Help with Win 7 upgrade edition

[Michael_10]

My dad's PC is finally getting upgraded with a new processor, motherboard, ram and gpu. It has had an OEM copy of windows XP on it when we bought it about 5 years ago. We have bought an upgrade version of Windows 7 pro, but are just wondering if there is any way to transfer the OEM version of windows xp over? We also have an upgrade edition of windows vista home premium if that is any use??

 

[Hagar]

There is not a legal way to change over the OEM XP version to the new mobo........ without blagging microsoft about a motherboard repair over the phone. Why did you buy an upgrade disk? A retail or new OEM full install would have done it.

 

[Emphacy]

The upgrade disks are only to upgrade the specific operating system to one higher in the heirarchy.

You can't use a Windows 7 upgrade disk to upgrade from XP or VISTA, you can only use it to upgrade your already purchased copy of Windows 7 to a better version of Windows 7.

For instance using the upgrade disk to upgrade Windows 7 Home Basic to Windows 7 Home Premium.
You will have to buy a valid copy of Windows 7 or Windows VISTA first (if using VISTA disk).

 

[Michael_10]

I bought the upgrade disk because it was £40, compared to the £100 for the retail disk. And I think you can have XP or Vista installed, you don't need to have windows 7 already to upgrade it. If that was true then their "Anytime" upgrade would be completely stupid considering they cost like £140 and you can buy Windows 7 pro for £40.

I have a copy of XP though its been activated on quite a few PC's, though only one of those PC's is active now. Will I be able to install and activate without connecting to the internet?

 

[SiriusB]

The upgrade disks are only to upgrade the specific operating system to one higher in the heirarchy.

You can't use a Windows 7 upgrade disk to upgrade from XP or VISTA, you can only use it to upgrade your already purchased copy of Windows 7 to a better version of Windows 7.

For instance using the upgrade disk to upgrade Windows 7 Home Basic to Windows 7 Home Premium.
You will have to buy a valid copy of Windows 7 or Windows VISTA first (if using VISTA disk).

This person has no idea what he is talking about. So please ignore him.

I have a copy of XP though its been activated on quite a few PC's, though only one of those PC's is active now. Will I be able to install and activate without connecting to the internet?

Changing so many parts of your Dad's PC basically makes your OEM XP illegitimate, since it was tied to the motherboard. There is nothing stopping you from reinstalling XP or using the Upgrade double-install trick, but your Windows 7 installation wouldn't be legitimate.

In either case you will have no problem activating.

 

[Emphacy]

Last time I tried to use a Windows 7 upgrade disk on a different OS (VISTA Ultimate) it told me I couldn't as it wasn't a valid Windows 7 OS.

I then used it on my Windows 7 Basic Netbook and it worked fine, it would also explain why the upgrade disks come with Laptops already installed with Windows 7, despite you still having to pay for the upgrade.

This also explains why upgrade disks are cheaper than full installation disks? Sometimes I am wrong however, I am incorrect or... Please do explain.

 

[SiriusB]

An Upgrade lets you upgrade an existing OS, hence why it is cheaper.

Perhaps you bought an Anytime Upgrade, which is indeed only for Windows 7 and lets you upgrade to a higher edition of 7.

 

[cyclops12]

Last time I tried to use a Windows 7 upgrade disk on a different OS (VISTA Ultimate) it told me I couldn't as it wasn't a valid Windows 7 OS.

I then used it on my Windows 7 Basic Netbook and it worked fine, it would also explain why the upgrade disks come with Laptops already installed with Windows 7, despite you still having to pay for the upgrade.

This also explains why upgrade disks are cheaper than full installation disks? Sometimes I am wrong however, I am incorrect or... Please do explain.

I upgraded my laptop from vista to 7 with an upgrade disk no problem