This might be obvious but I wanted to get someones opinion before I do it. I want to do a fresh install of windows 7. This computer was upgraded from Vista. When installing Windows 7 do I just enter they key in my System Properties? I just wanna be 100% sure so it doesn't show as an invalid key when trying to reinstall.
Hello and welcome DN mate just what is meant by fresh install cos if you have an OEM all you need to do is wipe that drive and install.
Or are you trying to reinstall the 7 as an upgrade? Personally I would flip a new drive in disconnect the old drive and install an OEM 7 OS to the new drive and then retrieve the data you want from the old drive after you have done that.
I just want to completely reformat and start with an untouched Windows 7. Nothing is particularly wrong with my system currently I just have a lot of junk on here and want to start again with nothing. What is an OEM?
Ok mate an OEM is Original Equipment Manufacturer version of Windows. A lot of computer makers ie Acer, Toshiba , HP etc use this method as it is cheaper than the retail version. They buy in bulk I suspect but anyone who builds a computer or changes the hardware around or renews it can buy an OEM version as well.
Now the only catch is that you can only use it on the machine you install it on ie the one you have there it will be tied to that motherboard any attempt to use it on another machine will result in it giving you not valid messages for example.
So if you want you can flip in a new drive or RAM or mobo for example and obtain the OEM from a reputable dealer NOT Ebay or site like that. They are usually about a third of the price of a retail pack - that can be used on another machine if the one it goes on originally - breaks down.
So I guess places like Newegg or Tiger or Amazon etc will sell the OEM's an example http://www.newegg.com/Operating-Systems/SubCategory/ID-368 make sure you pick the right bit version for your machine. Yours looks like you would need the 32bit version and I would say unless you are not ken the Home Premium would be right for you. That is what I always use.
Here are 2 tutorials to help you along.
Clean Install Windows 7
Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
You can enter your key during the install or after, it doesn`t matter. You have 30 days to enter your key.
This should help as well,
Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version
Sorry Dark Knight I was under the impression you wanted to get another copy and well I sorta slipped up here a bit
Hope you get going again soon if you have that upgrade disk still then Derek has pointed you in the right direction eh:)
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