boot windows 7 on different hardware

[hhhd1]

I want to boot the same windows 7 installation on different hardware

I know many backup software do this while restoring a backup image, software like Ghost and Acronis and others.

I need to be able to do this manually, the only thing similar between the different sets of hardware is that both are BIOS and not UEFI, and both cpus supports x64.

What tool can do that, or How to do it manually ?

 

[cl-scott]

Well first it is worth asking whether or not this is a retail or OEM version of Windows. Because if it's an OEM version, even if you get it to boot, it'll just lock you out almost immediately when it fails to activate. So, to potentially save you a second or more posts, trying to figure out why it won't work before everyone zeroes in on it being an OEM copy... May as well just clear that up straight away.

 

[hhhd1]

Well first it is worth asking whether or not this is a retail or OEM version of Windows. Because if it's an OEM version, even if you get it to boot, it'll just lock you out almost immediately when it fails to activate. So, to potentially save you a second or more posts, trying to figure out why it won't work before everyone zeroes in on it being an OEM copy... May as well just clear that up straight away.

Yes it is mostly OEM, and probably some retail down the line.

With OEM, as far as I know, the activation process is done by comparing the certificate in windows, to the signature in BIOS, so as long as both PCs have the same BIOS from the same manufacturer, the re-activation process should go smoothly.

Edit:

Even if BIOS is different, but both PCs had OEM windows 7, I could just copy over the certificate and the key manually to the new windows, should also work fine.

 

[JackMDS]

You can Not just copy HD installation.

Copy does Not provide bootable working HD.

There are variety of Applications that can Clone to a new HD.

You mentioned Acronis and Ghost, if you do not want to use them because they cost money there are few free apps as well.

When Hardware is similar it might Boot after the Cloning and adjust itself.

Or it might need the use of a bootable repair DVD, or it will not work at all.

Once the new installation works it will be intrial Mode for 30 days and then you have to Activate it with a Valid new Key.

There is No legal way to copy things and pirate your own OS.

 

[cl-scott]

Yes it is mostly OEM, and probably some retail down the line.

With OEM, as far as I know, the activation process is done by comparing the certificate in windows, to the signature in BIOS, so as long as both PCs have the same BIOS from the same manufacturer, the re-activation process should go smoothly.

Edit:

Even if BIOS is different, but both PCs had OEM windows 7, I could just copy over the certificate and the key manually to the new windows, should also work fine.

Yeah, the problem with this is that OEM copies of Windows do not have transfer rights. They are tied very specifically to the original hardware. So even if the OS might activate, it would still technically be pirated because you are in violation of the EULA.

So I'll toss this one up to the mods, and suggest no one responds until they have had a chance to decide whether or not it's something within the bounds of the rules here. For my part, if come Monday they haven't locked this thread, I'll help out.

 

[hhhd1]

if both PCs are do have licensed OEM , shouldn't it be fine ?

pc1 and pc2 both have OEM windows 7 pro

1. backup license certificate of pc1
2. transfer image of HD from pc2 to pc1
3. re-apply license backed up on pc1 on step 1. (re-applying the license on the same hardware)

Do you mean that this action is illegal and i would have to manually re-install all applications ?

 

[hhhd1]

Even if doing so is not legal, doing this on Retail is perfectly legal, and re-activation works just fine,

I still would like to know how to do it in this case.

 

[hhhd1]

This is the feature that I am asking about:

http://kb.acronis.com/content/2149

hacking windows license is not the issue of the thread, please do not make it about that.

all i need is a way to do the above manually, and possibly have a free tool that can do it.

Please do not mention piracy or how to pirate windows, it is not what this thread is about.

 

[Bubbaleone]

Many IT professionals use available Microsoft tools for deployment. I'm not aware of any free third-party imaging software with universal restore, and I don't see anyone trying to make this thread about "piracy". It's simply and factually been pointed out to you that restoring an exisiting OEM licensed Windows image to dissimilar hardware is a violation of Microsoft's OEM EULA, period.

That both PCs are legally OEM licensed is irrelevant because any OEM license is only legal on the actual machine hardware upon which it was first activated. Your OP is not about deploying a Retail licensed Windows image to dissimilar hardware and your later statement: "Yes it is mostly OEM, and probably some retail down the line.", doesn't change that fact.


.

 

[hhhd1]

Let me clear it a bit more,

Before the process:

Lets say I have 2 laptops, with windows 7 pro, licensed OEM, with their own keys

After the process:

I would have 2 laptops, with windows 7 pro, licensed OEM, each laptop will be activated with its own OEM license, and its own OEM key.

What is going to be transferred is the windows image with the installed programs and files.

The process of creating a backup image and restoring it is not illegal and does not violate any agreements.


Still, this is not the issue of the thread

 

[ViRGE]

Just so we're clear, what are you trying to do? Are you trying to pull off a one-time clone? Or is it that you're trying to have a common Windows installation to an external hard drive, and you want to be able to plug it into whatever machine you need?

Anyhow, those backup utilities are basically running Microsoft's Sysprep utility, which is how they strip away the settings tying an installation to specific hardware. If this is just a one-time copy, then you can just sysprep, backup, restore, and away you go.

 

[hhhd1]

What i am currently trying to do is to be able to physically replace the HD from one pc to another, and have it work, without having to backup and restore using acronis.

(this feature is named "acronis universal restore" in acronis)

I also have a vista ultimate retail, that i could use this feature on, if i got it working.

I am looking at "Sysprep" , and it appears like what i am looking for, but can it do this offline, .. like to run it using a boot cd or something like that ?

Edit: I could run sysprep every time i do move the HD.