Restoring OEM windows OS.

[corrado33]

I have a few old dell machines that I used for a server for a while. Naturally, I had linux on them. Now I want to get rid of them and put windows back on them because people run away when you say a computer has linux on it. Of course, I don't have the restore disks for them (and am not at all willing to pay for them.)

 

So my question is this: How do I find the right version of windows to put on an OEM install on an old Dell? Basically I want to install windows and activate it with the code on the outside of the case. Trying to do this legally of course. 

 

I've tried this in the past and I could never seem to find the right "version" of windows, even though it seemed to match the name on the case. 

 

Sure, there are other ways I could do this, but A: I'm not allowed to talk about those ways here and B: I don't think it'd be legal to sell a computer knowing that it has a certain "version" of windows on it. 

 

I'm not trying to MAKE money with these, I literally have them listed for $75 OBO. I really just want to get rid of them and I think putting windows back on them will help.

[belfouf]

if you don't have the OEM disk, you can't legally do it unless...

unless you install the windows version written on the sticker with the key on it on the case (often at the back) and put each win key on each computer. Then, you'll probably need to call microsoft to activate it when it asks you to

[corrado33]

1 minute ago, belfouf said:

if you don't have the OEM disk, you can't legally do it unless...

unless you install the windows version written on the sticker with the key on it on the case (often at the back) and put each win key on each computer. Then, you'll probably need to call microsoft to activate it when it asks you to

Lovely. <- Sarcasm

 

F*ing windows OS. 

[belfouf]

1 minute ago, corrado33 said:

Lovely. <- Sarcasm

 

F*ing windows OS. 

sent you a private mesage

[ARikozuM]

2 minutes ago, corrado33 said:

Lovely. <- Sarcasm

 

F*ing windows OS. 

It's not Windows OS's fault. IF these are the older Dell models they would have come with the install and driver discs. If you don't have them, you can call Dell to order the discs or just get the USB installer from Microsoft if you still have the OEM stickers.

[corrado33]

2 minutes ago, ARikozuM said:

It's not Windows OS's fault. IF these are the older Dell models they would have come with the install and driver discs. If you don't have them, you can call Dell to order the discs or just get the USB installer from Microsoft if you still have the OEM stickers.

USB installer from Microsoft you say? How would one go about doing that? (Yes they are older dell models, no I don't want to send away for the discs (want these gone like tomorrow, not in 2 weeks when I get the discs...))

[SLAYR]

9 minutes ago, corrado33 said:

USB installer from Microsoft you say? How would one go about doing that? (Yes they are older dell models, no I don't want to send away for the discs (want these gone like tomorrow, not in 2 weeks when I get the discs...))

OEM keys require the OEM recovery media you will need either that, or a new key. You can put windows 10 on them for free and have it run deactivated, it might pop up a watermark in the corner, but that is about it. 

 

 

 

[corrado33]

1 minute ago, SLAYR said:

OEM keys require the OEM recovery media you will need either that, or a new key. You can put windows 10 on them for free and have it run deactivated, it might pop up a watermark in the corner, but that is about it. 

 

 

 

Maybe I'll try that. The last time I tried to install x64 bit windows on this particular computer it freaked out and ran super slowly. (Windows 7 64 bit.)

[ARikozuM]

18 minutes ago, corrado33 said:

USB installer from Microsoft you say? How would one go about doing that? (Yes they are older dell models, no I don't want to send away for the discs (want these gone like tomorrow, not in 2 weeks when I get the discs...))

What OS were the computers shipped with?

[corrado33]

1 minute ago, ARikozuM said:

What OS were the computers shipped with?

Windows 7 Pro (I'm guessing 32 bit)

[ARikozuM]

12 minutes ago, corrado33 said:

Windows 7 Pro (I'm guessing 32 bit)

http://wudt.codeplex.com/

 

Edit: This is Microsoft's official repository.

[JefferyD90]

5 hours ago, corrado33 said:

USB installer from Microsoft you say? How would one go about doing that? (Yes they are older dell models, no I don't want to send away for the discs (want these gone like tomorrow, not in 2 weeks when I get the discs...))

follow the guide in my signature.