OEM to Full Version W7

[DogT]

So I've been playing around with this old AMD dual core for years now and I started getting USB issues besides the 1/18 security update. What I was wondering is if I can just update from this OEM version of W7 Home Premium to either Full Version W7 Home Premium or Pro version? I see these W7 disks and keys on ebay for $30. Are they legit? It's just that if I want to install a new MB I'll have to get rid of my OEM version. Don't really want W10, too many issues there with some old hardware I still use.

 

[torchwood]

Hi Dogt,

Wouldn't touch it with a bargepole.

There are i believe only a couple of good suppliers your side of the pond, Newegg for one,
Its likely only to be Pro $100+.


Roy

 

[Megahertz07]

Do you have the OEM version of W7 Home Premium disk and the license key?

As it is an old computer and has a lot of trash all over, the best thing to do is a Clean Install Windows 7 - Windows 7 Help Forums. As it will format the drive, you must backup your data to a external disk.

You can also do a Repair install. It will reinstall Win 7, keeping all programs and data (and all the trash). Repair Install - Windows 7 Help Forums

For the updates, set WU to manual on Services and never check on WU page. Use the offline updates (SP2 and Security ONLY updates) MS releases SP2 for Windows 7 - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

[Layback Bear]

If you can find a legal copy of Windows 7 it will be Windows 7 Pro/64 SP-1.
The last two I bought were legal from a local dealer and cost $140.00 each.

Windows 7 can be downloaded legal online. The matching COA key is the problem.
The Windows 7 disk is worth little BUT the matching COA key is worth $140.00.

I like Roy would not touch Ebay for Windows 7. They don't make a pole long enough.
I'm not sure what you mean by Windows 7 "Full Version"

The good news is if you have the COA key from your system you can do a Clean Install or a Repair Install with that COA key. Their is no cost other than your time doing either one.

It looks something like this.




Jack

 

[DogT]

Yeah, I've got the W7 OEM System Builder Pack I bought years ago and have the key on the computer and the box too. What I was worried about is if this MB crashes (AMD Dual Core Athlon MSI MB) I supposedly can't use this OEM disk on a new MB although I've heard some manage to do it. My peripherals are in pretty good shape for what I need and have been upgraded since the MB was installed.

I've done clean installs and think about doing that with this AMD, but that's probably a day or 2 to reinstall everything and get it set up again. All my docs and the like are on a slaved F drive plus a B/U drive with disk image and backups. There are a few programs that need to be installed (with data) on the C drive but they are replaceable. I'm not sure it's worth doing a 'repair install'.

What would these ebay items be? Leftover disks from old systems or what? And why stay away if they register correctly? For example Microsoft Windows 7 home premium 32 64 Bit Full Version SP1 + Product Key | eBay

From what I read there are OEM versions which are locked to the MB and 'Full Version' which is transferable on any single built computer.

 

[Layback Bear]

If you have a OEM key and you have changed the motherboard you need to buy Windows 7 again.
Your OEM COA key will only work legally on the original motherboard it was first activated on.

A "Retail" Windows 7 COA key can be transferred legally to another computer as long as it is only on one computer at a time.


Jack

 

[DogT]

No one has answered my question about the ebay W7 disk and key. Are they legit or not, or is it just a matter of not liking ebay?

 

[Megahertz07]

Most ebay W7 disk and key are Pirate copies but they may work and activate. We can't be sure if it's legit or Pirate.
Try it and tell us if it has activated.

 

[torchwood]

Hi Dogt,

did you read the full description - dont think so

1) 32 and 64 bit installations are different - so there on 2 seperate discs NOT 1
2) He plainly states in 2 places these are repair/recovery discs - legitimate ones are only issued by OEM's
(1st disk is the OS 2nd has the drivers)
3) He also says they are COPIED, i know of a number of sites where i can get these.
4) Any product key will be valid for a period of 30 days, a trial period, before turning non-genuine.
(by which time the sellers money back guarentee period has most likely expired)
5) Retail and System Builder versions are the only versions that can be sold - SO ASK him
(OEM versions are tied to the original motherboard)

So its not we dont like Ebay -
if it sounds to good to be true, then it probobly isnt
by the way W7 is the most counterfieted item ever

Roy

Roy

 

[Layback Bear]

I don't know how many ways well can say it.
Don't Buy any Microsoft Operating System or Microsoft Office off of ebay.
We can do a lot of things on the internet but we can't check what you buy and install Windows 7 and then post the log.

Roy reads said logs very well.

Jack

 

[DogT]

Thank you all, that's what I wanted to know. I did read the stuff but not carefully. I do see some other offers that apparently are left over keys from perhaps dead/broken computers. It takes me a while to read and understand this stuff, not being in the business.

I kind of wonder if I could just buy a key from a 'Full Version' that has been removed from service/broken. I would think that would be legitimate, even using just the 'Full Version' key with my W7 discs, that is changing the product key from OEM to retail? All that is doing is transferring the key from one computer to another? Or am I still missing something?

All in all, though $140 is not that much. I've actually been thinking about rebuilding this computer with a new MB, SSDrive and a few upgrades with more than 8GB memory and a quad core. This computer has been good to me over the years, 3.2GB MSI with 8GB ram and a 10Krpm Raptor HD and a TB F drive for storage. I'm not a gamer and the most CPU intensive thing I have is SpectrumLab, which uses a lot of CPU to do FFT for sound card computations, that does slow it down. Other than that just casual Office and an old version 5.5 of PhotoShop which I'm amazed still runs on W7. I've got a bit of money in my Roth IRA I need to use before I check out.

Thanks again.

 

[torchwood]

Hi Dogt

As for using keys from another "dead" computer, they will not work on a retail motherboard, Gigabyte MSI etc.
after the trial period it will turn non-genuine as there will not be a SLIC table present, part of the MS validation process, thats just a simplistic explanation, there are other checks as well.

COA sticker keys are not "Full version" there still OEM - NON -transferrable
Retail and System builder are Full versions and Transferrable
(but can only be used on one comp at a time)

Roy

 

[DogT]

Got it, somewhat. But I understand that an OEM version (System Builder Pack - which is what I have) is pretty much stuck to a MB unless it's replaced as a bad MB. A 'Full Version' (Retail?) can be transferred to another (single) new computer from the same owner as long as the old computer is not used? Just to be legit. I have no intention of going past the system.

 

[Megahertz07]

There are two major Win 7 licenses:
Retail - For customers - Can be transferred from one computer to another.
OEM - To be used by Computers builders. Valid only for that computer.

Under OEM license you have two types
- OEM SLP for big builders (HP, Dell, Lenovo etc). This license aren't for sale for customers.
- OEM System Builder for small builders. This license are the one that you buy at Newegg etc.

 

[Brds7t7]

It is possible to get legit versions of Windows 7 from eBay. Your best bet would be to look for a Retail boxed version from an experienced business seller with a long history on eBay and good rating.

However, I highly recommend that you DON'T buy software from eBay at all. You have to REALLY know what to look for when it comes to counterfeit software. There are some VERY authentic looking ones these days, but little things do give them away. They look a lot more convincing these days than they did a few years ago. I saw some truly awful looking fakes that were obvious to spot.
I did have a friend buy a Retail version of Windows 8.1 Pro a year ago and it looked VERY authentic. Box looked authentic. But as soon as he showed it to me, there were little signs that gave it away:

Printed letters on the box COA were a slightly different font.
Product Key looked like it had been printed using a photocopier.
Printed booklets had a slightly different feel to the card.
Arrows on the discs didn't line up from Center to Outside Edge and was clearly a sticker running around the outside.

Running 'slmgr' showed the key to be an OEM_DM key and NOT a Retail key. To the untrained eye though, this would look and act like an Authentic Windows install - until the key gets flagged and blocked!

Moral of the long post - it's better to avoid Windows software from eBay, unless you really know what to look for.
I can spot a fake one a mile away these days!

 

[DogT]

So a legit retail version can be transferred from person to person? As long as it's only on 1 computer. I think I got my OEM from newegg or similar. Then it would be legit to buy a retail version from someone that gave up on their computer (say it broke) and was willing to get rid of the key and went on to perhaps another version of Win?

Can my OEM version be upgraded to Retail version with my OEM DVD? That is, only a legit key or COA as it's called. Or does it require a new disk? That was mainly what I was getting at.

Yes, I'm not that familiar with Win discs, so I would be best served to stay away from possible hacks. Like I say, it's not like I can't afford the $140, but I am a cheapskate. Just ask the wife.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[Barman58]

The disk is not the issue, the disk has no value apart from the cost of actual manufacture, and are free to obtain - What you need to obtain is a valid licence to use the software The basic choice for Windows 7 is becoming a lot simpler, Retail licences are very difficult to find at all and are extremely overpriced when you can find them. Even second use sellers are "catching on" to the supply and demand situation in the market and second hand licences are getting expensive $200-250 US and upwards.

The OEM market is slightly less expensive but is just as much a minefield of illegal copies - Used sold as new, Stolen Technet/MSDN, Pre-activated Pirate copies, and the occasional actual legitimate copy - Go to one of the Known Tech outfits, Not online only , best chance for small town america is the Mom & Pop store that keeps a bit of everything, A spade, a car part, and a couple of windows disks in the back from the good old days