The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Getting a 64-bit recovery disc from Dell

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by A_Student, Jul 31, 2011.

  1. A_Student

    A_Student Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    5
    Messages:
    72
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I've been lingering around on these forums deciding on whether to upgrade my Inspiron 1501 or getting a new machine. I've decided to do both (and donate the old 1501 to my suddenly computerless brother) but now I have a different question: I want to get a Latitude E6520 from the Outlet. I've noticed a lot of the systems (with the specs I'd want) come with 32-bit Win 7 installed but I'd prefer the 64-bit. I've read that I can use the code on the COA sticker to do a clean install of the 64-bit version if I had a DVD with Win 7 Professional on it. Is that true?

    I've also read that I have to use a Dell-issued Windows DVD to do this, because I'd void my warranty using a borrowed DVD or downloaded iso. Is that true?

    If so, will Dell send me a DVD with both versions on it (like the retail DVDs have) or just the 32-bit? This page on the Dell site says I can request discs containing the factory-installed operating system but I'm not sure if that just means Win 7 Pro or that it also means 32-bit...

    Has anyone tried getting the 64-bit version from Dell post-purchase?
     
  2. Tsunade_Hime

    Tsunade_Hime such bacon. wow

    Reputations:
    5,413
    Messages:
    10,711
    Likes Received:
    1,204
    Trophy Points:
    581
    What? Using a non-Dell branded ISO will not void the warranty, but Dell discs are useful as they preactivate Windows. You can call up Dell and see if they will send you 64 bit recovery media (if you are still in warranty). You can also purchase them online.
     
  3. A_Student

    A_Student Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    5
    Messages:
    72
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Thanks, Tsunade_Hime, that's what I needed to hear. I pulled the trigger on an i5 with a 32-bit. Comes in Friday. Very excited! :)
     
  4. JOSEA

    JOSEA NONE

    Reputations:
    4,013
    Messages:
    3,521
    Likes Received:
    170
    Trophy Points:
    131
  5. A_Student

    A_Student Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    5
    Messages:
    72
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Thanks! Good to know.

    I'll try through Dell first when I've tried the system out and decide whether to keep it. If they give me grief, I'll work around them... I just didn't want to mess with illegality and/or warranty wars because of an OS.
     
  6. Tsunade_Hime

    Tsunade_Hime such bacon. wow

    Reputations:
    5,413
    Messages:
    10,711
    Likes Received:
    1,204
    Trophy Points:
    581
    Being an ASP from Dell at least from our end, customers who could not make recovery media and need an OS disc can request 1 set of free Dell discs + driver disc and typically it is 3 business days or faster.
     
  7. A_Student

    A_Student Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    5
    Messages:
    72
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Ok, so I'm trying to get the 64-bit media from Dell and one of their tech support people sent me a very confusing e-mail. Most of it doesn't concern me much, but there is one thing that now worries me: they need me to verify I can run a 64-bit OS on my machine.

    I thought I could, because if I check if my system can support 64-bit the windows way (via Performance info and tools, and then view and print detaild info), it says my system is 64-bit compatible.

    However, according to the e-mail, to find out if my systems supports 64-bit, I have to go check System Info and to see what it says after "System Type". Here, it says "X86-based PC"... here, I'm thinking: uh oh. But doesn't this just say what OS I am currently running, and not what I could potentially run?

    I really can't imagine this machine NOT being able to run 64-bit... Dell sells these machines with the exact same specs but with 64-bit installed.

    Still, can anyone give me a definite way to see if my system can run a 64-bit win 7? It's a Dell Latitude E6520 w/ i5-2520M. The motherboard is a QM67, Dell model nr OJ4TFW.