Windows 7: System image on new hard drive

SIW2 · 22 Apr 2010

I think he means the Retail (system builder ) oem product - not the pre-installed by manufacturer oem.

billberry12 · 22 Apr 2010

So, if I understand correctly, if I install a new hard drive, or some other hardware, on my exsisting laptop, tranferring an image copy from an external hard drive that I have saved in the past will work. But, if, on the other hand, I buy another laptop, say from ebay etc, I can not transfer the saved image from my old laptop to my new (ebay used), or new laptop. Is the correct?
Thanks,
Bill

SIW2 · 22 Apr 2010

You shouldn't have a problem restoring an image to a new HD on the same machine.

You may have a problem restoring it to a different machine.

2 problems in fact.

If the hardware is dramativcally different - windows may not boot.

You may be ok - impossible to tell without actually doing it.

If it won't boot on the new hardware, running Paragon Adaptive restore p2p adjust will definitely fix it in a couple of seconds.

The other issue is the MS license. Windows will know it's on a different machine - no prob. if you have a Retail product key, but you can't do it with an oem product key.

mjf · 23 Apr 2010

Quote:

I think he means the Retail (system builder ) oem product - not the pre-installed by manufacturer oem.

What I mean by OEM supplied OS is go Control panel>system
(Windows) Product ID: xxxx-OEM-xxxx
MS support ask for this WindowsID and provide no assistance if OEM is part of the ID code.

SIW2 · 23 Apr 2010

I haven't needed to do it myself, but my understanding is there is a distinction between a Retail ( system builder ) oem product, and the pre-installed oem product.

If you have the Retail (system builder )oem builder product, MS will assist but only with activation issues.

There was an article last year ( sadly, i don't have the link ) where MS explained they would do that e.g. if you need to change the mobo - they take it on trust you haven't moved it to a different machine - they have a record of it of course and will only let you do it once with each Retail oem key.

I am sure if you search the net you will plenty of examples of people having done it.

E.G. In-place upgrade with retail / OEM / OSB / SB versions?

antharr · 23 Apr 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by Bill2

Win7 still has no service pack so thankfully that aspect does not arise. I have vista on one of my machines and recently, when i wanted to reformat and reinstall, i just downloaded a clean copy of Vista SP2 (vista with sp2 included) off the web and installed with that.

For Office, i downloaded sp2/sp3 for both 2003 and 2007 (i have both), then just integrated them into the original cd. I now have both Office versions with the latest service packs integrated.

It takes less than a day to start building from scratch and have win7 up and running. I agree with you its probably a matter of preference and inclination, but i would do a fresh install any day. I also relish the fact of having a beautiful, clean system all over again.

By imaging my hard drive I at least still have the option to do either. If something happens and I really need my system working as fast as possible I can have my machine back up and running in about 10 minutes. I can also choose to install a fresh copy when I have the time to.