Hey, Greg. I'm ready to give this a shot and, given the relatively small differences between the two versions (for what we use our computers for), I think I'm going to just leave my HP version alone and try to upgrade hers in place from Vista to Pro. I'll do the image backup first (thanks for the link to the free program to do that) and see how it goes.
Tried it on her machine & it didn't work. I did the image backup and then started the install again after changing both registry keys.
It still stopped and said it won't do an "in place" upgrade from Home Premium to Professional. Is there another registry key someplace?
I didn't do the minvalue change in the other post because it only appeared to apply to a change from the RC to retail.
Do the registry keys look exactly like this:
Oh, maybe I misunderstood. The first one looked exactly like that, but I left the second one saying Vista and changed the Home Premium to Professional. So should it say Windows 7 even though it's Vista?
Steve
I'm not sure the workaround will work from Vista in one step, since Win7 installer allows an in-place Upgrade between Win7 Home Premium and Pro when HP registry is changed to Pro because an in-place Upgrade between the same versions is a Repair Install, so it must be allowed.
If you absolutely don't want to clean install your Win7 Pro you'll need to do it in two steps: first in-place upgrade to Win7 Home Premium by unlocking all versions in your install DVD, then use the workaround to in-place upgrade Win7 HP to Win7 Pro which we know will work from much experience.
To unlock all versions in your install DVD, extract files to desktop, remove ei.cfg file from Sources folder, then run Setup to start the in-place Upgrade from Vista HP, making sure to select Win7 HP and choosing not to insert the key when first requested (also uncheck box to activate when connecting to internet).
After Upgrade to Win7 HP is completed, make the Registry changes and run your 7 Pro DVD to in-place Upgrade (actually a same-version Repair Install) HP to Pro.
The way MS would have you do this is to buy the Anytime Upgrade, but you paid more for the Pro DVD so there is nothing unethical in using the workaround.
I guess I should just get over it and do a clean install with the Pro version on her machine. I just didn't want to download and install the games again, but it's probably the smartest way to go. Better she should have a clean machine anyway.
Thanks for all your help!
Clean Install Windows 7
Back up all files, make the Vista Recovery disks in case you ever want to go back to factory condition to sell machine but keep your Win7.
Be sure to boot Win7 DVD to get cleanest possible install: Custom install, using Drive Tools to delete all partitions, create new one(s) as you wish, then format before installing to first partition.
Installer is mostly driver-complete with newer arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates. Any drivers then missing in Device Manager or favorite apps can be found on the Support downloads webpage for your model computer/device.
Install programs slowly so you can gauage performance after each. Don't let any programs write themselves into msconfig>Startup list unless they absolutely have to start up with computer, which most don't. I only allow my AV and gadgets.
Suggest you migrate to the lightest-weight, effective, nearly invisible AV, new free Microsoft Security Essentials which takes 30 seconds to install.
Finally, after it is set up as you wish, clean and order HD using free state-of-the-art CCleaner "Run Cleaner" and Registry tab, and the Auslogics Disk and Registry Defraggers.
Then save a Win7 backup image so you never have to reinstall again, just reimage the HD (or replacement) using DVD Repair console.
Thanks for everything Greg. I'm in the process of doing a clean install on her machine.
Steve
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