Windows 7: Dbanning/wiping out HD, can I use windows 7 OEM or Windows 8 upgrade?

I'm guessing it overwrites all the partitions.

Google

As long as you have a COA with your key, a Windows 7 oem should work.

Don`t think you have to have Windows 7 installed to do the 8 upgrade, but you do have to have the qualifying Windows 7 information available, ID# Key etc. I`m no expert on doing upgrades that way.

i dont know what a coa or key, does that come with the above link?

what about a windows 8 upgrade, can that be installed on a wiped HD with no partition/trace of original windows OS? dont understand why microsoft doesn't release the retail version now.

The Certificate of Authenticity is a sticker on your pc or laptop with your windows keycode encoded on it. You need the key to do a clean install. Unless you have your oem disc which will auto activate windows.

This is oem, you don`t need retail.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...4603&CatId=306

Yes, you can Clean Install with Windows 8 Upgrade.

How is your original Windows 7 licensed? Did it come preinstalled on the PC (with a COA sticker which Brian refers to above) or is it a retail copy? You need a qualifying copy of Windows 7 to use Win8 upgrade version. Otherwise buy the Builder's OEM version.

If you have a Windows 7 license, I would try Win8 for 30 days before it must be activated, then if you don't want it you can wipe the HD and reinstall Windows 7.

my laptop came pre-installed with windows 7 and it has a program where i must burn 6 CDs. it isnt working for me and i hate the hassle. i dont see any windows key on my laptop. i dont have any CD, many laptops no longer come with a recovery disk or hard copy of windows. lame i know.

the instructions you list assumes the partition is still available. DBAN wipes the entire drive, im wondering if the windows 8 upgrade - which is this - Buy Windows - Microsoft Windows - can install on a drive that is dbanned. it is different than formatting as you know.

so??

Every PC sold with preinstalled Windows 7 must have a COA sticker on it. Look on the bottom or under the battery if its a Dell. That is your ticket to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 as well as use the Upgrade version for Win8.

I don't know why you're all concerned about DBanning the HD. There's no difference between that and deleting all partitions during a booted install as shown in Steps 6/7 of Clean Install Windows 7 which is also available on booted Win8 install. Only if you have installation issues do we recommend wiping the HD with Disk - Clean and Clean All with Diskpart Command to clear code from the boot sector. The only reason to do a full DBAN or Clean All command is to make data irretrievable by most means, and has no performance or troubleshooting benefit whatsoever.

im reselling the computer and always dban them, but usually i have a recovery disk (desktops for example). it's the only program i trust. after a dban can i reinstall windows 7 OEM or windows 8 upgrade?

Do you have a COA sticker with Product Key for the Windows 7 OEM version? What is the PC brand, or is it retail OEM which also has a COA sticker with Product Key?

Wow, back to your original question, so

Drop the disc in and try to install windows, that`s it, get the job done. Come on Man

There`s only 1 way to find out Just do it.