Not genuine windows 7

[blindaussie]

I bought this laptop off eBay about 6 weeks ago and just found out it hasn't got a genuine window 7 installed. I went to the dell web site and entered the laptop ID and found out it's suppose to have windows Vista installed.I want to know if I re install windows vista (which is what dell told me I could do) if i bought and Installed the windows 7 upgrade would it register ok with windows

 

[Golden]

Yes, as long as the Vista is genuine. Is there a COA sticker stuck beneath the laptop? If so, what version of Windows does it refer to?

 

[blindaussie]

Windows Vista Home Premiuim

 

[Golden]

That will be ok then.

 

[blindaussie]

thanks for your help

 

[blindaussie]

does anyone know where i can download a copy of windows vista home edition iso so i can re-install with my serial number as i do not have the original copy as the person i bought it off install windows 7 over the top and i have search dell and can't get an answer on how to get a copy

 

[Ranger4]

Do you actually have a Windows 7 upgrade disc, or are you planning to get one. I doubt if you will be able to find any Vista installations anywhere & in fact it is very hard to find Windows 7 other than OEM. Microsoft do have Windows 7 downloadable versions at their website, but they are more expensive that an OEM.

 

[blindaussie]

I was planning on buying it on ebay

 

[NoelDP]

NEVER buy software on eBay! - well over 50% is counterfeit.

 

[Ranger4]

does anyone know where i can download a copy of windows vista home edition iso so i can re-install with my serial number as i do not have the original copy as the person i bought it off install windows 7 over the top and i have search dell and can't get an answer on how to get a copy

As you don't have a Windows 7 upgrade disc & as NoelDP has warned against buying it on eBay, the easiest way would just buy a straight Windows 7 installation disc & install it onto your laptop & forget about going via Vista.

You can try & get an OEM version from a computer shop or you can get one direct from Microsoft. These will of course cost a bit but you will have a valid activation key & a disc for future use if needed.

 

[NoelDP]

You can't buy OEM System Builder licenses from MS - they only sell Retail or Upgrade licenses direct to the public.
The best value would be an Upgrade - you can clean-install this using the double-install method.
Alternatively, you can purchase an OEM System Builder license pack from a reputable store/site.

 

[Ranger4]

You can't buy OEM System Builder licenses from MS - they only sell Retail or Upgrade licenses direct to the public.
The best value would be an Upgrade - you can clean-install this using the double-install method.
Alternatively, you can purchase an OEM System Builder license pack from a reputable store/site.

You are absolutely correct NoelDP. I did not word my reply very well & it certainly could have been misleading.

Would an upgrade really be cheaper as the OP has to get a Vista installation & then get a Windows 7 upgrade as well. That's why I suggested going straight to a 7 installation.

I have since checked the Microsoft web store & it seems that Windows 7 retail discs are no longer available here in Australia, so the only alternative seems to be an OEM disc.

 

[NoelDP]

There is no requirement to have Vista installed for installing a Windows 7 Upgrade - merely to have a valid license for the machine in question.
This means that the only necessary purchase, where the machine has a valid Windows Vista COA sticker, is the Upgrade.
The install is done first, using the Default Key, and then immediately upgraded using the proper Upgrade Key.
This procedure is supported by MS.