I Know, I Know, another ? about M$ rules

pacinitaly · 25 Oct 2010

Hello extended friends and family,

What I want to do is buy another HDD-$77 and an OS//full blown-$199 or, from what I understand here, an upgrade-$89

If I do a clean install from the purchase of an upgrade, I understand it's the same as a full blown product?

I want to be able to keep my current {win7 64bit setup on my current HDD-with clones to other same size HDD's} and then, the new HDD, put the win7 Professional 64bit OS version on it and be able to use the XP Mode to play around.

when I want to come back to my current win7 64bit setup I can just flip the HDD's. ((( is this an issue with M$?))

and when I flip, will the computer know I have both paid for OS's and no question about activation?

(the current setup is from gateway; they sent me reinstall discs after me begging for a month)

this may sound convoluted but it's the only way I can explain what I want to do.
if you need more info, I'll try to explain, sorry, I've been up for 38hrs.

I thought about buying:

Amazon.com: Acer AS7741G-7017 17.3-Inch Laptop ( Black): Computer & Accessories: Reviews, Prices & more

or:

Amazon.com: Gateway NV79C51u 17.3 Inch Laptop - Satin Black: Computer & Accessories

Love and Respect,

Carmine

PS... I don't want to do a dual boot thing and I cant grasp it anyway

Bill2 · 25 Oct 2010

A clean install with a win7 upgrade disk is legal only if there is a previous qualifying version of windows already installed. So whats your setup? your post is a bit confusing.

DeaconFrost · 25 Oct 2010

You sound like you are going way overboard with what you want to actually do, but I'm thinking you want to swap hard drives to boot from...one for main use and one for testing. Yes, this would work, but would require a second license...unless you just extended the 30 day grace period until your trial of XP Mode is done with. I believe you can go to 120 days max. But then you'd have a second drive with little need for it.

My suggestion, if your current Windows 7 install is Professional or Ultimate, you can give XP Mode a try on your current install, and then uninstall it if you don't like it. If you don't have a qualifying OS, try VirtualBox, or any of the other competitors. You don't need a separate license for this...as they all uninstall cleanly.

By the way, on a forum board, when you use any of the following: M$, MicroShaft, or WindBlows, you identify yourself a kiddie who doesn't know much about the industry. I'm not accusing you of this...just an FYI.

madtownidiot · 25 Oct 2010

Bill2 said:

A clean install with a win7 upgrade disk is legal only if there is a previous qualifying version of windows already installed. So whats your setup? your post is a bit confusing.

Actually, a clean install with a win 7 upgrade disk is legal if you have a windows license that isn't being used on any other computer.. whether windows is installed or not ...for example an unopened retail xp disk or an OEM windows sticker attached to the computer.

gregrocker · 25 Oct 2010

If you're planning to boot two OS's on separate HD's then boot via the BIOS: set preferred HD to boot first in BIOS setup, to boot the other HD use the one-time BIOS Boot Menu key given on first boot screen - which on most Gateways if F10.

To keep the HD's independent this way, unplug all other HD's when installing or doing a repair.

Activation has nothing to do with how you boot the OS's. As stated you qualify for Upgrade version if you have any retail copy of XP/Vista you're not using, or a Vista/XP OEM license which came with the computer that isn't already being used to qualify for Upgrade on that machine.

pacinitaly · 25 Nov 2010

thank you guys!

I'm still a bit

I need to call Microsoft on Monday

happy holidays

~Carmine