New laptop, use old hard drive?!

[RunOrDie]

First of all, thanks to everyone that wrote on this thread, it really means alot to be cared upon.

Secondly, I wanted to be clear that indeed my Clean Install we using the retail version of Windows 7. My laptop's OS was Windows 7 Home Premium, but I upgraded to Ultimate when I bought my SSD.

Third, I do not think I was clear, but the new laptop will basically be identical as it will be an Warranty Replacement. If the replacement also has Windows 7, then everything will be golden? Swapping hard drives will work flawlessly?

PS: Since the technician noted on the comments that my DVD drive is not functioning, below it has "MB Issue". I asked for further clarification and they told me that the controller for the DVD is not working on the MB...

I thought it was b/c I can't access the BIOS menu...Like whenever I turn on the laptop, I see the screen and press F2 or DEL or ENTER or every other key, and it brings up the Windows Boot Options...That has to do with the MB right? It's not some settings or Driver related? Cause I installed all of those from the Clean Install.

Thanks again!
Means so much!

 

[Layback Bear]

Thank you very much for getting back to us. I hope all comes out well for you.

 

[gregrocker]

Your technician should have tried resetting the BIOS to defaults to see if the DVD will boot, but if not you can try that now: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS

Was the DVD drive booting for the reinstall? How is performance otherwise?

Did you buy an Ultimate Anytime Upgrade key to upgrade the Home Premium which came with the PC, or do you have Full or Upgrade retail Win7 Ultimate?

In order to use the image of the previous PC's Win7 Ultimate on a new PC it will need to be a retail Win7 key. To qualify to move an Upgrade key to the new PC it needs to have a lesser version of Win7, any Vista or XP on it. Otherwise it would need to be a full retail version if it were, for example, a Win8 PC since that would not be considered (by MS) an Upgrade to go from Win8 to Win7.

As to supposed "misinformation" about a prospective factory OEM key being used to reactivate on an entirely new PC: While some OEM's get around the loss of license when mobo is changed by replacing the exact same mobo, this activation workaround would not apply to a completely new PC even if its hardware was an exact match - which is in doubt since OP was referring originally to activating Win7 factory OEM in an entirely new Win8 machine.

Keep in mind if you buy a Win7 PC with the same version preinstalled, then you can move your current Win7 HD or it's image to the new PC using the new license by inserting the new Product Key at Control Panel>System. This will free up your retail license to be used elsewhere, unless you need the few extra expensive features in Ultimate on the new PC, in which case you can easily move retail Ultimate by deleting it on the old PC and reactivating it on the new one.

Again if there is any variance in the hardware causing moved Win7 to BSOD or stall at boot animation, you can either SysPrep the Win7 in the old machine before moving it or its image, or do a P2P Adjust of the OS to the new hardware by booting Paragon Adaptive Restore CD freeware.

 

[RunOrDie]

I tried entering the BIOS, but with all of the buttons that should enter BIOS, it brings me to the Windows Boot Manager instead.

I am just afraid that with the new warranty replacement laptop, the same thing would persist.

I am wondering if the BIOS has to do with the MB or with the drivers and settings I had control over? I just don't want it to be something I caused, rather a faulty MB or something like it was indicated on my repair overview sheet.

 

[gregrocker]

I asked you if the DVD drive worked for the reinstall?

See if you have the latest BIOS version from the Sony Downloads page, which may resolve the issue.

Did the tech test the DVD drive to see if it needs repair or replacement, or do something else to determine it is a mobo fault?

Put a known-bootable CD or DVD in the drive and attempt to trigger it with Sony (F2) Boot Menu key.

 

[RunOrDie]

I asked you if the DVD drive worked for the reinstall?

See if you have the latest BIOS version from the Sony Downloads page, which may resolve the issue.

Did the tech test the DVD drive to see if it needs repair or replacement, or do something else to determine it is a mobo fault?

Put a known-bootable CD or DVD in the drive and attempt to trigger it with Sony (F2) Boot Menu key.

Yes, I have the latest BIOS version.

I think the tech said the "ODD is not working", and beneath it says "MB issue".

What I am wondering if why I can't access the BIOS menu when I first turn on my laptop?

Is the BIOS part of the motherboard or from the settings and Drivers that I have control over? Cause I am thinking if I get the replacement laptop, the same issue might persist if the BIOS is related to the Drivers and other various settings.

 

[gregrocker]

The BIOS is not affected by drivers, only the latest BIOS version.

Try resetting the BIOS to defaults to see if you can access menu. What key are you tapping? Are you tapping vigorously enough? I show F2 key for Sony but it may be different so look on first screen.

 

[RunOrDie]

The BIOS is not affected by drivers, only the latest BIOS version.

Try resetting the BIOS to defaults to see if you can access menu. What key are you tapping? Are you tapping vigorously enough? I show F2 key for Sony but it may be different so look on first screen.

Oh ok, right then, I have the latest BIOS version.

And I know I am tapping the correct key and I am tapping vigorously enough. A few months back, I could not access BIOS. Then after I installed Sony Care, I can access BIOS again with F2.

Now after the repair, I can no longer access the BIOS...

I'll just wait for the replacement laptop then...I am sure I can access the BIOS then?

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Must admit I was of the same opinion - for what it is worth - as Layback Bear was in post#20 oh well suppose it is under control now eh?

 

[AddRAM]

Dam, I thought you wouldn`t have posted again unless you had troubles activating windows 7 on your new laptop.... What gives now ????

 

[RunOrDie]

*UPDATE*
So I received an update from Sony Canada and they notified me saying that once the Vaio arrives at Sony Canada HQ, their service team will be the ones doing the conversion to Windows 7, since the laptop is indeed the newer version with Windows 8...

So I assume all drivers and such would work properly with Windows 7? Is it also safe to say I can swap drives then?

I was wondering if they can install Windows 7 onto the hard drive and make it work, then my Solid State Drive should have no problems. Since the replacement laptop is indeed the Windows 8 version, Sony Canada will be installing Windows 7 onto it. So all of the drivers, hardware should be working as they will be the ones installing/converting to Windows 7 and making it work properly.

PS:Once they install Windows 7, then do you think the tech team know enough to install all of the correct drivers and etc to make the laptop run perfectly?
So then the question of will my Windows 7 SSD work if I swap..

 

[gregrocker]

You seem to be confused with XP which requires a search for drivers. Win7 is a driver-complete OS that provides all of the drivers in the installer and via optional Windows Updates, so once you get online do all rounds of Important and Optional Updates after enabling Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3).

Then you only need to concern yourself with any drivers still missing in Device Manager, or if stuck with Standard VGA display driver will want to import the latest from the PC's Support Downloads webpage.

All of this is detailed along with other tools and methods that assure a perfect install in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

 

[RunOrDie]

You seem to be confused with XP which requires a search for drivers. Win7 is a driver-complete OS that provides all of the drivers in the installer and via optional Windows Updates, so once you get online do all rounds of Important and Optional Updates after enabling Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3).

Then you only need to concern yourself with any drivers still missing in Device Manager, or if stuck with Standard VGA display driver will want to import the latest from the PC's Support Downloads webpage.

All of this is detailed along with other tools and methods that assure a perfect install in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

Thanks for your help Greg!

BTW, what is XP?

Also, I have all of the required drivers on my SSD to ensure a working Windows 7 (I am using my SSD now). And when the Sony tech team is installing Windows 7 onto my Windows 8 laptop, I am pretty sure they will install the correct drivers as well.

So why can't I just swap hard drives again, besides the activation issue?

 

[gregrocker]

As long as the BIOS settings are the same as you had previously, e.g. turn off Secure Boot, enable Legacy BIOS if Win7 wasn't installed in UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Forums, ACHI preferred mode.

Then you should be able to swap in the Win7 HD and if it won't start due to the hardware change, adjust it to start on new hardware using Paragon Adaptive Restore CD freeware. Burn the ISO to CD using Windows Image Burner, boot to P2P adjust the Win7 OS, provide any SATA driver requested.

Once Win7 boots and swaps out all drivers requesting several restarts, get online to run all Important and Optional Windows Updates after enabling Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3), change the Product Key at Computer>Properties so it re-records the hardware signature associated with the WIn7 retail Product key.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

You seem to be confused with XP which requires a search for drivers. Win7 is a driver-complete OS that provides all of the drivers in the installer and via optional Windows Updates, so once you get online do all rounds of Important and Optional Updates after enabling Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3).

Then you only need to concern yourself with any drivers still missing in Device Manager, or if stuck with Standard VGA display driver will want to import the latest from the PC's Support Downloads webpage.

All of this is detailed along with other tools and methods that assure a perfect install in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

Thanks for your help Greg!


Also, I have all of the required drivers on my SSD to ensure a working Windows 7 (I am using my SSD now). And when the Sony tech team is installing Windows 7 onto my Windows 8 laptop, I am pretty sure they will install the correct drivers as well.


BTW, what is XP?
I think and I stand to be corrected Runordie Greg means the old Windows XP OS but I suppose I could be wrong

 

[RunOrDie]

OK, so finally I can update you guys on my situation.

So today was the day I received my replacement laptop.

Too my surprise, I still can't access the BIOS menu...I pressed F2 (Which always worked for me in the past), DELETE, F8 etc. and non of them work. They all bring me up to the Windows Boot Manager.

And furthermore, when I swapped drives, on the replacement laptop, all I get is Operating System Not Found...

So I ran CPU-Z and indeed the replacement does have a different BIOS. So should I download the same one and install it on the replacement?

Also, my SSD is UEFI, don't know if that helps or not...

PS: To make my exciting day worse, I found a blue stuck/dead pixel...URGH, don't know what I can do about that...

 

[gregrocker]

As the new laptop is using UEFI BIOS it may be accessible following the method shown in Downgrade Windows 8 to Windows 7 to Disable Secure Boot.

 

[RunOrDie]

Thanks for the advice, but my replacement is already using Windows 7 OS. Sony has already converted the Windows 8 hard drive into Windows 7.

But as I insert my Windows 7 SSD, it has "Operating System Not Found."
Also, I can't access my BIOS in the replacement laptop...I access my BIOS from my original laptop by pressing F2...but not the case with the replacement...I tried every other possibility I know.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Thanks for the advice, but my replacement is already using Windows 7 OS. Sony has already converted the Windows 8 hard drive into Windows 7.

But as I insert my Windows 7 SSD, it has "Operating System Not Found."
Also, I can't access my BIOS in the replacement laptop...I access my BIOS from my original laptop by pressing F2...but not the case with the replacement...I tried every other possibility I know.

Found this mate might not even work but worth try as it seems there are a lot of VAIO owners with the same problem

Sony Vaio UEFI BIOS Windows 7 8