What happens to the OEM license?

[total confusion]

Is there any problems with going from Home premium to the 7 PRO. The Microsoft website indicates my choice is 7 HP or & Ultimate.

 

[mjf]

Is there any problems with going from Home premium to the 7 PRO. The Microsoft website indicates my choice is 7 HP or & Ultimate.

Bigmck has given the link and some advice for the upgrading issues.
The upgrade constraint looks a bit odd on the surface. Maybe give a link to MS location & someone else may know the answer.
Have you put the question to MS sales?

 

[total confusion]

Yeah
MS told me if I have a OEM and have to replace my hard drive I have to buy the Full version. Obviously, it's $300

They said I could use what ever version I like because the oEM would no longer be an issue.
I was told that was crap, they just wanted my to fork over $300

 

[mjf]

Certainly doesn't sound right to me. The only constraint I thought existed was that, like the OEM OS, the upgraded system will still be locked to your PC but not invalidated by a HDD change alone. You cannot move the full upgraded OS to a new PC like you could with a retail. But you could move the upgrade element to a new PC with an OEM OS. This was the advice I received some time ago from MS (different country).
A US forum member should be able to confirm if you've been fed a rubbish line.

 

[total confusion]

Isn't Microsoft the same world over, other than the obvious language setup?

So bottom line: can I go straight from Vista HP to 7 Pro?

 

[bigmck]

Yeah
MS told me if I have a OEM and have to replace my hard drive I have to buy the Full version. Obviously, it's $300

They said I could use what ever version I like because the oEM would no longer be an issue.
I was told that was crap, they just wanted my to fork over $300

What they told you is WRONG. As long as you have a previous version of Windows, which you do, you can use the upgrade version. == You are not going to be able to do an upgrade install because you are using a blank HD. Install your blank HD. You can buy an Upgrade Version of Win 7 Pro, do a clean install under the tutorial I gave you previously and you are good to go.

PS -- You seem unsure if you qualify to use the Upgrade Win 7 or not. This link from another site (by our own Gregrocker) says that if you have a previous version of Windows on your computer, even OEM, you are entitled to use an Upgrade Version.
http://social.technet.microsoft.com...l/thread/492582e9-54bb-417c-bc53-d69d71f0ef2e

PS#2 -- You mentioned getting Pro. Home Premium is quite a bit cheaper and has almost what Pro does. Check here for the differences.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/14422-compare-windows-7-editions.html

 

[Jacee]

I went from XP Pro (OEM) to Vista Business, which is (I believe) to be like Windows 7 Pro.

This is not an upgrade, so you will have to do a clean install and use the license key that comes with with the 7pro DVD. (see below)

The Basics

Release Date: October 22nd 2009
Qualifying OS’s For Upgrade: Windows 2000, XP, Vista
Qualifying OS For In-Place Upgrade: Vista
Upgrade Editions: Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate

System Requirements:
• 1GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
• 1GB RAM (32-bit) / 2GB RAM (64-bit)
• 16GB available disk space (32-bit) / 20GB (64-bit)
• DirectX 9 graphics processor with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver


As for a Raid set up ... my Windows 7 was built for me using that redundant carp. I took out the second 500 GB hard drive, went into the BIOS, scrolled over to the 'Advanced' tab, 'pwer', and disabled 'quick resume'.

 

[total confusion]

Microsoft gets rich off of idiots like me.
Would have been nice to have found the comparison earlier, think I still would have gone with Pro or Ultimate (if I had to). Let me explain why

I build custom kitchens for a living. Being able to back up my files with an image to my hard drive every night would be a great feature. I can't tell you how many layouts I've had to start over because of the loss of data. The program I work with is designed to be used with CNC machines so it requires the storage of math calculations as well as graphic design. Just the way the program is set up. Even though I don't build with a CNC machine, the program creates a full graphic image of the finished job. (Totally realistic, lighting and all) It can be printed out or set up to render in full detail.

I didn't even know about the presentation feature until I looked at the comparison chart bigmck gave me. Too bad Microsoft's chart doesn't look anything like that. That will come in handy too.

It wasn't that I was unsure if I qualified for the upgrade, I wasn't sure how to license an upgrade on a new hard drive. Screw up registering it and you could be starting all over with a new program. I understand building cabinetry, computers and OEM's confuse the hell out of me. I'm not going to tell you how long it took me to learn to use my first computer, but then I didn't have anyone to teach me. My kids were too little back then. :roflmao: I'm learning about what goes on inside the sucker now.icnic:

Anyway I'm going to order Pro off of Amazon tonight.
I want to thank all of you who assisted in my education, especially those that stuck in there when I couldn't get it through my fat head.
I'll post back when it's up and running and let you know how it went.

 

[gregrocker]

Using an Upgrade Version is often confused with doing an in-place Upgrade even though an Upgrade can be clean installed as well - even to a new or wiped HD, using the tutorial BigMck posted for you in #20.

Leave the Product Key box empty, do the Registry change after install, then Activate with Key at Computer>properties.

If you're not doing an in-place Upgrade, which you can't on a new HD, then which versions of Vista are upgradable to Win7 isn't relevant. You only need to have an XP or Vista on hand which isn't used again to qualify under the EULA.

 

[bigmck]

Glad we could help. Come back and visit and give us an update.

 

[total confusion]

Went back and reviewed #20. I think what is confusing is every tutorial I read refers to the "product" key. It would be most helpful to specify what is meant when you say the 'product'. Put it in plain English so idiots like me won't keep asking the same redundant question. Which key is the "product" key?? For most of us there is the every popular :devil:OEM key. The key on the side of the case and the key coming with the new upgrade. See where the confusion comes in?

Manufactures would like for you to believe that without their key you can't do anything. Acer kept telling me I would have to roll mine back to "factory settings", create a new recovery CD, then do the "upgrade". They said I couldn't do a clean install on a new hard drive (even though I explained 10 times it was a replacement hard drive)
Every time I even mention the words clean install they went into a frenzy telling me the mobo wouldn't recognize the new key, I had to have the old key, or I wouldn't be able to register it. That's their idea of support. It's no frickin wonder people get confused.

 

[bigmck]

Went back and reviewed #20. I think what is confusing is every tutorial I read refers to the "product" key. It would be most helpful to specify what is meant when you say the 'product'. Put it in plain English so idiots like me won't keep asking the same redundant question. Which key is the "product" key?? For most of us there is the every popular :devil:OEM key. The key on the side of the case and the key coming with the new upgrade. See where the confusion comes in?

Manufactures would like for you to believe that without their key you can't do anything. Acer kept telling me I would have to roll mine back to "factory settings", create a new recovery CD, then do the "upgrade". They said I couldn't do a clean install on a new hard drive (even though I explained 10 times it was a replacement hard drive)
Every time I even mention the words clean install they went into a frenzy telling me the mobo wouldn't recognize the new key, I had to have the old key, or I wouldn't be able to register it. That's their idea of support. It's no frickin wonder people get confused.

To start with, forget every word that Acer told you. -- When you purchased your Acer PC, the product key was on a sticker on the PC because Windows was already installed. When you go buy a new Win 7 DVD, there will be a sticker on the DVD case with the product key. This is the product key that you will type in after you have installed Win 7. When you are installing Win 7, it will ask you if you want to put in your product key now online or later. Wait until later after everything is working fine. Just follow the tutorial below and you will be OK. I was the same way you are when I installed mine. It was new territory. I followed the tutorial and an hour later Win 7 was installed. It will take awhile to get all of your programs installed afterwards, but it isn't that hard. If I didn't cover everything, please ask again.

PS -- In this tutorial http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html it gives you three options for the install. You will use Option #1.

 

[gregrocker]

Some tips for getting a perfect reinstall, based on hundreds done here: re-install windows 7

 

[total confusion]

Hey Greg
Couple of questions. Any tips on how to use CCleaner without getting into trouble with it?? I used it once before and it wipd out a few critical files.
On that page, you have a download for a registry defrager. What is the difference between a registry clean, and a registry defrager?

 

[mjf]

Some tips for getting a perfect reinstall, based on hundreds done here: re-install windows 7

Yes and the catch much of the time for people is that they have to get their hands on a Windows install disk. Often you will see ...."get one from a friend".....

 

[gregrocker]

Hey Greg
Couple of questions. Any tips on how to use CCleaner without getting into trouble with it?? I used it once before and it wipd out a few critical files.
On that page, you have a download for a registry defrager. What is the difference between a registry clean, and a registry defrager?

Have put CCleaner on hundreds of installs representing thousands of uses and never had any issue with it. When it's been reported to cause an issue it has always turned out to be something else. It really is a fully perfected genius app, perhaps the most highly regarded one in all of tech.

I use both the Disk and Reg cleaners without hesitation.

Auslogics Disk and Reg cleaners are similarly perfect in my experience. Others like Defraggler which is made by Piriform who make CCleaner so it is a quality app.

Yes and the catch much of the time for people is that they have to get their hands on a Windows install disk. Often you will see ...."get one from a friend".....

A tech enthusiast who is determined to get a clean reinstall to overcome factory bloatware will find a way to get their hands on an installer to clean reinstall with Product Key on COA.,

They may be more likely to borrow a friend's Win7 DVD if they know how to extract the ISO and unlock all versions. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/85813-windows-7-universal-installation-disc-create.html

Others will download it, hopefully taking extra precautions to scan ISO with AV and check HASH to make sure nothing has been added or removed. http://www.dasmirnov.net/blog/windows-7-rtm-sha-1-hash-checksum

As Win7 becomes more ubiquitous hopefully this will become easier. It is a shame that larded sponsors' bloatware would slow down the first feather-light instantaneous OS, making a clean reinstall actually "Better than a new computer."

 

[total confusion]

I know what you are talking about when you say bloatware. I actually contemplated buying a new machine, when I saw all the crap the were hawking as "trial versions" I changed my mind. I remembered why I hated this one when I got it. The first thing I did was uninstall all of it.
Ok I'll give CC another shot. Remember your a Tech, I'm Tech challenged
As to the "borrow a friends" I got that advice right from a Microsoft Tech.

 

[bigmck]

I know what you are talking about when you say bloatware. I actually contemplated buying a new machine, when I saw all the crap the were hawking as "trial versions" I changed my mind. I remembered why I hated this one when I got it. The first thing I did was uninstall all of it.
Ok I'll give CC another shot. Remember your a Tech, I'm Tech challenged
As to the "borrow a friends" I got that advice right from a Microsoft Tech.

When you get Win 7 installed and running, you will have to change your handle from "Total Confusion" to "Totally Experienced".

 

[total confusion]

:roflmao: