Query - DELL XPS 1640 WITH Windows 7

[ckhurana]

Hi Guys,

First of all, my best regards for the ppl who are making this forum work... You have done a great job guys!

Now to my question. I recently got a DELL Studio XPS Laptop 1640 laptop with Windows Vista Home Premium 64 Bit.

I am waiting for the DELL Windows 7 upgrade disk to arrive...

My queries follow -

1. Since I am having Vista Home premium pre-installed, I would be only able to install the Home premium of Windows 7 (Legit i.e.)

I would like to use the Windows 7 Professional instead of Home Premium. How can I do that while using the DELL Windows 7 upgrade media?

2. How to avoid use of any loaders / hacks (if possible)? Can this be possible by just using a different serial number to register?

3. Has anyone installed the DELL version of the Windows 7 OS? Is it an OEM (DELL logo certified) or just a copy of the Windows 7 but with custom cover?

4. Please let me know the easiest and most efficient way I can install Windows 7 Professional on my Studio XPS Laptop 1640.

Thanks again! And sorry if I am asking what has already been posted a zillion times

CK

[urie]

First thing you need to do is make sure you have the latest bios update for your model after that download SLIC DUMP ToolKit x86/x64 (Includes PKey&Cert. Backup) run it and see if you have SLIC 2.1 in your bios if it has not you will you will either need to request a bios mod or use loader.

[buzz123]

If you have SLIC 2.1 (if it is new enough) you can just install from generic WIN7 install and avoid the need for activation by using the DELL SLP certificate & key...

If you have SLIC 2.0, you will need to either upgrade the BIOS and then do the above, or wait for your upgrade disk from Dell... That will be a normal upgrade disk with its own unique key for your machine (non-SLP) and will need to be "activated."

[shakeyplace]

What I would recommend, if you would rather go the "upgrade" route, the upgrade disk from Dell will allow an in-place upgrade, you will keep your personal files and perhaps most of your software. Then if you wish (possibly even before activating online), you should be able to do an "anytime upgrade" to the edition of your choice by entering the slic serial number of your choice with the anytime upgrade wizard...and installing the Dell slic cert...
3.)No the upgrade disk from Dell has no branding, logos, etc. The drivers for your specific model are on a seperate disk ( I have used the disk..)
4.)the easiest way would be to do a clean install with a serial number and cert for Dell (serial number for the edition of your choice), but the Dell disk is set up to install the upgrade edition you are entitled to only, so if you prefer another edition (perhaps ultimate or Pro) you will have to burn the disk for the correct edition...

[ckhurana]

Thanks for the replys guys. Shakeyplace, aren't all versions of the Windows 7 OS included on the DVD?

I haven't started to use the new laptop yet so no personal files etc on it as of yet... That's why I wanted to Install Fresh rather than upgrade.

My Q's follow -

- Can I simply do a fresh install of Windows 7 Home Premium for now, boot in, and with anytime upgrade enter the DELL Professional Serial Number for the PRO Version (found elsewhere on the forums), and activate the desired features automatically?

Let me know how this works please!

Thanks,
C

[YUTARO]

Don't use the anytime upgrade bs if you have no files or anything important on it! Clean install of Win 7 Professional would be your best bet.
I have an older dell (e1505/6400) that came with Vista & 2.0 SLIC (meant for Vista activation) and BIOS Modded to 2.1 (Windows 7 activation) and this method worked perfectly.

First check if your SLIC is 2.1 (Everest or SLIC Dump Toolit) it is safe, don't worry. If you don't have 2.1, you will either have to do a BIOS Mod for your system, or a dreaded loader (which you do not want to use anyways).

Next, obtain the MSDN ISO for Professional through the pinned topic, install it. (oem/retail is the same it does not matter)
When it prompts you to install a serial, DON'T INPUT ANYTHING, CLICK NEXT!

Use Daz's loader (Don't worry, you won't be using the loader... only to install the certificate & pkey)

Run Daz's Loader & choose to install the certificate for dell & choose the dell professional (or other professional if you want).

If worst comes to worst, Daz's Loader is IMO the easiest to tinker with.

BAM, activated. win.

[danny3456]

You should see this, it may help:

http://forums.mydigitallife.info/showthread.php?t=12124

Enjoy.

[ckhurana]

Thanks Danny and Yutaro...
I went thru the link you sent above, Danny.

So basically, I should do the following (correct me if I get it wrong anywhere...) -
1. I put in the Windows 7 DVD;
2. Choose to do a custom install (the upgrade DVD will allow this I hope....)

I think since my DELL XPS 1640 is about a month old, it should be having the requisite BIOS setting?

In this case Yutaro, will the Windows install be automatically validated (without modding the BIOS)? And since I will be using the DELL DVD for the same, if I use the serials for the Professional / Ultimate after installing Home Prem., would it still work?

[danny3456]

You have to check for the latest BIOS in Dell's website and flash if there is one, if not found, you should have SLIC 2.1 with your existing BIOS. Your machine may have the possibility to come with a SLIC 2.0 bios originally. Or check with SLIC Dump Tools in the stickies before you install Win 7.

[thump107]

I'm always confused about Dell win7 upgrade. If a PC only has slic 2.0 bios, how upgrade works? The upgrade assistant DVD will update the bios?