converting evaluation version to full?

I think you're taking about the RC. You cannot get out of doing a clean install. You will need to re-install you r programs. Save drivers and data...it shouldn't be too bad.

Clean Install Windows 7[2]=General%20Tips

All the best, good luck.

I do not think that you will find many members that will say do an upgrade rather than a clean install.

Here are your choices: Spend a little more time now installing the programs (if you install as you need the programs, the chore does not seem so daunting.

or

You could do an upgrade and spend a lot of time here trying to rectify problems which will arise. It is, also possible that eventually you will do a clean install, anyway.

The great part of this forum is that you get many opinions. It is up to you to choose the one that makes the most sense to you. Whatever you decide, all the members will stand behind you and offer any help that is needed.

It is normal practice to require a fresh install when migrating from pre-release (beta/RC), to the actual commercial version.

This is a general practice and not limited to Microsoft or even Windows. It is due to the fact that the pre-release software will contain certain code that is only of use for the testing phase

There is also the issue of the Time limited nature of the software, this code is inserted at such a low level in the code that it is likely to cause major issues with an upgrade.

There have been reports of modifications being made to the upgrade discs to allow the Upgrade but I believe this has met with only limited success

http://lifehacker.com/5332036/upgrad...al-rtm-release

Of course you will have to upgrade Ultimate to Ultimate or Enterprise, as any other route is classed as a downgrade

adri said:

If that's true though it's a total pain in the arse!!! I can't believe MS would lead people down a blind ally like this!!! I know I've had use of the OS for this time but reinstalling everything is more than I can afford time wise...For Fu*ks sake!!!

It was a free evaluation version of the software. Seriously, they gave away a great product to use with no strings attached for well over 1 year. This was brilliant actually to drum up interest and support for their new product.

Honestly, it would take me no more than 2 hours to format and reinstall absolutely everything on my machine.

Microsoft was quite clear that you could not upgrade the Beta to the RC1 and that you could not upgrade the RC1 to the full release
http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/2383...-candidate-faq
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...candidate.aspx

adri said:

If anyone's got another solution I'd be very pleased to hear it.

You could give this a try, it might work
How to Upgrade the Windows 7 RC to RTM (Final Release) - the How-To Geek

adri said:

I may end up binning it all and going for linux. it would mean I lose some valuable programs though so I'm not really wanting to go that way...

While Linux is an awesome operating system and I would be lost without it...if you don't have experience using it..you are in for a very arduous learning curve. Extensive experience using Windows is not much of a help in the Linux world.



what a pain!

TIA

Nick[/QUOTE]