Windows 7: Student Offer: Boot Disk Required?

Hi guys,

I'm looking to take up the Australian $50 Student Offer, but am confused about whether I need to purchase the boot disk kit which is gonna cost me $15 extra and force me to wait for it to be delivered.



Now as far as I understand it, upon purchase they're going to link me to downloads for setup and box files. But since I want to do a clean install (going from 32 bit XP to 64 bit 7, so I don't have much choice), these files don't really mean much to me.

So basically, I'm left with the choice of buying the disk and waiting for delivery (could be over a week, especially at this time of year) or getting an ISO and burning my own copy. As far as I know I can't make my own ISO because I won't be able to execute the 64 bit exe file.

I have however found links to the ISO from the digital river content site which I can (legally I guess) download.

So I guess my question is this: is this ISO identical to the disk they want to mail to me and charge me for?

If so I'll just download that and burn my own copy, and just spend the $50 to get the product key/license.

Thanks in advance.

Yes and Yes....

Alright!

Thanks a lot.

So does that mean when I purchase the key through the Student Offer site, I don't have to download whatever they link me to?

Not if you already have it installed, no...just keep in mind though that if the key is for say, an upgrade disc, you wont be able to use a Full Version key or an OEM key..

Well as far as I know, the Student Offer is only for the Upgrade version, which still allows clean installs. So if I purchase that I'm guessing I'll be getting an upgrade key.

I'm downloading the 64-bit Windows 7 Home Premium x64 ISO fromhere. Will the key I purchase work fine with that ISO?

I'm a little confused now.

F/Y/I if you do decide to burn your own copy, make sure that you burn at a slow speed. Last October, when Win 7 was released many posters had problems because they burned their copy too fast. Whatever you do, enjoy the OS and have a great holiday.

The key is tied into the version. Just be sure that you are getting 64 bit. There have been problems with that, too in the past.

Thanks for your help and handy tips guys, much appreciated. Looks like I'm pretty much good to go!

There's a number of deals for Aussie students at the moment.

Win 7 Professional (upgrade version) is A$49.95 at Microsoft Office Discount for Students - It's Not Cheating. This is an upgrade version so you must have a copy of vista or XP already. A reinstall means to install vista or XP first. The solution is to get the cheap upgrade offer and then take an image of your install, then it's much faster next time.

The Microsoft Student Upgrade offer is A49.95 for home premium (complete version) TAFE & University students, get a killer deal on Windows 7 Home Premium

and since I'm dropping a plethora of student links....
Also here is the link to Microsoft Dreamspark https://www.dreamspark.com/default.aspx for free software for students including:
• Visual Studio
• SQL Server
• Expression Studio
• XNA Game Studio
• Robotics Developer
• Server 2008 R2
• Visual C+/#
• etc

These sites also have huge discounts for students(usually less than half price) when buying software
• Apple Student Discount - Apple Store (Australia)
• Abode Adobe - Education Software, Academic Software, Student Software - Student Discounts

Good deals one and all, but I thank God for TechNet...