New m4400

Hey,
I'm an engineering student and just bought a used m4400 off eBay for a good price. Which should be a good computer for what I need it for, some CAD, maths programs and general usage.

Firstly it says that the OEM windows has been reinstalled. For this model its win 7 pro 32 bit.
Now I was thinking before I have put anything on the computer I should upgrade to 64 bit. I am aware that the OEM windows sticker can be used for 32 bit or 64 bit versions of windows. But my question is how do I install 64 bit when I do not have the program. Should I purchase a disc like this from eBay, REPAIR AND RESTORE MICROSOFT WINDOWS 7 PROFESSIONAL CD on eBay!. Then insert the disc and when I do a re-install enter the code off the OEM sticker and there will be an option for either 64 or 32 bit versions of windows? Or do I need something different

What other problems will I run into such as having to install drivers. But as much as I know all 64 bit drivers are on dells site and all I will have to do is go to there website and install all the available drivers under m4400 win 7 64 bit. It currently has only 4gb of ram. I will see how that goes with 64 bit, but probably end up installing 8 gig at some time, depending on if its a limiting factor for my work and if I can find a good deal.

It will be used for Solidworks etc. But please note I will not be doing crazy big assemblies, or computations so I think that this system will be good for me.

What are your thoughts?

Thankyou

 

You don't need to buy anything. You can go find the Windows 7 ISO download thread in the software subforum, download the appropriate W7 image, install it, and then activate it using your CoA. The only benefit of buying the Dell-specific disk is that it will automatically activate.

 

Ok so i found this website
Download Windows 7 ISO - Official Direct Download Links

In my case i would download from the second set of links that says bootable on it. Which would mean that i wouldn't have to burn it to a CD and just launch it once the internet finishes downloading it?

Then it will start installing and enter the key once asked, afterwards install all the 64 bit related drivers under the dell website.

Anybody please correct me if i'm wrong.

 

that is correct,

 

Thanks.
I haven't really ever done any of this and didn't wont to half install it and get into trouble, it makes it easier that I don't have to burn it onto a cd as I found the files that were bootable.

Also when I upgrade to 64 bit, will that mean I should upgrade my ram to. I was thinking of buying one stick of 4gb ddr2 memory and using that inline with the other 2gb, because at the moment I won't to keep the costs low. Or should I just go all out and get 8gb.

It has the 2.53 ghz processor in it a p8700. So I am hoping that it will be quick enough/powerful enough.

 

it never hurts to have more memory just buy what you can afford, you can always upgrade more later

 

Get the 4gb module if you can. Both of mine core 2 duo machines performed much better after bumping memory from 2 to 4gb. Various multitasking was much more fluid. Few pdf documetns + office + 5-10 chrome tabs.

 

It currently has 4gb of memory in it 2x2gb. I was thinking of replacing one of the 2gb sticks with a 4gb stick to give a total of 6gb. Sorry for the confusion.

Problem is DDR2 memory isn't that cheap, well in comparison to ddr3.
Does it matter what Mhz the ram is. I mean I think stock is 800. But there is others available.
As far as I can tell all I need is ddr2 sodimm memory, which are all the same size just wasn't sure on the Mhz rating for each.

Thanks

 

As long as your new memory is supported by the laptop (even if its faster) your OK

later you can always buy another 4GB SODIMM (same type) and upgrade to 8 GB

 

Memory in your machine should be ddr2 on 800mhz.
Check how much of ram you are using while doing your CAD tasks. Just open a task manager, under performance tab you should see memory usage. Do this when you have your something a bit more complex opened in SolidWorks. If u'r not using more than 3-3.5g it might be cool idea to invest money into SSD rather than into memory. If you feel your system is slow it might be due to slow hard drive as it was in my case. Basically my Elitebook with similar specs (p8600, 2x2gb ddr2 800) started flying after SSD upgrade. Notebook hard drives are not fast not and 3-4 years ago when your (and mine) notebook were made they were even slower