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Computer ONLY accepts Win 7 ???

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UptownJim

Junior Member
My refurbished DELL OminPlex 760 Desktop ONLY accepts it's Win 7 OS from a "recovery disk"??? D:

I've tried five (5) different OSes, and two (2) other HDDs. I've tried installing all seven items correctly, backwards, upside down, and sideways, BUT;NO DICE, this machine only likes it's version of Win 7. :\

QUESTION; Is it POSSIBLE that this Dell 760 is a "branded" machine; in that it was manufactured for ? and fixed to ONLY accept their version of Win 7?

IF, IF, IF so; Is there a way to correct/fix this` so I can use the machine for a PC OS that I want/like? (Please, someone; Say "Yes there is!" & tell me how.) :'(

uptownjim@hotmail.com
 
Optical drive is probably wearing out and very picky about what disks it can read. Replace it.

Beyond that, need more details for anyone to help you out.
 
UptownJim said:
My refurbished DELL OminPlex 760 Desktop ONLY accepts it's Win 7 OS from a "recovery disk"??? D:

I've tried five (5) different OSes, and two (2) other HDDs. I've tried installing all seven items correctly, backwards, upside down, and sideways, BUT;NO DICE, this machine only likes it's version of Win 7. :\

QUESTION; Is it POSSIBLE that this Dell 760 is a "branded" machine; in that it was manufactured for ? and fixed to ONLY accept their version of Win 7?

IF, IF, IF so; Is there a way to correct/fix this` so I can use the machine for a PC OS that I want/like? (Please, someone; Say "Yes there is!" & tell me how.) :'(

uptownjim@hotmail.com
Click to expand...

Are you saying it won't read the discs, or are you indicating Windows won't activtate using the key on the machine? Also, what other OSes have you tried and what happens when you try to install them?
 
Your dell probably has a system locked pre-installion key embedded in the BIOS. The best way to do the install will likely be to settle for a newer version of windows and use the windows media creation tool to make an .iso for install. Win10 for instance, should automatically use the SLP key and give you digital entitlement.
 
Some Dells, somehow, will simply not boot generic OEM OS discs, for a different OS than shipped on it. They will boot other discs, including Linux discs, but the Windows' discs, you will not get the "Press any key to boot from CD / DVD." message.
 
If you want service done on a Dell computer you may have to pay Dell for the service. This reminds me of the early Dell power connectors that were wired differently than the standard for 20 pin connectors so that if you put in a new PSU that wasn't Dell you might damage your motherboard. Dell wants to take care of you themselves, kind of like Apple. To upgrade your OS I'm sure they'll be happy to sell you a new computer.
 
DAPUNISHER said:
Your dell probably has a system locked pre-installion key embedded in the BIOS. The best way to do the install will likely be to settle for a newer version of windows and use the windows media creation tool to make an .iso for install. Win10 for instance, should automatically use the SLP key and give you digital entitlement.
Click to expand...

System locked pre-installation keys only mean that if a specific version of Windows is installed it does not require activation. However this in no way prevents the usage of other operating systems, other versions of Windows, even different keys for the same version of Windows that the system shipped with. The only difference is if you use anything other than the key embedded in the BIOS, you have to go through the activation process.

VirtualLarry said:
Some Dells, somehow, will simply not boot generic OEM OS discs, for a different OS than shipped on it. They will boot other discs, including Linux discs, but the Windows' discs, you will not get the "Press any key to boot from CD / DVD." message.
Click to expand...

Optiplex 760's do accept other OS's, boot from other Windows cds/dvds. But like for example XP demands AHCI be disabled to install the OS, which can be done on an Optiplex 760.

who? said:
If you want service done on a Dell computer you may have to pay Dell for the service. This reminds me of the early Dell power connectors that were wired differently than the standard for 20 pin connectors so that if you put in a new PSU that wasn't Dell you might damage your motherboard. Dell wants to take care of you themselves, kind of like Apple. To upgrade your OS I'm sure they'll be happy to sell you a new computer.
Click to expand...

The Dell power connector issue was on Pentium !!! machines and earlier. They have used standard connectors ever since the Pentium 4 days.



I thought this was a tech forum?
 
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I've personally never had a problem doing a clean install on a Dell machine from an OEM disc. Usually Dell's product keys activate over the Internet without a fight as well 🙂

I'm pretty sure that it was an Optiplex 760 that I did a Windows upgrade (XP to 7, I use the term 'upgrade' loosely, clean install) a couple of years ago.
 
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I have never seen a Dell that wouldn't boot and install any OS that it was capable of using... I have done it hundreds of times.
 
Haven't owned a Dell PC in decades, do still use a Dell monitor.

Their RAM used to be proprietary at one time, I had to pay about twice as much to upgrade it. Haven't owned one since myself.
 
cubby1223 said:
System locked pre-installation keys only mean that if a specific version of Windows is installed it does not require activation. However this in no way prevents the usage of other operating systems, other versions of Windows, even different keys for the same version of Windows that the system shipped with. The only difference is if you use anything other than the key embedded in the BIOS, you have to go through the activation process.
Click to expand...
What you wrote is generally the case.There are exceptions. For instance, "February 2015 Microsoft removed the .iso files for Windows 7 replacing them with a non-functional Microsoft Recovery Tool which deliberately blocks the OEM License." Which caused problems for some.

Other issues can exist. If the system does not have a qualifying windows OS installed, the Windows marker will not be in the ACPI_SLIC table in the bios. Which can result in an error code. Which is likely why Jim cannot get another OS to install regardless of HDD or version. Updating the bios might be all that is needed. But the media creation tool and .iso have been foolproof for me, which is why I suggested it.
 
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Doesn't look like Jim has been back since the OP. I'm not entirely sure I believe the original claim as written. It is too vague at any rate.

More details need to be forthcoming. I'll bet cash that a bootable Linux disk will run with the right settings in BIOS.

The term about the machine "likes" a certain disk is just too vague. It doesn't boot at all? It boots and runs fine but the licencing is goofy? What?
 
cubby1223 said:
Optical drive is probably wearing out and very picky about what disks it can read. Replace it.

Beyond that, need more details for anyone to help you out.
Click to expand...


cubby 1223; My DVD is functioning OK on other disks. My other OS disks work/install on another machine, PLUS the DELL DVD drive works OK on the other machine too.
 
Ketchup said:
Might want to make a bootable Flash drive with Rufus and load Windows that way.
Click to expand...

??? The source of the OS shall make a diff? Why/how? I'm unaware of such technical facts. P

WHY/HOW can the type of delivery device alter/effect the data to be used? 😱

My Thumb Drive SHALL install XP no matter what Mike Dell wants? Really?

SHAZAM!! D:
 
[B said:
Steltek[/B];37935508]Are you saying it won't read the discs, or are you indicating Windows won't activtate using the key on the machine? Also, what other OSes have you tried and what happens when you try to install them?
Click to expand...

After a few seconds of installing I get a BSOD and must install of of the Dell Recovery Disk, even a different Win7 disk shall NOT do the job!?
 
[B said:
]DAPUNISHER[/B];37936497]Your dell probably ... ... system locked pre-installion key ... ... ... ... The best way to do the install will likely be to settle for a newer version of windows and use the windows media creation tool to make an .iso for install. Win10 for instance, should automatically use the SLP key and give you digital entitlement.
Click to expand...

A "system locked pre-installion key" ??? I've some investigation/learning to do. Thanks.

IMO; It might be normal for businesses/Dell to make machines for only how the customer wants his equipment (no, nada, zip, zero "improvements" whilst operating at the original bidness place), and what you say makes sense.

Now; To get my hammer and fix this mo-chine! 😵
 
lakedude said:
Doesn't look like Jim has been back since the OP. I'm not entirely sure I believe the original claim as written. It is too vague at any rate.

More details need to be forthcoming. I'll bet cash that a bootable Linux disk will run with the right settings in BIOS.

The term about the machine "likes" a certain disk is just too vague. It doesn't boot at all? It boots and runs fine but the licencing is goofy? What?
Click to expand...

= = = = =

I'm NOT here to please you! IF you see my name on a post do NOT read/reply!

= = = = =
 
UptownJim said:
??? The source of the OS shall make a diff? Why/how? I'm unaware of such technical facts. P

WHY/HOW can the type of delivery device alter/effect the data to be used? 😱

My Thumb Drive SHALL install XP no matter what Mike Dell wants? Really?

SHAZAM!! D:
Click to expand...
So you are trying to put xp on the machine? Do not do that. You probably need hard drive controller drivers, which is causing the problem. XP no longer receives security updates anyway.

OSs Vista and up will install from a flash drive.
 
If you use a Dell XP installation disk it MIGHT work since it might have the SATA controller drivers embedded in the ISO. If not, then you need to put the appropriate drivers on a floppy disk (yes, it has to be a floppy disk for XP) or use a program like nLite to slipstream the drivers into the installation image, burn the new bootable image to CD, and then boot from that new CD.


Or, just use the Windows 7 installation disk that came with the computer since it will work automatically (assuming there aren't any hardware issues) and 7 is a much better OS than XP in almost every possible way, and I say this as someone that stuck with XP until I absolutely had to change and then realized that it was silly for me to do so.
 
Apologies if my post was deemed offensive, it was not intended to be. All I was trying to say is that we are spinning our wheels without more specific information than had been provided.
 
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