Solved Clean install on a SSD instead of a HDD (can I use my COA?)

[HAVOC]

I have an Acer Aspire One. It has a 300GB HDD. If I buy a SSD and install it, will I be able to download the same version of Windows (Home Premium 64) and use the same number on the bottom of the netbook to activate Windows? Or will installing a SSD cause me to buy a retail copy?

Thank you.

 

[theog]

Yes, you can use the same number on the bottom of the netbook to activate, but must delete the OLD INSTALL.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/174907-clean-install-factory-coa-activation-key.html

 

[HAVOC]

The old HDD will be formatted once I'm sure the new SSD and OS are working properly.

 

[gregrocker]

Everything you need is here including the installer to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

You can also consider SSD - Install and transfer the Operating System.

If space is or becomes short on the SSD you can copy User folders to the HD, rightclick to add to their related Library - Include a Folder - Windows 7 Forums

 

[HAVOC]

Will there be any advantage in me buying a OEM version: Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - Operating Systems and a SSD at the same time? I'm just looking at my options for doing a clean install. I still have to head to Acer's website and download the drivers I'll need.

 

[theog]

Do you have use for a NEW COA key?

 

[bigmck]

Will there be any advantage in me buying a OEM version: Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - Operating Systems and a SSD at the same time? I'm just looking at my options for doing a clean install. I still have to head to Acer's website and download the drivers I'll need.

When you purchased your PC, you also purchased a Win 7 license. The product key which is the sticker on your PC is your license. There is no reason to buy a new one from Newegg. You can go to this site Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO from Digital River « My Digital Life download the ISO of the version you have and burn a copy on a DVD at no more that 4X. This will be exactly what you would buy from Newegg. You can then activate using the same sticker on your PC.

 

[gregrocker]

Will there be any advantage in me buying a OEM version: Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - Operating Systems and a SSD at the same time? I'm just looking at my options for doing a clean install. I still have to head to Acer's website and download the drivers I'll need.

Did you even read the tutorial I linked which shows how this is done?

It provides the installer to use with the license you already own, so why would you buy a new one?

It also is quite specific about how Win7 handles drivers in these cases, so I don't know why you're going on about Acer drivers.

Please pay attention to our help so we're not just wasting our time.

 

[HAVOC]

I was just seeing which might be easier. Some ISO's I've burned didn't work, maybe because of the write speed I had the burn set to. I now know to set it at 4X.
I've read some of the tutorial. I'll read the whole thing and add anything that I may have an issue with after the install.
Sorry if I made it seem like I wasn't following your advice. This netbook is the only computer I have available right now, my main system is apart waiting for me to transfer the parts into a new case.

 

[HAVOC]

My clean install went well. I found a way to make restore disks using Acer software which is preloaded on the netbook. I made the restore disk set which uses 4 DVD's and then made a AppDrv disk (1 DVD) that has all drivers and programs that come preinstalled. It's nice to have if I ever want to put this thing back to the way it came out the box. I also had to use the AppDrv disk to install drivers after installing 7.

 

[gregrocker]

What drivers were still missing in Device Manager after installing all Important and Optional Updates? It's rare there is more than one or two. And the place to get them as stated in the tutorial is the Support Downloads webpage for your PC model.

Why is it that some people hold so tight to old XP methods that no longer apply with Win7, the first driver-complete OS in the the installer and via Windows Updates? In Windows 8 you don't even interact with drivers but it is all done in the background, using improvements developed in Win7. Are you going to cling to XP methods there, too?

 

[HAVOC]

I had no drivers for ethernet, wireless or wired (couldn't connect to the internet), so I installed all the drivers for my netbook from the disk I created using software that was originally preinstalled. In hindsight I probably installed some drivers that were not needed or older versions.

I'll do another clean install and then install just the ethernet drivers (probably just wireless) so I can connect to Windows Update and let it find the drivers needed (that's what I usually do). I'll get the wireless driver from Acer's website and put it on a thumbdrive.

As of right now there are 106 updates to install with some of them related to hardware.

 

[gregrocker]

Again, did you even bother reading the tutorial which you were given to get a perfect reinstall? It says quite clearly to put your wireless driver on a stick or CD to get online quickly to do your Windows Updates which will provided newer and missing drivers.

Make sure you have the latest official installer with SP1 to avoid hours of updating, also provided in tutorial.

If you will stick with the methods and tools in the tutorial ONLY you'll be assured a perfect install which can be preserved permanently with a backup image after it's set up and running fine.

 

[HAVOC]

I did the reinstall. The ISO came from this site: Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO from Digital River « My Digital Life
I installed wireless drivers from my thumb drive and then went to Windows Update to get everything else.
I still had to install the wired LAN drivers, Synaptics touchpad drivers and the Intel chipset drivers.
Now I know exactly what I need and got rid of the unwanted software that comes bundled.