Small business setup. Windows 7 licencing question on 4 pcs. Msdn or retail?.

DJMK4

DJMK4

DJMK4

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Hi all, I have a friend who has just purchased new premises and wants to start up, they got a deal which they couldn't turn down really, 4 x dell opitplex gx520 pcs although they are p4 3.2 hyperthreading running windows xp along with servers, office furniture etc for a very good price to get them going.. They need to upgrade to windows 7.

I have a copy of windows 7 ultimate I got from msdn a while ago which i installed to test, I havnt activated them. They run ok but need to upgrade the RAM. They are going to need to purchase a licence pack from Microsoft of 5 users.

My question is, can I leave the install I done from my windows 7 ultimate install from my MSDN disk on there and then activate through Microsoft, or will I need to download the 90 day trail direct from microsoft then activate when licenc keys are purchased? As I read MSDN version may not work for them?

Any advice greatly appriciated.

Need to try and get these machines built today.

Ta! :)
 
DJMK4 said:
My question is, can I leave the install I done from my windows 7 ultimate install from my MSDN disk on there and then activate through Microsoft, or will I need to download the 90 day trail direct from microsoft then activate when licenc keys are purchased? As I read MSDN version may not work for them?
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If you are the licensed party for the MSDN and not legally involved with the business then you shouldn't install MSDN in this situation.

MSDN is supposed to be used by the subscriber in connection with software development on or for Microsoft Platforms. Using it outside those conditions might leave you and your friend open to action from MS, should they realise.

I would recommend that you download and install the trial then pay to license this or otherwise acquire full product licenses for this business.
 
Ok will do. Any ideas on the cheapest way to obtain 4 licences for windows 7 pro? Also with these machines I don't think they would support full 64-bit capabilities so I will get the 32 bit version

Also, can Windows pro 100% join a domain?

I want to try and keep cost down if possible, shall I go direct to Microsoft or obtain licences through someone else. Any ideas on rough cost per licence or per 4-5 licences?

Microsoft volume licence dept is not open until Monday.
 
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DJMK4 said:
Ok will do. Any ideas on the cheapest way to obtain 4 licences for windows 7 pro? Also with these machines I don't think they would support full 64-bit capabilities so I will get the 32 bit version

Also, can Windows pro 100% join a domain?

I want to try and keep cost down if possible, shall I go direct to Microsoft or obtain licences through someone else. Any ideas on rough cost per licence or per 4-5 licences?

Microsoft volume licence dept is not open until Monday.
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I don't know about the 100%.

But all schools use proffesional and connect to a domain. so i think it should be OK.

When you get a price for Windows 7 Pro 4 users will you please let me know?

From what i have heard it is cheaper to buy oem licences for each machine. But don't quote me on that.
 
jamesfreddie said:
I don't know about the 100%.

But all schools use proffesional and connect to a domain. so i think it should be OK.

When you get a price for Windows 7 Pro 4 users will you please let me know?

From what i have heard it is cheaper to buy oem licences for each machine. But don't quote me on that.
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Hmm, ok, but with OEM licences, would I still be able to use the same Windows 7 Pro iso I have just downloaded from the web?

I will let you know when I get prices.

I dont think they will be joining a domain anytime soon, it may be wise for future if they want it.
 
DJMK4 said:
Hmm, ok, but with OEM licences, would I still be able to use the same Windows 7 Pro iso I have just downloaded from the web?

I will let you know when I get prices.

I dont think they will be joining a domain anytime soon, it may be wise for future if they want it.
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I don't know about the MSDN iso.

But you can download a Windows 7 Pro iso which will work fine.

Here You Go: Link
 
Do the systems not come with COA stickers on them? You can install what it says on the COA sticker with the licence.
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They seem to be old machines with XP Pro coas.

The only options are to get Win 7 Pro oem or perhaps look at windows intune which comes with an upgrade to Win 7 enterprise.

How long is he planning on keeping these workstations as they are already 6-7 years old and will probably start failing soon and will be slow? Perhaps just use them with Windows XP Pro for the moment and replace them with new machines before April 8th next year.
 
another vote for keeping XP and the original RAM and with the money saved put it towards new W7 machines that will be soooooooooo much quicker, been there before with a company that did the same, saved money in the short term cost them £££'s long term
 
XP isnt an option because of some of the software he needs to run on the machine, for some reason it doesnt work well in Windows XP.

If he decided on saving the money and going OEM for the time being, is there anyway I can download a Windows 7 Pro OEM ISO so I can atleast get the install done an an image created like I done with the Windows 7 Pro retail install I done? whilst he is waiting to sort out licences?

I cant seem to find an OEM ISO or a Dell OEM iso of Windows 7 Pro x86
 
DJMK4 said:
XP isnt an option because of some of the software he needs to run on the machine, for some reason it doesnt work well in Windows XP.

If he decided on saving the money and going OEM for the time being, is there anyway I can download a Windows 7 Pro OEM ISO so I can atleast get the install done an an image created like I done with the Windows 7 Pro retail install I done? whilst he is waiting to sort out licences?

I cant seem to find an OEM ISO or a Dell OEM iso of Windows 7 Pro x86
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You'll have to do some googling to get the exact method, but you can create a windows 7 USB stick. It's then fairly easy to change the edition by editing a file.
 
A copy of autocad they have, think its either 2009/2010 or 2012 version. Generally I think this is the biggest app they will end up running also they have a later version of sage
 
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DJMK4 said:
A copy of autocad they have, think its either 2009/2010 or 2012 version. Generally I think this is the biggest app they will end up running also they have a later version of sage
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All AutoCAD software is certified to run on Windows XP. BE careful you aren't upgrading older machines just because someone wants you to.

It sounds like it might be best to run with XP in your situation and save some money for something else, like storage or backup for those PCs.
 
I'm having a chat with the accountant tomorrow as I agree with you tbh, I can stick xp on straight away but need an answer from them on how much they want to spend/how long they are keeping pc's for.
 
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