Windows 7 under $100?

System Locked Pre-installation (SLP) is used by manufactures to pre-activate Windows on retail machines. A SLIC BIOS table is not needed for low volume OEM Windows installations by the "end-user". You would activate Windows in this case and it's no different than loading and activating any version yourself.

oneextraid said:

In order for an W7 OEM to activate, the PCs BIOS must have SLIC 2.1 activation supported. If it is an older PC that version will not activate.

Thats not entirely true. The OEM DVD that you or I buy from say NewEgg, will activate with the included Product Code on any PC regardless of the BIOS SLIC table. Branded OEM media that would come with a PC from a major manufacturer like Dell or ACER, that uses SLP, System Locked Pre-Installation, looks for the BIOS SLIC table. If you install it on the PC it came with, activation is automatic and you don't get prompted for a product code. Try to use it on another PC that doesn't have the correct BIOS SLIC table and it fails the automatic activation and prompts for a product code. This has been done since windows XP. Vista uses SLIC 2.0 and Windows 7 uses SLIC 2.1. Not all PCs have the SLIC table. If you build it yourself the motherboard you buy from say NewEgg won't have a SLIC table in the BIOS. Dell, Acer, etc add the tables to their custom BIOS. They also add the matching files for detection to the install media. For windows 7 they add an $OEM$ folder in the sources folder. The Microsoft OEM DVDs you buy online or off the shelf at Staples don't have that folder and don't use SLP.

The Home Premium Family 3 pack is by far the best deal at three Upgrade licenses for less than the price of one.

I would keep close control of the key only among family and close friends, with whom you could even split the 3 for $42 apiece.

By the way, does somebody know if Windows 7 Ultimate is available for promo? I am using 7 Pro but thinking to upgrade to Ultimate, for cheap!

gregrocker said:

The Home Premium Family 3 pack is by far the best deal at three Upgrade licenses for less than the price of one.

I would keep close control of the key only among family and close friends, with whom you could even split the 3 for $42 apiece.

That maybe, but I only have the $100 to work with. Doesn't matter how good the deal is, anything over $100 or is put over 100 by shipping and etc, is not doable.

sevener said:

By the way, does somebody know if Windows 7 Ultimate is available for promo? I am using 7 Pro but thinking to upgrade to Ultimate, for cheap!

Shop for Ultimate Anytime Upgrade to get a price break. YOu can also insert the Ultimate retail upgrade version key into Anytime Upgrade. But Ultimate is not only expensive, but not needed by the vast majority of users. I consider it the Ultimate waste of money.

Compare Windows - Microsoft Windows

gregrocker said:

I consider it the Ultimate waste of money.

Yes, it is true, in someway!
I just would like to have built-in protection for folders and files. This is only available in Ultimate version!
Actually, I don't need it "absolutely" but in case it is cheap!

sevener said:

gregrocker said:

I consider it the Ultimate waste of money.

Yes, it is true, in someway!
I just would like to have built-in protection for folders and files. This is only available in Ultimate version!
Actually, I don't need it "absolutely" but in case it is cheap!

You can get Truecrypt for free and it's simple to use and very secure.

As Doc mentioned, if you are a student, you can get it very cheap:

Microsoft Student - Windows 7