Install upgrade on a new HDD

If I want to install the upgrade version a new hdd (I think my current one is getting a bit small), what checks will be made to ensure I own a prior version? disk check? key check?

thanks

This is how the installer works

Its very clever. When you insert the Win 7 disc, either to boot from or at the desktop of your OS, the installer 'sniffs out ' any and all evidence of the underlying OS.* The result of this.....yes there is evidence, or no there is not...is stored in Ram and this happens at the beginning of the install process, not the end like Vista. It allows you to partition and format the drive and still pass activation. All this works without any 'hack' etc.
Can it be fooled.....yes. If you have a virgin system that has never ever seen Vista or XP or you partition /format before booting the install, activation will fail. And so it should as we are dealing with 'Upgrade Media' and we can't blame MS for wanting to make sure the install is licensed correctly.

* Note: If the installer can only find a manufactures re-install partition, it will NOT flag this as evidence of a previous OS and activation will fail.


Knowing how it works allows you to modify your install based on your license.In your case,a virgin install with legal license for the previous OS would require phone activation or a third party 'hack'.

Thanks - that's it.
Gonna go shopping tommorow now that's confirmed :)

The workaround to install Win7 Upgrade to a new HDD, which is also being given out by MS tech support, is here:

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/cle...rade_media.asp

This is a registry shortcut from the Vista upgrade-over-itself which also works.