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

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  1. Posts : 29
    windows 7
       #1

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


    I'm guessing it overwrites all the partitions.
    Last edited by Externalhard; 19 Mar 2013 at 13:28.
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  2. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #2

    Google

    As long as you have a COA with your key, a W7 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 W7 information available, ID# Key etc. I`m no expert on doing upgrades that way.
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  3. Posts : 29
    windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #3

    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.
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  4. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #4

    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
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  5.    #5

    Yes, you can Clean Install with Windows 8 Upgrade.

    How is your original Win7 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 Win7 to use Win8 upgrade version. Otherwise buy the Builder's OEM version.

    If you have a Win7 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 Win7.
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  6. Posts : 29
    windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #6

    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??
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  7.    #7

    Every PC sold with preinstalled Win7 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.
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  8. Posts : 29
    windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #8

    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?
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  9.    #9

    Do you have a COA sticker with Product Key for the Win7 OEM version? What is the PC brand, or is it retail OEM which also has a COA sticker with Product Key?
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  10. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #10

    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.
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