Win 7 to new drive

[jv]

I've read a couple posts about being able to by-pass the upgrade install and use an upgrade disk on a new drive. Is there any method that is currently working (i.e. not patched? Do I need to be concerned with maximum partition size (2Tb primary)?

thanks for your time,

jhv

 

[slayer202]

I've got these bookmarked for when I install in a few days. can't confirm if they work or are patched though

http://community.winsupersite.com/b...-windows-7-with-upgrade-media-the-answer.aspx

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/clean_install_upgrade_media.asp

 

[exar333]

You can google quite a bit of guides to do this. The easiest way to try (and has worked 1 of 2 attempts for me) is to not enter the serial number at installation and uncheck the "automatically register online after startup" or something to that effect. You then can manually activate the serial after install, and voila! it works.

The other install (I don't have the link handy) requires a patch download that is really easy and then allows you to activate. Either way is very easy.

If you have a newer HDD or SSD, don't forget to install Win7 with AHCI enabled, or you have to do a registry edit to activate it later (That was me!). 😛

Edit: I do have valid copies of Vista, but wanted clean installs for both computers, on brand-new drives. 🙂

 

[linster]

I treated my Windows 7 Upgrade media as a Full media, did a clean install, and activated with no problems. Yes, I entered my serial number at installation. I did uncheck the activate windows automatically at install. After install, I activated it.

 

[TemjinGold]

I treated my Windows 7 Upgrade media as a Full media, did a clean install, and activated with no problems. Yes, I entered my serial number at installation. I did uncheck the activate windows automatically at install. After install, I activated it.

Same here. I installed clean from a blank drive and it worked as if it was a full version. Not sure why but not complaining (I do own a legit Vista 64 Ultimate for those curious.) I have Win7 x64 Pro and got mine during the $100 pre-order time period if that helps.

 

[RebateMonger]

I treated my Windows 7 Upgrade media as a Full media, did a clean install, and activated with no problems. Yes, I entered my serial number at installation. I did uncheck the activate windows automatically at install. After install, I activated it.

Are you using "Retail Box" Windows 7 Upgrade-only software? (It came in a full plastic box?)

And the hard drive was empty?

 

[P2Mc28]

If you have a newer HDD or SSD, don't forget to install Win7 with AHCI enabled, or you have to do a registry edit to activate it later (That was me!). 😛

What does that mean, exactly? I just installed Win7 on my machine because I couldn't wait any longer, but I just bought the 40gig Kingston SSD, and I'll be doing a fresh install on that. I don't remember any AHCI thingy.

 

[exar333]

What does that mean, exactly? I just installed Win7 on my machine because I couldn't wait any longer, but I just bought the 40gig Kingston SSD, and I'll be doing a fresh install on that. I don't remember any AHCI thingy.

AHCI is enabled in the BIOS. Often times the BIOS is defaulted to IDE-mode (compatability mode) and not AHCI. Without this enabled in the BIOS, things like NCQ and TRIM won't work. Vista and Win7 both support AHCI (Advanaced Host Controller interface IIRC) natively, while XP does not. If you install Win7 without enabling AHCI, then change the BIOS to AHCI, Windows will boot to a BSOD. You then have to do a registry edit to edit the OS and then enable AHCI in the BIOS.

 

[P2Mc28]

Ah, thank you.

 

[linster]

Are you using "Retail Box" Windows 7 Upgrade-only software? (It came in a full plastic box?)

And the hard drive was empty?

Yes, it is a Window 7 Home Premium Upgrade Retail version purchased during the promotional period for 49.99. The box was cardboard, I believe they got more environmentally friendly and got rid of the plastic box.

There are guides out there that also report success from people just clean installing and activating with the Upgrade version. Here's one,

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/clean_install_upgrade_media.asp

I installed it on an Intel 80GB SSD. I did a complete erase with HDDerase before installing. So, yes, it was empty.