Fresh install of Win7Pro using OEM disk but Anytime Upgrade Key

[stevegnh]

I'm not sure if this will work, and I read a bunch of threads, but can't determine what my result may be, so I thought I'd ask.

My Dell XPS8300 2.5 year old Seagate 1TB HD is going south. I ordered a WD 1TB black to replace it. So I'll be doing a fresh install tomorrow. The PC originally came with Windows 7 Home Premium as OEM and has the CA sticker on the cabinet. I do not have the Home Premium media (didn't come with a disk).

Right after I bought the PC, I did a Windows anytime upgrade to Windows 7 Professional. So I have that license key. I also have an Windows 7 Professional Install Disk, that ships with a new computer (from another source).

I would like to install the OS using that Win 7 Pro disk, and then use my Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade key to activate my OS. Will this work?

If not, any good ideas on doing this, or must I find an OEM home premium disk, install that first with the original OEM key, and they reactivate my Pro install with the Anytime Upgrade key?

Thanks.

 

[gregrocker]

Unfortunately you can't use Anytime Upgrade key to activate a Clean Install of Professional. You'll have to install Home Premium and then insert the key in Anytime Upgrade to unlock Pro's few extra expensive features which most consumers don't need.

In the future save a Backup image of the finished Upgrade so you can use it to reimage in 20 minutes rather than waste hours reinstalling. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html

Everything needed to do a perfect reinstall including the installer for your licensed version is here: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164

 

[stevegnh]

Bummer, but not a real big deal I guess. So another question, which I think I know the answer too from reading...

I have downloaded the Win7 SP1 Home Premium ISO. I've created the bootable DVD. Even though my OEM CA key is for non SP1, that key should still work when I use this Home Premium SP1 image right?

And you're point about saving a new image is a good one. I need to learn more about doing that. Are you using a native Windows feature to do that, something in the Backup and Recovery applet, or a 3rd party product?

Thank you again.

 

[gregrocker]

Yes SP1.

Please click on the included links to read illustrated tutorials.

This is your chance to do a perfect install better than all others if you will stick with the steps in tutorial which compile everything that works best for Win7.

 

[stevegnh]

Will do, than you!

 

[stevegnh]

WOW! I just went through some of the tutorials. How cool is that. You guys really know how to write up a "how to!" Great stuff, and I certainly will create this image in case I ever need to do this again...

 

[gregrocker]

Many of our tutorials including Clean Reinstall have over a million web views.

 

[stevegnh]

So once question I'm not sure about...Since I'm going to have to install Home Premium first, and then upgrade to Pro with my anytime upgrade key, during setup, will I still be able to get into Audit mode in Home Premium, or is that only a Pro and higher option/feature?

Thanks.

 

[gregrocker]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/14422-compare-windows-7-editions.html

 

[stevegnh]

Thanks. I just did a trial run on the old disk (while I wait for the new one), and upon quitting the sysprep utility, when it runs it's cleanup, it resulted in an error. "A fatal error occurred while trying to sysprep the machine." I will google it, but any quick answers/suggestions?

Thanks

 

[gregrocker]

What is SysPrep being used for?

An alternative is http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/292068-make-windows-7-bootable-after-motherboard-swap.html which works well and is easier.

 

[stevegnh]

I'm using it to create the Out of the Box system image for future use if I want to easily refresh the PC. I'll look at that link you sent, thanks.

 

[gregrocker]

For use on the same PC you only need a backup image saved using a program like Win7's to http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html or http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html?ltr=I which is popular here and more flexible for changing the partition structure at the same time.

It's only necessary to generalize the OS (remove drivers, activation, SID and HID's) if you want to apply the image to new hardware. I find it easier to boot the PAR disk to adapt the image to new hardware than to use SysPrep. However if you would like more specific help with http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...lation-transfer-new-computer.html#post1161038 then I'd ask the tutorial's author in Comments section.
(I see he just showed up below! )

 

[Kari]

Thanks. I just did a trial run on the old disk (while I wait for the new one), and upon quitting the sysprep utility, when it runs it's cleanup, it resulted in an error. "A fatal error occurred while trying to sysprep the machine." I will google it, but any quick answers/suggestions?

Thanks

Most common reason for a fatal Sysprep error is that Windows Media Player Network Sharing service is running. It must be stopped before sysprepping.

To stop said service give this command in Command Prompt before running Sysprep:

net stop WMPNetworkSvc

Also the IE10 can cause Sysprep fatal error. Read more here: Sysprep Fatal Error With IE 10 (FIX) | System Administration. Notice that this error only occurs with IE10 or older versions, not with IE11.

What is SysPrep being used for?

This from Microsoft:

   Information

Important

You must use the Sysprep /generalize command to generalize a complete Windows installation before you can use the installation for deployment to a new computer, whether you use imaging, hard disk duplication, or another method. Moving or copying a Windows image to a different computer without running the Sysprep /generalize command is not supported.

Kari

 

[stevegnh]

Thanks all. I did figure out the media player process issue, stopped that, and got it all to work great. I won't be using the image on any other PCs, but I like the "Out of the box" image SysRep gives you if you refresh.

One question, when creating the system image, it shows I have about 40GB in use for the OS. Would I need all of that space to create the image, or will it be substantially less? Just trying to figure out if I create it on my NAS, or use DVDs if it's just a couple.

Thanks

 

[gregrocker]

I would never save an image to DVD's.

 

[stevegnh]

Thanks. I think I'm good now. You guys are great here, very much appreciated.

 

[Kari]

Here's a complete walkthrough for you, you clearly know the Sysprep already but this might give some fresh ideas when creating an Out-of-the-Box image next time: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/319903-windows-7-image-customize-audit-mode-sysprep.html.

Kari

 

[AddRAM]

I`ve used Macrium and Windows for disk images, Macrium is always much smaller.

 

[stevegnh]

That's the guide I was following actually.

I got it all working as planned on the old drive. Now I have it ready to go with the new drive. One question though - I'm first installed home premium, then applying my anytime upgrade key back to Pro. I can do this before I run sysrep and create the image right? i don't think that will mess anything up.