Solved Approach for going from XP 32 to Win7 64?

[450125]

I have a home-built PC that I'm aiming to do some hardware upgrades on during the holidays. I'll be putting in a new MB, processor, memory, and video card, which will change the architecture from 32 bit to 64 bit.

The drives and power supply are all less than a year old, so I'm keeping them.

I don't see my current 32-bit XP working well in the new setup, so that presents the need to go in a different direction.

I could go with a corporate licensed 64-bit XP that I have, with a valid activation key.

I could use my college son to purchase a cheap ($65) or so - Windows 7 Student Discount - upgrade to Win7 Professional. But I don't know how well that would work. Upgrades leave me uncertain, and that's especially true going from 32 to 64 bit with a hardware change.

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64 bit Full Version OEM (Dell) has an $85 Windows 7 that just smells fishy to me, although many legitimate sites point to that.

Otherwise it looks like a new copy of Win7 is $150 or so, maybe 10-15 dollars less.

So what would be recommended for me in this circumstance?

The XP 64 would be free, but I'd eventually have to migrate to Windows 7 anyway.

The student-priced upgrade has an attractive price, but I don't know how well that would work for the reasons outlined above.

Not sure I trust the $85 Windows 7.

Don't really want to spend $150-ish for a "clear conscience" version.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Be advised, we here at Seven Forums do not discuss anything but "clear conscience" versions.

 

[pricetech]

If your question is all about which one to install, then yeah the "clear conscience" version is the only way to go.

If there's another question in there somewhere, let us know.

 

[450125]

If your question is all about which one to install, then yeah the "clear conscience" version is the only way to go.

If there's another question in there somewhere, let us know.

The questions would be:

1. Is http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html as good as it sounds - sounds like I *could* use the student-priced upgrade edition to put myself legitimately on 7.

2. Thoughts on Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64 bit Full Version OEM (Dell) - it comes up from pricegrabber and legitimate other shopping search engines. But I don't liek the "smell" of something that is prices 40% or more cheaper than anything else.

 

[Golden]

1. Is http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html as good as it sounds - sounds like I *could* use the student-priced upgrade edition to put myself legitimately on 7.

2. Thoughts on Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64 bit Full Version OEM (Dell) - it comes up from pricegrabber and legitimate other shopping search engines. But I don't liek the "smell" of something that is prices 40% or more cheaper than anything else.

1. If your son is a student, he can legitimately purchase the Student version.

2. Be careful with the OEM. I believe, under correction, that OEM's are specific to a motherboard. If you want to upgrade your mortherboard later, then the OEM is uselss to you. You are are correct to be suspicious about it.

Regards,
golden

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Yes the clean/upgrade does work as expected, just follow the tutorial.

 

[gregrocker]

Are there specific features in Pro which you need as for most users Home Premium is all that's needed.

If so, MS is again offering a HP Family 3-pack for around $125. This is a better deal even than beta-testers were offered at $50 per. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...re+-+Operating+Systems-_-Microsoft-_-32116775

I would keep the 3 copies within the family, however. In fact I would keep the single key to myself and be the only one who inputs it, so it doesn't wind up on some friend's computer causing Dad's to deactivate.

 

[Golden]

If so, MS is again offering a HP Family 3-pack for around $125. This is a better deal even than beta-testers were offered at $50 per. Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows 7 Family Pack/ Home Premium Upgrade - Retail 3 PCs

Now thats a deal! Well worth it....

 

[450125]

Problem solved, thanks

I used the advice given in http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html to install on my formerly XP-32 hard drive.

Used a student edition of Windows 7 professional (the one referenced earlier in the post).

The http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html tutorial is a good one. It worked perfectly. Thanks.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Good to see you got it running and thanks for the update.