Windows 7 upgrade without anything to upgrade from :-(

I have the Windows 7 Ultimate upgrade (from Vista) pack, and have never had any issues upgrading it from XP. Unfortunatly I seem to have misplaced my XP CD and really need to get win7 on a computer. Is is possible to do a clean install with with an upgrade DVD? 32 bit or 64 bit?


Thnks in advance



-cheers

Yep. Have a look here: Clean install Windows 7 with upgrade disc

As long as you have a qualifying XP or Vista OS on hand, then you qualify for Upgrade version.

It does not have to be on the HD.

When you boot the Win7 DVD, it will see any installed OS on the computer and pass a flag to allow use of Upgrade version key. If the HD is blank, Just use one of the workarounds here: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

So,

What if I want to upgrade Windows 7 -Premium (that comes with a new computer, so I should get a key) to Windows 7 - Ultimate, via a, " windows 7 Ultimate upgrade cd- from vista"

....Would I run it the same way as if I were upgrading from XP?

....On my new CPU : Gateway DX4831-07 Desktop Gaming PC - Intel Core i5-750 2.66GHz, 8GB DDR3, 1TB HDD, DVDRW, HDMI, eSATA, FireWire M$7 -Premium

if I have to format the hard drive, can I do a recovery and always be able to do this upgrade?

I notice that an earlier post refers me to a link that says the earlier answers are illegal..... M$, i understand your fury..... but is there a way to do a clean install with something that cost me a lot anyway, legally?

...Thank you to everyone in advance these are serious questions btw...

I need a fresh install of a product that I paid for.


-- /etc/Cheers


P.S. Side Question, As of right now I triple boot. Does anyone know where I can get a driver for this Galaxy 60XGH6HS3HML GeForce GTX 460 GC Edtion Video Card - 1024MB GDDR5, PCI-Express 2.0, Dual DVI, Mini HDMI, SLI, DirectX 11, Fermi - 3696 MHz looking for opensuse 11.2 or greater. ubuntu 10.4 would work too I guess.



- ~./etc/sbin/Cheers.final



.....okay seriously, does anyone know where that driver may be ??? gotta few in me

To change between WIn7 versions, MS wants you to buy an Anytime Upgrade, a key you insert which then unlocks the greater version's extra features. We have found that retail keys work in Anytime Upgrade as well.

So you can insert your Ultimate upgrade key in the Anytime Upgrade utility in Win7, or you can clean install Windows 7 Ultimate.

There is even a workaround to in-place Upgrade HP to Ultimate if you want to keep your programs, files and settings in place. But it would be easier to just insert the Ultimate key into Anytime Upgrade.

well,

Its a brand new computer, so I'm not going to be losing anything. Will I get in trouble for doing a clean install with the upgrade (legal stuff?). Will I even have the option to format/partition with the upgrade cd??


thanks in advance...


-cheers

To use Win7 Upgrade version, you need to have on hand an XP or Vista license that qualifies you to use Win7 upgrade version. Win7 does not seem to qualify since MS wants us to use Anytime Upgrade to change to a higher Win7 version.

You would need to address your question to MS since while we know upgrade within Win7 can be done which makes it appear to be allowed, it does not appear to satisfy the EULA requirement that XP/Vista license be on hand to use Upgrade Version Win7.

For example: booting the Win7 installer while a lesser Win7 version is on the HD passes a flag allowing use of Upgrade version key even if User goes on to use Custom>Drive Options to delete, repartition and format. Does this mean that MS is allowing the paid OEM or retail lower version Win7 to qualify to use the paid higher version retail Win7 as an Upgrade?

I would ask MS to be certain. Just because it can be done doesn't necessarily mean it is legal under the EULA, even if the EULA is mostly enforced on the honor system.