Windows 7 OEM questions.

[ponyxslayer]

Hello,

I would like to move my OS install from my HDD to my SSD. I just want to make sure this is possible because I do not know my CD key for my license of Windows 7. Should I just grab it off the side of my PC case on the windows sticker?

I believe the license of Windows 7 I have is and OEM license, and to my understanding it gets locked to my Motherboards BIOS somehow.

Should I create a install disk(usb or external drive.) for Windows 7 and use that?

Thanks for the help!


I also read this thread. http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2069761

 

[denis280]

What brand hdd is it.ther are good cloning software for it.

 

[Ketchup]

As denis280 pointed out, it depends on the brand as to how it will work, but most (if not all) SSD manufacturers will give you cloning software with the drive.

 

[ponyxslayer]

The new SSD is this, and my current HDD is this.

I would be copying from the HDD to the SSD. Then I would wipe the HDD. I only want to copy the OS really. I want a clean install because I have close to 500 GB of files I can live without on it.

The SSD is only for my OS and a few games I play regularly.

 

[Charlie98]

Why don't you just clean install the new OS. The COA number on the case tag should be adequate for a reload...

The Intel SSD should have a disk for data migration if you choose to go that way...

 

[ponyxslayer]

Alright I just don't want the same thing that happened to my other PC to happen here.

With my old PC the Windows 7 license was OEM it didn't accept that key on the case and now says I own a illegitimate version of Windows.

What you're saying is I should be fine to wipe the drives and completely start from scratch with a install disk and the serial key?

 

[Steltek]

OEM Win7 licenses are tied to the motherboard. Just changing your system drive shouldn't trigger a problem with Windows activation.

If you are concerned, just pull the original drive and do a clean install and activation on the SSD. Once you are up and running with no problems on the SSD, you can format the original drive.

 

[ponyxslayer]

OEM Win7 licenses are tied to the motherboard. Just changing your system drive shouldn't trigger a problem with Windows activation.

If you are concerned, just pull the original drive and do a clean install and activation on the SSD. Once you are up and running with no problems on the SSD, you can format the original drive.

Wow that's very simple and I didn't think of that! Great solution. Thanks!

 

[Steltek]

Wow that's very simple and I didn't think of that! Great solution. Thanks!

You never, ever want to install Win7 on a system with more than one drive installed anyway. The Windows system installer has a nasty habit of putting necessary boot files on non-system drives, which can cause your system to fail to boot if the non-system drive is removed or if it fails. It is best to unplug all drives except the system drive, install Windows, then plug your other drives back in once Windows is installed and running.

It has become apparent the last few Windows releases that the unit who is responsible for designing the Windows install system is at least partly manned by drooling idiots.

 

[Pardus]

I do not know my CD key for my license of Windows 7.]

Windows 7: Product Key Number for Windows 7 - Find and See
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/153626-product-key-number-windows-7-find-see.html

 

[Matt1970]

Alright I just don't want the same thing that happened to my other PC to happen here.

With my old PC the Windows 7 license was OEM it didn't accept that key on the case and now says I own a illegitimate version of Windows.

What you're saying is I should be fine to wipe the drives and completely start from scratch with a install disk and the serial key?

As long as you had the correct version of 7 the OEM C.O.A. should have worked. As long as there are no problems with your current OS install I would go with the clone.