Vostro 400 – Windows 7 and 10

System Upgrades

Service Manual

Ensure you reference your service manual before carrying out upgrades:

The most recommended upgrade for this system is a Solid State Drive, here is my affiliate link to Crucial here. If purchasing a SSD or Memory Upgrade please use these links as I will get a tiny bit of commission which will help fund my guides

SSD Drive Upgrade

Memory Upgrade:

This system supports 8 GB of RAM (2×4 GB Modules).

Graphics Card

Please ask on the Dell Community Forums for the latest recommendation for Graphics Cards. Ensure to include your form factor when asking for a Graphics Card Upgrade Recommendation.

Operating System

It is recommended to install Windows 10 on this system see Windows OEM FAQs and Downloads. The Windows Vista OEM or Windows XP Product Key won't be compatible with Windows 10 Installation Media however you can run Windows 10 Unlicensed. Windows 10 will have most of the system drivers required inbuilt however you can install the Windows 7 Drivers if you have any unknown Devices in the Device Manager.

Drivers and Downloads for Windows 7

Legacy BIOS

System Utilities (Windows 7 Only)

Chipset (Windows 7)

Serial ATA

Video (Windows 7 Only)

There are three variants for video, the onboard Intel graphics or dedicated AMD or nVidia cards.

Communications (Windows 7 Only)

Not all systems have a modem. If the Driver fails to install, there is no need to try and install the rest in this category.

Ethernet

Wireless

Audio

There are two Audio variants. The Realtek is the onboard Video and the Creative Labs driver is if you have installed a dedicated Sound Card.

Card Reader

Input

5 thoughts on “Vostro 400 – Windows 7 and 10

  1. I haven't been able to confirm one way or the other that the Vostro 400 mobo G33M03 supports a 64bit OS. Can you please help me here? Thanks

  2. I have installed a 64bit version of windows 7 on a vostro 400 G33M03, Q9550.
    Currently attempting to install windows 10 64 but stalls at the first splash display.
    It moves on with the 3w bit version with no problems.. but am not interested in 32 bit OS installs.
    Any idea how to move forward on a successful setup?

    1. There are some issues with Windows 10 Version 1803/1809 that have been addressed. I had an issue with the Realtek Audio on my Latitude 7350 causing it to freeze on the first boot. It has been resolved in Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 18343. 18343 needs updated to 18453 before installation of drivers to prevent a freeze. I know nVidia cards have also been problematic with Windows 10, does your system have one?

      In any case can you try Windows 10 Version 1903 Insider Preview to see if you get stuck on the same screen?
      https://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/windows-10-insider-preview-version-1903-slow-track-build-18343-released/

      1. After a bit more digging around there seems to be a problem with the G33M03 motherboard that does not support CompareExchange128, a key component or requirement of Windows 10/8.1 64bit the 32 bit versions dont require that instruction set so it will work but at this age 32 bit os will no longer be supported.. what a bummer! I appreciate the time you took to reply!

        And for anyone else, it may be time for a newer PC..

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