Reinstalling Win 7 on laptop from OEM DVD

[bennett2198]

I have a Gateway portable with Windows 7 pre-installed. It is licensed and registered. I did not get an Windows 7 disk with the machine but can reload Win 7 from a hidden partition (This seems the standard way for laptops and netbooks). I will be buying a new desktop system as well as a Windows 7 (OEM) disk. Is it possible to install the new OEM version on my desktop using the license key that came with it and them re-install Windows 7 on my laptop using the same disk but applying the license key that came with the Gateway laptop?

 

[Jonathan_King]

Hello Bennett, Welcome!

The answer is yes, it is possible. I am not sure about the legality, but I would not worry about it if I were you. As long as you are not stealing any keys...

Hope this helps,
~Jonathan

 

[seekermeister]

I'll leave your question to those better versed in the subject, but if you are going to buy a copy of W7, why not buy a retail version? An OEM version is disposible and can't be used on a different machine. If your ever had to upgrade the components in your laptop (unlikely) or had to get a different laptop, such as a warranty replacement, that OEM copy would no longer be any good. From what I found on eBay, a retail upgrade disk was cheaper than the OEM disks that I found.

 

[theog]

Hi

If all the keys are Home P, all will work on a Win7 Home P DVD.

If you are building the PC yourself take a look:

http://www.sevenforums.com/software/41571-must-read-oem-license-users.html

 

[richc46]

Hi

If all the keys are Home P, all will work on a Win7 Home P DVD.

If you are building the PC yourself take a look:

http://www.sevenforums.com/software/41571-must-read-oem-license-users.html

MS is cracking down on OEM use. The rules are not as lax as they use to be.

 

[jim0933]

I'd strongly suggest that you backup from the hidden partition to ensure that you will be able to find all the drivers that the computer manufacturer has provided for your computer. Using an upgrade or OEM or other type of DVD may result in a lot of heartache trying to find drivers for obscure hardware that the computer manufacturer has already tweaked for you and that may not be available to the general public.

Good luck.

Jim Pickering

 

[richc46]

I'd strongly suggest that you backup from the hidden partition to ensure that you will be able to find all the drivers that the computer manufacturer has provided for your computer. Using an upgrade or OEM or other type of DVD may result in a lot of heartache trying to find drivers for obscure hardware that the computer manufacturer has already tweaked for you and that may not be available to the general public.

Good luck.

Jim Pickering

That is an important point that is often overlooked. TY

 

[gregrocker]

Are you buying the new computer with an OS, as you don't need an OEM then but can use Upgrade version which is similarly priced.

OEM locks you to hardware permanently, Upgrade or full retail can migrate with you for life.

All of the Win7 installers are the same, either 64 or 32 bit, but have versions hidden by the presence of an ei.cfg file in Sources folder. To create an all-versions installer, copy DVD files to desktop, remove the file, recompile ISO to burn to DVD using this tutorial: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/32055-bootable-iso-create-installation-files.html

To clean reinstall factory OEM, boot from DVD for Custom install using Drive Options to format. Wait until after install to activate at Computer>Properties link. It will require a robocall to MS to parse the batch key on license sticker, or audit the specific key ahead using View attachment 44586

 

[bennett2198]

Just to clarify. I will be building the desktop with some new parts (Motherboard, memory, CPU) and some old parts that I already own (DVD, Case, Power Supply, etc). I will then be installing Windows 7 (I was assuming OEM copy) on that machine. The portable is a Gateway NV74 and when I checked their website, they had drivers for Win 7, XP, and Vista for the motherboard and all the other parts in the machine. There is also a label on the bottom of the machine that shows the Windows 7 Product Key.

 

[gregrocker]

Should work, just copy DVD files to desktop to build a new ISO to burn as given above for a new all-versions installer. Or buy the same Version.

Buy a Builder's OEM for the new build if you are willing to have it locked to that hardware for life.

But if you have XP/Vista around then you qualify for Upgrade to use on the new build which can migrate later if needed. You don't even have to install older OS first, use workaround here: http://community.winsupersite.com/b...-windows-7-with-upgrade-media-the-answer.aspx

 

[SIW2]

You will have no problem using the same installation media ( e.g. dvd ) as long as the 2 machines each have their own key.

You may need to delete the ei.cfg - if you want to install different Editions from the same dvd.

If they are both the same Edition , e.g. Home Premium - you don't need to delete the ei.cfg file.

Did you check the product key on the HD and see if it different from the one on the sticker?

You can do that with a lot of apps.

The free version of SIW is useful for that , and a lot of other things.

Try the standalone English version Download SIW (standalone version)

Just to clarify. I will be building the desktop with some new parts (Motherboard, memory, CPU) and some old parts that I already own (DVD, Case, Power Supply, etc). I will then be installing Windows 7 (I was assuming OEM copy) on that machine. The portable is a Gateway NV74 and when I checked their website, they had drivers for Win 7, XP, and Vista for the motherboard and all the other parts in the machine. There is also a label on the bottom of the machine that shows the Windows 7 Product Key.