Build new PC with new OS

[ots86]

Hi ! im going to get my PC soon ( built by myself ) . I have 2 questions to start with my new PC.
1. How do i format my HDD when turn on my PC.
2. What window 7 verson should i buy ? because i saw it on newegg :

+ Window 7 home 64bits - price 99$
+ Window 7 home 64bits FULL - price 176$

what different with these 2 versons ? and which one shoul i buy ? please give me some advice . Thanks a lot

 

[richc46]

The cheaper version is probably the upgrade. You have to have a qualifying OS on your computer to use it. You said that you have a new computer so an upgrade will not be permitted
You may want to look into OEM version. There are stringient rules to qualify, but since this is a self built computer you may be able to use it
The only draw back is that it is tied into that one computer you can only use it on that one machine
You must buy full retail unless you qualify for an OEM

 

[si8mon]

The $99 version is an OEM copy. Basically if you get an OEM, Windows 7 Home Premium is tied to the motherboard, meaning you cant use that copy of Windows 7 on another computer. OEM copies are what Dell, HP, Toshiba and LG use on their machines.

The more expensive version is a Retail Full version of Windows 7 Home Premium. It is sold
at shops (unlike OEM) and can be used on any computer (its not tied to one computers hardware).

But both versions of Windows 7 will only let you activate Windows 7 on one computer at a time though.

Personally I would get an OEM, its exactly the same software on the disk and you save yourself $70.


The guide here is for Vista but its the exact same for Windows 7.
Buying OEM versions of Windows Vista: the facts

 

[bobkn]

Hi ! im going to get my PC soon ( built by myself ) . I have 2 questions to start with my new PC.
1. How do i format my HDD when turn on my PC.
2. What window 7 verson should i buy ? because i saw it on newegg :

+ Window 7 home 64bits - price 99$
+ Window 7 home 64bits FULL - price 176$

what different with these 2 versons ? and which one shoul i buy ? please give me some advice . Thanks a lot

I reverse order:

The cheaper version is OEM. It's not supposed to be transferable to another PC in the future. (You could transfer the retail copy.) Also, Microsoft provides no support for OEM versions. Support is supposed to be provided by the system builder.

I've read that the OEM license agreement requires that the license only be used on a system for sale to someone else; you're not supposed to use it on a personal system. (As far as I know, Microsoft does not enforce this.)

Either version would allow you to partition and format a blank hard disk. Boot the PC from the Win7 installation DVD. It's simple and (I hope) obvious.

 

[bigmck]

Hi ! im going to get my PC soon ( built by myself ) . I have 2 questions to start with my new PC.
1. How do i format my HDD when turn on my PC.
2. What window 7 verson should i buy ? because i saw it on newegg :

+ Window 7 home 64bits - price 99$
+ Window 7 home 64bits FULL - price 176$

what different with these 2 versons ? and which one shoul i buy ? please give me some advice . Thanks a lot

Like the others said, technically the OEM is for computers that are sold, not home built. You can buy an OEM at any online vendor, newegg.com, directron.com and others. They sell to anyone, not just a company for resale. Microsoft allows this. Save money and get an OEM. MS does not enforce the "For Sale Only".

 

[DocBrown]

A recent new member said earlier today he got a Family 3 pack at NewEgg for $129

http://www.sevenforums.com/installa...ade-pack-different-computers.html#post1087105

 

[whs]

I use several OEM versions on different systems. They are perfectly alright (if you keep the OS on that system). But the deal that the Doc refers to is pretty good too. I saw that too. But those are upgrades that are probably not suitable for a brand new system: Newegg.com - windows7 family pack

If you install the OS, it will format your disk. If you want to do it ahead of time (recommended to avoid the 100MB boot partition), you can use the bootable CD of this program (see on the left of the webpage for bootable CD). That is a very fine, free program. BEST FREE Partition Manager Software for Windows supports all 32-bit & 64 bit Windows No-server OS.

 

[ots86]

Really thanks everyone here !
I still have one more idea about upgrade !
I have 2 computers , the old one was using win XP 64bits , but it's installed into the old one , can i use that XP 64bits install into the new one which i want to install win 7 ( but the license key has been used for the old ), then i buy an upgrade verson win 7 64bit to upgrade on it. Can i do it?
thanks again.

 

[richc46]

If that XP license was not an OEM, yes you can
Did the XP come preinstalled on the computer, if yes, it is an OEM and you cannot move to another computer
If you installed the XP and it was an OEM you cannot.

 

[ots86]

oh...man ! that's one is OEM , lol...i thought i can install the XP then upgrade to win 7 ^^...headache...mean i should buy the 179$ one ...

 

[DocBrown]

You cannot upgrade directly from XP, It will have to be a Clean Install anyway.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

 

[si8mon]

Just do a clean installs with an OEM version of Windows 7.

 

[whs]

oh...man ! that's one is OEM , lol...i thought i can install the XP then upgrade to win 7 ^^...headache...mean i should buy the 179$ one ...

Buy the OEM one - it saves you money.

 

[ots86]

which one is OEM? is the 99$ one?
after i install , if some of my compoments part fail , then... i can not install this OEM verson again?

 

[whs]

1. Here is the $99 OEM. There is also a 64bit for the same price. Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - Operating Systems

2. Yes, you can reinstall as often as you like - but only on the same machine (it's the mobo that counts).

 

[ots86]

but , if i change my mobo in future , or change my HDD , Ram... so i cant install anymore?

 

[richc46]

MOBO changes equate to a new computer. You can probably reinstall, but you have to call MS and explain.

 

[ots86]

whew... ^^ look like... ok... thanks everyone here for helped , i can learn many things during my questions asked

 

[richc46]

And you will always be welcome. To learn or to share your expertise.

But legally OEM use has to meet certain MS requirments.