I bought a copy of Win 7 pro from Microsoft, but I won't be able to get a copy until the launch on the 22nd. Is there anywhere I can get a legit copy of pro and just wait 2 weeks to activate it?
The only legit copy right now is RC and RTM... RTM is what is coming on the 22nd..
Some people were able to get it sooner.. Like Technet
RC is Windows 7 Ultimate..
No is my answer.. for a legit copy of Windows 7 Pro..
Sorry...
My Computer
At a glance
Windows Seven x642.2 GHz Dual Core4GBATI Mobility RADEON HD 3470
The only legit copy right now is RC and RTM... RTM is what is coming on the 22nd..
Some people were able to get it sooner.. Like Technet
RC is Windows 7 Ultimate..
No is my answer.. for a legit copy of Windows 7 Pro..
Only if you got the RTM release of Windows 7 Pro. You can get all of the various flavors through MSDN or from somebody who might have an MSDN or TechNet subscription. I've got an MSDN Operating System account...so I have my media...I'm just waiting for the New Efficiency Launch event which is tomorrow where I will get a key for Windows 7 Ultimate which I can legally run at home.
My Computer
At a glance
Windows 7 Ultimate x64Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timingsEVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self-Built in July 2009
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
Memory
8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
Sound Card
Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
Monitor(s) Displays
23" Acer x233H
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
PSU
Corsair 620HX modular
Case
Antec P182
Cooling
stock
Keyboard
ABS M1 Mechanical
Mouse
Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
Internet Speed
15/2 cable modem
Other Info
Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
Well all the above is correct but there is a very simple mod that will allow one to install any version of W7 from the installation media. You still need to install the version you have (or will soon have) a key for, of course.
So if you were able to find a genuine copy of the Ultimate RTM floating around in cyberspace, you could modify it so it would allow you to install pro. And then you could activate it when you get your legit pro key. If you do find a copy of Ultimate floating around in cyberspace, make sure you verify it is genuine and unmodified by comparing the hash values to the official microsoft ones which are listed in the FAQ section of this site. You can make this comparison using a free utility called "hashtab."
The mod is to delete the Sources/ei.cfg file from the installation media. This allows you to get the screen that allows you select the version you want to install early on in the installation process.
You could modify (or remove) the ei.cfg file in the sources folder on the install media to make it Professional. It's very easy, and saves people on things like MSDN/Technet from having to download each version separately.
The downside is that unless you're "getting" RTM direct from Microsoft through MSDN, Technet, etc. you run risk of getting something that's been tampered with. And with just a couple weeks to go, that impatience isn't worth it. I'd wait for your official, purchased thing to arrive.
Not really. You can use a free program like Virtual Clone Drive to put a virtual DVD drive on your system. Then you "mount" the installation iso on the virtual drive. You then copy the entire contents of the iso from the virtual drive to a folder on your hard drive. You can then delete the file in question from the copy of the contents of the iso that is on your hard drive and then either burn yourself a new DVD from the modified version on your hard drive or even better save the files to a bootable flash drive and install from that.
Or if you have the iso on a DVD already, you could just copy all the files from the DVD to your hard drive, delete the file in question and again, burn yourself a new DVD from the files on your hard drive (or copy everything to the bootable flash drive).
Using a bootable flash drive is a lot faster both to create and to install from. There are loads of tutorials (probably one in the tutorial section of this site also) on the net on how to make a flash drive (or card) bootable. Just takes a few minutes.
Except in this scenario it likely wouldn't be done from DVD.
If it is done from DVD, it doesn't take much time to set up a USB drive instead where it can be done. And the extra time it takes to do that is then saved during the install itself.
