Can I re-install official Win7 on my new PC? (activation worry)

jmp_78 · 22 Mar 2010 at 15:05

I built myself a PC about 12 months ago, and it currently has my own official version of Windows 7 64-bit installed. I am selling the PC to my sister soon and she would like me to format it, and install XP. I also have an official disk for this and know it will not be a problem.

My question is regarding my new PC. I hope to build a new machine in the next month, and then install Windows 7 64-bit. I am hoping that I will not experience any issues with this, but can anyone confirm? I know that there used to be an issue with changing PCs/installing an official OS/online activation of the product?

Philtor · 22 Mar 2010 at 15:13

Depends on whether it's an OEM copy or a retail copy. If it's retail then you should be fine but OEM is tied to the system hardware that it's installed on. You may have to activate over the phone mind.

jmp_78 · 22 Mar 2010 at 15:41

philtorrens said:
Depends on whether it's an OEM copy or a retail copy. If it's retail then you should be fine but OEM is tied to the system hardware that it's installed on. You may have to activate over the phone mind.

It's the retail version of Windows 7 Home Premium, so fingers crossed!

RJC · 22 Mar 2010 at 15:57

With retail you move this to a new pc, belongs it'sd uninstalled from the old machine - which in your case will be doing.
You may need to call for activation, free phone number, automatic service.

Meatball · 22 Mar 2010 at 16:05

question is, why does she want to use a 9 year old operating system?

SiriusB · 22 Mar 2010 at 16:09

The usual reasons I hear from people are "I don't know how to use Vista/7" or "I heard Vista was rubbish, so I am staying with XP!" and so on and so forth.

lokkers · 22 Mar 2010 at 17:49

Tell her it's XP with a custom theme. Bet she won't notice, nor complain.

Bane · 22 Mar 2010 at 20:26

On topic:
I've not had to use phone activation when reinstalling Vista retail (if same for Win 7 retail), and it now resides on a newer computer. Plus there has been reformats in between. Although activations have been at least 6 months+ spread.

Off topic:
Who is the woman in Meatball's signature?

SiriusB · 22 Mar 2010 at 20:32

Activation over the phone is always just a possibility. The majority of the time Windows Retail activates just fine over the Interwebs.

ssmacc · 23 Mar 2010 at 10:14

SiriusB said:
Activation over the phone is always just a possibility. The majority of the time Windows Retail activates just fine over the Interwebs.

I phoned last week when I moved W7 from one PC to another (I had removed from the first PC). Only pain is it's not free on a mobile (I haven't got a land line), not sure on the price but £1.50 a-min would not shock me...

ukfive · 23 Mar 2010 at 15:15

Have just done this through the phone,wouldnt let me do it through the web for some reason,seems like its gone through ok now though quite painless.

Meatball · 23 Mar 2010 at 17:07

lokkers said:
Tell her it's XP with a custom theme. Bet she won't notice, nor complain.

This. I begrudge working on XP computers as it just feels so dated. Tell her to stop being a plonker, she'll soon see how good Vista/7 is

. You can even make Aero a pretty, girly colour for her.

Bane said:
Off topic:
Who is the woman in Meatball's signature?

Georgina Phair

. There was a thread in the GD about her as one of the members lived in the same block as her, I can't seem to find it though

.