Free Win 7 with Product Key By Attend free launch event

[Zidane24]

I hope one million people complain about this 32-bit thing. So, by November, when I go to the event in DC, I will get the 64-bit version.

I do not want to spend the $10 that MS will charge me when I call 1-800-microsoft and order the 64-bit DVD.

I don't understand the hardship of providing the 64-bit media myself...

Seems like Microsoft is a tad bit lazy...

 

[Antman]

I don't understand the hardship of providing the 64-bit media myself...

Seems like Microsoft is a tad bit lazy...

Benefit of the doubt - a logistical SNAFU. At a prior event, nobody wanted the 32-bit version.

Just guessing.

 

[chuckr]

I hope one million people complain about this 32-bit thing. So, by November, when I go to the event in DC, I will get the 64-bit version.

I do not want to spend the $10 that MS will charge me when I call 1-800-microsoft and order the 64-bit DVD.

$10 ??? Me neither.

What p*ss*s me off is that they originally had a 'w7 Professional' (or 'Home Premium') pretty blue-box,
then stuck us with this ugly black-box version.

Where do I call to complain ?

 

[Antman]

I have shared this before - with Vista, when I called and ordered my $10 64-bit copy, they sent it to me with a new key.

 

[bobtran]

Just attended the Denver launch and they handed out "Ultimate".
CAN'T WAIT TO GET HOME AND GET IT INSTALLED.

Did you see ChuckR?

No, but it was a mad house. Was a good time though. Just checked my copy and Darn....32 bit (The little black folder does say "32- and/or 64-bit disc(s) inside), guess I will have to order a 64 bit disk. I guess $10 isn't too much to pay for a copy of Ultimate although I think they should have given out the 64 bit version instead if only to further the x64 platform. Guess this is a way to increase revenue $10 at a time (Bean counter mentality...go figure).
.

 

[bobtran]

I have shared this before - with Vista, when I called and ordered my $10 64-bit copy, they sent it to me with a new key.

Does that mean that the original x32 copy could be installed on a pc or did Microsoft ask for the license number of the x32 copy so as to invalidate it.

Answered myself: No you must provide the key to Microsoft when ordering the x64 DVD. Contact info: 1-800-834-6037 8am-10pm ET to order in the US. Waiting to call after 8am ET (Wonder if we can order prior to launch on Oct 22nd? guess I will find out tomorrow).

 

[SIW2]

While MS does hold a world-wide footprint, its roots are in america, it's primary source of income is through, you guessed it, americans buying and using MS products, it costs money to hold these events, why hold global events like this, when you can spend a fraction of the amount touring the US, and get the biggest return on your dollar... makes perfect sense to me.

Really? The EU has a much larger population than the US ( 500 MILLION) and MS charges up to 60% more for their products in the EU.

 

[chuckr]

The EU has a much larger population than the US ( 500 MILLION) and MS charges up to 60% more for their products in the EU.

SIW2,

Not to be mean,

But:

http://www.sevenforums.com/news/210...ey-attend-free-launch-event-4.html#post227402

:roflmao:

j/k !!!

Chuck

 

[QuackPot]

While MS does hold a world-wide footprint, its roots are in america, it's primary source of income is through, you guessed it, americans buying and using MS products, it costs money to hold these events, why hold global events like this, when you can spend a fraction of the amount touring the US, and get the biggest return on your dollar... makes perfect sense to me.

Really? The EU has a much larger population than the US ( 500 MILLION) and MS charges up to 60% more for their products in the EU.

Not being pedantic but Europe is something like 750 million and US is just over 300 million.

 

[bobtran]

There may be a problem getting x64

I just contacted Microsoft sales (someone named Shawn) about getting a x64 replacement media DVD for the x32 I received at the launch and was told two things.

1) They don't have access to Windows 7 at this time.
2) They told me the Copy we received is NOT eligible to order the x64 DVD.

My initial reaction to this is: We will probably have to wait until Oct 22nd to order the media and you should not tell them where/how you received the software.

I would tend to believe that this person just doesn't know what he was talking about although I could be wrong. It just doesn't make sense that Microsoft would not be willing to provided us the x64 in exchange for the x32 especially if we have to pay the DVD production + the Shipping and Handling.

I guess we will just have to take a wait and see attitude until someone higher up in the company takes action on this issue as I'm sure they will. Why would Microsoft want to P**s off this many developer and IT Professionals (answer; they wouldn't so someone will address this issue eventually).

 

[SIW2]

LOL - thanks Chuckr.

What amuses me is the attitude of some Americans - they think the rest of the world is somehow peripheral.

There were even a few who posted that MS should stop selling their products in the EU.

Hilarious.

The EU has a much larger population than the US ( 500 MILLION) and MS charges up to 60% more for their products in the EU.

SIW2,

Not to be mean,

But:

http://www.sevenforums.com/news/210...ey-attend-free-launch-event-4.html#post227402

:roflmao:

j/k !!!

Chuck

 

[Antman]

External United states? Where is this place? Can I get freedom fries there?

I was in Afghanistan and couldn't find a Wal-Mart, but there was a Target on every corner.

 

[chuckr]

LOL - thanks Chuckr.

What amuses me is the attitude of some Americans - they think the rest of the world is somehow peripheral.

I am of the opinion that they may have never traveled overseas and suffer from propaganda.

There were even a few who posted that MS should stop selling their products in the EU. Hilarious.

They might be 9th or 10th grade Economic Experts, 14/15 years old.

MS is out for expansion and the money. Full stop.
EU, and the rest of the globe, will have w7.

Do you mix Colman's w/water, for your bangers ?

 

[harpua]

I agree it kind of sucks they didn't provide the 64 bit media but lets face it, it isn't very hard to find a copy to download that matches the official MS hashes. The most important thing they gave out was the key which I'm sure works for both versions.

 

[poin2]

...I would tend to believe that this person just doesn't know what he was talking about although I could be wrong. It just doesn't make sense that Microsoft would not be willing to provided us the x64 in exchange for the x32 especially if we have to pay the DVD production + the Shipping and Handling.

I guess we will just have to take a wait and see attitude until someone higher up in the company takes action on this issue as I'm sure they will. Why would Microsoft want to P**s off this many developer and IT Professionals (answer; they wouldn't so someone will address this issue eventually).

Actually, it wouldn't surprise me if (1) they find it easiest and cheapest to just give out the universal 32-bit version, and (2) they're not going to facilitate you getting the 64-bit on a freebie.

If they're main objective is to give you something to "evaluate," they have no real need to give you 64-bit.

Anyway, the keys generally should work regardless of version. As long as you somehow obtain the equivalent 64-bit media, the key should still function the same. I wouldn't stress over it.

 

[chuckr]

I agree it kind of sucks they didn't provide the 64 bit media but lets face it, it isn't very hard to find a copy to download that matches the official MS hashes. The most important thing they gave out was the key which I'm sure works for both versions.

I agree it sucks too ! A ten cent optical disk won't exactly break their bank.

Finding a 64 bit copy to DL is hardly a 'problem', but the provided key might be a problem in itself.

The .iso created directly from the freebie 32-bit Ultimate DVD does NOT match Hash-values generated by the:
Wzor or the Zuko .iso files.
These 2 Russian .isos exactly match the MS-provided Hash-values, for the 32-bit Ultimate x86 iso.

Therefore, the 'freebie' handed out on the DVD is -different- somehow, from the official 'norm':

http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/25481-can-not-install-windows-7600-rtm.html#post275701

I suspect the cd boot sector, done deliberately (or unknowledgeably by noobs).
This would insure 100% functionality for installation, etc.

There's other checks to be made, to see whats where, but, 'that's another story'...

Freebie .iso created by ImgBurn, v.2.5.0.0
HashTab v.3.0.0 @2009 beeblebrox.org

Freebie DVD =
CRC32: 40A1B4AA
MD5: 80BA2180008221A5E08F0C45B6D56EFC
SHA-1: 423A9F26AE8E05D15139EB5D7AADC73E35B15791
-----------------------------------------------

WZOR 'Homemade' =
CRC32: 8DD6AE2B
MD5: C7102805815ABB3B6B4796A8CC3FB008
SHA-1: 4FB88ED0E763A0CD82D388E7FDAABD10FC0846D1

WZOR RTM = Zuko RTM:
CRC32: C1C20F76
MD5: D0B8B407E8A3D4B75EE9C10147266B89
SHA-1: 5395DC4B38F7BDB1E005FF414DEEDFDB16DBF610

Zuko RTM =
CRC32: C1C20F76
MD5: D0B8B407E8A3D4B75EE9C10147266B89
SHA-1: 5395DC4B38F7BDB1E005FF414DEEDFDB16DBF610

 

[bobtran]

...I would tend to believe that this person just doesn't know what he was talking about although I could be wrong. It just doesn't make sense that Microsoft would not be willing to provided us the x64 in exchange for the x32 especially if we have to pay the DVD production + the Shipping and Handling.

I guess we will just have to take a wait and see attitude until someone higher up in the company takes action on this issue as I'm sure they will. Why would Microsoft want to P**s off this many developer and IT Professionals (answer; they wouldn't so someone will address this issue eventually).

Actually, it wouldn't surprise me if (1) they find it easiest and cheapest to just give out the universal 32-bit version, and (2) they're not going to facilitate you getting the 64-bit on a freebie.

If they're main objective is to give you something to "evaluate," they have no real need to give you 64-bit.

Anyway, the keys generally should work regardless of version. As long as you somehow obtain the equivalent 64-bit media, the key should still function the same. I wouldn't stress over it.

I'm not stressed about this, I'm just find it annoying as this is not acceptable for my main desktop which currently runs Vista x64 with 8gb ram..can't imagine why anyone would expect people to downgrade just because we got it at a launch event. The SQL server 2005 given out at its launch was not a limited version, the Vista handed out at its launch was not a limited version either so I hope this in not a new direction for Microsoft.

I would disagree about giving us something to "evaluate" as that is what the Beta/RC candidates were for but you may be right over all. I also disagree about cost. All the development costs have already been paid and they will charge us to create and mail the DVD as well as invalidating the x32 copy so there is NO additional cost involved to Microsoft to provide the x64 edition.

I do know that if you want to order a x64 DVD of Vista ultimate it is an online app that asks you to provide the activation key, your address and credit card so as to mail it to you...I would guess that the system is fully automated and that after general release I expect we will find a web page like this for Win7 and it doesn't ask where you got it so unless they specifically exclude all license keys they gave out, the automated system should allow use to pay and receive an x64 DVD but only time will tell.

 

[poin2]

...The .iso created directly from the freebie 32-bit Ultimate DVD does NOT match Hash-values generated by the:
Wzor or the Zuko .iso files.
These 2 Russian .isos exactly match the MS-provided Hash-values, for the 32-bit Ultimate x86 iso.

Therefore, the 'freebie' handed out on the DVD is -different- somehow, from the official 'norm':

I'd expect the .iso hash to vary a bit depending on the program and settings creating it. I wouldn't read too much into the different hash when you're making your own .iso.

It would be pretty surprising if MS went to the hassle and expense of making a different system just for their giveaway copies.

Sooner or later someone will try their giveaway key on 64-bit media and can confirm if it works. It's going to be a bit of a waste if you have to pay MS to send out the 64-bit, but we'll see.

 

[MoInSTL]

A friend of mine called me from Phoenix today to say to get to the event early as they ran out of seats even though he had his confirmation, etc. Was still able to get the Ultimate, 32 bit DVD & goodie bag. Apparently MS is overbooking the event.

 

[chuckr]

...The .iso created directly from the freebie 32-bit Ultimate DVD does NOT match Hash-values generated by the:
Wzor or the Zuko .iso files.
These 2 Russian .isos exactly match the MS-provided Hash-values, for the 32-bit Ultimate x86 iso.

Therefore, the 'freebie' handed out on the DVD is -different- somehow, from the official 'norm':

1. I'd expect the .iso hash to vary a bit depending on the program and settings creating it.

2. I wouldn't read too much into the different hash when you're making your own .iso.

1. I wouldn't...
Now that a discrepancy exists, this has to be resolved (to me) as to exactly what that discrepancy is.

2. I would, and do.
I'm not making my own .iso -- I created an iso file of what's on the DVD.

The important two image-files, inside the .isos, match SHA1 numbers, therefore the resultant installs, from either, will be identical.

For the rest of all the files contained in the .isos, they too are all 'identical', all 874.
(See attached, a nice directory listing of everything in there)

If anyone wants an upload of CRC numbers for each and every file in the list, for future reference, I can post that too, for the 32-bit Ultimate version.