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General discussion

Is it possible to install Win764bit Upgrade without an OS?

Sep 10, 2010 12:05PM PDT

So I'm building my first computer, and I purchased a copy of Windows 7 Professional 64bit Upgrade from my campus software store. I did not notice until just today that is says on the DVD that a Pre-existing OS license is required, and sadly for me, the item is not returnable. So my question is two fold.

1. Is it possible to install this verison of windows to my fresh solid state HD (Best Buy lost it in the mail, long story, isn't here yet for me to test), without having a pre-existing OS? If not, then is there a workaround.

2. If the above is not possible, I have on my current PC Windows XP, but the computer is a Gateway and I have none of the original disks that came with it. Is it possible to use it, and if so, can I specify that Windows 7 be installed to my solid state HD (Again, hasn't arrived so I can't test this myself).

I've been looking for about an hour now on the internet trying to find some help on the matter and have had no luck... I'm not rich so its not like I can just run out and buy a new copy, I've been saving for this custom job for about 5 months now and I realllly don't want to be out $80. =/

Discussion is locked

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Not legally
Sep 10, 2010 2:10PM PDT

Not legally. Technically it can be done, but I'll decline to go into any detail. To be on the up and up here, you'll need some OS that qualifies for the upgrade pricing.

At least you didn't have to learn this lesson paying full retail price.

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You can
Sep 10, 2010 11:55PM PDT

upgrade your Gateway XP to W7 w/o XP disks, then clone the image to SSD using any disk cloning software. If your SSD is retail, not OEM, it will usually include cloning software. Don't authenticate until after cloning. You have to then erase the W7 on HD to be legit.

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One thought that might work and bring bad karma
Sep 11, 2010 1:09AM PDT

I had to do something similar with my move to Windows 7 when I purchased and upgrade copy but didn't want it on the old hardware of my XP machine. What I had to do was attach the HD (with an activated copy of XP on it) to the MB of the machine I was building. The upgrade copy of Win 7 allowed me to install it with the HD attached after the same failed when just putting my (retail) copy of XP in the disk drive. I was able to install and activate Win 7 on a new drive this way. Once done, I cloned the activated installation. I also detached the other hard drive and put it away for the time being. The reason for keeping the old drive was so that I'd be able to do the same if I needed to reinstall Windows from scratch in the future. But keep in mind that, if you use your Gateway installation to qualify for the upgrade, that machine needs to be retired..or at least the copy of XP on it. Good luck.