Official Windows 7 thread. Post all your Windows 7-related topics here.

My question is can I buy a upgrade if my prior key is OEM???

WOW i didnt realize i could get directx11 on my video card wooot. I just did a dxdiag in win7 and the version it says i have dx11. I thought they where on the new cards only. :D

You need a version of XP installed to use the upgrade version. Any version will of XP do.

Note : I added a Q&A to the first post to handle the most frequently asked questions. I will keep it updated as new questions arise.

WOW i didnt realize i could get directx11 on my video card wooot. I just did a dxdiag in win7 and the version it says i have dx11. I thought they where on the new cards only. :D

skipper847

Directx 11 has compatibility modes for directx 9, directx 10 and directx 11 hardware. It means you can use directx 11 on non-directx 11 hardware but you won't benefit from the extra directx 11 features.

what would you be upgrading from?, if you didn't have a previous installation on your hdd?, you need a previous install..

jamesfffan

Sorry if I overlooked this somewhere here, but from what I'm seeing is that with the 'upgrade' disc you can do a clean install? No Vista or XP installation has to be present?.

jamesfffan

what would you be upgrading from?, if you didn't have a previous installation on your hdd?, you need a previous install..

jamesfffan

[QUOTE="jamesfffan"]

what would you be upgrading from?, if you didn't have a previous installation on your hdd?, you need a previous install..

boostud

[QUOTE="jamesfffan"]

what would you be upgrading from?, if you didn't have a previous installation on your hdd?, you need a previous install..

boostud

For the Upgrade Edition:

I assumed the way it works is, if you choose "upgrade" while installing, it checks or asks for a Vista/XP disc to confirm you have an original previous version.

But if you choose "custom" it wipes the hard drive and allows for a clean install even though you are using the upgrade disc and not the full retail. But if you do have a previous install but want a fresh install, then you have the option of saving your files in a folder named "windows.old."

It that not the case?

I have an HP and I received my W7 upgrade, is it important that I us the OEM version or can I just install the other version on my pc without any problems.

[QUOTE="jamesfffan"]

Sorry if I overlooked this somewhere here, but from what I'm seeing is that with the 'upgrade' disc you can do a clean install? No Vista or XP installation has to be present?.

Ghost_loy

what would you be upgrading from?, if you didn't have a previous installation on your hdd?, you need a previous install..

jamesfffan

Are you sure? I find this hard to believe. This would mean there is no difference at all between the Full version and the Upgrade version of Windows 7. Earlier statements were clear about the fact you needed a previously activated copy of Windows 2K,XP, Vista or event he 7 RC installed in order to use the upgrade disk.

Are you sure? I find this hard to believe. This would mean there is no difference at all between the Full version and the Upgrade version of Windows 7. Earlier statements were clear about the fact you needed a previously activated copy of Windows 2K,XP, Vista or event he 7 RC installed in order to use the upgrade disk.

Gog

This is my understanding too.

From your source:

If you are running the Windows 7 Release Candidate, and you have activated it,you will not need to reinstall an older version of Windows before using an Windows 7 upgrade disk.

But there's a catch. If for some reason you later need to reinstall the finished version of Windows 7 from scratch using the upgrade copy you bought, you'll first need to install and activate Windows XP or Vista.

I just got windows 7 home premium 64 bit. turns out my wireless network card isn't compadable. Can someone recommend me a few that will work. thanks

Which card do you have?

Have you been to the manufacturer's website for the latest drivers?

Have you tried simply disabling, then re-enabling the card?

Quick question, is the $30 for Windows 7 only for an upgrade, b/c right now I'm only running the beta RC so will i be able to buy the upgrade version or do I have to shell out a $100 for the oem?Recontrooper

For the Upgrade Edition:

I assumed the way it works is, if you choose "upgrade" while installing, it checks or asks for a Vista/XP disc to confirm you have an original previous version.

But if you choose "custom" it wipes the hard drive and allows for a clean install even though you are using the upgrade disc and not the full retail. But if you do have a previous install but want a fresh install, then you have the option of saving your files in a folder named "windows.old."

It that not the case?

jamesfffan

[QUOTE="Recontrooper"]Quick question, is the $30 for Windows 7 only for an upgrade, b/c right now I'm only running the beta RC so will i be able to buy the upgrade version or do I have to shell out a $100 for the oem?Recontrooper

SophaerLam

I have an HP and I received my W7 upgrade, is it important that I us the OEM version or can I just install the other version on my pc without any problems.

Are you sure? I find this hard to believe. This would mean there is no difference at all between the Full version and the Upgrade version of Windows 7. Earlier statements were clear about the fact you needed a previously activated copy of Windows 2K,XP, Vista or event he 7 RC installed in order to use the upgrade disk.

Gog

I save my files that I want to keep ,eg. word docs, music, to a laptop. Then I want to completely get rid off everything on my PC and my old OS (XP) and don't want any settings or stuff to be saved so I start fresh and then I can manually transfer the files I saved from my laptop.

Question: What version of win7 should I go with?

Home premium, Pro or Ultimate? I've been using the RC since May and I really like it and that corresponds to the Ultimate? Should I get the home premium since its the smallest, i.e. least bloated but is it lacking in functionality and features? If the Pro and Ultimate versions are bigger are they then slower but offer more features that u actually use?

According to wiki, home premium is for the average consumer, and pro and ultimate for the enthusiast. I suppose I'm an average consumer but I like to think of my self as an enthusiast, so which version and why?

Question: What version of win7 should I go with?cfwin

blah, Windows 7 has been a pain so far. First the painful, long process trying to convert my file into iso (the damn student site doesnt even tell you in advance, nor the problems with 64 in a 32). Because I went to 32 to 64, Sony, on their official website basically said they will not even bother to support my notebook. The brightness on 7 doesnt work, nor does the touchpad correctly. Ive been searching for drivers for hrs, no luck. I guess ill have to wait months for a possible fix. Anyway, im off to class.. Tjeremiah1988

Vista 64 drivers work in Windows 7 64

[QUOTE="Tjeremiah1988"]blah, Windows 7 has been a pain so far. First the painful, long process trying to convert my file into iso (the damn student site doesnt even tell you in advance, nor the problems with 64 in a 32). Because I went to 32 to 64, Sony, on their official website basically said they will not even bother to support my notebook. The brightness on 7 doesnt work, nor does the touchpad correctly. Ive been searching for drivers for hrs, no luck. I guess ill have to wait months for a possible fix. Anyway, im off to class.. Netherscourge

Vista 64 drivers work in Windows 7 64

One thing that I am totally disappointed with is the fact that with Home Premium you can NOT RDP to the freaking machine....why did they remove that feature? That's so freakin stupid....cell_dweller

Can't you just install a 3rd party program to do the same thing?

[QUOTE="Netherscourge"]

[QUOTE="Tjeremiah1988"]blah, Windows 7 has been a pain so far. First the painful, long process trying to convert my file into iso (the damn student site doesnt even tell you in advance, nor the problems with 64 in a 32). Because I went to 32 to 64, Sony, on their official website basically said they will not even bother to support my notebook. The brightness on 7 doesnt work, nor does the touchpad correctly. Ive been searching for drivers for hrs, no luck. I guess ill have to wait months for a possible fix. Anyway, im off to class.. Tjeremiah1988

Vista 64 drivers work in Windows 7 64

Have you run Microsoft Updater yet?

[QUOTE="Tjeremiah1988"][QUOTE="Netherscourge"]

Vista 64 drivers work in Windows 7 64

Netherscourge

Have you run Microsoft Updater yet?

[QUOTE="Netherscourge"]

[QUOTE="Tjeremiah1988"] thats my problem. I went from 32 to 64. And the funny thing is, the Sony website for Windows 7, since its launch has said when oct 22nd comes, you will be able to see if your notebook can work with windows 7. Its finally oct 22nd and even though my notebook is obviously ready for win7 and 64bit, they refuse to even support my notebook or to update apps so it can work. I have been searching for hrs for a 64bit alphs touchpad drive and a solution to the FN keys not working on brightness and cant find anything. Tjeremiah1988

Have you run Microsoft Updater yet?

You have a Vaio or something like that? WHat's the model #?

[QUOTE="Tjeremiah1988"][QUOTE="Netherscourge"]

Have you run Microsoft Updater yet?

Netherscourge

You have a Vaio or something like that? WHat's the model #?

Yikes:

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/os7upgrade.pl?mdl=VGNNR160E

Sorry dude. Looks like your SOL. Still supports VISTA though.

Yikes:

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/os7upgrade.pl?mdl=VGNNR160E

Sorry dude. Looks like your SOL. Still supports VISTA though.

Netherscourge

1 SOLVED : I fount a HUGE list of drivers for Sony products, 32 and 64 bit for Windows 7 and can confirm that they do in fact work. Maybe the MOD can add this to the first page?

ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/PUB/VAIO/ORIGINAL/

Now, just gotta figure out which fixes the brightness issue and all is well :D

I just used the upgrade option on mine and it installed fine on my year old Asus laptop. Bought the family pack for 7 home premium.

Can't you just install a 3rd party program to do the same thing?

dude switch the window in wmp12 to the now playing window, minimize it, and you will see when you hover over it on the taskbar, you can play/pause/skipnext/goback tracks and has the visualization playing at the same time through aero preview. Small correction in library view the icon is in the bottom RIGHT.

Will that delete everything on C:, D:, E: and F: ?

Will what delete everything? Installing Win 7 will only remove everything from whatever drive you choose to install it on.Ghost_loy

Is there an option while installing to format all the drives?

And, Will this work...

If I save my files that I want to keepon Drive D and then after I have installed Win 7 on C:, my files will still be there on my PC in Drive D ?

Wow, literally hours after I purchased Win 7 Home Premium for 30 USD and installed it my University is Offering Windows 7 Pro for FREE!!!!!Ghost_loy

If I have Vista OEM 32-bit and want to upgrade to Windows 7 64-bit, which ones would let me do that, oem, upgrade, full retail?

All of them: 64bit OEM, Upgrade retail or Full retail. You'll need a clean install in any case.

Is it true with OEM you only get to reinstall it 3 times?