Windows 7: Can I upgrade to 7 on my Vaio using disk from an HP?

I bought an HP laptop with Vista Home Premium but have since had it stolen. I sent off for the Windows 7 Upgrade disks before that happened and just got them in the mail.

I have a Sony Vaio desktop that also has Vista Home Premium and figured I would just use the disk to upgrade that instead. Several problems though - the upgrade came with 2 disks - one of them being an 'HP Upgrade Manager' which figured out that I did not have an HP computer. The second problem is that I then just put in the 7 upgrade disk (Home Premium) but I got an error message that said that the version on the disk is not compatible with my system. Looked on the disk and on it is stated 'this disk contains 64-bit software only' and my desktop is a 32-bit system.

Anything I can do? Or do I just need to sell off the disks on ebay and then buy a retail version of the 7 upgrade?

Thanks in advance for any help...

I am sorry but I have bad news for you. Even if you somehow could find a way to use those discs on other than a HP system, there is absolutely no way you can install a 64-bit OS to a 32-bit machine.

Selling those discs can be tricky; if the set is like a normal HP installation disc set, it can only be used on specific HP computers.

Kari

There is a possibility that the Windows 7 installer provided by HP is a clean copy of Windows 7. But as Kari says, you cannot install 64bit from your 32 bit environment.

Is there an Upgrade activation key in the package it came with? If not, then it is doubtful it will activate since activation will likely be linked to the HP Vista key tattooed to the mobo.

If you want to try it and your Vaio can run 64 bit per usual, make a backup image of your Vista (stored externally) then try booting from the Windows 7 disk and see if you can wipe the drive, format and install 64 bit.

Let us know how it goes.

snyvas, can you give us the specs of your Sony Vaio? I also think there is a strong possibility it will run 64 bits. You will just have to do a clean install

Try this program and see if you can run 64-bit on your system
GRC|SecurAble: Determine Processor Security Features|

Welcome to Seven Forums.

Run the Microsoft Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor.

It will tell you if your computer can run 64bit, and if any of your programs won't run with Windows 7.

The HP Upgrade Manager is drivers and HP propitiatory programs that will only work on an HP.

As Kari said, HP might not let it be installed on other computers, maybe not even other HP computers.

Was there an activation key in the Upgrade package sent you?

Perhaps someone else who has done an HP OEM Windows 7 Upgrade knows how it activates, from provided key, off of the Vista key already tied to mobo, or using some kind of OEM key embedded in the installer or second apps disk?

HP-supplied OS disks are model specific. You cannot use an installation/recovery set on any but the specific model they were created for. I had an HP d4790y CTO system that got fried by a lightning strike (yes I had a surge protector/UPS (HP), but it still got fried. HP refused to replace system.) I replaced with a d4990y CTO, and had to purchase recovery DVDs since the DVDs I had were specific to the d4790y.

Also they won't work on my HP laptop. Microsoft apparently ties the hands of the OEM providers as far as OS usage on mutiple machines. Big surprise!

I believe this is also true for any OS supplied by a manufacturer as opposed to purchasing in the retail market.

Also note that any modification/hacking/trading of OEM keys, etc. is a violation of the license agreement, and is pirating