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#1
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Windows 7 - Upgrade versus OEM?
Hey gang,
Good to see there is a Win 7 newsgroup now. I have been gathering components for a new X-58 / I7 build, have everything but Windows 7 and a new hard drive, which I am about to pull the trigger on. I am contemplating getting either Windows 7 Premium, in either the upgrade version, or the OEM version, and am just trying to decide which version to place my order for. There is not a lot of difference pricewise between the two on NewEgg, so price between the two is not a big factor. First, I think Home Premium will be fine for me, I will not be using any file encryption, and as far as having the XP mode available , well I have XP Pro now in a dual boot with Vista Ultimate 64 bit ( full version ), and I have not booted into XP in many months, so don't think I would need having the XP- Mode available to me. I will be installing the 64 bit version of whichever one I decide on. I will also be doing a clean install on a new hard drive with whichever one I get. Here is what I am thinking: OEM Version - I like the fact it will be a full version, and do not have to worry with having an activated copy of either my XP Pro or Vista Ultimate already installed anytime I want to do a clean install. I realize I would not get MS support, but have not used that in many years, usually can find answers on either web forums or these newsgroups. The only downside I see - I do tend to change hardware fairly regular, may change cpu and/or vid card in a year, and motherboard again probably in a couple of years. This may cause some aggravation, but seems like from what I have read a phone call to MS if necessary usually resolves it by getting a new activation code... Upgrade Version - I know there would be no issue when changing hardware, but then " officially " , would have a copy of either my XP Pro or Vista Ultimate installed and activated. But, from what I have read, " unofficially ", there are ways around this to do a clean install using the upgrade version without having to have a previously installed activated copy of an OS. But then, I suppose, at some point MS could do something that would change the way to unofficially get around that?. Anyway that is what I am thinking, would sure appreciate any feedback from others before I do pull the trigger on ordering Windows 7. Thanks, -- Don |
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#3
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Windows 7 - Upgrade versus OEM?
Thanks R.C., I was hoping you might reply as I certainly value your judgment. No more debate for me, I will stay away from the OEM version then. Thanks again, -- Don "R. C. White" wrote in message ecom... Hi, Don. have read a phone call to MS if necessary usually resolves it by getting a new activation code... I think you'd better read some more! The phone call works for a retail edition of Windows. But an OEM installation is bound forever to the computer on which it is first installed. I am contemplating getting either Windows 7 Premium, in either the upgrade version, or the OEM version, and am just trying to decide which version to place my order for. There is not a lot of difference pricewise between the two on NewEgg, so price between the two is not a big factor. Then go for the upgrade! Avoiding the probable future hassle is well worth it. RC -- R. C. White, CPA San Marcos, TX Microsoft Windows MVP Windows Live Mail 2009 (14.0.8089.0726) in Win7 Ultimate x64 "Don" wrote in message ... Hey gang, Good to see there is a Win 7 newsgroup now. I have been gathering components for a new X-58 / I7 build, have everything but Windows 7 and a new hard drive, which I am about to pull the trigger on. I am contemplating getting either Windows 7 Premium, in either the upgrade version, or the OEM version, and am just trying to decide which version to place my order for. There is not a lot of difference pricewise between the two on NewEgg, so price between the two is not a big factor. First, I think Home Premium will be fine for me, I will not be using any file encryption, and as far as having the XP mode available , well I have XP Pro now in a dual boot with Vista Ultimate 64 bit ( full version ), and I have not booted into XP in many months, so don't think I would need having the XP- Mode available to me. I will be installing the 64 bit version of whichever one I decide on. I will also be doing a clean install on a new hard drive with whichever one I get. Here is what I am thinking: OEM Version - I like the fact it will be a full version, and do not have to worry with having an activated copy of either my XP Pro or Vista Ultimate already installed anytime I want to do a clean install. I realize I would not get MS support, but have not used that in many years, usually can find answers on either web forums or these newsgroups. The only downside I see - I do tend to change hardware fairly regular, may change cpu and/or vid card in a year, and motherboard again probably in a couple of years. This may cause some aggravation, but seems like from what I have read a phone call to MS if necessary usually resolves it by getting a new activation code... Upgrade Version - I know there would be no issue when changing hardware, but then " officially " , would have a copy of either my XP Pro or Vista Ultimate installed and activated. But, from what I have read, " unofficially ", there are ways around this to do a clean install using the upgrade version without having to have a previously installed activated copy of an OS. But then, I suppose, at some point MS could do something that would change the way to unofficially get around that?. Anyway that is what I am thinking, would sure appreciate any feedback from others before I do pull the trigger on ordering Windows 7. Thanks, -- Don |
#4
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Windows 7 - Upgrade versus OEM?
"R. C. White" wrote in message
ecom... Hi, Don. have read a phone call to MS if necessary usually resolves it by getting a new activation code... I think you'd better read some more! The phone call works for a retail edition of Windows. But an OEM installation is bound forever to the computer on which it is first installed. Just tell them your power supplied died and took out most of the other components of your PC and you have to replace them with newer parts. They'll let you activate again. -- Brian Gregory. (In the UK) To email me remove the letter vee. |
#5
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Windows 7 - Upgrade versus OEM?
"Don" wrote in message
... But, from what I have read, " unofficially ", there are ways around this to do a clean install using the upgrade version without having to have a previously installed activated copy of an OS. But then, I suppose, at some point MS could do something that would change the way to unofficially get around that?. Nah, it's hardcoded into the original install disk so there is no way Microsoft could change it because you don't need to be connected to the internet to use it so nothing can be changed at Microsoft's end. The latest method at Paul Thurott's site for Win7 also works in Vista, so I found out 2 days ago, and is very simple to do. No double install method like I used to use on Vista. Make one registry change, run a rearm cmd command as admin and then reboot PC, activate Windows and enter your product code, simple. |
#6
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Windows 7 - Upgrade versus OEM?
"Don Lope de Aguirre" wrote in message ... "Don" wrote in message ... But, from what I have read, " unofficially ", there are ways around this to do a clean install using the upgrade version without having to have a previously installed activated copy of an OS. But then, I suppose, at some point MS could do something that would change the way to unofficially get around that?. Nah, it's hardcoded into the original install disk so there is no way Microsoft could change it because you don't need to be connected to the internet to use it so nothing can be changed at Microsoft's end. The latest method at Paul Thurott's site for Win7 also works in Vista, so I found out 2 days ago, and is very simple to do. No double install method like I used to use on Vista. Make one registry change, run a rearm cmd command as admin and then reboot PC, activate Windows and enter your product code, simple. Thanks for the info, good to know. -- Don |
#7
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Windows 7 - Upgrade versus OEM?
"Don" wrote in message ... Thanks R.C., I was hoping you might reply as I certainly value your judgment. No more debate for me, I will stay away from the OEM version then. I would strongly advise AGAINST the upgrade version. If you can afford it go for the FULL version . Say you needed to do a re-install and you find you have lost the qualifying OS for the upgrade? You're stuffed. |
#8
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Windows 7 - Upgrade versus OEM?
"Gordon" wrote in message ... "Don" wrote in message ... Thanks R.C., I was hoping you might reply as I certainly value your judgment. No more debate for me, I will stay away from the OEM version then. I would strongly advise AGAINST the upgrade version. If you can afford it go for the FULL version . Say you needed to do a re-install and you find you have lost the qualifying OS for the upgrade? You're stuffed. Ironically I noticed the price diff between home premium upgrade and full was only about 80 bucks, so I decided to go ahead and get the full version just to save having any hassle at some point. Thanks, -- Don |
#9
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Windows 7 - Upgrade versus OEM?
Hi, Don.
Full retail? That's the smart decision, in my opinion. ;) just to save having any hassle at some point. Yep! A year from now, you won't remember the price difference - but you would sure remember if you had gone cheaper and were prevented from making the next upgrade or transition because you had only a limited license. RC -- R. C. White, CPA San Marcos, TX Microsoft Windows MVP Windows Live Mail 2009 (14.0.8089.0726) in Win7 Ultimate x64 "Don" wrote in message ... "Gordon" wrote in message ... "Don" wrote in message ... Thanks R.C., I was hoping you might reply as I certainly value your judgment. No more debate for me, I will stay away from the OEM version then. I would strongly advise AGAINST the upgrade version. If you can afford it go for the FULL version . Say you needed to do a re-install and you find you have lost the qualifying OS for the upgrade? You're stuffed. Ironically I noticed the price diff between home premium upgrade and full was only about 80 bucks, so I decided to go ahead and get the full version just to save having any hassle at some point. Thanks, -- Don |
#10
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Windows 7 - Upgrade versus OEM?
Yep, that is pretty much my line of thinking on it as well. Thanks for the feedback, -- Don "R. C. White" wrote in message ecom... Hi, Don. Full retail? That's the smart decision, in my opinion. ;) just to save having any hassle at some point. Yep! A year from now, you won't remember the price difference - but you would sure remember if you had gone cheaper and were prevented from making the next upgrade or transition because you had only a limited license. RC -- R. C. White, CPA San Marcos, TX Microsoft Windows MVP Windows Live Mail 2009 (14.0.8089.0726) in Win7 Ultimate x64 "Don" wrote in message ... "Gordon" wrote in message ... "Don" wrote in message ... Thanks R.C., I was hoping you might reply as I certainly value your judgment. No more debate for me, I will stay away from the OEM version then. I would strongly advise AGAINST the upgrade version. If you can afford it go for the FULL version . Say you needed to do a re-install and you find you have lost the qualifying OS for the upgrade? You're stuffed. Ironically I noticed the price diff between home premium upgrade and full was only about 80 bucks, so I decided to go ahead and get the full version just to save having any hassle at some point. Thanks, -- Don |
#11
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Windows 7 - Upgrade versus OEM?
"Gordon" wrote in message ... "Don" wrote in message ... Thanks R.C., I was hoping you might reply as I certainly value your judgment. No more debate for me, I will stay away from the OEM version then. I would strongly advise AGAINST the upgrade version. If you can afford it go for the FULL version . Say you needed to do a re-install and you find you have lost the qualifying OS for the upgrade? You're stuffed. Not really. http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/cle...rade_media.asp Clean Install Windows 7 with Upgrade Media -Michael |
#12
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Windows 7 - Upgrade versus OEM?
"MICHAEL" wrote in message ... "Gordon" wrote in message ... "Don" wrote in message ... Thanks R.C., I was hoping you might reply as I certainly value your judgment. No more debate for me, I will stay away from the OEM version then. I would strongly advise AGAINST the upgrade version. If you can afford it go for the FULL version . Say you needed to do a re-install and you find you have lost the qualifying OS for the upgrade? You're stuffed. Not really. http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/cle...rade_media.asp Clean Install Windows 7 with Upgrade Media Interestingly, unless I missed something, that site does not talk about installing on a bare HDD but only on an HDD that already has a qualifying OS on it...suppose the OP had to replace the HDD? What then? |
#13
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Windows 7 - Upgrade versus OEM?
"Gordon" wrote in message
... "Don" wrote in message ... Thanks R.C., I was hoping you might reply as I certainly value your judgment. No more debate for me, I will stay away from the OEM version then. I would strongly advise AGAINST the upgrade version. If you can afford it go for the FULL version . Say you needed to do a re-install and you find you have lost the qualifying OS for the upgrade? You're stuffed. Just make a copy of the CD/DVD that qualifies you for the upgrade and keep it with the Windows 7 DVD(s). -- Brian Gregory. (In the UK) To email me remove the letter vee. |
#14
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Windows 7 - Upgrade versus OEM?
"Brian Gregory [UK]" wrote in message ... "Gordon" wrote in message ... "Don" wrote in message ... Thanks R.C., I was hoping you might reply as I certainly value your judgment. No more debate for me, I will stay away from the OEM version then. I would strongly advise AGAINST the upgrade version. If you can afford it go for the FULL version . Say you needed to do a re-install and you find you have lost the qualifying OS for the upgrade? You're stuffed. You can clean install the upgrade version without first loading the qualifying OS :-) http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/clean_install_upgrade_media.asp Just make a copy of the CD/DVD that qualifies you for the upgrade and keep it with the Windows 7 DVD(s). -- Brian Gregory. (In the UK) To email me remove the letter vee. |
#15
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Windows 7 - Upgrade versus OEM?
"Don" wrote in message ... Thanks R.C., I was hoping you might reply as I certainly value your judgment. No more debate for me, I will stay away from the OEM version then. Thanks again, -- Don A generic OEM/System builder licence is technically limited to the first PC it's installed on, but the PC can be 'upgraded' ad infinitum. MS don't specifically state what constitutes a 'new' PC so you can be sure that an OEM version is perfectly fine to use. |
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