Windows 7: Upgrading PC running XP before installing upgrade to Win7 Home Premium

I have a PC running Windows XP and a laptop running Vista Home Basic x86. I finally decided to try Windows 7 Home Premium x64 using an upgrade license, which I already purchased. My present PC is running XP and is not capable of 64 bit. My plan was to install 100% new components in my old PC, more compatible with the 64 bit Windows 7 Home Premium, then upgrade to the Windows 7 Home Premium x64 bit version.

BTW, the new components are: PSU, MB and dual core 64 bit capable CPU, 8 GB of DDR3 1333 RAM, and a 1 TB WD Green SATA II drive.



Is there anything I should look out for, before implementing this plan.

Why dual core

If your Motherboard can take the above, it is already x64 capable. Check your manual.

Dual core is part of the processor architecture (AMD E450) that is pre-installed in the ASUS E45M1-M PRO motherboard that I found when shopping for a suitable motherboard. The MB box says that it is Microsoft Windows 7 ready. I know it's not the best and newest, but it was a good price. I'm still waiting to receive most of the other components I ordered to use in this plan. So far I have the MB and the PSU. The RAM and HD have shipped, but won't be here until tomorrow, or Saturday.

theog,

I'm fairly confident that my combination of ingredients will be suitable, I was just checking here, to be sure I wasn't overlooking anything. The last time I installed a Microsoft OS, was XP (when it was new), and that was a full-install, on, what was a new system assemblage. That one, is the system I'm planning to upgrade, now. After this, the only older components will be the case, system cooling fans, and optical drives.

Welcome to the Forums DKerr60012

You are fine, let us know if you need any help installing Windows 7

Incidentally you're entitled to either 32- or 64-bit with each license, just not both at the same time.

Follow these same steps to get a perfect Clean Reinstall

Thanks gregrocker, I used the link to guide me through the clean install process.

My remaining components arrived on Friday. So yesterday I assembled all the new components. I had obtained a 64GB USB RAM drive, configured it to boot, then loaded it with Win 7 HP x64, also with the MB drivers, utilities, and etc. The installation was amazingly smooth. The very first time I pushed the on button, it booted to the USB, Win 7 installed, the drivers installed, and all the hardware worked, as well as the software. It is now the next day and the only issues I have are getting Open Office to run and to configure the network (between my new PC and my husbands), so they work as smoothly as they did when I was still running XPP. He is on a laptop running Vista HB.

I have yet to activate this new installation. Hopefully the product key I purchased through Ebay will be valid. The Ebay seller described it as "Brand New", but the package had been opened, and someone had annotated a PC name immediately adjacent to the product key label.

You cannot assume any key bought on eBay is legitimate. I wish you would have asked us first.

Rather than wait to see if the key fouls out after activating, I would call MS Customer service to ask them if its a legit key. If they say it isn't then insist on a refund from your eBay seller, complain to eBay if necessary. Hopefully you used PayPal which warrantees the sale.

If MS Customer Service says the key is legit and it installs then you should be okay, but I would never buy another software key on eBay.

gregrocker,

Thanks for the tips. I will call Microsoft, first. If it turns out to be non-legit, it should be easier to get Microsoft to send me an email confirmation, so I can use that with eBay to request refund. I did use paypal, so hopefully I should be able to obtain refund if necessary.