Question? Vista-W7 upgrade

[Fastx]

Ok I have a question I need help with.

I have a HP laptop with a Vista Home Premium 64 bit on it now that came with no recovery disc from HP like on all DV2 laptops from HP.

So question is if I order the upgrade W 7 Home Premium preorder and install it on my laptop it should be no problem the first time even with out recovery disc since Vista will be on the harddrive. But if I do a second clean format reinstall say a year later (after the first upgrade install) to freshen up my laptop, will there be a problem installing W7 the second time since I have no recovery disc of Vista to put in the DVD as proof?

TIA

 

[Brink]

Hello Fastx, and welcome to Seven Forums.

If this is a retail upgrade version of Windows 7, then you should be able to do a clean install with it just like with a retail Vista upgrade version.

Clean Install From Upgrade Vista - Vista Forums

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Fastx]

Thanks and one last question.

Lets say after the first install a year later my W7 OS gets hosed and won't even boot up. Since HP doesn't include recovery disc with the DV2 laptops I am thinking I will not be able to reinstall my W7 retail upgrade in this situation or would I still be able install the retail upgrade W7??

Looks like it is a retail version.

You've been using Windows® 7 for a while now, and we hope you've been enjoying a simpler PC experience. Because you've been a loyal Windows customer, we're offering you the Windows 7 upgrade at a great introductory price* - only $49.99 for Home Premium or $99.99 for Professional. It's our way of saying thanks for trying it out. To take advantage of this deal, pre-order your copy while supplies last

.

 

[Brink]

Fastx,

Yes, you will still be able to do a clean reinstall of W7 if needed with this installation DVD using the same method above like with Vista.

 

[Fastx]

Ok I read that link you posted again in the above situation with no disc (or proof & unable to boot)) ok I see how or think I get it just install no key then reinstall with key.

Thanks!!

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Fastx.

 

[zrtom]

Shawn,
Has anyone tried going through the clean reinstall/upgrade install with Windows 7 to see whether it works the same as Vista? I realize it is a little early because the only keys out there are for Ultimate and they work in an "unusual" manner since they activate both architectures any number of times.

But before I recommend to clients that they jump on the $49.99 Upgrade bandwagon, I'd like to be able to tell them first-hand that a fresh install will work for upgrades from OEM Vista Home Premium (even though MS says it can be done).

One thing I was thinking is that since all versions are now subsets of Ultimate, maybe if one installed W7 Home Basic first (with no key) and then "upgraded" to Home Premium, that the Home Premium activation key would work and at the same time not create the upgrade folders or anything extraneous. That way, maybe the "I have selected the edition of Windows that I purchased" part is not necessary in the first go-round.

I was actually thinking of removing the ei.cfg file to unlock all versions, installing W7 Home Basic and then "upgrading" to W7 Home Premium to see what happens. Oops, maybe I have an assignment...

Also along these lines, does anyone know how the upgrade would work for situations where there is an OEM full installation disk available? For example, Dell ships a version of Vista which is the full installation but set to pre-activate if it finds the correct BIOS flag. MS specifically says you can do a clean install using the W7 upgrade disk. I'm curious how they validate a prior, bona fide, Vista installation. Maybe they use your tutorial....LOL

 

[Brink]

Hello Tom,

No one actually has a upgrade copy of Windows 7 yet to completely confirm it, but from what I'm seeing so far it should be the same as with Vista.

A OEM installation has always been a clean reinstall with no upgrade option I believe, unless a anytime upgrade was used.

 

[zrtom]

Thanks. Makes sense.
On Dell OEM installations, I have upgraded a Dell OEM Home Premium installation to Ultimate from within Vista using the Dell OEM Vista Ultimate disk; no special file editing or anything necessary. I wiped the HDD immediately afterwards, of course, due to potential licensing infringements....
Tom