Which product key to use after new hardware

[dmj94044]

I have a windows 7 home premium installation on my computer. The original disk was windows 7 home premium OEM (without SP1). I have since upgraded to SP1. I plan to change my motherboard and CPU. I'd like to use Sysprep to transfer my current hard drive to the new hardware. I realize I will need a new product key. Which version of Windows would I have to buy to get a workable product key: another OEM of windows 7 HP SP1, another OEM of windows 7 HP without SP1, or a retail version of windows 7 HP with SP1. (I'm confused because on the Microsoft site it states that a key for SP1 will not activate a system without SP1) Thank you. Don

 

[Golden]

Hi Don,

A retail version of Windows Home Premium (with or without SP1) should do you just fine.

Have a read through this to help you sort out the various versions:

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=4984

Regards,
Golden

 

[dmj94044]

Thanks for your help. This is what had me confused (from a MS website):
"You might be using a product key that doesn't match the version of Windows 7 that's installed on your computer. Check the product key to make sure it is for the version that you are trying to activate. You can't use a product key for Windows 7 with Service Pack 1 (SP1) to activate a copy of Windows 7 without SP1".
I took that to mean you couldn't use a Win7 SP1 key to activate windows original installed with Win7 without SP1.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
You'll need to buy a new version of windows.

This site looks good, legit and cheap.

OEM Software // Search results

Cheers
jimbo