Re-use Win741 copy to upgrade another comp (original comp is dead)

This question is kinda long, so please bear with me.

Before my T61p died (faulty G84M GPU to blame), I had bought and downloaded a copy of Windows 7 Professional 64 from the Win741 student deal. Since I had had a 32-bit copy of Windows Vista Business originally on my machine- I followed the directions on this forum to create an ISO of the Win741 file and burnt it to a DVD afterwards, doing a clean install. Unfortunately, about 2 weeks afterwards, the faulty G84 GPU in my laptop died, leaving me with a 5.4 pound brick. I have since removed parts from it (wireless card, and 4GB of DDR2) and used them to either upgrade my dad's T61, or to use with my new T500 that I have ordered (data from the hard disk and the better keyboard from the T61p) . Here's my question: my dad and I want to upgrade his laptop with a clean install of the Windows 7 Professional 64-bit upgrade copy that I downloaded from Win741 and burnt onto an ISO. I still have the license from the student downloaded copy, and I'm not sure if I can use it on two machines...even if one isn't in use anymore and will never be. Can anyone help me out?

 

I think you have to call MS to have them properly activate on the other computer you have. As long as the OS is technically uninstalled(that is if the HDD is going to be reused) the first computer you should be alright and within the terms MS has set.

 

Call MS and they'll move your license from your dead T61 to your dad's machine. I called MS last week to move W7 Ultimate from one machine to another. It took 5 minutes from start to finish.

 

Thank you for the information! I do have one other question though; the copy of 7 which is still on the HDD that I removed from the T61p- I'm not going to use it for the computer- I only plan on using it to move my data to my new T500....do i still need to uninstall it?

Also; where at Windows exactly would I call in order to transfer the license?
Would I install it first (without entering a license) on the computer and call Windows to transfer the license and then enter it on the computer, or call before installation?

 

Windows Home Premium AND Profession 741 UPGRADE license is RETAIL.
You can transfer your Windows 7 Upgrade license to another computer, without any issues.
If the computer replacement doesn't have already a Windows (new HDD), it's ok, because you can perform a clean install with the Upgrade. Once installed you do: Method #2 provided by Microsoft:
http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/clean_install_upgrade_media.asp

 

Thanks Goodbytes for your help, but I'm still slightly confused on what you mean; without any issues meaning I don't have to call?

I am aware of the clean install feature (as noted, I clean installed it originally on my T61p over the Vista Business 32 instillation) and I plan on clean installing on my dad's T61 (which is running Windows XP Professional 32).

 

Correct. And it does follow the EULA, if you don't use your XP license onto another system. Basically what happens, is that you pass your XP license because your old computer broke, to another system and upgrade the license to Windows 7. You don't need to install XP first on your new system... just install Win7 and follow the provided link method #2.

 

I understand that, and thanks Goodbytes, but my question is this: Will I be able to use the license to install the Win741 copy of 7 on my dad's computer that I took from my T61p (without formally uninstalling it- as I can't use the laptop anymore because the GPU was faulty and due to this is still installed on the drive I removed from the T61p) in the T61- or will I have to call Windows and have them free up my license?

 

If the computer replacement doesn't already have an installation of windows, according to the upgrade license, it is not eligible for an upgrade. While it is technically possible, keep in mind you are violating the EULA.

The original Vista Business license is still legally tied to the old machine. You cannot legally transfer it to a new machine if it was an OEM license.

The upgrade license you originally installed can be transfered however. I suggest everyone read up Ed Bott's recent article and familiarize yourself with each licenses restrictions. These restrictions have not changed since the days of Vista's release. If you had done this with a Vista upgrade, it would of violated the EULA. There are very few changes compared to the Windows 7 licenses.

Again, I suggest everyone read the article, bookmark it for future reference. While a lot of things are technically possible, I suggest as a forum we stick to what is legally possible.

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=1514&page=3&tag=col1;post-1514

The original Vista license was probably an OEM license, and thus specifically tied to the machine. While you can plead with Microsoft, the license is legally bound to the old hardware. You will have to buy yourself a new license (OEM or Retail).

 

Oups, miss read... I thought he had XP.. it's different EULA.
XP OEM disk (and Windows 2000) from the manufacture allows to be transferred to another computer if the current computer is broken and can't be repaired (discontinued part). For Vista and Win7... it ONLY applies to private system builders, using OEM disk from specialty computer shops (ie: Newegg, to name one out of many)... like if you build a computer for someone or yourself, but not running a Dell/HP/Acer size operation.... as in this case you have a different OEM license which I also think is even cheaper, if I recall correctly.

surfasb is 100% correct.
Contact Microsoft and see if you can get an exception permission.. as you did not expect that your computer to break.

 

Thanks for the help; but I don't think you understand the question fully...

I used a Upgrade License on my T61p, to upgrade it from Vista 32 to 7 64. That was an individual license; and I clean installed it, deleting Windows Vista from my machine. This machine became a brick because it had one of the faulty G84M nvidia chips, and I removed the hard drive from that T61p; technically NOT uninstalling the Windows 7 Professional 64-bit Upgrade from the disk drive (with intentions to transfer my data to the T500 that I ordered). I am not transferring the vista OEM license, I am transferring the 7 Upgrade License

My dad has a T61 as well, and it is running Windows XP Professional 32-bit. He wants to upgrade to Windows 7, and I was wondering if I could clean install Windows 7 Professional 64 on my dad's computer using the DVD and product key from the upgrade DVD of Professional 64 that is no longer in use because my T61p is broken and unusable...and/or if I would have to call Microsoft to "free up" the license?

Is this a clearer question?

 

I fully understand your question. However, upgrading doesn't turn the license into a full license. It is still legally, an upgrade licesnse.

Case in point. Lets say you had to reformat your old bricked computer before it was bricked. Well to do that, you would have to first install Vista, then upgrade it to Windows 7. This is explicitly explained by Microsoft. Their solution to people who repeatedly reformat their harddrives and have upgrade licesnes: buy the full retail license.

http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/pages/moving-to-windows-7-faq.aspx

Edit: Again, while it is technically possible, it isn't legally. To move the license, you have to install it over an eligible installation.

I mispoke earlier.
It is eligible.


Well, the strike through use to work....
Edit:

I, personally, think all these restrictions are lame. The forum's ideals are to strictly limit illegal activity, which include violating the EULA. While a noble cause, my emotions aren't always aligned with the cause. A lot of things are technically possible, but not necessarily legally. My hat off to you for double checking your activities. You are a better man than me.

 

Wrong!
If you have Windows 2000, XP, or Vista you can upgrade your license to Windows 7 using Windows 7 upgrade. I called Microsoft before the pre-order special to make this clear, and they did. The only catch is that if you upgrade your 2000/XP license to Win7.. it will be like passing from Vista 32 to 64-bit where you need to perform a clean install USING the UPGRADE disk.

This is also VERY clear on Microsoft Store page (well I can't find the quote on the current updated page, but was there on the pre-order page. Also, a google search will show this)

This is what you can do. On your new computer that has Windows Vista (or XP or 2000), you can use your Windows 7 upgrade license to upgrade that system to Windows 7. If your new system has NO WINDOWS, then you can't.

 

Ah dang. You are right. I was thinking of the 2K thing you posted earlier.

 

Well Microsoft doesn't have a choice.. else people would buy the Upgrade license.. and put that on computer that doesn't have a windows, or find other way to take advantage of the system.

 

The Microsoft Store saying Windows 2000 was eligible was a mistake, according to Ed Bott.

 

Well; at least we all are on the same page ... understanding that my question wasn't about how/if I could use the upgrade as much as if I could reuse it on a different computer with the original computer being KIA.....

They should have given more info; that's for sure....

 

Yeah, Microsoft sure doesn't make it easy to be legal. It takes a writer like Ed Bott to decipher half the crap in that fine print. And he's been reading these things for years. Good luck to the Average Joe the Plumber.

 

Well when I called Microsoft store, and told me Windows 2000 Professional (not Server) is eligible. And I have read many having no problem at their activation screen. If this was supposed to be a mistake... then it was done everywhere in Windows activation process.

Anyway, the way I see things, Microsoft won't be on your tail for legit reason like those. They would prefer to attack companies that tried to use 1 Windows on 200-300 computers, people proving/selling illegal copies of Windows, pirating, and so on.

I would still ask Microsoft though, but if activation works, then it's fine... if you want to be 100% legal.