Upgrading from Vista and a new hard drive

[darktragedy]

We need to upgrade from vista to 7 and I want to put in a new hard drive (ours still works, getting a used one from a friend that is not wiped) so what are the steps to upgrade and install a different hard drive (hard drive has 8 on it). Thank you. (want to wipe the hard drive I'm installing also)

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

First things first - - you need to ascertain whether or not Windows 7 is supported on your PC model. That is say, does the PC manufacturer have Windows 7 drivers for that model because you can't just rely on Windows 7 having them all.

And whilst it's true that some Vista drivers will work on Windows 7, that's by no means a guaranteed certainty with all Vista drivers. So check your PC manufacturer's website first, in the support area.

Or post the make & model here if you're not sure how to go about it.

 

[darktragedy]

I have no clue really-I can find my way around my computer but I don't know much about operating systems, this is the first time I am upgrading and not just getting a different computer. So thanks in advance for the help.

My info is: Studio XPS 435 MT Dell

We are getting a new computer this week but we are going to let the kids use this one. I won't be upgrading this one till next month but I had no idea where to start first with adding a different hard drive and the OS. Thanks so much.

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

Pleased to tell you that Windows 7 is supported on that Dell model, but only 64-bit Windows 7, so make sure that's what you install.

When you've got a Windows 7 64-bit DVD, make sure the hard drive you want to install Windows 7 on is the only hard drive connected to the system.

Boot your PC from the DVD and Windows Setup will appear.
You can delete the existing Windows 8 partition and create a new partition by following the prompts and pressing the appropriate keys as shown on screen.

You then choose that new partition to install Windows 7 on.
At some point you will be asked to enter the Product Key which you'll find printed on a card included with the DVD.

When Windows is up and running you should find that the ethernet port can be used to access the internet using the default Windows network driver, if not use a different PC to download the drivers from Dell's website and copy them to a pen drive or a writeable CD then transfer that pen drive/CD to the Dell Studio to install the drivers.

For US Dell models go here and enter serial number of the PC or use "Auto detect product":
http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/Products/?app=drivers

For UK Dell models go here instead: http://www.dell.com/support/home/uk/en/ukdhs1/Products/

For other countries click the link at bottom right of either Dell page.

 

[darktragedy]

Thank you so much-you make it sound easier than I thought it would be lol. I'm going to email this to myself so it's on my phone when I do it.
I won't be updating this until after I do this, which might be awhile, but thanks so much for the steps to follow!

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

You're welcome. Your next post on this thread (if you send one) may go unread, certainly by me anyhow, since I will no longer be following it now that you've marked it solved.