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View Full Version : Replace compact version of Win 7 ?


Walter R.[_2_]
November 17th 09, 12:16 PM
I just bought a Compaq computer with Win 7 -64 bit Home/Premium,
pre-installed. Athlon II dual, 3 GB memory. I don't like being tethered to
Compaq software and hardware and would prefer to run the generic version of
Windows 7.

Can I just reformat the c: drive with the Compaq version of Win 7, and
install a store-bought version of Windows 7 - 64 bit?

Thank you

--
Walter
www.rationality.net
-

C
November 17th 09, 12:34 PM
Walter R. wrote:
> I just bought a Compaq computer with Win 7 -64 bit Home/Premium,
> pre-installed. Athlon II dual, 3 GB memory. I don't like being tethered to
> Compaq software and hardware and would prefer to run the generic version of
> Windows 7.
>
> Can I just reformat the c: drive with the Compaq version of Win 7, and
> install a store-bought version of Windows 7 - 64 bit?
>
> Thank you
>

Yes, but make sure you get the drivers from the Compaq site first. It
will probably void your warranty so you might want to consider getting a
new hard drive and install the generic version on that so if something
else goes wrong with the lap top, you can reinsert the old hard drive
before sending it in for repair.

C

philo
November 17th 09, 12:40 PM
Walter R. wrote:
> I just bought a Compaq computer with Win 7 -64 bit Home/Premium,
> pre-installed. Athlon II dual, 3 GB memory. I don't like being tethered to
> Compaq software and hardware and would prefer to run the generic version of
> Windows 7.
>
> Can I just reformat the c: drive with the Compaq version of Win 7, and
> install a store-bought version of Windows 7 - 64 bit?
>
> Thank you
>


If you don't like Compaq software, no problem...it can be uninstalled
through the control panel.

It will be a hell of a lot easier and cheaper to just uninstall what you
don't want. I do that all the time on the machines I work on.

But your second point ...
if you do not like Compaq hardware...then why did you buy a Compaq?

Ken Blake, MVP
November 17th 09, 03:23 PM
On Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:16:42 -0800, "Walter R." >
wrote:

> I just bought a Compaq computer with Win 7 -64 bit Home/Premium,
> pre-installed. Athlon II dual, 3 GB memory. I don't like being tethered to
> Compaq software and hardware and would prefer to run the generic version of
> Windows 7.


Well, if you are going to use a Compaq computer, you are tethered to
Compaq hardware, unless you want to take the computer apart and
replace the components, piece by piece.

But you aren't tethered to Compaq software. You are essentially
running the same thing as a generic version of Windows 7, but with
additional Compaq software (and perhaps other brands of software)
installed. You could uninstall all those extra pieces (usually the
easiest course of action) or do as you propose below. I would
uninstall what you don't want, since it's easier and doesn't cost
anything.


> Can I just reformat the c: drive with the Compaq version of Win 7, and
> install a store-bought version of Windows 7 - 64 bit?


Yes, but there's no reason to first reformat with the Compaq version.
Just boot from the new CD and take the option to do a clean
installation. It will format for you.

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

Walter R.[_2_]
November 17th 09, 05:18 PM
Hi Ken. Thanks

You said "Just boot from the new CD and take the option to do a clean
installation".

Sounds good, I only wonder if the generic version of Windows will have all
the drivers for the hardware stuff in my compaq computer.

--
Walter
www.rationality.net
-
"Ken Blake, MVP" > wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:16:42 -0800, "Walter R." >
> wrote:
>
>> I just bought a Compaq computer with Win 7 -64 bit Home/Premium,
>> pre-installed. Athlon II dual, 3 GB memory. I don't like being tethered
>> to
>> Compaq software and hardware and would prefer to run the generic version
>> of
>> Windows 7.
>
>
> Well, if you are going to use a Compaq computer, you are tethered to
> Compaq hardware, unless you want to take the computer apart and
> replace the components, piece by piece.
>
> But you aren't tethered to Compaq software. You are essentially
> running the same thing as a generic version of Windows 7, but with
> additional Compaq software (and perhaps other brands of software)
> installed. You could uninstall all those extra pieces (usually the
> easiest course of action) or do as you propose below. I would
> uninstall what you don't want, since it's easier and doesn't cost
> anything.
>
>
>> Can I just reformat the c: drive with the Compaq version of Win 7, and
>> install a store-bought version of Windows 7 - 64 bit?
>
>
> Yes, but there's no reason to first reformat with the Compaq version.
> Just boot from the new CD and take the option to do a clean
> installation. It will format for you.
>
> --
> Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
> Please Reply to the Newsgroup

Walter R.[_2_]
November 17th 09, 05:37 PM
Actually, it was my mistake when I bought the Compaq computer. I did not
realize that it came with the Win 7 Home/Premium 64 bit version.
What I really needed was the Pro or Ultimate Version. Just plain dumb.

So, now I have to buy a Pro version and try to install it on my Compaq, if
it can be done. The Compaq hardware looks quite good - provided I can
install a generic Pro version on it.

--
Walter
www.rationality.net
-
"philo" > wrote in message
...
> Walter R. wrote:
>> I just bought a Compaq computer with Win 7 -64 bit Home/Premium,
>> pre-installed. Athlon II dual, 3 GB memory. I don't like being tethered
>> to Compaq software and hardware and would prefer to run the generic
>> version of Windows 7.
>>
>> Can I just reformat the c: drive with the Compaq version of Win 7, and
>> install a store-bought version of Windows 7 - 64 bit?
>>
>> Thank you
>>
>
>
> If you don't like Compaq software, no problem...it can be uninstalled
> through the control panel.
>
> It will be a hell of a lot easier and cheaper to just uninstall what you
> don't want. I do that all the time on the machines I work on.
>
> But your second point ...
> if you do not like Compaq hardware...then why did you buy a Compaq?

philo
November 17th 09, 07:46 PM
Walter R. wrote:
> Actually, it was my mistake when I bought the Compaq computer. I did not
> realize that it came with the Win 7 Home/Premium 64 bit version.
> What I really needed was the Pro or Ultimate Version. Just plain dumb.
>
> So, now I have to buy a Pro version and try to install it on my Compaq, if
> it can be done. The Compaq hardware looks quite good - provided I can
> install a generic Pro version on it.
>



I am sure it can be done with no problems...

I have been fooling with both Vista and Win7 for a while

and for any new H/W it's pretty likely all drivers will be avail.


OTOH: The Home version *might* be good enough for you ?

Ken Blake, MVP
November 17th 09, 08:56 PM
On Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:18:11 -0800, "Walter R." >
wrote:

> Hi Ken. Thanks
>
> You said "Just boot from the new CD and take the option to do a clean
> installation".
>
> Sounds good, I only wonder if the generic version of Windows will have all
> the drivers for the hardware stuff in my compaq computer.


Is it a desktop or a laptop? If it's a desktop, it's unlikely that
drivers will be a problem. But if it's a laptop, they could well be a
problem. Ask Compaq.



> "Ken Blake, MVP" > wrote in message
> ...
> > On Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:16:42 -0800, "Walter R." >
> > wrote:
> >
> >> I just bought a Compaq computer with Win 7 -64 bit Home/Premium,
> >> pre-installed. Athlon II dual, 3 GB memory. I don't like being tethered
> >> to
> >> Compaq software and hardware and would prefer to run the generic version
> >> of
> >> Windows 7.
> >
> >
> > Well, if you are going to use a Compaq computer, you are tethered to
> > Compaq hardware, unless you want to take the computer apart and
> > replace the components, piece by piece.
> >
> > But you aren't tethered to Compaq software. You are essentially
> > running the same thing as a generic version of Windows 7, but with
> > additional Compaq software (and perhaps other brands of software)
> > installed. You could uninstall all those extra pieces (usually the
> > easiest course of action) or do as you propose below. I would
> > uninstall what you don't want, since it's easier and doesn't cost
> > anything.
> >
> >
> >> Can I just reformat the c: drive with the Compaq version of Win 7, and
> >> install a store-bought version of Windows 7 - 64 bit?
> >
> >
> > Yes, but there's no reason to first reformat with the Compaq version.
> > Just boot from the new CD and take the option to do a clean
> > installation. It will format for you.
> >
> > --
> > Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
> > Please Reply to the Newsgroup
>

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

kreed
November 18th 09, 05:37 PM
"Ken Blake, MVP" > wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:18:11 -0800, "Walter R." >
> wrote:
>
>> Hi Ken. Thanks
>>
>> You said "Just boot from the new CD and take the option to do a clean
>> installation".
>>
>> Sounds good, I only wonder if the generic version of Windows will have
>> all
>> the drivers for the hardware stuff in my compaq computer.
>
>
> Is it a desktop or a laptop? If it's a desktop, it's unlikely that
> drivers will be a problem. But if it's a laptop, they could well be a
> problem. Ask Compaq.
>
>
>
>> "Ken Blake, MVP" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> > On Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:16:42 -0800, "Walter R." >
>> > wrote:
>> >
>> >> I just bought a Compaq computer with Win 7 -64 bit Home/Premium,
>> >> pre-installed. Athlon II dual, 3 GB memory. I don't like being
>> >> tethered
>> >> to
>> >> Compaq software and hardware and would prefer to run the generic
>> >> version
>> >> of
>> >> Windows 7.
>> >
>> >
>> > Well, if you are going to use a Compaq computer, you are tethered to
>> > Compaq hardware, unless you want to take the computer apart and
>> > replace the components, piece by piece.
>> >
>> > But you aren't tethered to Compaq software. You are essentially
>> > running the same thing as a generic version of Windows 7, but with
>> > additional Compaq software (and perhaps other brands of software)
>> > installed. You could uninstall all those extra pieces (usually the
>> > easiest course of action) or do as you propose below. I would
>> > uninstall what you don't want, since it's easier and doesn't cost
>> > anything.
>> >
>> >
>> >> Can I just reformat the c: drive with the Compaq version of Win 7,
>> >> and
>> >> install a store-bought version of Windows 7 - 64 bit?
>> >
>> >
>> > Yes, but there's no reason to first reformat with the Compaq version.
>> > Just boot from the new CD and take the option to do a clean
>> > installation. It will format for you.
>> >
>> > --
>> > Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
>> > Please Reply to the Newsgroup
>>
>
> --
> Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
> Please Reply to the Newsgroup

Why not do an Anytime Update? Just enter the new serial number and W7 will
install the extra software without affecting your drivers
K

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