Windows 7 x64 OEM Surprise!

Dyre Straits · Jan 20, 2011, 03:44 PM

I've done a lot of system upgrades over the years. Windows 3.1 -> Windows 95 and haven't stopped since. I skipped the "ME" version, though and went to Windows 98, 98SE, and finally, after a couple of years of stubbornness, upgraded to XP Home and then to XP Pro. I had Vista for a short time.

But, I've had Windows 7 since the RC days and have really enjoyed the experience....for the most part. With W7, I finally went the x64 route and that's been quite a pleasure, too.

So, after having Windows 7 x64 OEM installed for the past year, I finally decided to do a system upgrade including Motherboard, CPU, and RAM.

To cut to the chase, I used the Windows Backup Tool to back up my system this past weekend. TWELVE long hours later, the selected files and programs were safely backed up to a separate HDD.

Then, when it came time to start up the new system, and, as I had expected to do based on past upgrade experiences, to install Windows again, I was quite surprised to discover that all I had to do was start up my previous installation and let Windows 7 do the job of installing the correct drivers for all the new devices and components! Yes, there were a couple of quirks, but nothing really troublesome.

What's more, once the system was up and running, there was a prompt that I had 3 Day Until Automatic Activation. I decided, why wait? I'll go ahead and get it over with. So, expecting to have to call MS to get a new key, I started the online activation and......Shock of shocks!! It activated with no need to call MS at all!

I've not had to install any of my programs and games, and have only had to update a few device drivers.

The one item that was a little problem was the MARVELL ATA Control device. But, that's been sorted pretty easily.

AND, I did have one bad RAM stick and had to return the kit and get a new one.

As I've haven't done any other system upgrades on Windows 7, I'm not sure if my experience is the norm. But, it was quite nice to not have to go through all the re-installation of programs and such.

Tyrsonswood · Jan 20, 2011, 04:19 PM

Lucky you.............. Hasn't gone that well here but I've got the upgrade "family pack".... Two systems no problems. The third..... If I look at it wrong it loses activation and gives me 3 days but won't activate without a call and I have to call the volume license number.... (usually I get India) The automated number tells me I can only install that key on one machine and hangs up. (won't transfer me to a human being)

I'm about to just eat that install and buy an OEM version...... Retail is to danged pricey.

Judas · Jan 20, 2011, 04:34 PM

yeah win7 is pretty slick.. windows vista is near identical to that too..

I don't even activate windows....

under windows vista.. if you left it for long enough.. windows vista would 100% lock you down and out...

Windows 7.... cancel the activation window that pops up when you first start.. and continue to use windows 7 with all the featurs EXCLUDING changing the wallpaper... everything works 100%.... updates.... etc.....

Been using an unactivated windows 7 home premium OEM with upgrades/system changes..etc... for over a year now..

blibbax · Jan 20, 2011, 05:11 PM

You say this can be done with Vista too?

That could have saved me a lot of time a couple of years ago, lol. Do you have to use the backup tool for it to work?

Judas · Jan 20, 2011, 07:37 PM

Yes it worked with vista...... but windows 7 works better.

Backup tools are useless, slow.. and comberson.. and unreliable.

Just grab a blank flash drive or hardrive and pick and choose what to copy over....

blibbax · Jan 20, 2011, 07:39 PM

What? So are you saying that this method requires you to back up your documents, or not?

Dyre was saying that he used the built in Windows 7 backup, but didn't make it clear whether this was a necessary step.

Takaharu · Jan 20, 2011, 07:44 PM

I knew of this option already, I just prefer to do a clean install; it keeps me from re-installing crap I can never be bothered to uninstall "in case I need it" and everything's fresh and fast.

Judas · Jan 20, 2011, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blibbax

What? So are you saying that this method requires you to back up your documents, or not?

Dyre was saying that he used the built in Windows 7 backup, but didn't make it clear whether this was a necessary step.

what i'm saying is that you should ALWAYS backup your important files reguardless of how simple or complex the thing you may be doing...

never take the chance.... one day ... and it's almost a guarantee.. even if it takes years to happen..... something will go wrong.

blibbax · Jan 20, 2011, 11:23 PM

Yeah, I do always keep a backup - nothing fancy, just a copy of all my files.

I was just wondering whether in some way using the built in backup tool in Windows facilitated not having to reinstall when the hardware is changed, but it seems not.

Dyre Straits · Jan 21, 2011, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blibbax

Yeah, I do always keep a backup - nothing fancy, just a copy of all my files.

I was just wondering whether in some way using the built in backup tool in Windows facilitated not having to reinstall when the hardware is changed, but it seems not.

No, after having completed this upgrade, and having Windows 7 working, I haven't had to bother restoring any of the Backup files and programs that were backed up using the Windows Backup Tool. That huge file still sits on the other HDD.

What I did, though, was use the Custom option and backed up what I chose to back up instead of a full drive image.

And, as Judas pointed out, it's ALWAYS wise to back up anything of importance whenever doing any system upgrade. In fact, it's wise to do it even if you're NOT doing an upgrade just because HDDs are time-limited to begin with. They will, eventually, break. And, as has happened in the past, things can possibly go awry during any system installation.

Tyrsonswood · Jan 21, 2011, 10:06 PM

I called MS volume licencing again for the buggered system.... a nice gentleman from India gave me a new number and I'm back up and running (for now)

Odd how this one system freaks every once and awhile with very little hardware changes...... (not the system in my specs, a different AMD Phenom II. Yes! I've gotz two

) Wonder what's going to happen when I change video cards next week..... Or for the dreaded 32bit to 64bit change????

MS is getting weird.

Now...... what am I going to do with the new copy of OEM 64bit Newegg is shipping me?

Dyre Straits · Jan 22, 2011, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyrsonswood

I called MS volume licencing again for the buggered system.... a nice gentleman from India gave me a new number and I'm back up and running (for now)

Odd how this one system freaks every once and awhile with very little hardware changes...... (not the system in my specs, a different AMD Phenom II. Yes! I've gotz two

) Wonder what's going to happen when I change video cards next week..... Or for the dreaded 32bit to 64bit change????

MS is getting weird.

Now...... what am I going to do with the new copy of OEM 64bit Newegg is shipping me?

You can always send it to me.

Jan 20, 2011, 05:11 PM	#4
blibbax What does this do? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 4,262 Rep Power: 254 System Specs	Re: Windows 7 x64 OEM Surprise! You say this can be done with Vista too? That could have saved me a lot of time a couple of years ago, lol. Do you have to use the backup tool for it to work? __________________ Donate the spare computing power of your PC to help to cure Alzheimer's, ALS, Huntington's, Parkinson's disease and cancer: Fold for HH!

Jan 20, 2011, 07:39 PM	#6
blibbax What does this do? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 4,262 Rep Power: 254 System Specs	Re: Windows 7 x64 OEM Surprise! What? So are you saying that this method requires you to back up your documents, or not? Dyre was saying that he used the built in Windows 7 backup, but didn't make it clear whether this was a necessary step. __________________ Donate the spare computing power of your PC to help to cure Alzheimer's, ALS, Huntington's, Parkinson's disease and cancer: Fold for HH!

Jan 20, 2011, 07:44 PM	#7
Takaharu I can fart in 7 languages Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: England, UK Posts: 1,862 Rep Power: 113 System Specs	Re: Windows 7 x64 OEM Surprise! I knew of this option already, I just prefer to do a clean install; it keeps me from re-installing crap I can never be bothered to uninstall "in case I need it" and everything's fresh and fast. __________________ I don't get paid to know the answer, therefore I'm far more likely to give you a straight and honest answer. Mods Rig, Box Mods Rig, Folding details

Jan 20, 2011, 11:23 PM	#9
blibbax What does this do? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 4,262 Rep Power: 254 System Specs	Re: Windows 7 x64 OEM Surprise! Yeah, I do always keep a backup - nothing fancy, just a copy of all my files. I was just wondering whether in some way using the built in backup tool in Windows facilitated not having to reinstall when the hardware is changed, but it seems not. __________________ Donate the spare computing power of your PC to help to cure Alzheimer's, ALS, Huntington's, Parkinson's disease and cancer: Fold for HH!