Installing OEM over Win7 Proffesional???

[gbrkct]

So I built my computer a few weeks ago and my friend had a copy of Windows 7 he was able to give me (he got it through this tech class in high school, it was a website they had, I don't remember what it was called). Turns out though, that after I installed the OS the key that the website gave was incorrect. I tried a few keygen finders (Magic Jelly Bean, KeyFinder, etc.) and they came out with a different key than what the website gave me, but still didn't work. I tried to activate over the phone and the lady on the line told me I installed the upgrade or something and I would have to buy the full version.

I've came to the point where I'm just going to buy the OEM version and install it. My question is will installing the oem version over my current version of win7 screw up anything? Would all of my files be in the same places? Or is there anything I can do to avoid the registration period all together so I can save 90 bucks?

 

[price_th]

Buy a legal copy. Only thing to remember is OEM works only with OEM. So if the version of Win7 Pro was OEM you will be fine.

 

[gbrkct]

I was planning on buying the system builder off of amazon. I don't know what type of win7 pro version I'm using right now. It might be the upgrade, but then I wouldn't have been able to install the full OS, right?

 

[Brett928S2]

Hi

It depends on version...if the illegal version was PRO and you buy an OEM Home its going to format the drive.... if you buy PRO OEM (more expensive) you can just use the legal key...

All the best Brett

 

[vegettonox]

Right click on computer and click properties, it will tell you what version and what architecture it is.

 

[gbrkct]

It's Windows 7 Professional SP1,
Would the HD not have to be reformatted if I went with a Win7 pro oem, instead of the home oem?

Edit: ran Genuine and it says that the OS is genuine, if that means anything.

Figured something else out. The version that was installed was Windows 7 Professional OEM:SLP. When I put the key that I get form magic jelly bean I get an Error Code 0xC004E003.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

To install Windows 7 using the Custom option and formatting the hard disk

To format your hard disk during Windows 7 installation, you'll need to start, or boot, your computer using the Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive.

Turn on your computer so that Windows starts normally, insert the Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive, and then shut down your computer.

Restart your computer.

Press any key when prompted, and then follow the instructions that appear.

On the Install Windows page, enter your language and other preferences, and then click Next.

If the Install Windows page doesn't appear, and you're not asked to press any key, you might need to change some system settings. To learn how to do this, see Start your computer from a Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive.

On the Please read the license terms page, if you accept the license terms, click I accept the license terms, and then click Next.

On the Which type of installation do you want? page, click Custom.

On the Where do you want to install Windows? page, click Drive options (advanced).

Click the partition that you want to change, click the formatting option you want to perform, and then follow the instructions.

When you've finished formatting, click Next.

Follow the instructions to finish installing Windows 7, which include naming your computer and setting up an initial user account.

microsoft.com