Hey there, got some question regarding win7 and i just need some help :>

1. firstoff win7 OEM(like on amazon for ~120€) is totally the same software just without the case/book and free support right?

i *think* i know this but the story is that i got win7 pro as part of the gift from my gf. but she payed freakin 290€ for that cause the guys in the shop told her that OEM versions will only work on the hardware you installed it first time.
i mean afaik thats true for the real oem versions dell etc use with the manufacturer key in the bios. but the random oem versions you can buy out there should work on evrything always right?

just want to make this 100% sure before i tell her that we gotta return it. i dont want her to waste money for nothing and dont wanna install a freakin 300€ windows...

2. i can just download win7 (so i dont have to rip the box open),put in on a stick ,install, use trial and then enter the key when the other issue is resolved right? dont wanna wait too long, bf3 is waiting for me >.<

3. anything i need to know about upgrading from xp to win7? or can i just clear my c: partition, keep my others and all is fine? guess i need to reinstall/redownload all games? also how will steam react?

appreciate all help.

also merry christmas to evryone !

/opened in blogs cause i dont think this really warrants a thread in tech. hope i still get answers ~~

skyR

Canada13817 Posts

December 25 2011 00:34 GMT

The software for OEM and retail are the same. You pay extra for retail for the packaging and the license you keep for life. OEM license is tied to one computer (though you can re-use it over and over again by calling Microsoft). OEM is OEM, there is no difference between the OEM on a prebuilt Dell and the OEM you purchase from the store.

Yes you can download Windows 7 and put it on a disc or usb drive and install it.

You just need to format the partition and do a clean install. I'm not sure what you mean when you say how will steam react... all your games are tied to your steam account so you can just redownload them or you can just copy and paste your Steam folder to another drive.

LeKiNGG

Canada110 Posts

December 25 2011 00:38 GMT

You could also have tried posting in this thread: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=233916

BeMannerDuPenner

Germany5638 Posts

December 25 2011 00:57 GMT

On December 25 2011 09:34 skyR wrote:
The software for OEM and retail are the same. You pay extra for retail for the packaging and the license you keep for life. OEM license is tied to one computer (though you can re-use it over and over again by calling Microsoft). OEM is OEM, there is no difference between the OEM on a prebuilt Dell and the OEM you purchase from the store.

Yes you can download Windows 7 and put it on a disc or usb drive and install it.

You just need to format the partition and do a clean install. I'm not sure what you mean when you say how will steam react... all your games are tied to your steam account so you can just redownload them or you can just copy and paste your Steam folder to another drive.

first, ty. youre one of the guys i was hoping for ~~

so you can also keep the win7 from prebuilt computers? so i could buy a shitty 200€ ,resell it for 150+ without windows and get a cheap license in theory? thought you dont get a key since they activate over the bios code, this wrong? or do they just give you a new key on request?

you say i have to call microsoft support, just a quick call and its good? what hardware is it tied to then? mobo i assume? bit surprised since i didnt read about that before.

what i meant about steam is if copypaste will work or not pretty much. with just ~ 3 mb downspeed downloading like 80gb isnt fun.

On December 25 2011 09:38 LeKiNGG wrote:
You could also have tried posting in this thread: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=233916

erm ya. guess so. forgot about that thread and the built resource thread didnt really fit <.<

skyR

Canada13817 Posts

December 25 2011 01:11 GMT

Yes, you can keep the Windows 7 license that comes with a prebuilt Dell. Dell usually puts a sticker with the license key on the side of the case. The license key is activated in Windows itself, BIOS has nothing to do with activating a Windows product key.

The license key is tied to the motherboard yes. You can call Microsoft and just make up some story (that your motherboard died) and they'll reactivate it for you.

Yes copy pasting with Steam works, here are detailed instructions: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7418-YUBN-8129

Divinek

Canada4045 Posts

December 25 2011 03:05 GMT

god that makes me feel so bad that people pay that much for an OS when you can get them for free, especially if they're starving university students like myself

BeMannerDuPenner

Germany5638 Posts

December 25 2011 17:44 GMT

On December 25 2011 10:11 skyR wrote:
Yes, you can keep the Windows 7 license that comes with a prebuilt Dell. Dell usually puts a sticker with the license key on the side of the case. The license key is activated in Windows itself, BIOS has nothing to do with activating a Windows product key.

The license key is tied to the motherboard yes. You can call Microsoft and just make up some story (that your motherboard died) and they'll reactivate it for you.

Yes copy pasting with Steam works, here are detailed instructions: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7418-YUBN-8129

alright. heared so many different stuff about oem at this time that it got quite confusing. think will go with the systembuilder version which seems to be same as the oem but apparently without the hardware bind or atleast less strict about that.

have a new question tho, is it possible to create a 64bit bootstick with my 32bit winxp? the tools/guides dont work for that, any workaround possible? other then going to a friend with a 64bit system which is quite hard over the holidays.

/edit pending. found a linux/ubuntu usb installer which apparently supports win7 and 32bit to 64 bit.

On December 25 2011 12:05 Divinek wrote:
god that makes me feel so bad that people pay that much for an OS when you can get them for free, especially if they're starving university students like myself

well im no starving student and neither is my gf. but still the price for the retail is crazy. and the only free methods i know are illegal/troublesome.