Win7 OEM disk new HD install. What do I need?

[Hopalong X]

I have Win7 64bit Pro OEM version installed from original Windows disc installed and operating now.

I have a new HD. It is a larger capacity than the one I am using at the moment.
I would like to use the new larger HD for the primary and use the smaller HD for the storage.
Installing the OS I understand and already did on this PC.


Will I need a new activation key?
If so where do I get it?
Is there something else I need?
Is there a simpler solution?
Is there a thread already that explains this? If so I searched for over 30 minutes with no results.

Links to the right info would help if it already exists.

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Mike

 

[billynomates]

We'll take it as read that you know how to "swap your drives".
You won't need a new key but you may have to activate "by phone" as it's a hardware change.

Just read it's OEM, apart from what I've said above I've had no other issues and I've done the same as you are planning.

 

[DocBrown]

I recently moved a win7 Prof install from a 80gb laptop to a new 250gb HD for the laptop with the built in win7 backup image by putting the image on an external USB HD.

:ar: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html

 

[Hopalong X]

Yes I can swap the drives.
Brinks tutorials took care of what I didn't know.

By phone to whom?

Mike

 

[DocBrown]

Yes I can swap the drives.
Brinks tutorials took care of what I didn't know.

By phone to whom?

Mike

You may have to call the Microsoft Phone activation line for OEM upgrade of HD, Maybe!

 

[Hopalong X]

Doc
I read that tutorial and was planning that after the new HD is installed.

Will that image install to a new HD or only to the original? That wasn't included in the tutorial.

 

[DocBrown]

I didn't have an OEM install DVD. I had a retail Prof. DVD. The orig. install was on an old Compaq V5000 with 768mb ram & a 80gb HD. I did the image backup to a 1tb Ext HD via USB 1.1 ( It was really slow, like 12 hours) But when I installed the new 250gb HD in the laptop, I booted from the DVD & went to the section that says restore from backup. It found the image on the 1tb HD & started the restore. It took about 3 hours ( again USB 1.1) But it restored everything settings, programs, files, etc. And I did not have to re-activate with my key

 

[Hopalong X]

Thanks Doc!

That was what I needed to know.

Greatly appreciated.

Found this if it becomes necessary. Activation and registration link. Phone #'s etc.
Activation and registration of a Microsoft product

I will try the imaging first.
Mike

 

[DocBrown]

That was my first time to restore an image backup

But I was very patient with it taking it's time doing it since it was an old laptop & I wanted to learn some new methods

 

[gregrocker]

If activation is needed, just follow the link at Computer>Properties to insert your Product Key.

If an automated call is needed, it will prompt you with phone number.

 

[Hopalong X]

Thanks Greg!

 

[mjf]

It would be good if you posted back the outcome.
I'm assuming (hoping) that the OEM OS will not bother with HDD changes but will with Motherboard/Bios changes. They generally offer the option to create OS restore DVDs when you first activate the OS. I assumed that this was in part to cater for HDDs failing.

 

[Hopalong X]

mjf

Will do. Might be a few days but I won't forget.
I figured others may have this question at some point.

Restore DVD's? I'll look that one up.
That is what I had to make on my HP store bought system.
I was going to do the image but DVD's would be a great safeguard for the entire system and OS.

Thanks.
Mike

 

[mjf]

"I was going to do the image but DVD's would be a great safeguard for the entire system and OS."
Crossed wires... Not suggesting you use DVDs for your image. I was talking about the factory restore DVDs you make with store bought systems.

 

[Hopalong X]

mjf

Well an image on DVD's sounded like a good idea until I checked MB's needed and it would take 14 DVD's!

I figured 4-5 would be okay since I didn't pay much for them but 14 just for the Win7 and 4 more to include my partitioned XP.
Good grief!

Going to try the install from the OEM Win7 disc first.
Then I'll try an image I'm putting on my present HD. I'll make another partition to slide it into.

Now where is UPS!!!!

 

[gregrocker]

You really need an external HD to backup with Win7 backup imaging, or until you get one you can send the image to another network computer location or a primary formatted partiton on the same HD.

 

[DocBrown]

Do you have enough Free space on the current old HD that you could partition it for the image?

 

[DocBrown]

Mike, could you give us a screen shot of Disk Management of your Drives ?

[/ATTACH][/ATTACH]


Here is Bare Foot Kids Tutorial on Partition Wizard:

:ar: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/93322-partition-wizard-use-bootable-cd.html

rb:

 

[Hopalong X]

Partitioned and image made. (F)
Now we wait on UPS.
--------------------

mjf

I found this about activation. I should be okay it would appear.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/675-system-image-recovery.html

 

[gregrocker]

I believe you need a primary formatted partition for it to be detected as a drive.

You can easily convert the partition you made to Primary by rightclicking with Partition Wizard>Modify>Convert Partition to Primary, OK, Apply.