Working out which Windows operating system

Channel Hopper

Channel Hopper

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I've got a Dell 5500 laptop here with knackered hard drive. The Microsoft operating system label is white and faded, but I can make out the 25 digit number on it (with the exception of the last digit)

It there a way of determining which o/s it is with any of the known 24 characters before it ? It's almost certain to be Vista, but if it is a later version then I would attempt trying all combinations of the last to get a Win 10 upgrade on another machine.

First five are G9F9Y if anyone knows.
 
Try Dell customer support, or check the internet for the default Windows version, for that laptop, I doubt it was upgraded.
Just checked their website and they list drivers for 3 Windows Operating systems, XP, Vista and Windows 7:
Code: 
http://www.dell.com/support/article/uk/en/ukbsdt1/sln285245/dell-latitude-e5500-system-guide?lang=en
 
I didn't think there was an upgrade path from Vista without paying for it even when the upgrade from 7/8/8.1 was free.
 
There isn't, which is why it would be better if the key was for Windows 7.
 
Mickha said:
There isn't, which is why it would be better if the key was for Windows 7.
Click to expand...

Which is what i'm hoping, though I really don't want to try entering 30 odd characters as the last digit to find out unless I can confirm there is some logic with the first five / ten in the code as being other than XP/Vista
 
Why not try the hackers key gen programmes to see what codes they come up with and similarities.
 
If you can put the drive into a USB caddy and connect to a working computer
Download the Product key program from Nirsoft, (its free, plus many more utilities)
and provided your drive is still spinning enter the following
F:\Windows\System32\config\software
or what letter that USB drive is, it will show you the operating system and product key.
Sometimes this product key wont work as it is an OEM
 
why not replace the hd and install ubuntu on it
 
get a win 10 install from pirate bay, see if it works
 
I've got a Dell Precision M90 laptop with Windoiws 7 and there was no free Windows 10 upgrade available a while back.
 
rolfw said:
I've got a Dell Precision M90 laptop with Windoiws 7 and there was no free Windows 10 upgrade available a while back.
Click to expand...
Don't forget that, AFAIK, the "I need the Assistive Technologies" upgrade route workaround is still available.
 
jeallen01 said:
Don't forget that, AFAIK, the "I need the Assistive Technologies" upgrade route workaround is still available.
Click to expand...

There must be a reason why it never appeared as an offer during the 'free' period. Were the updates turned off ?
 
Channel Hopper said:
There must be a reason why it never appeared as an offer during the 'free' period. Were the updates turned off ?
Click to expand...
Probably because MS never wanted to make a "big thing" of it - it does appear when you actually do the upgrade, but, nowadays, it would probably need to be from a USB stick already loaded with the upgrade s/w as I doubt if that s/w is still available to download. FWIW, I still have sticks loaded with both Home Premium and Pro versions!
 
Accessibility at Microsoft


Used this option numerous times to upgrade to OS win 10 for better or worse, for friends free of charge, that missed out on the free upgrade option, latest today.

Takes ~7 hours on a 2.3mb internet adsl connection.

Good for both genuine and hacked loaded versions of win 7/ win 8

:rolleyes:
 
skomedal said:
Accessibility at Microsoft
Takes ~7 hours on a 2.3mb internet adsl connection.

Good for both genuine and hacked loaded versions of win 7/ win 8

:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

In the print below

* 3GB+ download required; internet access fees may apply. Windows 10 Upgrade Offer is valid for qualified Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 devices, including devices you already own. Some hardware/software requirements apply and feature availability may vary by region and device. Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1 Update required. Some editions are excluded: Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise and Windows RT/RT 8.1.
 
well damn that means im stuck on windows 7 until 2020
 
I've just installed the latest "Added Features" release of Win 10.

Took three hours in all, so be aware!

Seems quite a bit faster than before, now it's finally up and running.
 
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