Windows 7: Ugrading components and I'm new to Windows 7

I have an HP that I bought in 2008 and I have purchased a new motherboard, cpu, and ram to replace the old ones. None of the old ones are broken, I just felt like upgrading and wanted the experience of doing it myself. I currently have Windows Vista Ultimate 32 bit and have purchased the Windows 7 Ultimate upgrade. Should I upgrade first and then replace the computer's components, or replace and then upgrade?

Assuming you have your current system backed-up, and your media drive is compatible with your new MB. I would install all the new hardware, then do a clean install of Windows 7.

Does it matter that I purchased the Upgrade of Windows 7 Ultimate and not the more-expensive full version of Windows 7 Ultimate? Can I still do a clean install with it?

I'm sorry, I missed that you had an upgrade version. I don't believe you can do a clean install with the upgrade version. It's my understanding that an upgrade is just that, an upgrade from another Windows 7 version like Home Premium.

Sure you can do a clean install with an upgrade version. But do the hardware upgrade first. Else you may get an activation problem later. Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

Technically, according to the licensing terms, you should upgrade the OS first, then the hardware, and then you would probably need to do a repair install of Windows 7.

That all seems rather a lot of hassle to me

So long as you are happy with the idea of a clean install, then use the method that whs recommends.

Can I do a repair install without calling Microsoft? Or do I upgrade the OS, replace the hardware and then call Microsoft to get a new license?

At one stage or another you are almost certain to have to call MS to activate, however you do it.

That's not a problem, so long as you have genuine licenses

If you want to keep your current install, you will have to first upgrade to Windows 7 and activate, then upgrade the hardware, then if necessary do a repair install - which will probably require telephone activation.

If you folllow the advice and procedure given to you by whs:
Then you will not need to call anyone.

The procedure will work just fine, if you follow the advice of whs.

Incidentally, that's also the advice I would have given, and yes, I've done it a few times with zero problems.