Can I install the Windows 7 upgrade via bootcamp??? Help requested.

Hey guys,

Long story short, I need a copy of Windows on my Unibody MBP within the next few days. I'm eligible for a "student" copy which I've registered to download for $39.99, but am not sure if the student copy will be of any help to me.

Here are my questions.

1. The "student" copy is termed an "upgrade" and comes by way of download. There isn't time for me to get the physical disc. Will I be able to install this "upgrade" on a clean Windows partition via Boot Camp?

2. Can the "upgrade" version be used as a clean install of Windows 7?

3. If I can install a clean version of Windows 7 this way, does it need to be via Snow Leopard?

4. Should I download the 32bit or 64bit version of Windows 7?

I think that's all. I'm basically just wondering WHAT the hell the download actually is (a burnable .iso file?), and whether I can use that download via bootcamp to install!

Thanks so much!

 

1 - You'll need to make an .iso disk in order to install it. Check the W7 subforums - I believe there are instructions there for what you'll need to do.

2 - Yes, you can use it to do a clean install. Just select "Custom" when you go to do the install.

3 - Should work on Leopard as well as SL

4 - Your choice. I've got 32-bit and I tested it out on a Uni-17. Aside from crappy battery life, there really werent that many issues when running bootcamp. I didnt use it that extensively though.

 

If you don't have Vista or XP installed already with Bootcamp, you will have to install Win7 twice to use the upgrade key successfully.

Initial install do not use your key. Use the 30 day free by selected the Windows version you have and not entering a Product key.

Once the installation completes and you are able to boot into Win7, use the same disk again to perform the upgrade route within Win7.
This time around Use your Supplied Upgrade key, voila you have used the supplied upgrade key and gotten a fresh install of Win7.

Also do not do any of the updates or install the bootcamp drivers until the second install of win7 is completed, and your CD key is inserted. So after the second install of Win7 using your key go ahead and install the bootcamp drivers from your OSx cd and enjoy Win7 on your Mac.

Cheers

 

Try one of the methods posted here.

 

@OP: I used the student discount upgrade and downloaded the digital media from Digital River to install W7 Pro x64 on my MBA. It went over pretty flawlessly once I turned the media into an ISO, as listed here. However, if you're going to install x64, it seems that Digitial River is offering the ISO as a direct download as per the link above.

In my experience, there are no issues doing a fresh install using the upgrade media provided through Digital River. From a licensing standpoint, my understanding (read: take with a grain of salt) is that as long as you have a license key for a prior version of windows, and surrender usage of that copy, then the upgrade is valid.

Hopefully that provides you with some help. Best of luck with the BC - it really is the best of both worlds!

 

Are you already running Boot Camp?

 

what you can do is download the full iso(not upgrade one) from digital river. install it as you would install any version of windows i.e clean install. then when the setup prompts you for the password, just insert the password you received with the upgrade.

 

I can only help you with one of your questions...

32bit or 64 bit??

If you have 2gb ram go for 32bit if you have 4gb ram or more go for 64 bit... because 32-bit can only use 3gb ram the most and if you have more ram it will be unusable in 32bit..... so if you have more than 3gb ram your option is 64bit!