XPS 15 9550 Windows 7 Install?

Anyone tried or managed to get Windows 7 working on the XPS 9550? There is a thread regarding it on Reddit, but not much information other than one guy claiming to have gotten it going. Specifically on the i7/512GB/16GB/FHD model.

 

Your biggest problem will be finding drivers.

Any particular reason you want Windows 7, instead of Windows 10?

 

Actually the Precision 5510 has a Windows 7 option. Very, very similar hardware. I'm having a ton of stability problems and random bugs on my two units. They are already going back to Dell, but I'm also interested in seeing if some of the issues I'm having are related to Windows 10 and not the computers.

 

So over the weekend I installed Windows 7 Pro on two XPS 9550 laptops. I did have to swap the wireless cards out as the drivers for those didn't seem to work. They installed and saw networks, but trying to run windows update or download larger files resulted in them losing internet access. Kind of weird.

So far these computers are running fantastic in Windows 7. I had all sorts of stability issues in 10. This could be related to semi-specialized software that I run, but overall there were definite glitches to Windows 10 for me.

 

Will Windows 7 activate on these without buying a separate key?

 

If you have Windows 10 Pro the answer is yes. You would want to follow this guide: http://dellwindowsreinstallationgui...and-recovery-program-windows-vista-7-version/. It's rather simple.

 

What about if you have Windows 10 Home? Will windows 7 Home activate?

 

You could try with home, but technically speaking home version of Windows do not include downgrade rights. That said, it might still work.

 

I'm also looking at reverting to Windows 7 on my 9550 if its possible- I just cant get on with W10 and its instability, privacy invasion and many many other flaws.

 

Works great other than the wireless card. For me while I could get drivers installed the wireless would lose internet connectivity whenever trying to do a download. All drivers are available using the Precision 5510 drivers. I replaced the wireless cards with Intel 8260s. You do have to build a custom Win 7 USB with USB 3 and NVME drivers. Install in legacy mode, legacy boot, AHCI.

 

Is it a simple case of opening the back and just swapping the card out for the Intel version, and are the antennae leads the same?

I've got many Windows 7 install DVD's from previous Dell laptops - I could make a USB version of this (Rufus?) and I wouldn't need the NVME drivers as I'm running on a SATA SSD in the 2.5" drive bay.

I'll order a card if its an easy enough job and would much prefer Windows 7 on this machine if its doable.8260NGW is the part number I can find, is it PCI-E or M.2?

Sorry for all the questions and thanks for your help

 

So it's nearly as simple as open and swap. The difference is the 1830 is a 3x3 card whereas the intel is 2x2. Because of this you end up with one spare antennae lead. Instructions I read somewhere seem to indicate the GREY cable should be the one that doesn't get connected. That's what I did and it works. Other than that it's a simple swap.

The exact card I ordered is: http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Wireles...&qid=1455489776&sr=8-1&keywords=intel+8260ngw - I'm a little out of the loop on exact technology terms for these cards nowadays, but it appears to be NGFF.

In terms of preparing the USB drive I downloaded a Windows 7 Pro ISO from Microsoft using a valid Win 7 Pro key. I basically followed this guide to install windows with one HUGE exception. I did not create a 30GB partition to install. I just installed off of the USB drive. I don't know why that guy has you do that, but it isn't necessary as far as I can tell and resizing a partition is never a good thing to do in my experience.

All of the drivers are available in the Precision 5510 support page from Dell. Be sure to get the Dell WLAN Hotkey driver. It takes care of the one last Unknown Device.

I'm not 100% on the performance of thunderbolt as I don't have any devices, but it does work with my DA200 and USB-C to VGA adapters. I did actually have to go outside the Dell download pages for those drivers. I think I got them straight from Intel.

 

Thanks for the reply and information. I'm going to order the card then and see how it goes, cheers!

 

The same problem in Windows 8. Using Dell USB-C Ethernet adapter is a solution for me in this case.

Yeah, they are running fantastic, but there is no Windows 7 drivers. So if you still want to use Windows 7, try installing it on virtual machine.

 

But the Precision 5510, which is very similar to the XPS 15, does have Windows 7 drivers:

 

yeongil, if it works well and has no compability issues, why not.

 

Are you guys using Precision 5510 Windows 7 drivers on your XPS 9550 Windows 7?

 

Yes. Specifically:

Intel Chipset
Intel Thermal Management
Intel Management Engine
Dell WLAN Hotkey
USB 3.0
Thunderbolt Software
Realtek Audio
Dell Touchpad
Realtek Card Reader

I use drivers from manufacturers for:

Nvidia graphics
Intel graphics
Intel 8260 wireless cards (replacement for Dell 1830)
Intel USB 3.1

 

I was successful in getting Windows 7 installed on my XPS 9550 this morning and this is what I did.

I added several driver files into the boot.wim, winre.wim and install.wim files. I started with obtaining the Intel USB3 drivers. I didn't follow the install guide since I am going to include extra drivers.
http://codeabitwiser.com/2014/03/how-to-install-windows-7-with-only-usb-3-0-ports/

Next I downloaded the Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver from the support page from Dell on the XPS 9550. I also downloaded the Samsung 950 PRO NVMe Driver Installation files. I had to use the command prompt to open the file and run a log file to determine where the actual driver files went to since a extractor like 7 zip didn't work. This was done from the laptop with 10 still on it.
http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/minisite/SSD/global/html/support/downloads.html

Now with my 3 driver files I was ready to inject the files into the .wim files and I used this guide from Microsoft. Don't use the hot fix file from the support page. It will cause the Driver missing prompt we are all to familiar with. I spent the good portion of yesterday trying to get the installer to work. I used the page for the commands to use and also the folders I needed to create.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2990941

I placed all three drivers into the same folder. It's fine if they're still in their individual folder. The command listed starts at the driver folder and it does search in the sub folders.


dism /Mount-wim /wimFile:c:\temp\src\sources\boot.wim /Index:1 /MountDir:c:\temp\mount
dism /Image:C:\temp\mount /Add-Driver /Driver:c:\temp\drivers /Recurse /forceunsigned
dism /Unmount-wim /MountDir:C:\temp\mount /Commit

dism /Mount-wim /wimFile:c:\temp\src\sources\boot.wim /Index:2 /MountDir:c:\temp\mount
dism /Image:C:\temp\mount /Add-Driver /Driver:c:\temp\drivers /Recurse /forceunsigned
dism /Unmount-wim /MountDir:C:\temp\mount /Commit

dism /Get-WimInfo /WimFile:c:\temp\src\sources\install.wim

dism /Mount-wim /wimFile:c:\temp\src\sources\install.wim /Index:1 /MountDir:c:\temp\mount
dism /Image:C:\temp\mount /Add-Driver /Driver:c:\temp\drivers /Recurse /forceunsigned
dism /Unmount-Wim /MountDir:C:\temp\mount /Commit

dism /Mount-wim /wimFile:c:\temp\src\sources\install.wim /Index:2 /MountDir:c:\temp\mount
dism /Image:C:\temp\mount /Add-Driver /Driver:c:\temp\drivers /Recurse /forceunsigned
dism /Unmount-Wim /MountDir:C:\temp\mount /Commit

dism /Mount-wim /wimFile:c:\temp\src\sources\install.wim /Index:3 /MountDir:c:\temp\mount
dism /Image:C:\temp\mount /Add-Driver /Driver:c:\temp\drivers /Recurse /forceunsigned
dism /Unmount-Wim /MountDir:C:\temp\mount /Commit

dism /Mount-wim /wimFile:c:\temp\src\sources\install.wim /Index:4 /MountDir:c:\temp\mount
dism /Image:C:\temp\mount /Add-Driver /Driver:c:\temp\drivers /Recurse /forceunsigned
dism /Unmount-Wim /MountDir:C:\temp\mount /Commit

dism /Mount-wim /wimFile:c:\temp\mount\windows\system32\recovery\winre.wim /Index:1 /MountDir:c:\temp\winremount
dism /Image:C:\temp\mount /Add-Driver /Driver:c:\temp\drivers /Recurse /forceunsigned
dism /Unmount-Wim /MountDir:C:\temp\winremount /Commit

oscdimg -LTEST -m -u2 -bootdata:2#p0,e,bC:\temp\src\boot\etfsboot.com#pEF,e,bC:\temp\src\efi\microsoft\boot\efisys.bin C:\temp\src C:\temp\W7XPS9550.ISO

After that I mounted the ISO image on my desktop and copied the files onto my flash drive for installation. Installed fine with running UEFI and not legacy. It's now a matter of getting the device drivers installed on the laptop.

That's what I did to get Windows 7 Ultimate loaded on my XPS 9550. Bounced between using my downgrade rights from 10 Pro to 7 Pro but I used my Ultimate full retail license instead. Hence the extra commands for the index files.

 

Thanks for taking the time to post that DarthHerm, its very useful. I'll be doing a Win 7 install when my 8260 arrives - mine is slightly differnet to yours as its on a SATA drive and not on the M.2.

Did you swap out your wireless card as well?

 

YW. Right now I am using the Dell Wireless 1830 card in the laptop. So far I haven't had had any issues (Knock on wood) with the Wireless card and Windows 7. I do intend on getting the Intel Wireless card eventually since I have a Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter I want to use. The adapter also supports Intel's Wireless Display technology as well so it will be nice to utilize it.

One issue I have had crop up is during restarts the laptop doesn't seem to recognize the SSD drive. After a full shutdown it's fine and Windows starts up.

 

Deleted

 

Do you have a 950 PRO or a different Samsung NVME drive? I had that same behavior in Windows 10 with the PM951 with the 950 pro drivers. It works, but will not restart. I did NOT use the 950 pro drivers for NVME for Windows 7. I obtained my drivers here: http://www.win-raid.com/t29f25-Recommended-AHCI-RAID-and-NVMe-Drivers.html

I can restart without issue. I'm also running in AHCI mode in BIOS.

 

I think there is something wrong with MS's Download Windows 7 iso site - entering a Genuine Retail key all I get is "error" no matter how many times I try it - even from different machines

When downloading the Precision 5510 drivers from Dell there is a Win 7 iso there as the OS for that machine but you need a Precision tag number to get it - using ours only gives the choice of Win 10!

 

Not having much luck with my install this evening! I made a bootable USB with Windows 7 media, integrated the USB drivers as per instructions and changed BIOS to legacy and UEFI secure boot off and AHCI mode on but now getting the missing cd/dvd device driver error message. Checked and rechecked the instructions but cant figure it out. Will return tommorow and start again

 

Woodking did you load Samsung NVME drivers from the link I provided?

 

Hiya. I didn't use the Samsung NVME drivers as I dont have anything in the M.2 slot I'm only using a SATA SDD in the 2.5" drive bay. I didn't get any further than Win 7 startup where its asking for a CD/DVD driver and wouldn't use the ones I injected in even though it could see them. I gave up in the end and will try it again right from scratch to see if I messed up somewhere.

I should have just ordered a Precision 5510 with Win7 Pro on it - my bad!

I'll include the NVME drivers as well but I think its more likely to be a USB 3 driver issue.

 

That is the same version number as the 950 pro drivers fyi. The restart issue was fixed with bios .19

 

Yay, cracked it finally!

Here's what I did just in case it's of any help to anyone.

Made a Windows 7 bootable usb from a Dell DVD using this guide. Found the CORRECT Windows 7 usb3.0 driver from Intel for my machine - this one = Intel(R)_USB_3.0_eXtensible_Host_Controller_Driver_4.0.4.51. My problem was I'd used the Windows 10 version (a couple of tries before I realised it!!!).

I then used this guide to "inject" the USB drivers into the Windows 7 "boot.wim" and "install.wim" files - and copied them back into the USB source folder.

Went into Bios and turned off secureboot and went into legacy mode on and Boot List Option UEFI off and SATA operation to AHCI. Without these settings it kept saying no boot device and running a Dell diagnostic for some reason. It'll do like this for now and I didn't need any NVME or RST drivers.

Rebooted with the USB drive installed, booted from it and Windows installed quite quickly, I didn't have to locate any drivers. It rebooted, I removed the USB drive and went into BIOS Boot Sequence and just enabled Internal HDD and unticked the others. Rebooted and it came straght back up into Windows and carried on the usual set up.

After a few reboots I then installed all the Dell Drivers for the machine using the Precision 5510 ones, apart from the Nvidia 960 as its not in that model. All went smoothly - I went to Nvidia and downloaded the proper driver for the GPU and that also installed ok.

At no point did I have to install any Windows key - its fully activated and working perfectly. The Dell 1830 wireless card is also working perfectly with no problems or drops (I used the latest updated Dell driver) and the bluetooth is also functioning properly. I wish I hadn't ordered the Intel one now!

There was only 1 unknown device - a Dell ACPI AB6 from memory, this thread led me to Dell driver package GWJ9F which I downloaded & it was the correct driver.

The machine is now all "comfy and familiar" again to me with Win7 back on and very quick compared to my other laptops. I'll look into getting it to work un UEFI mode with secure boot if its possible before I do too much to it, but I've made a backup in case it goes wrong along the way.

In summary I've got a fully functioning and fairly quick rebooting machine with a clean Windows 7 install and a backup copy I can restore from if required. I'll swap to Windows 10 when all the issues are sorted with it.

Windows Experience Index - the processor and graphics are 7.5 with the ram and hard disk at 7.9

i5 processor - 16GB ram - 240GB Sandisk Extreme II - 1080FHD screen.

 

Did you use the Precision 5510 1830 drivers? I have two machines where the device just stops working on me after a few minutes using the latest 5510 drivers.

Edit - Which package did you use?

 

Hi @dgreen9

I used Communications_Driver_936KN_WN32_1.400.66.0_A01.EXE about 290MB and giving me an installed driver version of 1.400.66.0 dated 4/10/2015 . This has been rock solid all day so far and I've been downloading all sorts of files.

This model of machine is very sensitive judging by all the issues posted on here it seems

 

@dgreen9 Do you recommend the 8260 card - my 1830 is working well but I was unable to cancel the one I ordered and its just arrived? I'm wondering if its worth installing instead of the 1830.

Also can't get over how small it is, tiny!

Cheers

 

It is really cute. I'm not sure what I'd really recommend. If the 1830 is working well I would probably stick with that. It is a 3x3 card vs the 2x2 of the intel. I think Intel does WiDi though? I don't use that. But that's one other differentiation.

Personally I'm waiting for the 9260 to come out and I will swap that in as it's going to be a 3x3 intel.

 

I think I'll join you as I'd like to use all 3 antennae if possible. I did install the card in the end, it was quite straightforward (even with a hangover!) and the only issue I encountered was having to remove the Broadcom software as Device Manager had a warning about Bluetooth remote control and hotkeys.

Enjoying Win 7 on the 9550, its been rock solid and works like a dream. This forums been a goldmine for getting the info required to tweak it to my liking so thanks to all for their input and taking the time to help others.

 

I agree. I had nothing but problems with Windows 10. Some related to specialized software I run and others, I believe, relating to Windows 10 still being not quite ready for prime time. Windows 7 runs better on this machine than any computer I've ever owned. Haven't seen a single issue other than the strangely long soft reboot time. Faster to just shut down and turn back on.

 

Now that I've got Windows 7 working well on the 9550, I'd like to try another step forward and move from Legacy Mode to UEFI - has anyone done this with Windows 7 Pro and did it work ok?

I've used backup and created a couple of images in case it all goes pear shaped!

 

Well I've had to give up on trying to get Windows 7 to work on this machine in UEFI mode for now, very difficult and nothing seems to work.

Giving up for now until I can find someone that's actually done it sucsessfully!

 

What issue are you having with UEFI?

Check out this guide that I've used in the past to install win 7 with UEFI:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...e-firmware-interface-install-windows-7-a.html

 

Hi there.

Were the Win7 installs on the 9550, I'm having lots of trouble? Its working well in legacy mode with MBR but I'd like to be able to go UEFI.

I've used that guide a few times but it keeps failing, the problem is I am using a 240 GB SSD in the Sata port with nothing in the M.2 slot. With Windows 10 this was fine as I could still use UEFI and Secureboot - with Win 7 Pro using UEFI the 9550 won't see the SSD and keeps trying to boot from the M.2 drive and keeps failing. I know secureboot wont work with Win7 Pro 64 bit but I can't even get a clean install to work with UEFI, I have to keep selecting f12 on boot as a one time boot and selecting the internall hdd!

I'm a bit stuck and can restore from a backup but only using legacy mode. Frustrating!!

 

Interesting, it almost sounds like a bios issue and not a win install issue (if you can press F12 and boot from the hdd). I haven't put win 7 on a 9550. Can you do me a favor and take a picture of the boot options in your bios and post it here?

 

I can do, anything in particular you want to see? (I've got to figure out how to post up pics as well!).

Edit - Boot Options - got it. Just setting up an image account.

 

Yeah I was thinking the boot sequence tab. You can host it on imgur or something like that, or you can email me at my username @ gmail.com

 

Here goes

 

Thats the boot option for Legacy, when I go into UEFI - view - theres no boot option in there as if it cant see the SDD.

 

Interesting, that looks fine. When you press F12 to boot into windows 7, what option do you select?

Secure boot is turned off right?

 

If I leave it alone it goes into diagnostic mode, if I press F12 I select internal HDD and it boots perfectly. I've tried all sorts of guides but it always ends the same. Secure boot is off as I read Win7 64bit is incompatible.

Thanks for looking at this for me.

 

Does it give you an error code (like no hard drive found) or anything like that?

 

"Your system seems to ba having trouble starting....."

Ends up with "Hardware scan complete with no issues"

"No bootable devices found! Possible causes could be a corrupt OS image or a boot device not enabled in BIOS"

It bleeps very loud and causes both my dogs to bark at it!

 

Lol weird

What bios are you running? Is it the latest .19?

 

Yep, latest one and reports the correct version in Windows.