Solved Installing OS on used Dell laptop with No OS installed


Wild Bill

Wild Bill

Well-known member
Member
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Location
Virginia
OS
W11Pro 23H2
My question mainly concerns the installation of the OS once it is installed. I have the usual Windows 11P installation USB. I need to know whether a used Dell from eBay with no OS installed would see the new installation and automatically register the Windows OS. Or would I need to get a new Windows Key?

I know these Precisions come with either 10 Pro or 11 Pro. If it came with 10P, should I install Windows 10P first, or would it automatically pick up Windows 11P as registered?
Or is there a way to install the original Dell OS back onto it?

If anyone has done this, can you let me know how it went?
 
Windows Build/Version
Windows 11 Pro 23H2

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W11Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell 7740 Precision
    CPU
    I5-9400H
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    32g
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel on board 630
    Sound Card
    on board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop/Samsung 27" external
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1.5g (3 ea 512 g SSD)
    PSU
    Dell laptop 130 (I believe)
    Case
    Dell
    Cooling
    Dell laptop
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 external USB
    Mouse
    Logitech N-211 external USB
    Internet Speed
    100mps
    Browser
    FF/Chrome/Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Bought off eBay, working OK, setting up 11 is a pain.
If the License is stored in the UEFI you can install Windows 11 and it should activate. If not you would have to buy a Windows 11 key. Just try it, you have nothing to lose.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Strix X570-F Gaming
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance LPX CMK32GX4M2B3200C16 (64 GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus ROG Strix 2080Ti
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster AE-9
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Dell UltraSharp U2413f
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 990 Pro (2000 GB, M.2 2280)
    Seagate Barracuda Pro (12TB, 3.5")
    Seagate Exos X12 512E (12TB, 3.5")
    WD Red Plus (12 TB, 3.5", CMR)
    Corsair Force MP510 M.2 NVME SSD (1788 GB)
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Ultra Platinum (1000 W)
    Case
    Corsair Obsidian 750D
    Cooling
    Deepcool GamerStorm Captain 240 Pro (12cm)
    Keyboard
    Logitech G910
    Mouse
    Logitech G502
    Internet Speed
    1000 Mbit/s (synchronous)
    Browser
    Firefox, Vivaldi
    Antivirus
    GDATA Internet Security
Do you have the PC or is this a purchase you're contemplating?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 16 9640
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
    Memory
    32GB LPDDR5x 7467 MT/s
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 8GB GDDR6
    Monitor(s) Displays
    16.3 inch 4K+ OLED Infinity Edge Touch
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2400
    Hard Drives
    1 Terabyte M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
    Cooling
    Vapor Chamber Cooling
    Mouse
    None
    Internet Speed
    960 Mbps Netgear Mesh + 2 Satellites
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge (Chromium) + Bing
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Windows Security (Defender)
    Other Info
    Microsoft 365 subscription
    Microsoft OneDrive 1TB Cloud
    Microsoft Visual Studio
    Microsoft Visual Studio Code
    Microsoft PowerToys
    Macrium Reflect X subscription
    Dell Support Assist
    Dell Command | Update
    1Password Password Manager
    Amazon Kindle for PC
    Interactive Brokers Trader Workstation
    Lightroom/Photoshop subscription
    BitLocker
    CoPilot
altae said:
If the License is stored in the UEFI you can install Windows 11 and it should activate. If not you would have to buy a Windows 11 key. Just try it, you have nothing to lose.
Click to expand...
I kinda figured that it might do that. I wonder if it's possible to get it to reinstall the original Dell OS? Like some sort of recovery. I know there is something in the Windows recovery, but I'm not sure if that works on an empty drive. I have the regular USB installer for 23H2
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W11Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell 7740 Precision
    CPU
    I5-9400H
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    32g
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel on board 630
    Sound Card
    on board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop/Samsung 27" external
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1.5g (3 ea 512 g SSD)
    PSU
    Dell laptop 130 (I believe)
    Case
    Dell
    Cooling
    Dell laptop
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 external USB
    Mouse
    Logitech N-211 external USB
    Internet Speed
    100mps
    Browser
    FF/Chrome/Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Bought off eBay, working OK, setting up 11 is a pain.
TraderGary said:
Do you have the PC or is this a purchase you're contemplating?
Click to expand...
Contemplating depends on my bid :). But would be good info for any future buys
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W11Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell 7740 Precision
    CPU
    I5-9400H
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    32g
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel on board 630
    Sound Card
    on board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop/Samsung 27" external
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1.5g (3 ea 512 g SSD)
    PSU
    Dell laptop 130 (I believe)
    Case
    Dell
    Cooling
    Dell laptop
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 external USB
    Mouse
    Logitech N-211 external USB
    Internet Speed
    100mps
    Browser
    FF/Chrome/Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Bought off eBay, working OK, setting up 11 is a pain.
Well worst case just add the price of a Windows 11 license to your bid. If it still sounds like a good deal go ahead and buy the laptop if not look for something else.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Strix X570-F Gaming
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance LPX CMK32GX4M2B3200C16 (64 GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus ROG Strix 2080Ti
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster AE-9
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Dell UltraSharp U2413f
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 990 Pro (2000 GB, M.2 2280)
    Seagate Barracuda Pro (12TB, 3.5")
    Seagate Exos X12 512E (12TB, 3.5")
    WD Red Plus (12 TB, 3.5", CMR)
    Corsair Force MP510 M.2 NVME SSD (1788 GB)
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Ultra Platinum (1000 W)
    Case
    Corsair Obsidian 750D
    Cooling
    Deepcool GamerStorm Captain 240 Pro (12cm)
    Keyboard
    Logitech G910
    Mouse
    Logitech G502
    Internet Speed
    1000 Mbit/s (synchronous)
    Browser
    Firefox, Vivaldi
    Antivirus
    GDATA Internet Security
Could you message the seller and ask if it's ever had Windows 10 on it or Windows 11?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 14-ce3514sa
    CPU
    Core i5
    Memory
    16gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 evo plus 2TB
    Cooling
    Could be better
    Internet Speed
    200mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    Originally installed with a 500gb H10 Optane ssd
what model is it? That is how you can find out if it comes with msdm table in the firmware.

oem motherboards of fairly recent vintage almost certainly do, but you can find out for sure if you know the model.

consumer motherboards do not ( unless they come with business machines from pcspecialist, novatech and similar )

either 10 Pro or 11 Pro
Click to expand...

The same msdm key works for both win10 and win11
 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win7,Win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5-8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x8gb 3200mhz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    benq gw2480
    PSU
    bequiet pure power 11 400CM
    Cooling
    cryorig m9i
  • Operating System
    win7,win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    pentium g5400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    1x8gb 2400
    PSU
    xfx pro 450
The only way to find out is to install Win11 and see if it auto-activates via digital activation. Generally there is no need to install Win10 first but in your case it "might" be helpful. Since the original drive is missing there is no way to recover the original Dell OS since that Recovery Partition, if it was originally equipped, is gone now.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7/10/11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    I'm a computer enthusiast so have quite a few systems that I run. More like an advanced hobby.
Wild Bill said:
My question mainly concerns the installation of the OS once it is installed. I have the usual Windows 11P installation USB. I need to know whether a used Dell from eBay with no OS installed would see the new installation and automatically register the Windows OS. Or would I need to get a new Windows Key?

I know these Precisions come with either 10 Pro or 11 Pro. If it came with 10P, should I install Windows 10P first, or would it automatically pick up Windows 11P as registered?
Or is there a way to install the original Dell OS back onto it?

If anyone has done this, can you let me know how it went?
Click to expand...
When I installed Windows 11 on my Dell Precision Workstation laptop, I did not need to enter an install key, and it activated no problem.

I do recommend watching this short video to show a couple quick install tricks that will benefit you and help in bypassing having to do a Microsoft Account login, etc.

Windows 11 Install Tip:

Don't give Microsoft what they want...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOUcvgqOV-0


After it's installed, if you want to know your Windows 11 Pro Install install key, open a command prompt as administrator, and type:
wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey

As shown below . . .

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.22631.4751]
(c) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Windows\System32>wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey

[ENTER]

After which, you'll see the following with your install key
OA3xOriginalProductKey
XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

Good luck (y)


Worst case scenario, if you need a key, you can get one for a $5 Paypal (y)
(I used this for an older precision system with a drive I cloned)

Microsoft Windows 11 Professional Digital License OEM – Online Activation - Keys4Us

Buy Windows 11 Pro License Key and Get all the features of Windows 11 Pro operating system plus enterprise-grade security, powerful management tools like single sign-on, Cloud management that enables work from anywhere. It’s just what businesses need, and success demands. Licensed for 1 PC What...
keys4us.com keys4us.com
 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 (OS Build 26100.3037)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Precision Mobile Workstation
    CPU
    Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E3-1535M v5 @ 2.90 Max Turbo 3.80
    Motherboard
    00V5FJ
    Memory
    64GB DDR4 ECC (Error-Correcting Code memory)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Quadro M2000M 4GB GDDR5 & Intel(R) HD Graphics P530
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6" 4K UltraHD
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160
    Hard Drives
    2TB Crucial NVMe & 2TB Seagate SATA
    PSU
    Dell 180W 19.5V-9.23A
    Mouse
    Logitech G703
    Internet Speed
    WIFI: Intel(R) Dual Band Wireless-AC 8260
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security + additional Anti Spyware, Anti Malware, etc.
    Other Info
    Thunderbolt 3
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Precision Workstation T5610
    CPU
    Dual Intel(R) Xeon(R)
    Memory
    64GB ECC
I was given a Dell Precision T1650 for parts but fixed it. It has a XEON E3-1220 V2 CPU which is not on the list of supported Intel CPUs and does not have the TPM 2 module. It still runs Win10 quite well. It had 2 HDDs running as RAID_1.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro RTM
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3400
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
    Memory
    12GB
    Hard Drives
    256GB SSD NVMe M.2
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 5890
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Onboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Dell
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD NVMe, 4TB Seagate HDD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security
Berton said:
I was given a Dell Precision T1650 for parts but fixed it. It has a XEON E3-1220 V2 CPU which is not on the list of supported Intel CPUs and does not have the TPM 2 module. It still runs Win10 quite well. It had 2 HDDs running as RAID_1.
Click to expand...

With the SSE4.2, it should not have a problem with Windows 11. No TPM in the Bios? Might be worth a second check to enable it if it's in there.
Also, there might be a firmware update on Dell's support website for it. Also check for a bios update.

XEON E3-1220 V2 CPU
Instruction Set Extensions Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX

Intel® Xeon® Processor E3-1220 v2 (8M Cache, 3.10 GHz) - Product Specifications | Intel

Intel® Xeon® Processor E3-1220 v2 (8M Cache, 3.10 GHz) quick reference with specifications, features, and technologies.
www.intel.com www.intel.com
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 (OS Build 26100.3037)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Precision Mobile Workstation
    CPU
    Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E3-1535M v5 @ 2.90 Max Turbo 3.80
    Motherboard
    00V5FJ
    Memory
    64GB DDR4 ECC (Error-Correcting Code memory)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Quadro M2000M 4GB GDDR5 & Intel(R) HD Graphics P530
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6" 4K UltraHD
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160
    Hard Drives
    2TB Crucial NVMe & 2TB Seagate SATA
    PSU
    Dell 180W 19.5V-9.23A
    Mouse
    Logitech G703
    Internet Speed
    WIFI: Intel(R) Dual Band Wireless-AC 8260
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security + additional Anti Spyware, Anti Malware, etc.
    Other Info
    Thunderbolt 3
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Precision Workstation T5610
    CPU
    Dual Intel(R) Xeon(R)
    Memory
    64GB ECC
BamaInArk said:
The only way to find out is to install Win11 and see if it auto-activates via digital activation. Generally there is no need to install Win10 first but in your case it "might" be helpful. Since the original drive is missing there is no way to recover the original Dell OS since that Recovery Partition, if it was originally equipped, is gone now.
Click to expand...
You might be able to have a recovery usb drive for that model sent to you though - depending how old it is. HP do that But it means paying for it. About £35 maybe.

If you haven't finished bidding yet, I'd just ask the seller if it's ever had windows on it. The only reason it wouldn't have ever had Windows on it is if it was sold with no operating system or sold with linux on or the motherboard replaced. In any of those situations, a recovery usb drive would be no help - if it wasn't sold with windows on in the first place. I'd just ask the seller a few questions.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 14-ce3514sa
    CPU
    Core i5
    Memory
    16gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 evo plus 2TB
    Cooling
    Could be better
    Internet Speed
    200mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    Originally installed with a 500gb H10 Optane ssd
Dell has recovery image thing.

​

 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win7,Win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5-8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x8gb 3200mhz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    benq gw2480
    PSU
    bequiet pure power 11 400CM
    Cooling
    cryorig m9i
  • Operating System
    win7,win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    pentium g5400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    1x8gb 2400
    PSU
    xfx pro 450

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win7,Win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5-8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x8gb 3200mhz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    benq gw2480
    PSU
    bequiet pure power 11 400CM
    Cooling
    cryorig m9i
  • Operating System
    win7,win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    pentium g5400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    1x8gb 2400
    PSU
    xfx pro 450
Hazel123 said:
Could you message the seller and ask if it's ever had Windows 10 on it or Windows 11?
Click to expand...
The seller is eBay, they don't bother., not some individual seller.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W11Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell 7740 Precision
    CPU
    I5-9400H
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    32g
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel on board 630
    Sound Card
    on board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop/Samsung 27" external
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1.5g (3 ea 512 g SSD)
    PSU
    Dell laptop 130 (I believe)
    Case
    Dell
    Cooling
    Dell laptop
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 external USB
    Mouse
    Logitech N-211 external USB
    Internet Speed
    100mps
    Browser
    FF/Chrome/Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Bought off eBay, working OK, setting up 11 is a pain.
It's also possible for the seller to have completely wiped the drive, has no recovery partition on the drive. I use LInux Mint LiveUSB with the included GPARTED to wipe drives back to their delivered condition.
 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro RTM
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3400
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
    Memory
    12GB
    Hard Drives
    256GB SSD NVMe M.2
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 5890
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Onboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Dell
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD NVMe, 4TB Seagate HDD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security
Wild Bill said:
The seller is eBay, they don't bother., not some individual seller.
Click to expand...
You're allowed to ask questions though - I'd just message and say - has it every had windows installed before. Of course you might get a "don't know" answer, but it's worth a try. I've bought from ebay a few times and ask lots of questions!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 14-ce3514sa
    CPU
    Core i5
    Memory
    16gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 evo plus 2TB
    Cooling
    Could be better
    Internet Speed
    200mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    Originally installed with a 500gb H10 Optane ssd
I wonder if it's possible to get it to reinstall the original Dell OS?
Click to expand...


Yes it should be, but you have failed to tell us the model so you are on your own.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win7,Win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5-8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x8gb 3200mhz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    benq gw2480
    PSU
    bequiet pure power 11 400CM
    Cooling
    cryorig m9i
  • Operating System
    win7,win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    pentium g5400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    1x8gb 2400
    PSU
    xfx pro 450
I wonder if it's possible to get it to reinstall the original Dell OS?
Click to expand...
I've done it by entering the Service Tag at support.dell.com and downloading software for the machine involved but it's been awhile ago.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro RTM
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3400
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
    Memory
    12GB
    Hard Drives
    256GB SSD NVMe M.2
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 5890
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Onboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Dell
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD NVMe, 4TB Seagate HDD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security
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