Upgrade Vista to 7 New hdd ??

[phantomrider]

Sorry if this is posted already but I have read for hours and can't find my exact issue.

Bought a new retail HP back in 2008 that had Vista pre-installed. Did NOT come with a windows cd/dvd.

I'm wanting to upgrade to Windows7 which is easy enough, just buy the upgrade dvd and install. I have no issues buying the upgrade.
But what I'm wanting to do is buy a new SSD AND upgrade to Win7. Then wipe the orig. hdd in the machine as a storage drive only.

I also know I can buy the Full Ver of win7, but I don't want to spend an xtra 100$ and don't think I should have to just because I want to upgrade my hdd.

So the question is, is there a workaround to achieve this?
Or must I spend the extra 100$ just to get the full version?

Thanks in advance for any input

 

[Bongo]

Welcome to the Seven Forums

You can do a clean reinstall using the upgrade disk as long as you own a qualifying version of Windows which it looks like you do with Vista.
Have a look at this tutorial and see if it will help http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

Jerry

 

[phantomrider]

ok thank you, i will check that out. but to add...
this will be like a new install since i am replacing the hdd with a ssd. so i'm a tad confused on how the upgrade dvd will know that i have vista already. this is pretty much a new pc build which brings me to another question actually. sorry.
i was watching windows weekly with leo laporte and they were talking about OEM vs Retail. am i understanding correctly that i can order win7 OEM from say tiger direct along with my new ssd and be up and running?
thats really where i am currently... new build, all new everything except hdd which has vista on it, and i want to buy a new ssd and upgrade to win7. so can i just get the 99$ OEM or do i have to buy the 199$ Retail is the main question. Sorry for all the confusion.

 

[Bongo]

Bought a new retail HP back in 2008 that had Vista pre-installed

Are you still using the same motherboard just replacing the hard drive with a SSD?

To explain OEM vs Retail, OEM is tied to the motherboard and can only be used on that computer sometimes if you have to replace the motherboard Microsoft may lets you reinstall OEM again after calling them and explaining it. And yes you can purchase the OEM.

Retail can be put on different computers as long as you are only using it on one computer at a time as an example you have it on computer one and for some reason it goes bad and you buy a new computer you can put that Retail copy on the new computer as long as you are not using it on computer one.

Jerry

 

[phantomrider]

New mobo too.
Here is what I have done.
Bought new retail HP desktop back in 2008, it came with vista. I activated as required. Been using ever since.
Now: Built new pc- case, mobo, cpu, ram, gpu, psu.
Took HDD from my HP vista machine and put in new case to use temp. Working fine BTW, so I don't understand the mobo thing. It did seem to "think" for a little while when I made the switch and did install some new drivers, but never ask for a windows cd or anything.
So now I am ready to order a new SSD and Windows 7 this week.
I still plan to use the HP's HDD in new machine, but I want to have the new SSD with win7 as the primary, and wipe the HDD that was in the HP and use it as 2nd, or slave just for storage.
Just trying to make sure I order the correct DVD of Win7.
I don't wanna spend 99$ for the OEM only to find out I should have bought the 199$ retail. You see?
But I don't wanna spend 199$ for an OS either.

 

[NoelDP]

There are a variety of opinions over whether you can upgade an OEM license on a new motherboard.

Best advice is to try it and see - I don't think you'll have a problem with the activation. As to whether it's within the letter of the license - I'd leave that to the lawyers, and enjoy Windows 7

 

[Bongo]

My understanding is OEM is tied to the motherboard and can only be used on that computer if you were to buy a new computer you could not install the OEM again on the new computer as it is tied to the first computer. If you are going to buy a new computer down the road at some time and you want to use the same Windows 7 then you will need to buy a Retail version it can only be used on one computer at a time but you can install it on as many computers as you want as long as you are only using one at a time(Uninstalling or deactivating from older computers).

Jerry

 

[ignatzatsonic]

so i'm a tad confused on how the upgrade dvd will know that i have vista already.

It won't.

It's accepted on faith.

Vista doesn't have to be installed.

You certainly don't need a "full" copy of Windows. "Upgrade" is fine.

A new OEM license will work fine and is cheaper, but most would tell you to buy non-OEM if you think that you might change motherboards at some time in the future. At times, you can get away with an OEM license after a motherboard change, but I wouldn't count on it.

 

[phantomrider]

Thanks to all that input

I guess to avoid confusion I should have just said building new pc and want to install Windows 7, then ask which to buy, retail or OEM. But I get the gist. And thanks for all how provided input.
I went ahead and ordered the OEM DVD and will see how it goes.
Thanks again.