Will I have to reload RTM from Student Upgrade

[jnetty99]

Will I have to reload Windows 7 Home Premium RTM, if I purchase a Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade under the Student price of $29.99?

I signed up for it, but did not purchase it yet, been waiting till October 22nd got close.

 

[ccatlett1984]

no, the install you have will take the new serial number.

 

[jnetty99]

no, the install you have will take the new serial number.

Cool thank you.

 

[DeaconFrost]

I'm confused...if you are currently running Windows Home Premium RTM, then you should already have a key for it. That version was never offered as a public trial.

 

[harpua]

It's possible to delete the ei.cfg file on the install media which has the effect of making it give you a screen that lets you select to install any version that you want, all from the one Ultimate disk. However, this mod does not apply to x86 to x64 version changes. Still have to switch media for that. I have a version like that on a flash card that lets me install whichever version I want. Saves having to keep different media for each version around.

 

[gregrocker]

But how was it activated to begin with? Even the same version Upgrade will not proceed unless there is an activated OS on the drive the upgrade is launched from.

 

[harpua]

Who said anything about activated. People could be running it as an unactivated trial for up to 120 days. That was the only question I was addressing. If it was already activated, there would be no need to use an upgrade key on it to activate it again.

I don't know whether such an unactivated installation will activate with an upgrade key. I would think not, but you never know.

 

[gregrocker]

Who said anything about activated

MS said something about activated: You need an activated OS (XP/Vista/RC) for the Upgrade to detect in order to even use the Upgrade. Otherwise you need a full retail version key to insert.

 

[harpua]

Yes I know what MS has said. It will be interesting to see what the reality is aside from what they have (and have not) said.

 

[jnetty99]

You are correct, my copy that is currently installed is not activated.

I been using the rearm command to use while I waited for the real release.

 

[gregrocker]

You are correct, my copy that is currently installed is not activated.

I been using the rearm command to use while I waited for the real release.

Then if you want to use the Upgrade disk, install a qualifying XP/Vista/RC OS, start your upgrade from there to in-place Upgrade Vista, or clean install over XP/Vista/RC, to another partition, or to a second HDD for the cleanest formatted Primary install.

 

[gregrocker]

Yes I know what MS has said. It will be interesting to see what the reality is aside from what they have (and have not) said.

Yes, let's test all the possibilities and report back here.