Rebuild/install questions

A

Antares 531

I have just completed building a new desktop computer and want to
install Windows 7 on it when this becomes available, next week. I have
a valid box copy of Windows XP Pro that was originally installed on
one of my laptop computers but that laptop hinge broke and the
computer had to be trashed. What I'm saying is, my box copy of Windows
XP Pro is not now installed on any computer. Can I use it as a legal
platform for upgrading from to Windows 7 on my new desktop computer?

This new desktop computer has PCI Express slots and provisions and it
doesn't seem possible to install Windows XP Pro from my box copy CD,
since the initial version, without any Service Packs can not cope with
PCI Express and other later motherboard features.

Can I do a first install with an upgrade version of Windows 7 on the
freshly formatted hard drive, using my Windows XP Pro CD to validate
this as an upgrade, or will I have to buy a full version of Windows 7
for this computer?

Gordon
 
V

VanguardLH

Antares said:
I have just completed building a new desktop computer and want to
install Windows 7 on it when this becomes available, next week. I have
a valid box copy of Windows XP Pro that was originally installed on
one of my laptop computers but that laptop hinge broke and the
computer had to be trashed. What I'm saying is, my box copy of Windows
XP Pro is not now installed on any computer. Can I use it as a legal
platform for upgrading from to Windows 7 on my new desktop computer?

This new desktop computer has PCI Express slots and provisions and it
doesn't seem possible to install Windows XP Pro from my box copy CD,
since the initial version, without any Service Packs can not cope with
PCI Express and other later motherboard features.

Can I do a first install with an upgrade version of Windows 7 on the
freshly formatted hard drive, using my Windows XP Pro CD to validate
this as an upgrade, or will I have to buy a full version of Windows 7
for this computer?

Gordon
Click to expand...

Is it an OEM version for Windows XP? If so, OEM licenses stick with the
first computer on which they are installed. Doesn't matter if you lose
the computer, sell it, spouse gets it in a divorce settlement, dog chews
it up, destroyed in a fire or flood (if not repairable), or destroyed by
an act of war. The license still sticks with the computer. If the
computer is destroyed, so is the OEM license. However, nothing in the
EULA forbids you from repairing or upgrading the original host on which
the OEM license got installed (to the point of having completely new
hardware).

Windows 7 will not upgrade from Windows XP. It will migrate from
Windows XP. That means it will wipe the OS partition and lay down a
fresh copy of Windows 7 after finding a qualify copy of Windows XP
(which might be installed or could just be the installation CD).

In your case, just slide in the Windows XP installation CD when the
Windows 7 upgrade installation asks for a qualifying version of Windows.
There is no *direct* upgrade patch from Windows XP to Windows 7.
Alternatively, to walk from Windows XP to Windows 7 (i.e., do an
upgrade) where you get to keep your old files as they are in the
partition, you would need Vista. Upgrade from Windows XP to Windows
Vista and then from Vista to Windows 7. There is an *indirect* upgrade
path from Windows XP to Windows 7 by going through Windows Vista - but
do you want to also buy Vista?

There is another workaround but is really a migrate and then a transfer
of files. See:

http://www.blogsdna.com/3217/step-by-step-guide-to-upgrade-windows-xp-to-windows-7.htm

You still end up doing a fresh install of Windows 7 that wipes away your
Windows XP partition (rather than upgrade from it). You do the easy
transfer before starting the Windows 7 install, do the Windows 7
install, and then do another easy transfer. What you can transfer will
be limited by what their Easy Transfer wizard supports.

Upgrades suck, anyway. It is always best to backup your data file, do a
fresh install of the new OS, install the apps, and then restore your
data. There'll be plenty of problems with the new OS without having to
carry along the problems with the old OS. The Easy Transfer workaround
is just this: save data, fresh install, restore data. However, you can
do the same by doing your own backups and then a restore later.
 
D

Daave

Antares said:
I have just completed building a new desktop computer and want to
install Windows 7 on it when this becomes available, next week. I have
a valid box copy of Windows XP Pro that was originally installed on
one of my laptop computers but that laptop hinge broke and the
computer had to be trashed. What I'm saying is, my box copy of Windows
XP Pro is not now installed on any computer. Can I use it as a legal
platform for upgrading from to Windows 7 on my new desktop computer?

This new desktop computer has PCI Express slots and provisions and it
doesn't seem possible to install Windows XP Pro from my box copy CD,
since the initial version, without any Service Packs can not cope with
PCI Express and other later motherboard features.

Can I do a first install with an upgrade version of Windows 7 on the
freshly formatted hard drive, using my Windows XP Pro CD to validate
this as an upgrade, or will I have to buy a full version of Windows 7
for this computer?
Click to expand...

Gordon, your question was already answered in your other thread!

Here is the page that was already referenced:

http://community.winsupersite.com:8...upgrade-media-how-does-that-work-exactly.aspx

Here's a recap:

1. In order to *legitimately* upgrade XP to Windows 7, that "valid box
of copy of Windows XP Pro" you referenced above *must* be a Retail
version.

2. If that is the case, one way of performing the upgrade is to install
it (XP Pro) on the new PC (and if your concern above is warranted about
the Service Pack level -- I really don't know if it is or not -- then
you could always create a cutomized XP Pro installation CD,
slipstreaming SP3 into it).

Anyway, since that particular XP Pro is no longer being used on the
laptop, the EULA permits doing just this (again, provided this is a
*Retail* version). Once XP is installed, you may then use the Windows 7
Upgrade CD to install Windows 7. This can only be done as a Clean
Install. And it is convoluted, yes, considering you are expected to
install XP first! But what happens is the Windows 7 Upgrade CD searches
your hard drive for an installation of a qualifying operating system.
Once it is satisfied, it begins the process of a Clean Install of
Windows 7.

3. The author of that blog also related his experience with Windows
Vista and offered the prediction that Windows 7 Will behave the same way
with reference to a shortcut in installing the OS. That particular
article is here:

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_upgrade_clean.asp

(Let's hope he's right!)

The "shortcut" means it wouldn't be necessary to install XP first. I
would imagine that if this possible and if people have been successful
using that method, an article will be published within a few weeks
outlining the procedure.

Again, if you feel you need to install XP that is at the SP3 level, you
could created a "slipstreamed" version. Hopefully, though, this won't
even be necessary (assuming the Vista-style clean install/upgrade method
works).

If your version of XP Pro is OEM, however, and if you wish to honor the
EULA, you would need to use a Full (i.e., not an Upgrade) version of
Windows 7. I hope this explanation suffices.
 
A

Antares 531

Is it an OEM version for Windows XP? If so, OEM licenses stick with the
first computer on which they are installed. Doesn't matter if you lose
the computer, sell it, spouse gets it in a divorce settlement, dog chews
it up, destroyed in a fire or flood (if not repairable), or destroyed by
an act of war. The license still sticks with the computer. If the
computer is destroyed, so is the OEM license. However, nothing in the
EULA forbids you from repairing or upgrading the original host on which
the OEM license got installed (to the point of having completely new
hardware).
Click to expand...
I understand what you're saying, but my copy is a full scale retail
version boxed copy that I bought at Best Buy. I used it to upgrade my
old WinBook laptop from its OEM version of Windows 98 to Windows XP.
This is the laptop that was trashed and the retail version of Windows
XP that I had on it is not installed on any computer presently.
Windows 7 will not upgrade from Windows XP. It will migrate from
Windows XP. That means it will wipe the OS partition and lay down a
fresh copy of Windows 7 after finding a qualify copy of Windows XP
(which might be installed or could just be the installation CD).
Click to expand...
This is one of my main concerns. I can't get Windows XP to install on
my new computer since the CD does not have any of the SP updates and
in its original form Windows XP could not handle PCI Express, which my
new motherboard is outfitted with. I am hoping I can just use the
Windows XP CD when doing the install of Windows 7 on this new
computer. If this will work I can buy an upgrade version instead of
the full house version.
In your case, just slide in the Windows XP installation CD when the
Windows 7 upgrade installation asks for a qualifying version of Windows.
There is no *direct* upgrade patch from Windows XP to Windows 7.
Alternatively, to walk from Windows XP to Windows 7 (i.e., do an
upgrade) where you get to keep your old files as they are in the
partition, you would need Vista. Upgrade from Windows XP to Windows
Vista and then from Vista to Windows 7. There is an *indirect* upgrade
path from Windows XP to Windows 7 by going through Windows Vista - but
do you want to also buy Vista?
Click to expand...
There is a lot of confusion surrounding the word "upgrade." I've
always used the term "migrate" when talking of changing a computer's
OS from one version to a later version without removing the earlier
version. I use the term upgrade to indicate the difference between an
upgrade copy and a full version of the OS software. I was using it to
indicate an install of Windows 7 that would only install on a computer
that had a recognized earlier version of Windows on it, or had a CD
with this as a qualifier for installing Windows 7.
There is another workaround but is really a migrate and then a transfer
of files. See:

http://www.blogsdna.com/3217/step-by-step-guide-to-upgrade-windows-xp-to-windows-7.htm

You still end up doing a fresh install of Windows 7 that wipes away your
Windows XP partition (rather than upgrade from it). You do the easy
transfer before starting the Windows 7 install, do the Windows 7
install, and then do another easy transfer. What you can transfer will
be limited by what their Easy Transfer wizard supports.
Click to expand...
I have no problems with a fresh install, since this is a new computer
with nothing on the hard drive, yet. All I'm concerned about is
whether I should buy the upgrade or full price version of Windows 7.
Upgrades suck, anyway. It is always best to backup your data file, do a
fresh install of the new OS, install the apps, and then restore your
data. There'll be plenty of problems with the new OS without having to
carry along the problems with the old OS. The Easy Transfer workaround
is just this: save data, fresh install, restore data. However, you can
do the same by doing your own backups and then a restore later.
Click to expand...
..
I agree. I do have all my important data backed up on flash memory
sticks and an some external hard drives. I'll move this onto the new
computer after I get Windows 7 installed and checked out thoroughly.

Thanks for communicating with me on this. I need lots of inputs.

Gordon
 
A

Antares 531

Gordon, your question was already answered in your other thread!

Here is the page that was already referenced:

http://community.winsupersite.com:8...upgrade-media-how-does-that-work-exactly.aspx

Here's a recap:

1. In order to *legitimately* upgrade XP to Windows 7, that "valid box
of copy of Windows XP Pro" you referenced above *must* be a Retail
version.
Click to expand...
It is a valid box copy of Windows XP Pro. I bought it to upgrade my
old Winbook XP laptop from Windows 98 to XP. That is the laptop that
has been trashed and the valid box copy of Windows XP Pro that was
installed on it is no longer installed on any computer.
2. If that is the case, one way of performing the upgrade is to install
it (XP Pro) on the new PC (and if your concern above is warranted about
the Service Pack level -- I really don't know if it is or not -- then
you could always create a cutomized XP Pro installation CD,
slipstreaming SP3 into it).
Click to expand...
This is where I got hung up. I have not been able to install Windows
XP Pro on this new desktop computer. The problem has something to do
with this new computer's motherboard having PCI Express designed into
it and Windows XP with none of the Service Packs is unable to cope
with this.
Anyway, since that particular XP Pro is no longer being used on the
laptop, the EULA permits doing just this (again, provided this is a
*Retail* version). Once XP is installed, you may then use the Windows 7
Upgrade CD to install Windows 7. This can only be done as a Clean
Install. And it is convoluted, yes, considering you are expected to
install XP first! But what happens is the Windows 7 Upgrade CD searches
your hard drive for an installation of a qualifying operating system.
Once it is satisfied, it begins the process of a Clean Install of
Windows 7.
Click to expand...
Here is the core of my dilemma. I can not figure out whether or not
Windows 7 upgrade version will honor my Windows XP Pro CD or if it
will require that I have Windows XP Pro installed and functional on
this new computer.
3. The author of that blog also related his experience with Windows
Vista and offered the prediction that Windows 7 Will behave the same way
with reference to a shortcut in installing the OS. That particular
article is here:

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_upgrade_clean.asp

(Let's hope he's right!)

The "shortcut" means it wouldn't be necessary to install XP first. I
would imagine that if this possible and if people have been successful
using that method, an article will be published within a few weeks
outlining the procedure.

Again, if you feel you need to install XP that is at the SP3 level, you
could created a "slipstreamed" version. Hopefully, though, this won't
even be necessary (assuming the Vista-style clean install/upgrade method
works).
Click to expand...
I may have to learn how to do this. I've read some posts on the
subject but it sounds a bit complex. I am hoping that I can just buy
an upgrade version of Windows 7 and install it onto the new freshly
formatted hard drive with no problems.
If your version of XP Pro is OEM, however, and if you wish to honor the
EULA, you would need to use a Full (i.e., not an Upgrade) version of
Windows 7. I hope this explanation suffices.
Click to expand...
My version of XP Pro is a full retail boxed copy, not an OEM copy. I
bought it at Best Buy and installed it onto my old Winbook Laptop,
upgrading it from Windows 98 to XP. Windows 98 was the OEM OS for this
computer.

Thanks for your insights. I'm learning...albeit slowly ;-)

Gordon
 
D

Daave

Antares said:
It is a valid box copy of Windows XP Pro. I bought it to upgrade my
old Winbook XP laptop from Windows 98 to XP. That is the laptop that
has been trashed and the valid box copy of Windows XP Pro that was
installed on it is no longer installed on any computer.
This is where I got hung up. I have not been able to install Windows
XP Pro on this new desktop computer. The problem has something to do
with this new computer's motherboard having PCI Express designed into
it and Windows XP with none of the Service Packs is unable to cope
with this.
Here is the core of my dilemma. I can not figure out whether or not
Windows 7 upgrade version will honor my Windows XP Pro CD or if it
will require that I have Windows XP Pro installed and functional on
this new computer.
I may have to learn how to do this. I've read some posts on the
subject but it sounds a bit complex. I am hoping that I can just buy
an upgrade version of Windows 7 and install it onto the new freshly
formatted hard drive with no problems.
My version of XP Pro is a full retail boxed copy, not an OEM copy. I
bought it at Best Buy and installed it onto my old Winbook Laptop,
upgrading it from Windows 98 to XP. Windows 98 was the OEM OS for this
computer.

Thanks for your insights. I'm learning...albeit slowly ;-)
Click to expand...

You're welcome.

Hopefully all you will need to do to install Windows 7 (using the
Windows 7 Upgrade CD) is to use the method outlined here:

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_upgrade_clean.asp

(although for Vista, the author is hopeful the method will work with
Windows 7, too. Keep your fingers crossed!)

This way, you don't even need to worry about installing XP *at all*,
with or without Service Packs. And since you do have a Retail version of
XP, everything is 100% ethical and legal.

If you want to play around with slipstreaming, this page is helpful:

http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=295

An alternative is to use a program like nLite to automate the process.
 
V

VanguardLH

PA said:
WinXP is not a valid upgrade path for Win7 so it doesn't matter if WinXP is
installed.

All you need to know will be found here:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/help/upgrading-from-windows-xp-to-windows-7
Click to expand...

According to that article:

6. Choose the partition containing Windows XP ...

So Microsoft is saying that Windows XP must already be installed in a
partition on a hard disk in the computer before Windows 7 will continue
its installation. The qualifying Windows XP must already be installed.
That sucks and is just plain stupid (but not a surprise, really).

The link provided by Daave might work to eliminate having to first do
the Windows XP install. That article (for the one it references, that
is) has you basically go through an install that gives you a 30-day
trial installation (because you didn't enter the product key). You end
up with a clean install of the new OS that will run for a month since it
hasn't been activated. You then upgrade the trial install by entering
your product key. In the procedure described, you never needed a
qualifying version of the prior Windows version. You had the Vista
upgrade the trial install of Vista.

Well, it worked back then but I'll bet Microsoft has closed that
blunderous crevasse in Windows 7. If they did, Antares will have to
figure out how to get Windows XP installed on his host. Antares never
does describe in detail why he cannot install Windows XP on his desktop.
In fact, per his post, he never does say that he even tried to install
Windows XP (he does say in a later post that he was not able to install
but still gives no details). Could be he just needs to hit F6 right
after setup.exe begins to tell Windows that it needs to pause the
install process by prompting him for drivers to his mass storage
controllers (i.e., the hard drives). Could be that he needs to follow
the Windows install which a mobo chipset driver install.

The OP should start a new thread to discuss how to get Windows XP
installed and provide the details of why it doesn't "work".
 
V

VanguardLH

VanguardLH said:
According to that article:

6. Choose the partition containing Windows XP ...

So Microsoft is saying that Windows XP must already be installed in a
partition on a hard disk in the computer before Windows 7 will continue
its installation. The qualifying Windows XP must already be installed.
That sucks and is just plain stupid (but not a surprise, really).

The link provided by Daave might work to eliminate having to first do
the Windows XP install. That article (for the one it references, that
is) has you basically go through an install that gives you a 30-day
trial installation (because you didn't enter the product key). You end
up with a clean install of the new OS that will run for a month since it
hasn't been activated. You then upgrade the trial install by entering
your product key. In the procedure described, you never needed a
qualifying version of the prior Windows version. You had the Vista
upgrade the trial install of Vista.

Well, it worked back then but I'll bet Microsoft has closed that
blunderous crevasse in Windows 7. If they did, Antares will have to
figure out how to get Windows XP installed on his host. Antares never
does describe in detail why he cannot install Windows XP on his desktop.
In fact, per his post, he never does say that he even tried to install
Windows XP (he does say in a later post that he was not able to install
but still gives no details). Could be he just needs to hit F6 right
after setup.exe begins to tell Windows that it needs to pause the
install process by prompting him for drivers to his mass storage
controllers (i.e., the hard drives). Could be that he needs to follow
the Windows install which a mobo chipset driver install.

The OP should start a new thread to discuss how to get Windows XP
installed and provide the details of why it doesn't "work".
Click to expand...

Well, I wonder if this trick would work. Along with the article telling
you how to do an install of a trial version of Vista (without giving the
product key) and then upgrading that trial version (and hoping this
scheme still works for Windows 7), you might also have to make that
trial version look like an older version then the same disc you'll use
to upgrade that trial version.

http://www.codenamewindows.com/?p=811

The trick in this article has you edit the Cversion.ini file. You would
have to use a utility to create an ISO file from the Windows 7
installation CD so you could edit the Cversion.ini file. You can then
either run the setup.exe from that ISO image (you'll have to mount it
using a virtual drive) or burn that modified ISO image back onto a CD
and run setup.exe from there. If the "fresh trial install followed by
in-place upgrade install" used for Vista doesn't work with 7 then maybe
editing the Cversion.ini file (after the trial version install) might do
the trick to get the following in-place upgrade to work.

I haven't seen chatter on a workaround for Windows XP users to using an
upgrade license of Windows 7 to end up with a fresh install that does
not rely on an existing installation of Windows XP. So I think the OP
really needs to consider why he cannot get Windows XP installed. After
all, if he can't get XP installed, why does he think that 7 will
install?
 
D

dadiOH

Antares said:
I may have to learn how to do this. I've read some posts on the
subject but it sounds a bit complex.
Click to expand...

Actually, it is quite simple...

1. Download the service pack(s) from Microsoft

2. Download AutoStreamer
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/System-Tweak/Autostreamer.shtml

3. Follow the instructions
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/System-Tweak/Autostreamer.shtml

--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico
 
A

Antares 531

Thanks, PA. I downloaded and printed out the PDF version of this
information. My main concern at this point is whether or not my
Read/Write CD will do the job or if I would need a different kind of
CD burner, and also would I be able to do this on another computer
without messing up the computer ID information? My new computer won't
yet let me burn a CD.

Gordon
 
A

Antares 531

Snip

The OP should start a new thread to discuss how to get Windows XP
installed and provide the details of why it doesn't "work".
Click to expand...
I see your point. I just did this and am hoping for the best.

Gordon
 
P

PA Bear [MS MVP]

Then again, also see
http://social.answers.microsoft.com...7/thread/58c0c6f6-4536-4202-8a79-27bcb6325542
and the bottom of this page:
http://store.microsoft.com/microsoft/Windows-Windows-7/category/102

As a colleague puts it...

"You can use an upgrade from WinXP...However, the upgrade needs to be
started from a running activated version of the operating system. It will do
a clean install of Win7 but transfer your existing operating system to
windows old."

So in essence you're doing a clean install (vs a true OS upgrade) using an
Upgrade CD.
 

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