Solved Help installing windows 7 on a New hard drive

[Raist]

Hi just have a few questions about installing windows 7 on a brand new hard drive. Well i actually have a few questions so i will give you a little background first.
1. My hard drive failed on me a couple weeks ago and i was ever so intelligent enough NOT to make back-up cd's
2. I am in the process of ordering a new hard drive and need to install windows 7 on it.
3. the system had Vista home Premium 64
Ok so my questions... What version of Win7 should i order? I want home premium again but i dont think i qualify for an upgrade version because my previous version of Vista is completely inaccessible. So do i order the Builders pack/kit because i am installing a new hard drive? Also any helpful tutorials that may help my situation would be great i checked out the tutorials section and well quite frankly i was lost almost as soon as i started looking >.<

 

[mckillwashere]

Normally I would not suggest this, but since your laptop has an OEM license and the OEM is tied to the motherboard of the laptop, There is a way to modify an upgrade disk to run a full install.

Look into this.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html#post327722

Like I said before normally I would not suggest anything like this but technically your not breaking the terms of use just slightly bending

 

[Bill2]

Normally I would not suggest this, but since your laptop has an OEM license and the OEM is tied to the motherboard of the laptop, There is a way to modify an upgrade disk to run a full install.

Look into this.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html#post327722

Like I said before normally I would not suggest anything like this but technically your not breaking the terms of use just slightly bending

Theres nothing abnormal or sinister about this suggestion. Since the OP has a qualifying underlying OS, he's perfectly entitled to use the upgrade disk, the underlying OS doesnt necessarily have to be installed.

Only thing to remember is that the upgrade obsoletes the underlying OS, so OP cant use the old vista license (say via an image or restore disks) while he's using the upgraded win7.

 

[mckillwashere]

Normally I would not suggest this, but since your laptop has an OEM license and the OEM is tied to the motherboard of the laptop, There is a way to modify an upgrade disk to run a full install.

Look into this.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html#post327722

Like I said before normally I would not suggest anything like this but technically your not breaking the terms of use just slightly bending

Theres nothing abnormal or sinister about this suggestion. Since the OP has a qualifying underlying OS, he's perfectly entitled to use the upgrade disk, the underlying OS doesnt necessarily have to be installed.

Only thing to remember is that the upgrade obsoletes the underlying OS, so OP cant use the old vista license (say via an image or restore disks) while he's using the upgraded win7.

Im a sticker for licensing since one of my former employes got our group MSDN banned and all keys revoked... and I have expressed feelings against the use of that method before which is why i clarified

 

[Raist]

I cant thank you guys enough will bookmark the thread to come back to it when my hard drive shows up. Last thing i know that some computers with vista installed purchased before a certain date my computers manufacture date is 10/28/09 and i purchased it Very shortly after that (maybe a month). Is it possible i fall under the ones who are ineligible for the upgrade or was this just for "Free" upgrades? Thanks again you guys really are Great!

 

[Bill2]

I agree with your thinking, one must abide by the license. Fortunately, its perfectly legal to clean install win7 on a blank hard disk as long as one is licensed for the underlying OS. Just FYI, you can read here.

Microsoft Says Windows 7 Install Workaround Is Legal - PCWorld

 

[mckillwashere]

Yes I agree with that decision, its just when its people having built new pcs and an upgrade "on accident"

 

[mckillwashere]

I cant thank you guys enough will bookmark the thread to come back to it when my hard drive shows up. Last thing i know that some computers with vista installed purchased before a certain date my computers manufacture date is 10/28/09 and i purchased it Very shortly after that (maybe a month). Is it possible i fall under the ones who are ineligible for the upgrade or was this just for "Free" upgrades? Thanks again you guys really are Great!

It was just free upgrades... MS is a corporation they will take your money regardless XD

 

[Raist]

Wonderful wonderful you guys are just Great Kudos to both of you and Thank you again!

 

[Bill2]

Last thing i know that some computers with vista installed purchased before a certain date my computers manufacture date is 10/28/09 and i purchased it Very shortly after that (maybe a month). Is it possible i fall under the ones who are ineligible for the upgrade or was this just for "Free" upgrades?

Gateway, like other vendors was offering free win7 upgrade if the computer was purchased between june 26, 2009 and jan 31, 2010. But only certain models were eligible, you need to check at the gateway site or contact their support.

 

[Raist]

well i just contacted those guys and getting something free from them is like playing with piranha Lol. oh well looks like i will be purchasing recovery media from them though looks to be my cheapest route. just dont have the cash atm. to purchase 7. Well thanks again guys and have a Blessed Day