About the free Windows 7 upgrade from HP

I got a new HP dv7 , but all is not well. Having signed up for the free upgrade on October 2, I haven't received the upgrade yet, and it doesn't look like I'll get it any time soon. I'll wait patiently for it, but I'm just wondering.

I'm hearing a lot of things about doing an upgrade vs doing a clean install. I haven't used the computer that much (the only thing I did was put Firefox on it). If anyone has received the upgrade from HP, do you know if a clean install is possible from it? If so, is it worth it to do the clean install, or should I just choose the upgrade option, since I don't have anything important on the computer just yet?

 

Clean install is possible.

Have you uploaded the proof of purchase they requested?

 

Yes, I have, on October 2. Status says "Accepted" (proof of purchase validated), but it's been that way for a month now. Arvato sent me an email at the end of October, saying they would ship the DVDs between November 12 and 26.

.... and it appears that I'm but one of a massive group of people on the same boat.

 

There's many ways about doing it.
Google "clean install with windows 7 upgrade disc"

 

Yes, but I have nothing on the computer right now, so is the clean install worth it or should I just do the upgrade option?

 

um, having nothing on your computer is actually an argument FOR clean install, not against. some people with many files and YEARS of programs they installed and paid for, many customized settings, etc, are the one's in which the upgrade option is tempting.

If you have nothing on your computer, you actually have no reason not to clean install. first off, install time should be shorter with a clean install vs upgrade. second off, performace (ie boot time, load time) is sig faster with clean install, someone posted article and testiing on here somewhere.

 

I ordered August 30 and they just shipped it a few days ago, i have yet to receive it

 

OK, clean install it is. Thanks.

Now, I just need to play the waiting game.

 

You can clean install from the download guide in my sig and then just put in the key when you get it

 

That sounds like a plan. Thanks!
... eh, those files are huge. I'll download them when I get back on campus.

Now, I'm hearing from the HP forums that Arvato may ship to those whose orders went through before the end of October sometime this coming week. I'll believe it when I see it.

EDIT: My status has been upgraded to "in progress". Sweet.

 

OK, my status has been changed to "settled". I guess they'll ship it soon, since they apparently charged my card for the S&H fee. While waiting, I've downloaded the three files I need.

So, let me see if I got this straight. After I follow the steps on that guide and create an ISO, I then burn it onto a DVD? Then, it'll be like a Windows 7 disc? Then, when the upgrade comes in the mail with the key, I use the disc I made with the key they send me, right?

If that is the case, I don't really need the upgrade discs HP sends me?

 

yes. you just need the key. and actually, not even a burned disk. you could setup from usb stick f.e. it's quite easy.

lots of options.

 

Nice. I got a bunch of blank DVDs and no USB stick with enough space, so I'll just use the DVD.

Probably a silly question, but I can create the disc on any computer, or do I have to use the computer that'll get the upgrade?

 

any computer. the disk is identical for any system anyways. i personally downloaded the disks (x86, x64) for win7 in german in the "legal win7 download links" thread in here. i removed ei.cfg to unlock all versions (home premium till ultimate), and can now install what ever i need.

obviously one needs fitting licenses, too but the physical media issue is, for me, completely solved.

 

Interesting.

One more thing. As far as versions are concerned, the computer I have came with Vista Home Premium. Do I HAVE to go with Windows 7 Home Premium? I ask this because I hear that Ultimate can run things with an XP emulator that may not run in 7. Or should I just stick with Home Premium (because I don't know if a dv7-1451nr can handle Ultimate)?

 

that just depends on your upgrade key, what version you're allowed to use.

and xp mode is vastly overrated. you want your apps to work natively. and they all will (as they do in vista, too).

 

OK then. Thanks for all your help!

 

lol ive only even used it once - because of my ti graphing calculator drivers

 

Hello!

I´ve just recieved the HP upgrade dvd,that i ordered 2 weeks ago. They recommend strongly to do upgrade not custom install.My new laptop came with vista HP,i just installed vista and waited for the upgrade dvd.
Now i installed W7 using the Custom installation and it went flawlessly without any issues,i´ve been running w7 now 2 days and it seems to run perfect.

Hope it helps!

 

After ruining 3 DVDs (I know what I did wrong, btw), I went and got a 4GB USB stick and made it an install disc.

And I just got the upgrade DVDs today. I'm going to wait until Friday to upgrade, while my sister's at school (she's getting the old laptop for Christmas).

Before I do the clean install, are there any driver updates or anything else that I might need?

 

You don´t need worry about the updates,you will probably get an HP dvd with all new updates on it ,that you have to run before upgrading.

 

you can just install them from the disc, or better, just download them off of hp's site (that way you won't install the bloatware too)

 

The clean install was a success. I installed the drivers from the upgrade disk and put up AVG antivirus.

My computer came with 500GB. When I checked my hard drive, it said I had less than 400GB left. Then I noticed this Windows.old folder taking up space. Is it okay to get rid of it, or will I need it for something later on?

 

Safe to delete as long as you have backed up and restored your old documents/files etc which was located in the older version of Windows.

 

It's a new computer, so there's no important documents on it yet. I'll go ahead and get rid of it. Thanks.