Hello Buckedthead, and welcome to Seven Forums.
While other members have reported that they were able to do a clean install at the link below with a student upgrade disk, I cannot confirm it as certain though.
Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version
Well I will take my chance. Worst case I figure I call Microsoft to get a key to fix the error.
Thanks for the lighting quick reply.
Well install went just fine - and so did activation. I did the custom install for a clean install going from 32-bit Vista to 64-bit 7 and it went pretty smooth, with one exception. It seems on my computer there is a 30GB OEM partition that I could not do anything about during install. Any ideas on how I might be able to recover that space? Or am I SOL on that one?
Buckethead,
Unless you just really need the HDD space, I would recommend to leave the 30GB partition as is. This way you will have a easy and more reliable way to reinstall the OS that came with your computer if needed. It would also be a good idea to create a set of Dell recovery discs (see links below for how) to use to reinstall the original OS instead in case of total HDD failure.
Using the Dell
OR
Creating Your System Recovery Discs with Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0 | Dell
If you truly do not need or want it, then go ahead and post a new thread on this issue, and post back a link to it. I'll be happy to help with it. :)
I am perplexed with all the confusion regarding statements that in order to use Windows 7 Update Media, you must own a FULL version of a qualifying product. Witness statement in your reference of SMB Community Blog. That statment is found in many places on the internet.
I searched everywhere including my Window 7 Upgrade Media DVD. Nowhwere does it say specifically that I need a FULL version of eithr Windows XP or Vista. It merely state I need to have a qualifying product license. Even Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor doesn't spcify any such condition of Full Version when I run it from an upgrade product.
So can I do a legal installation of Windows 7 from an Upgrade Media when the qualifying product is in fact another ugrade?
Yes or no?
Hello Rockfarmer,
Since you are able to do a clean install from a upgrade using either option in the tutorial, it's fine if the previous OS is a Upgrade or Full version. :)
Well, I didn't want Microsoft on my case for using an upgrade version as the qualifying product. Have to wonder though why so many people are adamant that you can only use a FULL version as a qualifier. I know this is a different subject but can you keep either a Vista intact as a dual boot and do a custom install of 7 in a different partition? It seems on the surface you are in violation of the EULA, but you can only use one operating system at a time.
Technically, you are suppose to no longer use what you are upgrading from when doing a clean install with a upgrade version. However, as long as you have it all installed on the same computer where you can only use one OS at a time, I don't think Microsoft is going to mind.
Hi Shawn,
Sorry if this was asked before, but I want to be certain as I have a thread where this has become a very key point. According to Microsoft, approved upgrade paths are as follows: Windows 7 Upgrade Paths.
Do those rules apply to using this tutorial?
For example, the user wants to upgrade from Vista Home Premium to Windows 7 Pro. According to Microsoft, this is not an approved upgrade. Can it be done anyway by using this process or does it only work when an upgrade option is approved in the above link? I don't want them buying the upgrade package and finding out that they can't activate.
Thank you very much in advance.
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