Format and reinstall Windows 7 from RTM ISO with legit key?

[GodlessAstronomer]

I got my Windows 7 key from my university. Soon I'm upgrading my PC and will need to format and reinstall the OS. I originally installed it and activated it from the RTM ISO - will I have any trouble installing it on a new system? I don't really know how this works with legit OS's, what happens when I try to activate on a new machine after I've already activated with this CD key?

 

[cmdrdredd]

I believe, but am not 100% that MS allows you to install the retail version you own on a new PC if you upgrade, but an OEM license is limited. Now, people do install on multiple systems but that's against the license agreement.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

This version should be retail, right? It certainly didn't come with any hardware. I only want it on one machine at a time so you're saying I shouldn't have any trouble with it?

 

[cmdrdredd]

It'll work, but legally I couldn't tell you if it's against the rules. You will not be locked out of installing it though.

 

[ViRGE]

University keys are usually MSDNAA, which are OEM-type keys. You won't be able to transfer it to a new computer. You will need to ask your school for a new key.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Originally posted by: ViRGE
University keys are usually MSDNAA, which are OEM-type keys. You won't be able to transfer it to a new computer. You will need to ask your school for a new key.

Ugh I just did some Googling, looks like you're right. Does anyone know how painful this will be? Is my school's MSDNAA guy likely to just give me a key if I explain this situation to him?

 

[nerp]

Originally posted by: GodlessAstronomer

Originally posted by: ViRGE
University keys are usually MSDNAA, which are OEM-type keys. You won't be able to transfer it to a new computer. You will need to ask your school for a new key.

Ugh I just did some Googling, looks like you're right. Does anyone know how painful this will be? Is my school's MSDNAA guy likely to just give me a key if I explain this situation to him?

He might.

Keep in mind the OS will probably activate no problem. If it fails activation, calling the # on the screen will likely get you a new product ID. The legality of this is questionable but there are situations in which MS realizes that someone might have to reinstall because a licensed computer blew up and had to be reinstalled.

 

[KeypoX]

Originally posted by: ViRGE
University keys are usually MSDNAA, which are OEM-type keys. You won't be able to transfer it to a new computer. You will need to ask your school for a new key.

hmm i read the opposite that it was retail.

Google says the same thing. http://www.google.com/search?h...=t&oq=msdnaa+windows+7

http://windows7center.com/foru...5-msdn-win7-pro-3.html

also another link from that google search. And slickdeals posts back when a deal came in said the same thing. Dont know how to verify though...

 

[ViRGE]

Unless something has changed, MSDNAA keys are OEM. If they haven't changed anything for Windows 7, you should be able to look at the Product ID and determine what kind of key you used. xxxxx-OEM means that it's an OEM key; otherwise if it's composed of numbers, it might be a retail key.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Definitely no "OEM" in my product ID. Guess I'll find out when I do the upgrade, I keep finding conflicting answers. Thanks guys.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Just a quick update, I put together the new machine today. The OS failed to activate, I called MS (they have a toll free number right here in NZ). No waiting on hold, no fuss, spoke to a very nice lady who happily activated the OS for me. Took about 5 minutes. Very nice, thanks to MS 🙂 And now I can confirm for you guys that MSDNAA keys can only be activated on a single machine without contacting MS.