Can I Install Windows 7 Upgrade after oem has been installed & removed

Have just bought a used Vista laptop on that auction site. It was sold along with a copy of Windows 7 for upgrading it from Vista. I asked the seller if it was a full version and was told no it was an oem version that had been used on the laptop to upgrade it, but in order to sell the laptop he had restored it to factory settings - hence it has Vista back on it.

I already have an upgrade copy of Windows 7 which I can use, so don't really need this oem copy, and also want to be on the safe side in case there is something that isn't genuine about the oem copy.

I don't quite understand how oem works. As I understand it the copy is 'tied' to the motherboard.

So my question is - if an oem windows 7 licence is tied to the computer, can I install my upgrade copy - or is that not possible if the oem licence key etc is in the 'system.

Sorry - bit garbled there. What I mean is - if I do a clean install of Windows 7 with my upgrade copy - is this possible - or will I only be able to use the oem version that was installed before to upgrade vista?

Hi Hazel -

What I would do is follow these same steps to get a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 inserting the OEM Product Key during install so as not to waste a valuable OS which was sold as part of the purchase. If it activates then you'll get the full value of the sale and not forfeit $100+ to undue worry.

If it doesn't activate or doesn't hold activation, simply insert the Upgrade product Key at Computer>Properties to replace the OEM key. It should not require any special steps to activate Upgrade since a flag will be passed at install signifying that a qualifying OS was seen during the booted install. Even if it did reject the Upgrade key if its needed later, it can be made to work using Option 3 in Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version.

During the install you'll want to delete all partitions on the HD at Steps 7 and 8 of Clean Install Windows 7 then either create and format new partition(s) as you wish, or if you have no partition scheme in mind highlight the Unallocated Space you've made and click Next to have the installer do it for you and begin.

Feel free to ask back any questions and we'll help you get and keep a perfect install.

Thanks very much for all those helpful replies. So I can use either the oem that it came with, or the upgrade edition. I still don't really understand the thing about an oem version being tied to the motherboard. Or can I just ignore that - assume it is to stop the disc being used on another computer, rather than to stop another os being used on this computer!

The make and model of the laptop are:

Sony Vaio VGN-CR31S/L
Intel Core 2 duo
2.1Ghz
160GB sata hard drive
2gb ram upgradeable to 4gb

The drivers all seem to be available on the Sony website.

It's a five year old laptop without huge storage space, but in nice condition, and got it for a good price. I gave up on the idea of upgrading our old laptop - just wasn't worth it - it has such a slow processor and the hard drive needed replacing. The one I just bought is a big improvement and save spending more cash on our old one. Just hope it works and arrives in one piece!

Incidentally - is there any way I can tell if the oem disc that comes with the laptop - is genuine?

Incidentally - I know that Sony Vaios come with a lot of pre-installed software - most of which I won't want, but if it has roxio burning software on I might want to reinstall it. And the Vaio control panel enables some shortcut buttons. So - if I make recovery discs, then wipe the recovery partition when installing Windows 7, can I reinstall some of the Sony software from the recovery discs?

hazel123 said:

Incidentally - I know that Sony Vaios come with a lot of pre-installed software - most of which I won't want, but if it has roxio burning software on I might want to reinstall it. And the Vaio control panel enables some shortcut buttons. So - if I make recovery discs, then wipe the recovery partition when installing Windows 7, can I reinstall some of the Sony software from the recovery discs?

Most likely NO.
You need to do a full SONY reinstall, than upgrade to Windows 7.