19.00, from some user in the UK. (Price in USD$ though.)

Not a bad price, but ... that site look shadier than ebay, if that's even possible.