Reinstalling Windows 7

[raybritton]

Hello, my laptop came with Vista, I upgraded to Windows 7 (using acer's upgrade disc), but I want to reinstall Windows 7 but I'm not sure if it will work, does anyone have any idea about this?

I only have the upgrade disc and the format drive (rather than keep a copy of /users directory).

Also, if I do this I'll need to reinstall office 2007, will my key work again? (This is my third install with it).

 

[gregrocker]

Fortunately the Upgrade Kits have a clean copy DVD of Win7, so you can back up your files, boot from the DVD, select Custom install, use Drive Options (advanced) to delete all partitions, create New as you wish, then format before Installing to first partition.

Any Vista recovery partition is disabled when Win7 installs so you can delete it. If you failed to make your Recov disks first, try tapping the key given for Recovery on first bootup screen. If it doesn't start recovery then that is just wasted space.

The installer is mostly driver-complete, with more arriving soon in Windows Update. Any drivers missing in Device Manager can be found on the Acer driver/apps CD included in the kit, along with favorite apps you want. Others can be found on the Acer Support Downloads webpage for your model.

As with Win7 on your laptop, you own the copy of Office for life and can reinstall it as often as you wish as long as you save the key. Make of copy of the CD or extract the .iso using ImgBurn to backup.

When complete, save a WIn7 backup image to a primary partition and externally so you never have to reinstall again, just reimage the HD or a replacement using the Win7 DVD repair console.

 

[raybritton]

Ok thanks for the info. I'm using the home and student edition of office, and I had heard that it was limited to a certain number of installs? (5?)

 

[gregrocker]

If you have any questions, call MS at the support number on the package.

Normally you will only get an overuse message if it has been installed to too many machines. On the same machine it will allow reinstalls without counting as an additional machine.

We have a copy of Student and Teacher Ofc. 2003 that has been reinstalled dozens of times on several of our machines. It never rejected activation on reinstalls but once blocked install to a new machine. I think I corrected that by changing the filled-in User name from another name to what it had always been.

 

[raybritton]

I can't find a support number on there, but I'm sure the ms website will have one.

Thanks for your help.

 

[SIW2]

Any Vista recovery partition is disabled when Windows 7 installs so you can delete it

Huh?

 

[polarbear]

Hi ray, click on activate by phone and the a pop up will appear with the phone number for MS. GL

 

[raybritton]

Thanks for the info

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Ray:

I have Home and Student edition of Office 2007 and have never heard of any such limitation. I bought it through an ordinary retail outlet (Costco) and would be surprised if it were limited. It isn't like an "academic" version--anybody could buy it.

Post back here if you confirm any limitations.

 

[gregrocker]

Any Vista recovery partition is disabled when Windows 7 installs so you can delete it

Huh?

SI, I believe you are referring to the possibility that the Vista Recov partition may still be active if you tap the key for Recovery given on first bootup screen? Maybe I wasn't clear enough, tho I mentioned that in the next sentence in case he hadn't made his Recov disks:

Any Vista recovery partition is disabled when Win7 installs so you can delete it. If you failed to make your Recov disks first, try tapping the key given for Recovery on first bootup screen. If it doesn't start recovery then that is just wasted space.

Do you know any maker's Vista Recov partitions that are still accessible from Win7 after it is clean installed over Vista?

What is your advice on Recov partitions 7 is installed? I learn the most from you.

 

[SIW2]

Hi Greg,

There are plenty of reasons a reinstall of Vista may be needed. Unless the OP already has recov discs run off - it's not a good idea to delete the recov partition.

It won't normally be accessible from the F1 ( or whatever ) key after another o/s has been installed.

Often , just marking the recov partition Active will start the recov program - allowing a recovery - or even to run off the discs.

Otherwise, it is possible to find an .iso , or the installation files on there and create your own recov discs.

Exactly how that is done will depend on the oem and what is on the recov partition.

 

[raybritton]

Currently reinstalling, but anyway, at some point in the last few months, the recovery had the vista data deleted, but the partition remained. So starting the recovery process gives the option of exit, but months before I installed 7, it offered to restore to factory. Installing 7 may have broken it, but I don't know.

Posted from a phone, sorry about any mistakes.

 

[gregrocker]

So you can delete it then.

 

[raybritton]

@greg, exactly, removed them, got an 20GB which is nice.

@ignatzatsonic, you're correct, my friend was possibly wrong, office activated fine.

Everything went fine, thanks everyone.

 

[gregrocker]

Glad to hear.

Now save a Win7 Backup Image to a primary formatted partition and/or external so you never need to reinstall. Just boot from DVD, select "Recover using an Image" in repair and reimage the HD or a replacement in 15 minutes.