MS Win7 OS licence question

[MSIC]

I just got myself a new laptop (HP Pavillion DM1, very happy with it so far, will aim to post my own review in a few weeks).
It comes with no re-install DVD for Windows (Home Premium 32 bit) although looks like i can burn my own. The default installation came of course with all the usual crapware (60 day Norton, MS Office Trial, Windows Live, AOL toolbar), and I assume that a burnt re-install DVD would also include all of this.

Given that i have a licence key sticker on the laptop, and a bought copy of Windows 7 for my desktop, I presume I can just use that disc and avoid the crapware.

If i did this - can I install the 64 bit version instead of the current 32 bit? I presume my licence is simply for Win7 Home Premium, irrespective of flavour?

[Splash]

Given that you can order the alternative media from Microsoft for a small fee I'm pretty certain that you'd be fine. That said... I'd take an image beforehand just in case.

[badass]

I just got myself a new laptop (HP Pavillion DM1, very happy with it so far, will aim to post my own review in a few weeks).
It comes with no re-install DVD for Windows (Home Premium 32 bit) although looks like i can burn my own. The default installation came of course with all the usual crapware (60 day Norton, MS Office Trial, Windows Live, AOL toolbar), and I assume that a burnt re-install DVD would also include all of this.

Given that i have a licence key sticker on the laptop, and a bought copy of Windows 7 for my desktop, I presume I can just use that disc and avoid the crapware.

If i did this - can I install the 64 bit version instead of the current 32 bit? I presume my licence is simply for Win7 Home Premium, irrespective of flavour?

This is unlikely to work.
The Windows 7 you bought was likely retail so it won't work the the HP OEM key on your laptop.
You'll need an HP branded Windows 7 Disc to install using that key.
If you have an OEM copy it may be worth a try but I doubt it'll work.

[oolon]

If i did this - can I install the 64 bit version instead of the current 32 bit? I presume my licence is simply for Win7 Home Premium, irrespective of flavour?

Retail windows includes 32 and 64 bit, I do not think this is true of the OEM version, your key probably will not work with different media.

[watercooled]

I tried something similar with a retail XP CD on a laptop using the key printed on the sticker and it wouldn't accept it, so no you probably can't do it. I'm not sure about OEM media though.

[oolon]

I tried something similar with a retail XP CD on a laptop using the key printed on the sticker and it wouldn't accept it, so no you probably can't do it. I'm not sure about OEM media though.

There is two kinds of OEM vendor, named vendor Like Dell/HP generally only restore disks are offered and the restore disk must be made to only load back on specific models. And generic OEM, which is an install disk, Named vendor keys generally do not work with generic disks.

[pauldarkside]

Long winded but this might be worth a try

[watercooled]

Thanks, that looks interesting. It also reminded me of this piece of software, it allows you to change the version of an .iso file, it's intended to save bandwidth/storage space if you download them from MSDN or something but it could be useful here. http://code.kliu.org/misc/win7utils/

[CaptainCrash]

sigh...there's a load of guesswork and misinformation in this thread...

Given that i have a licence key sticker on the laptop, and a bought copy of Windows 7 for my desktop, I presume I can just use that disc and avoid the crapware.

Yes.

(providing it's the same edition, presumably Home Premium in your case. If not, there's a simple workaround.) (edit: already posted by watercooled I see...)

If i did this - can I install the 64 bit version instead of the current 32 bit?

Yes.

I presume my licence is simply for Win7 Home Premium, irrespective of flavour?

Yes.

If you have an OEM copy it may be worth a try but I doubt it'll work.

Yes, it will work.

Retail windows includes 32 and 64 bit, I do not think this is true of the OEM version, your key probably will not work with different media.

Yes, it will.

I tried something similar with a retail XP CD on a laptop using the key printed on the sticker and it wouldn't accept it, so no you probably can't do it. I'm not sure about OEM media though.

Yes, you can - Windows 7 (and Vista) discs are not like XP installation discs, they all contain the code for all editions, and there's no distinction between generic OEM and retail discs.

This is unlikely to work.
The Windows 7 you bought was likely retail so it won't work the the HP OEM key on your laptop.
You'll need an HP branded Windows 7 Disc to install using that key.

There is two kinds of OEM vendor, named vendor Like Dell/HP generally only restore disks are offered and the restore disk must be made to only load back on specific models. And generic OEM, which is an install disk, Named vendor keys generally do not work with generic disks.

Dell/HP et al produce their own branded (BIOS-locked) setup discs which install using an "internal" key, but the product key on the COA sticker is different, and will work with any "standard" generic Win7 disc, OEM or retail, 32-bit or 64-bit, as long as it's the same edition.

[lodore]

Hello,
I have used the retail disk for windows 7 i brought for my desktop to install windows 7 on my laptop. my dell laptop had oem vista and free upgrade to windows 7. i done a fresh install of windows 7 and once the windows 7 free upgrade code arrived i put it in and it was successful.

My mate brought the same laptop when i did. dell only provided windows 7 64bit discs and he wanted 32bit windows 7 so he could use sandboxie. the dell code was accepted using the 32bit windows 7 retail media.

[watercooled]

There is now a 64-bit version of Sandboxie FYI, some information here: http://www.sandboxie.com/index.php?N...ut64BitEdition

[lodore]

There is now a 64-bit version of Sandboxie FYI, some information here: http://www.sandboxie.com/index.php?N...ut64BitEdition

Hey watercooled,
ye i know but it doesnt work on eiether my laptop or desktop running windows 7 64bit.
any program i try to sandbox just crash inside the sandbox.

[watercooled]

Oh, I've never tried the 64 bit version TBH, I used to use the 32 bit one when I was still on XP on my last PC though.

[MSIC]

Ok folks, I wanted to provide an update to this thread.

I wiped my factory-HP-installed Win7, and used my bought Win7 disc to re-install. I chose the 64-bit installation to allow potential future RAM growth although at present the hardware remains at 2 GB.

Initially all seemed to go well, and it accepted my key.... except that it seems (2 weeks or so down the line) that it didnt really. I now get a daily reminder that I have not got an authorised key, and am allowed only 31 days grace to get a valid licence.

Like a fool, I also did not burn a HP disc (my rationale was to avoid the crapware install, so simply re-installing the same didnt seem to make sense).

Oh dear.

So, i now have about 2 weeks left before I have to re-wipe and re-install again, for a further 31 days, or switch to Ubuntu only (which might happen), or find some other source to get a valid licence on there.

I'm pretty annoyed about this, as i have (as I see it) a valid licence, and i'm using a genuine install disc (both are Home Premium). I suppose there is a small chance it could be because it's now 64 bit, but honestly I dont think that a licence is only for 32bit. I reckon that i must have in fact an OEM licence only, although this wasnt apparent anywhere.

Does anyone have any ideas of what to do next?

[peterb]

If the software came pre-installed on the laptop, then it will almost certainly be an OEM licence (and should have a licence key sticker on the base of the laptop prove it is genuine.

I don't know for certain if the OEM licence covers both 64 and 32 bit installation - but I suspect not.

Where did you get the 64 bit install disc from, and what CD ky did you enter when you installed?

[MSIC]

The 64bit install disc sat alongside the 32bit install disc, from my bought Win7 box (which I use for my desktop). I entered the licence key from the sticker on the bottom of my laptop, which seemed to be the correct and legal thing to do.