Upgrade Vista to Windows 7

[Chuck Anderson]

I have inherited a Dell Studio 540 Desktop (Pentium dual core) with
Windows Vista. I was glad to figure out that it will be an adequate
machine for my Home Theater PC (for the most part, a glorified HD DVR).
I need to use Windows 7 Media Center, so I want to upgrade from the Dell
OEM Vista to Windows 7.

What is the best way to go about that? I am going to do a custom
install because I want to move up to 64 bit from 32, and I want to wipe
the old hard drive, anyway.

My question is mostly about purchasing the Upgrade. I see at amazon
right now for $133. Is that a reasonable price? Is this a good way to
move up to Windows 7?

I have considered other options, like buying a full OEM version (not
upgrade), because I don't know how I would reinstall the upgrade if the
current hard drive crashed or if I wanted to upgrade the hard drive. (I
do not have a disk for windows Vista - there is only a recovery
partition on the hard drive.) I'm not sure what the process is. Is it
enough to just have the old installation key code?

--
*****************************
Chuck Anderson • Boulder, CO
http://cycletourist.com
Turn Off, Tune Out, Drop In
*****************************

 

[Asger Joergensen]

Hi Chuck

Before you do anything else you need to make SURE the machine can work
with a 64bit operating system, if I remember correctly the processor
is normally to one or the other.

You need to post the processor specification, then I'm sure there is one
of the experts that will give you an answer.


Best regards
Asger-P
http://Asger-P.dk/software
Quick Launch is a must try.

 

[Rob]

I have inherited a Dell Studio 540 Desktop (Pentium dual core) with
Windows Vista. I was glad to figure out that it will be an adequate
machine for my Home Theater PC (for the most part, a glorified HD DVR).
I need to use Windows 7 Media Center, so I want to upgrade from the Dell
OEM Vista to Windows 7.

What is the best way to go about that? I am going to do a custom
install because I want to move up to 64 bit from 32, and I want to wipe
the old hard drive, anyway.

My question is mostly about purchasing the Upgrade. I see at amazon
right now for $133. Is that a reasonable price? Is this a good way to
move up to Windows 7?

I have considered other options, like buying a full OEM version (not
upgrade), because I don't know how I would reinstall the upgrade if the
current hard drive crashed or if I wanted to upgrade the hard drive. (I
do not have a disk for windows Vista - there is only a recovery
partition on the hard drive.) I'm not sure what the process is. Is it
enough to just have the old installation key code?

32 bit will use the existing serial and do an update from a 32x disc.

64x is a clean install.

You should go to W8 and buy the update then load that as a clean install
then use the media centre software this works quite good.

If it has vista now it will run W7 or W8.

 

[Chuck Anderson]

Before you do anything else you need to make SURE the machine can work
with a 64bit operating system,

Yes, ... I did not make that clear. I have researched this and also run
the Windows Update Advisor. It is a Pentium Dual Core E5200, which is a
64 bit processor.

--
*****************************
Chuck Anderson • Boulder, CO
http://cycletourist.com
Turn Off, Tune Out, Drop In
*****************************

 

[Chuck Anderson]

32 bit will use the existing serial and do an update from a 32x disc.

64x is a clean install.

You should go to W8 and buy the update then load that as a clean
install then use the media centre software this works quite good.

From what I have read, Windows Media Center in Windows 8 is not only
NOT an improvement over 7, it is actually lacking some parts or features
that are in Windows 7.

And ... I have also learned over the years that Windows releases are
kind of like Star Trek movies. Every other one is good ... and the
others are ... well ... not so good.

(I believe that with Star Trek it is the even numbered movies that are
good, while with Windows it is the odd numbered releases that are good.)

I'm going to stick with what I've read about WMC in Windows 8 and the
"Star Trek factor" and keep using Windows 7.

I am just wondering if I should try to get a full version (OEM seems the
only reasonable price for me) or go with an upgrade like the one I found
at Amazon for $133.

--
*****************************
Chuck Anderson • Boulder, CO
http://cycletourist.com
Turn Off, Tune Out, Drop In
*****************************

 

[Ken Blake]

I am just wondering if I should try to get a full version (OEM seems the
only reasonable price for me) or go with an upgrade like the one I found
at Amazon for $133.

Two points:

1. An upgrade is not a choice for you. You can not go from 32-bit to
64-bit. You must do a clean installation. And with an OEM version, if
you kept the same "bitness" of Windows, you could not do an upgrade
(see point 2b, below).

2. An OEM version has three disadvantages

a. The biggest disadvantage of an OEM version is that its license ties
it permanently to the first computer it's installed on. It can never
legally be moved to another computer, sold, or given away (except with
the original computer). If the computer dies or is stolen, your
license dies with it.

b. It can only do a clean installation, not an upgrade.

c. Microsoft provides no support for OEM versions. You can't call them
with a problem, but instead have to get any needed support from your
OEM; that support may range anywhere between good and non-existent. Or
you can get support elsewhere, such as in these forums.

The first of those three is the deal-breaker, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Char Jackson]

Go full unless you want to create a Vista reinstall DVD to have on hand
if you ever need to reinstall.

AFAIK, you can do everything with an Upgrade version that you can do with a
full Retail version, including a clean install from scratch. (No need to
keep a Vista DVD on hand.) Has something changed?

 

[Char Jackson]

I am just wondering if I should try to get a full version (OEM seems the
only reasonable price for me) or go with an upgrade like the one I found
at Amazon for $133.

I recommend finding the best price on an Upgrade version. It can do
everything that a full Retail version can do, but at a much lower cost and
without the limitations of the OEM version.

To me, the Upgrade version is the obvious choice. OTOH, if you can live with
the limitations of OEM, then by all means go that way. I can't think of any
reason to ever buy the full Retail version.

 

[Ken1943]

From what I have read, Windows Media Center in Windows 8 is not only
NOT an improvement over 7, it is actually lacking some parts or features
that are in Windows 7.

And ... I have also learned over the years that Windows releases are
kind of like Star Trek movies. Every other one is good ... and the
others are ... well ... not so good.

(I believe that with Star Trek it is the even numbered movies that are
good, while with Windows it is the odd numbered releases that are good.)

I'm going to stick with what I've read about WMC in Windows 8 and the
"Star Trek factor" and keep using Windows 7.

I am just wondering if I should try to get a full version (OEM seems the
only reasonable price for me) or go with an upgrade like the one I found
at Amazon for $133.

You can use the upgrade version. Do the install and DO NOT Put The Serial
Number in when asked. Then do the install a second time and DO put the
serial number in. I used that method on 2 clean installs. You will not
need a previous install of any windows version.


KenW

 

[Ken Blake]

You can use the upgrade version. Do the install and DO NOT Put The Serial
Number in when asked. Then do the install a second time and DO put the
serial number in. I used that method on 2 clean installs. You will not
need a previous install of any windows version.

Yes, you *can* do that. But *may* you do that, according to
Microsoft's license rules?

 

[Chuck Anderson]

AFAIK, you can do everything with an Upgrade version that you can do with a
full Retail version, including a clean install from scratch. (No need to
keep a Vista DVD on hand.) Has something changed?

So, ... with the upgrade disk alone I could reinstall if the need arose
(HD crash, HD upgrade)?

Since it has started as a Dell OEM version of Vista, I believe that
makes it non-transferable. I can not use it on another machine (and
that's okay with me). These various licensing details are confusing to
me. I don't want to buy a version of Windows that I can not use.

I am assuming that I can upgrade the Dell OEM version. I did an instant
(anytime?) upgrade on a different machine, a Dell laptop, from Dell OEM
Win7 Home Premium to Professional. I want to do "the same" with this
desktop, but from Vista to Win 7 Pro.

I want the upgrade disk to allow me to do a clean install of Windows 7
(so I can use 64 bit) - and to work again if I need to reinstall.

--
*****************************
Chuck Anderson • Boulder, CO
http://cycletourist.com
Turn Off, Tune Out, Drop In
*****************************

 

[Chuck Anderson]

Two points:

1. An upgrade is not a choice for you. You can not go from 32-bit to
64-bit. You must do a clean installation. And with an OEM version, if
you kept the same "bitness" of Windows, you could not do an upgrade
(see point 2b, below).

2. An OEM version has three disadvantages

a. The biggest disadvantage of an OEM version is that its license ties
it permanently to the first computer it's installed on. It can never
legally be moved to another computer, sold, or given away (except with
the original computer). If the computer dies or is stolen, your
license dies with it.

b. It can only do a clean installation, not an upgrade.

c. Microsoft provides no support for OEM versions. You can't call them
with a problem, but instead have to get any needed support from your
OEM; that support may range anywhere between good and non-existent. Or
you can get support elsewhere, such as in these forums.

The first of those three is the deal-breaker, as far as I'm concerned.

I would just as soon NOT get an OEM version. I just want to be sure that
I can use the upgrade disk on the Dell OEM version I currently have.
Regardless of "bitness", I do not want to upgrade, anyway. I want to
start from scratch and wipe the hard drive.

Can I do a clean install of Windows 7 64 bit using the upgrade disk? ...
that is what I am not certain of.

And secondly, is that upgrade disk now the only thing I'll need if I
have to reinstall?

Sorry, I feel like I'm beating this to death now, ... I just don't want
to purchase an operating system disk and then find I am unable to use it
as I intended.

--
*****************************
Chuck Anderson • Boulder, CO
http://cycletourist.com
Turn Off, Tune Out, Drop In
*****************************

 

[Char Jackson]

Yes, you *can* do that. But *may* you do that, according to
Microsoft's license rules?

Since the capability has been there for years, going back to at least Vista,
and Microsoft has been fully aware of it during that time, the only
conclusion is that yes, you may do that. If you choose not to take advantage
of a capability that they provide, that's up to you.

 

[...winston]

2c. comments
- For Win7 and earlier MSFT does not provide support for OEM versions (preinstalled or full version purchases)
- For Win8 a difference exits.
* OEM versions preinstall by pc builders (Dell, HP) are not entiteld to MSFT support.
* Since the full retail and full OEM versions are now one single product (Personal Use for System Builders) MSFT provides 90 days
of support.


--
....winston
msft mvp


"Ken Blake" wrote in message

I am just wondering if I should try to get a full version (OEM seems the
only reasonable price for me) or go with an upgrade like the one I found
at Amazon for $133.

Two points:

1. An upgrade is not a choice for you. You can not go from 32-bit to
64-bit. You must do a clean installation. And with an OEM version, if
you kept the same "bitness" of Windows, you could not do an upgrade
(see point 2b, below).

2. An OEM version has three disadvantages

a. The biggest disadvantage of an OEM version is that its license ties
it permanently to the first computer it's installed on. It can never
legally be moved to another computer, sold, or given away (except with
the original computer). If the computer dies or is stolen, your
license dies with it.

b. It can only do a clean installation, not an upgrade.

c. Microsoft provides no support for OEM versions. You can't call them
with a problem, but instead have to get any needed support from your
OEM; that support may range anywhere between good and non-existent. Or
you can get support elsewhere, such as in these forums.

The first of those three is the deal-breaker, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Char Jackson]

I would just as soon NOT get an OEM version. I just want to be sure that
I can use the upgrade disk on the Dell OEM version I currently have.
Regardless of "bitness", I do not want to upgrade, anyway. I want to
start from scratch and wipe the hard drive.

Can I do a clean install of Windows 7 64 bit using the upgrade disk? ...
that is what I am not certain of.

Yes, you can. It's not quite as quick and straightforward as it would be
with the Retail or OEM versions, but it works just fine.

And secondly, is that upgrade disk now the only thing I'll need if I
have to reinstall?

Yes. You don't need anything else.

Sorry, I feel like I'm beating this to death now, ... I just don't want
to purchase an operating system disk and then find I am unable to use it
as I intended.

The reason you're getting somewhat different answers lies with how some
people interpret the Microsoft software license. There's an assumption, not
backed up by facts, that the Upgrade version can only be used to upgrade an
existing Windows installation. That's not true, and hasn't been true for
quite some time.

 

[Char Jackson]

So, ... with the upgrade disk alone I could reinstall if the need arose
(HD crash, HD upgrade)?
Yes.

Since it has started as a Dell OEM version of Vista, I believe that
makes it non-transferable. I can not use it on another machine (and
that's okay with me). These various licensing details are confusing to
me. I don't want to buy a version of Windows that I can not use.

You'll be blowing away the Dell OEM version of Vista, so that will be
history. From this point on, you could use a Win 7 Upgrade DVD to install or
reinstall Windows 7 from scratch.

I am assuming that I can upgrade the Dell OEM version.

You've indicated that you actually want to completely blow it away and
install from scratch, so be sure to save any data that you want to keep by
moving or copying it to a safe location prior to starting the OS
installation.

I did an instant
(anytime?) upgrade on a different machine, a Dell laptop, from Dell OEM
Win7 Home Premium to Professional. I want to do "the same" with this
desktop, but from Vista to Win 7 Pro.

An upgrade is a little different from a clean install, so decide what you
want to do and stick to it. If you're going from a 32-bit OS to a 64-bit OS,
you need to do a clean install rather than an upgrade.

I want the upgrade disk to allow me to do a clean install of Windows 7
(so I can use 64 bit) - and to work again if I need to reinstall.

The Win 7 Upgrade DVD allows you to do that, and multiple places on the web
will provide detailed steps, if you need them.

 

[...winston]

"Char Jackson" wrote in message Since the capability has been there for years, going back to at least Vista,
and Microsoft has been fully aware of it during that time, the only
conclusion is that yes, you may do that. If you choose not to take advantage
of a capability that they provide, that's up to you.
Technically feasible and Licensing are 2 different things.

Not much different than obtaining a driver license and agreeing to abide by the rules.
Is it legal to drive on the wrong side of the road ? No.
Can you do it ? Yes

Whether or not a wrong-doing is enforced or not doesn't make it more or less legal.

I'm sure if you thought about, you could easily find more applicable examples.

 

[Char Jackson]

"Char Jackson" wrote in message

Since the capability has been there for years, going back to at least Vista,
and Microsoft has been fully aware of it during that time, the only
conclusion is that yes, you may do that. If you choose not to take advantage
of a capability that they provide, that's up to you.

Technically feasible and Licensing are 2 different things.

I know I'm going to regret responding to you since you're incapable of
posting coherently, but here goes.

Not much different than obtaining a driver license and agreeing to abide by the rules.
Is it legal to drive on the wrong side of the road ? No.
Can you do it ? Yes

Whether or not a wrong-doing is enforced or not doesn't make it more or less legal.

I'm sure if you thought about, you could easily find more applicable examples.

I believe you missed my point entirely. You don't have to try to come up
with analogies. Just stick to the facts at hand. I'm sure, if you give it
some thought, you'll be able to see that there is no 'wrong-doing' involved.

 

[Ken Blake]

2c. comments
- For Win7 and earlier MSFT does not provide support for OEM versions (preinstalled or full version purchases)
- For Win8 a difference exits.
* OEM versions preinstall by pc builders (Dell, HP) are not entiteld to MSFT support.
* Since the full retail and full OEM versions are now one single product (Personal Use for System Builders) MSFT provides 90 days
of support.

Yes, but he was asking about Windows 7, not Windows 8. Still, I should
have made their clearer in my post, so thanks for adding the
clarification.

 

[Ken Blake]

"Char Jackson" wrote in message

Nope, it wasn't Ken1942 that posted the sentence below, it was me.

Since the capability has been there for years, going back to at least Vista,
and Microsoft has been fully aware of it during that time, the only
conclusion is that yes, you may do that. If you choose not to take advantage
of a capability that they provide, that's up to you.

Technically feasible and Licensing are 2 different things.

Not much different than obtaining a driver license and agreeing to abide by the rules.
Is it legal to drive on the wrong side of the road ? No.
Can you do it ? Yes

Whether or not a wrong-doing is enforced or not doesn't make it more or less legal.

My point exactly! I posted it as a question, but it was really a
statement that I was making gently.