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Fresh Win7 install, questions.

R

rking12345678

Member
My computer has Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit OEM and I've swapped around my video card a few times since purchasing, as well as installing and uninstalling various software that have left remnants of themselves in places so I was thinking about backing up and reinstalling to get things running nice again. I have a few questions first since I've never installed Windows 7, I originally bought it as a custom from a local computer shop so it's not a prebuilt (well, branded prebuilt like Dell, HP, etc). I have installed XP and previous versions numerous times so the idea's not completely new to me, I'm just new to Win7.

If I were to wipe the HDD and do a clean install on the same hardware will I have any issues? I know you can't install the OEM version on another motherboard but even since I'm just reinstalling on the same hardware as I have now I'd hate to have to buy another copy of Windows 7 if something went wrong.

Will I be allowed to reactivate my copy of Windows easily or will I have to talk to someone? Do I need the CD key when I install, or does it get entered afterward? It's on the other side of my case so I need to know when to write the numbers down.

Is there a list anywhere with commonly forgotten things to back up before reinstalling? I'd hate to forget something and realize it later and such a list would be helpful.

I have a 320GB HDD, would it make sense when reinstalling to create a smaller boot partition or just use the entire HDD for both Win7 and other software/storage?

Thanks for any help.
 
I can't answer all of your questions. I am not sure if activation will be problem or not - it shouldn't be. I thought that there was way to save some activation file so you don't have to reactivate if your hardware is exactly the same. You will need to enter key during installation, but you don't need to activate it right away.
Windows Easy Transfer will back up most of your files, and has settings to decide how much of data you want transferred.
As for partitioning the drive, it is personal preference, whatever you do don't make too many partitions and don't make Windows partition too small. I would personally make partition for my documents, music and pictures, and then setup new user account to use these locations. That way, there is less or nothing to backup on next reinstallation.
 
I think the question I should be asking is can I even legally install the copy of Windows 7 I have that was included with product key sticker and disc and installed on the custom PC I bought at my local computer store. I searched on Google for various questions and found that one needs to use Windows 7 OPK, http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/techsupport/downloads/pages/windows_7_opk.aspx. This is over my head, I understand little of it and I need to be registered with Microsoft's OEM Partner Center to access the quick start guides for this.

I also found this which talks about Windows 7 OEM, http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/what-microsoft-wont-tell-you-about-windows-7-licensing/1514?pg=2, which states:

"Although it is possible for an individual to buy a System Builder copy of Windows 7 and install it on a new PC, that scenario is specifically prohibited by the license agreement, which requires that the software be installed using the OPK and then resold to a non-related third party."

Does this apply to me if I'm reinstalling the software I already bought that was once installed on the computer, if I reinstall do I have to sell my computer? Am I legally allowed to reinstall using my Windows 7 disc and product key or is that not allowed?

Long story short, if I want a new Windows installation am I going to need to buy Windows again just to do it?

edit: also found this, http://i.zdnet.com/blogs/license-and-media-matrix.png, which mentions "Clean install permitted" then in the footnotes says "Reinstallation procedures vary by manufacturer". Am I supposed to contact the store that sold me the computer then since they're the ones that installed it originally?
 
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If there's an issue with online activation, a quick call to Microsoft clears it up. They are not as strict as their licensing language would have you believe, as long as you don't try to install the same license on multiple machines simultaneously.
 
I reinstalled, activation was almost instantaneous and I'm running on a genuine installation of Windows 7. Thanks everyone for helping clear up my concerns.
 
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