Upgrade to win7 with JUST OEM key??

[jonny0007]

At the moment I cant access anything on my computer (due to a grub error 15) and i need a way off accessing my files. I have 1 one idea of getting a new hard drive and then putting win7 on that new hard drive then from there going in the back way to get my files of the hard drive.

I have vista on my hard drive and i have the product key (off side of case) and i was wondering if i get a new clean hard drive, can i get an upgrade version of win7 and then install it on new hard drive with just the OEM vista key??

I am not sure if this will work .. after 2 hours of searching in google this is my last resort!

 

[Tews]

No... your Vista key will not work on a windows 7 install... you will need a Windows 7 key...

 

[gregrocker]

Suggest you download new EasyBCD 2.0 beta, Remove the GRUB bootloader and Rebuild Vista bootloader. That GRUB will bollix any Win7 dual boot anyway.

It is always a good idea to put your new Windows 7 on a separate HD, either allowing it to configure a dual boot with Vista, or unplugging the Vista drive during install so that afterwards when you plug it back in you choose which to boot using BIOS Boot Menu shortcut F-key given on first bootup screen - this makes them completely independent without shared dependency on MBR.

If you use a Win7 Upgrade, boot from the DVD and format the drive first. If you keep the Vista drive plugged, the DVD will see it and allow you to insert the key. If you unplug Vista, you will have to use a quick workaround to get key accepted when the installer can't see Vista.

 

[jonny0007]

Ok but i have no way of getting that to my computer!
if i could i would :-s

is it possible to...
can i get an upgrade version of Windows 7 and then install it on new hard drive with just the OEM vista key??

 

[gregrocker]

is it possible to...
can i get an upgrade version of Windows 7 and then install it on new hard drive with just the OEM vista key??

Certainly not. Why would Windows 7 acccept a Vista OEM key?

Install Win7 to separate drive or partition if you want to browse for your Vista files and cannot start up Vista. You will need a Win7 key within 30 days to activate.

If you want to get Vista started up, boot into Vista DVD Repair console>Recovery Tools and run Startup Repair 3 times to rebuild the MBR being borked by GRUB.

If this fails with the message that there is nothing to repair, boot back into Repair console>Command Line and run (without quotes) "bootrec.exe /fixboot" and "bootrec.exe /fixmbr" then restart

or if those don't work run "Bootsect.exe /nt60 all /force".

Do you want to keep Vista, or just get the files off of it and then Upgrade to Win7?

 

[jonny0007]

ok i had just heard somewhere that it might!

If i get an upgrade version of win7 then install on the hard drive and do a clean install. will that wipe all the partitions? or will it keep them and install on the main one that vista is installed on atm?

Thank you for your time btw!

If i can get to my files is a bonus and i do not vista dvd it never came with one! (dont know why) and i would like to upgrade to win7

 

[gregrocker]

If you have a version of WIn7 now, which is it? RTM, RC, Ultimate?

What version do you want to buy to have a key?

 

[jonny0007]

I dont...... i will be ordering ultimate once i know if i can upgrade.

Or if i cant upgrade???

 

[gregrocker]

Yes you can Upgrade.

Boot from the Win7 DVD and select Custom install and Advanced drive tools to select the drive or partition where you want to install, or create a new one, then format it and install. The DVD will see Vista when it first boots up and allow the Upgrade key, even if you decide to format over Vista.

It should config a dual boot, and give you access to Vista's files if Vista still will not boot.

The problem is the GRUB bootloader which might continue to interfere and bollix the Win7 dual boot.

If this occurs, I suggest you unplug the Vista HD, clean install Win7 to another HD, then plug Vista back in as a data drive to pull files.

You may need to mark Vista HD inactive if it interferes with Win7 booting; this can be done easily with free Partition Wizard bootable partition manager.

You can install Win7 Upgrade to a clean HD without Vista being present by using this workaround:
http://community.winsupersite.com/b...-windows-7-with-upgrade-media-the-answer.aspx

 

[jonny0007]

Thank you thats all makes sense then files that are on there are music and homework.

If i upgrade can i format the hard drive first then? so it will wipe everything inclueing partitions?

Will that work? cause that might get rid of grub all together?

 

[gregrocker]

If you don't need those files, then you can boot from the Win7 DVD, use Custom>Advanced drive tools to delete all, create New partition(s) as you wish, and then format before installing. This should wipe out the GRUB. If you wanted to make sure, use DBAN to zero out the drive first, but you will need to use the Upgrade workaround since Win7 DVD will then not see Vista to allow Upgrade key.

But if you need the files, you can avoid the GRUB by unplugging your Vista drive, installing Win7 to a new drive (using the Upgrade workaround to get it to accept key on a blank drive) then plugging back in the Vista drive long enough to copy over the files.

But if GRUB interferes with booting into Win7 once you plug it back in, you may need to use Partition Wizard disk or Diskpart commands from the WIn7 DVD repair console to Set the Vista HD Inactive. If that fails to start Win7, then you will have to unplug the Vista drive and find another way to get your files off.

Others may be able to advise you better how to get that GRUB off of there to allow Win7 to correctly establish a dual boot with Vista.

 

[jonny0007]

Ok thank you very much! I will try to install and format drive before installing and try to avoid the workaround... the files i have arnt life or death so im sure ill be ok without them... im not too confident in that sort of stuff. So fingers crossed it should wipe the grub...

thank you very much much appreciated as i may soon be able to use my computer again! woop woop

if i run into problems i will be sure to contact you!

 

[gregrocker]

Good luck. We are here if you need help.