Question regarding upgrading from Vista to Seven

[stormy13]

Fascinating discussion that didn't serve much purpose other than to likely scare the OP away.

Oh and for those that keeping going on about needing to have documentation/registrated/etc, remember what Greg said about the upgrade install being on the honor system? this is why,

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

Why pay $199 for a retail version if a $99 OEM version does the same thing.

Exactly. Other than price the only differences between retail and OEM is the licensing. With OEM it is locked to the computer it is first installed on, and you don't get free limited time support from Microsoft. Not really a big deal when there are forums like this that you can get as good or better help from.

 

[MacGyvr]

Hi,

I bought a used computer from swap shop so my son and I can use it. It's a used dell computer. Bought it for $100 without even knowing that it works. Guy gave his word that it works. We only want to use it for browsing the internet for facebook, youtube or reading e-mails. My son is young and I don't need to use any other uses of a computer such as outlook e-mail, documents...
Anyways, After I put it and it states that Vista Windows is locked because it wasn't activated. After a quick search on the internet, says that vista should be activated within 30 days, if not, needs to be purchased. Computer does not have Vista keys attached nor came with any cd, booklets, box...
I went back to swap shop to see the guy but his space is empty, he's not there.
I'm planning on purchasing Windows Seven and install it on this computer.

My question is after putting the Windows Seven disc in, will I be able to install Seven and will it go over Vista so it won't give me problems?
Microsoft shows it at $199, is it the same price everywhere, can I get it cheaper anywhere else?

Thank you for your help.
Cindi

You can get the Home Premium upgrade for $139. Yes, you can install it, but DO NOT under any circumstances install it OVER Vista. You need to do a clean install or you will have nothing but problems down the road.

 

[Cindi]

The focal point should be on the OP who needs to know what to do. If you believe it is ok to install a Win7 over an un-activated Vista which may or may not be genuine and without a product key, go ahead and tell the OP.

I read everything mentioned here, I'm confused as I don't know much about computers. So, if I buy the OEM Windows 7, would it install (and erase) over Windows Vista? If that's the case, where can I get the OEM Windows 7 disc?
Thanks

 

[seavixen32]

Amazon would be one place you could try, but be wary of E-bay.

Amazon.co.uk: window 7 oem

Just remenber that you won't get any support from Microsoft with the OEM version of Windows, but you can get help from us here.

Also, this version will be tied to the computer you install it on.

 

[Cindi]

Thank you seavixen32. Your link is a UK link. Is this what I need? Same as your recommendation? Windows Seven OEM:
Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 32-bit - Operating Systems

 

[karlsnooks]

Cindi,

We still need an answer to a very important question.

Does the computer have a COA (certificate of authority) sticker on it?

YES or NO.

That coa will have a number on it.

You review very carefully the advice from GregRocker as how to install Win 7 on the computer and follow his advice to the letter.

 

[DocBrown]

I just checked the Dell website for Cindi's computer.

OptiPlex 755 Desktop Details | Dell

Very dis-appointing with the info they provide Memory ? CPU ? OS ?

 

[seavixen32]

Cindi, you need this one for the United States: Amazon.com: Online Shopping for Electronics, Apparel, Computers, Books, DVDs & more

The New Egg link is spot on for what you want.

 

[whs]

Thank you seavixen32. Your link is a UK link. Is this what I need? Same as your recommendation? Windows Seven OEM:
Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 32-bit - Operating Systems

Again, try this thing out with Linux before you spend any money. Who know whether it will even say a peep.

 

[Cindi]

Thank you everybody.
No, it doesn't have certificate of authenticity or any other sticker on the computer except OptiPlex 755 sticker. I will follow the direction, erase everything, then install. If I'm unable to follow instructions and cannot erase prior to instalment, would it be ok to continue with the installation?
Thank you seavixen32, I will purchase it next Friday.
I appreciate everybody's knowledge/experience/advice.
(I will try linux, ubuntu...first but again I don't know much, we'll see)

 

[gregrocker]

See if you can boot into Safe Mode with Command Line by tapping F8 at bootup, then type into Command Line slmgr -rearm which might give you another 30 days to activate.
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/...ns-with-windows-vista-product-key-activation/

Then you can run Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor - Download - Microsoft Windows as suggested by Stormy which will tell you all you need to know.

 

[karlsnooks]

You can use that Win 7 DVD to wipe your hard disk clean!

1. go to a command prompt using the win 7 dvd,
2. use the diskpart command and its commands to clean the disk

Here's how:

​

​

[FONT=&quot]COMMAND PROMPT - GO TO A COMMAND PROMPT USING YOUR WIN 7 DVD[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]​

■Boot up from your Windows 7 DVD.
■At the first dialog window, press SHIFT + F10 key combo
■You will have a X:> command prompt
X: is a ram drive created by Windows 7.

​

​

===========================================
============================================

and now how to clean the disc:

​

​

[FONT=&quot]WIPE A DISK CLEAN[/FONT]​

· type DiskPart, Enter key
· type List disk, Enter key
note the numeral of the disk you want to clean
for example purposes, I’ll be using the numeral 0
· type Select disk 0, Enter key
· type Detail disk, Enter key
this info will let you know if you selected correctly
· type Clean ALL, Enter key
your entire disk is being overwritten with zeros.
This can take a considerable amount of time
· type EXIT, Enter key (only after Clean is finished)
· type EXIT, Enter key (this gets you back where you were)

 

[George Herzog]

Hi Cindi,
If you are going to go ahead with installing W7, I suggest you do it in two stages AND this may seem a bit odd. But after all, the guy who sold you the computer was not on the up and up.

First, either with a LiveCD of Puppy Linux or Ubuntu Linux - verify that the computer is working well. This will not cost you anything. It is just to verify that the hardware is intact. The ONLY drawback with this is that you will have to get someone that understands what to do. The other alternative is to use a computer expert/shop to handle the upgrade for a small fee and to verify your hardware.

Second, reformat the hard disk to completely remove the Vista before you install the new W7. That should both avoid future problems and make the installation a rather straight forward task.

I want to thank people here as I've been rather impatient and shifted over to Ubuntu Linux in the disastrous Vista launch. I have a 64bit machine, a Quad Core 2, that I'd like to install W7 to, but was fearful of getting stuck with something bad from an OEM deal. I happen to be in Taiwan, so there isn't much recourse if it doesn't work due to being a fraudulent vendor.