Windows 7 installation - Blu-ray Forum

PrivatePixel · 08-06-2011, 01:12 PM

I have a general question regarding Windows 7: can I use the Windows 7 Professional SP1 64bit (Full) System Builder DVD for installation on a laptop?

Here's my situation:
My laptop came pre-installed with Windows 7 Home Premium. I swapped the original hard drive (Toshiba 5400rpm) with a WD Scorpio Black yesterday. I am trying to install Windows 7 on the new HDD, but the original Home Premium product key won't work (my guess is that the product key was tied to the original hardware, a limitation of OEM/system builder licenses: no hardware changes alowed). I tried using the 64-bit upgrade disc that I purchased through the university store, but the product key isn't recognized. Tried installing Windows XP Pro, but I end up with a BSOD during installation.

Bottom line: can I use the system builder (OEM) license on my laptop? I'm not planning on any other hardware changes, and I would prefer not having to spend ~$265 for a full license of Windows 7 Professional if I don't have to. Both Amazon and NewEgg has the OEM Professional license for ~$140 (I think that's the cheapest online price from a legitimate e-tailer).

Hatter · 08-06-2011, 02:03 PM

The upgrade install didn't activate because well, there was no upgrade path it could follow to validate the product.

You can however call up microsoft and explain the new hard drive. They should re-activate your old oem license for you.

rob.sparrow · 08-06-2011, 03:19 PM

try using the pro disc and installing without the key.

then use the online upgrade function, choosing windows home premium as your choice, putting your original home premuim key in for the upgrade. when you go to activate, if it then doesnt work, use the phone method. its an automated system where you type into your phone 9 sets of 6 numbers that will appear on your screen. it will in turn give you another 9 sets of 6 numbers to put in below.

i have a home premium disc and use it to install windows 7 professional on 2 of my machines when upgrading etc.

PrivatePixel · 08-08-2011, 01:30 AM

Got it resolved yesterday. I forgot that I had an unused copy of Vista, so I installed that, then used the upgrade option for Win 7 Pro; activated without issue this morning.

Never got Win XP to install, plus the upgrade steps would have been more of a hassle. Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.

Hatter · 08-20-2011, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrivatePixel

Got it resolved yesterday. I forgot that I had an unused copy of Vista, so I installed that, then used the upgrade option for Win 7 Pro; activated without issue this morning.

Never got Win XP to install, plus the upgrade steps would have been more of a hassle. Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.

Just wanted to note that since I had to re-install Windows 7 while only posessing an upgrade disc,I activated it using the well known double install method. Full install Win 7, don't activate. Then use upgrade option which installs Windows 7 again and enter upgrade key. Worked for me. For future refernece or anyone else.

PS3-Playb3yond · 08-31-2011, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatter

Just wanted to note that since I had to re-install Windows 7 while only posessing an upgrade disc,I activated it using the well known double install method. Full install Win 7, don't activate. Then use upgrade option which installs Windows 7 again and enter upgrade key. Worked for me. For future refernece or anyone else.

A clean install is always better than an upgrade though. Why did you upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 7? Were they different editions?

BLindsay · 08-31-2011, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PS3-Playb3yond

A clean install is always better than an upgrade though. Why did you upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 7? Were they different editions?

its a trick to get around buying the full version

PS3-Playb3yond · 08-31-2011, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLindsay

its a trick to get around buying the full version

I don't understand, so install Home Edition and upgrade to Professional using the key provided with the Home Edition?

BLindsay · 08-31-2011, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PS3-Playb3yond

I don't understand, so install Home Edition and upgrade to Professional using the key provided with the Home Edition?

When you buy the upgrade version and go to install it, it requires proof of a previous version. The way around this is to install your copy without entering a key and it will give you a 30 day trial, then you put the disc back in and run the upgrade. (doesnt give you a different version)

Hatter · 08-31-2011, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PS3-Playb3yond

I don't understand, so install Home Edition and upgrade to Professional using the key provided with the Home Edition?

No. If you clean install Windows but use a upgrade key and not a full retail key, authentication will fail. This method tricks Windows into thinking it's upgrading when you're just reinstalling the same version. So for example you clean install Win7 Pro, upgrade to Win7 Pro and then enter your now valid legit upgrade key.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLindsay

its a trick to get around buying the full version

Not just for that (which I don't endorse). According to the EULA, if you upgrade an oem operating system like say Vista Home to Win7 Pro (which I did), The upgrade key becomes the key tied to that machine. If you need a reinstall, what are your options to re-activate a legitimate upgrade path? Not much if the hard drive has to get permanently replaced (which happened to me) and Windows can't find a prior install. This trick gets around the issue and Microsoft are aware and fine with it otherwise they would have removed this when Win 7 came out (trick originates with Vista).

PS3-Playb3yond · 08-31-2011, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLindsay

When you buy the upgrade version and go to install it, it requires proof of a previous version. The way around this is to install your copy without entering a key and it will give you a 30 day trial, then you put the disc back in and run the upgrade. (doesnt give you a different version)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatter

No. If you clean install Windows but use a upgrade key and not a full retail key, authentication will fail. You're tricking Windows into thinking it's upgrading when you're just reinstalling the same version. So I install Win7 Pro, then upgrade to Win7 Pro so my upgrade key will work.

Not just for that (which I don't endorse). According to the EULA, if you upgrade an oem operating system like say Vista Home to Win7 Pro (which I did), The upgrade key becomes the key tied to that machine. If you need a reinstall, what are your options to re-activate a legitimate upgrade path? Not much if the hard drive has to get permanently replaced (which happened to me) and Windows can't find a prior install. This trick gets around the issue and Microsoft are aware and fine with it otherwise they would have removed this when Win 7 came out (trick originates with Vista).

Ah, ok. I didn't realize there were different types of activation keys lol.

08-06-2011, 01:12 PM	#1
PrivatePixel Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Aug 2009 4K collection:63 Blu-ray collection:999 DVD collection:73 iTunes collection:1 Trading Score:8	Windows 7 installation I have a general question regarding Windows 7: can I use the Windows 7 Professional SP1 64bit (Full) System Builder DVD for installation on a laptop? Here's my situation: My laptop came pre-installed with Windows 7 Home Premium. I swapped the original hard drive (Toshiba 5400rpm) with a WD Scorpio Black yesterday. I am trying to install Windows 7 on the new HDD, but the original Home Premium product key won't work (my guess is that the product key was tied to the original hardware, a limitation of OEM/system builder licenses: no hardware changes alowed). I tried using the 64-bit upgrade disc that I purchased through the university store, but the product key isn't recognized. Tried installing Windows XP Pro, but I end up with a BSOD during installation. Bottom line: can I use the system builder (OEM) license on my laptop? I'm not planning on any other hardware changes, and I would prefer not having to spend ~$265 for a full license of Windows 7 Professional if I don't have to. Both Amazon and NewEgg has the OEM Professional license for ~$140 (I think that's the cheapest online price from a legitimate e-tailer).

08-06-2011, 02:03 PM	#2
Hatter Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Feb 2010 Location:Montreal, Canada 4K collection:6 Blu-ray collection:107 DVD collection:82 iTunes collection:2	The upgrade install didn't activate because well, there was no upgrade path it could follow to validate the product. You can however call up microsoft and explain the new hard drive. They should re-activate your old oem license for you.

08-06-2011, 03:19 PM	#3
rob.sparrow Member Member since:Dec 2008	try using the pro disc and installing without the key. then use the online upgrade function, choosing windows home premium as your choice, putting your original home premuim key in for the upgrade. when you go to activate, if it then doesnt work, use the phone method. its an automated system where you type into your phone 9 sets of 6 numbers that will appear on your screen. it will in turn give you another 9 sets of 6 numbers to put in below. i have a home premium disc and use it to install windows 7 professional on 2 of my machines when upgrading etc.

08-08-2011, 01:30 AM	#4
PrivatePixel Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Aug 2009 4K collection:63 Blu-ray collection:999 DVD collection:73 iTunes collection:1 Trading Score:8	Got it resolved yesterday. I forgot that I had an unused copy of Vista, so I installed that, then used the upgrade option for Win 7 Pro; activated without issue this morning. Never got Win XP to install, plus the upgrade steps would have been more of a hassle. Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.

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