You have two choices: 1.) upgrade XP to Vista. Then upgrade Vista to 7 You should not have to re-install your software programs. However, since you don't have a Dell Vista DVD, you will need to locate one. 2.) backup your data and do a fresh install of Windows 7 with the DVD and then reinstall the drivers then reinstall your software programs, then put back your data files   I prefer the latter, but it is more time consuming.
We paid a premium to have our Vostro 220 downgraded to Windows XP at the time of purchase (February last year). Now that we are sure all of our dairy business software runs on Windows 7 we would like to install Windows 7 on this Vostro 220. Is this something we can do ourselves? Is it time consuming and better for a professional to do? Is it true that Vista would have to be installed first, and then followed by Windows 7? We did get a Windows 7 OS on DVD with the system - it is just not installed.
Vostro 220 purchased downgraded to Windows XP - now want to intall Windows 7