I am working on my friend's Dell XPS 8300 system with Windows 7 Pro.
The OS is farkled. After 4.5 years of flogging it has developed several problems and struggles to run for very long without hanging or crashing. I suspect some hardware issues as well.
I want to install a Samsung 850 EVO SSD and I want to install the OS on the SSD. I also just installed a very nice new power supply (Corsair RM 650x, a tight fit) and will be trying to install my old Radeon HD 7950 video card too.
My friend has his original disks, including the one marked "Operating System, Win 7 Pro, already installed".
Am I going to be able to install this OS on the SSD without the original hard drive present?
Or does the old HD have to be there so MS recognizes the validity of the OS?
Or does MS recognize the motherboard?
Or is it just a matter of inputting the CoA activation code to activate the new installation of Windows?
The case does have a normal-looking CoA keycode sticker.
Also, does this Del-branded Windows OS disk also install the Dell bloatware? If so, is there an opt-out clicky during installation?