Windows 7 CD Key - Upgrading PC to SSD

A very nice member here gave me a windows 7 key some time ago.

My PC when I bought it from ebay came with windows 7 installed, however I never had a key and a nice member sorted me out a Key (legit one too )

Anyway, I just bought a SSD from scan, and expect it on friday.

I always have trouble with keys and windows 7 disc's and because I do not have a disk (it came pre-installed) would I need a specific version that will work with the key I have already?

I would like to backup all my files (most are already backed up on dropbox ) so will get all files I need onto a USB drive I have, and then re-install windows 7 on the NEW SSD.

Will everything be ok or is this a minefield lol.

Regards
Mick

can u not use one of the disk cloning proggies to copy your current disk image onto the ssd?

It can get difficult when you start trying to pair versions with keys. Or it used to with XP and Server 2003...

I downloaded Win7 from a torrents site . Few months ago so it will be out of date as far as updates go.

If you want the key you can get it using MagicJellyBean.

buzzer said:

can u not use one of the disk cloning proggies to copy your current disk image onto the ssd?

Click to expand...

this is what I did very easy to do, I did it with ghost which runs from a USB stick, if I new how to copy it over I would send it to you m8, but not sure how to make a bootable usb stick copy

Napster said:

this is what I did very easy to do, I did it with ghost which runs from a USB stick, if I new how to copy it over I would send it to you m8, but not sure how to make a bootable usb stick copy

Click to expand...

i couldnt get ghost to see the ssd drive, i may have had an older version though...


acronis works well enough though

Hi mate if your interested I can PM you link to windows 7 or 8.1 pre activated ready to install.
But as posted above you can clone your present drive straight onto your SSD then just swap them over..this is what I did..using true image by arconis

hi mick I don't no much about anything but with my windows 7 ive got a computer icon on the decktop if I right click on it and go to properties when the box opens up it tells me at the botum of the page
it says windows is activated and what the product ID is is that what you are looking for

ps im not sure if im reeding your post right and its the os you want and not windows code

If you're taking the old boot drive out to replace with SSD, then you've got nothing to lose putting the old safely aside, doing a clean install of the OS (same version) onto the SSD, and try to activate it with the old key. If it succeeds the tag your old drive on temporarily and copy what you want across. If it fails then wipe it and try imaging/ghosting.

I know it takes a while to get everything reinstalled, but I couldn't take a new whizzy SSD and stick an old install along with all the bottle necks and nasties that may have snuck in.

I'd also rather put in the graft with an untouched official installer than a "pre-activated" image. The only thing I would trust would be Daz Loader to activate.

Call me paranoid but I'd rather..... what was that.... it's ok, must've gone

VectorZ said:

I know it takes a while to get everything reinstalled, but I couldn't take a new whizzy SSD and stick an old install along with all the bottle necks and nasties that may have snuck in.

Click to expand...

Agreed, I want a clean install

I have paid for all my programs so can just reinstall them all new.

Where can I download a legit windows CD - I have a legit key

Cheers all for the replies, very helpful and informative stuff lads!

Mick

For anyone else looking for legit copies try this

Not sure if this will work for me or not due to version dependencies etc... but will try it out, worst case is I put my old hard drive back in until I can get it going...

##################################
Windows 7 Home Premium x86 with SP1 (bootable)

Windows 7 Home Premium x64 with SP1 (bootable)

After downloading the .iso file use ImgBurn or Gear ISO to create a bootable DVD.
Create a Bootable Windows 7 DVD using the .ISO file
Burning a Windows 7 ISO File on a DVD
Burning a Windows 7 ISO File on a DVD
ImgBurn - In addtion to supporting the creation of Cds/DVDs from .ISO files,
it supports a wide range of other image file formats, and it's free.
(BIN, CUE, DI, DVD, GI, IMG, MDS, NRG, PDI and ISO)
The Official ImgBurn Website
Download and install Gear ISO burn (Free):
GEAR ISO Burner - GEAR Software, Multimedia Made Easy
Note: Always use the slowest burn speed (4x or 2x) if offered a choice.
##################################

Mick if your not all that concerned about "legit copies" i have a copy of win 7 ultimate, 64 and 32 bit install. Its an unattended install and is a bootable disc.

All windows genuine advantage (WGA) updates have been removed/disabled so it updates all windows updates with no problem.
Ive been using this for the past 4 years and its been spot on.

If you want a copy PM me and ill send you the disc m8

Kryton said:

Mick if your not all that concerned about "legit copies" i have a copy of win 7 ultimate, 64 and 32 bit install. Its an unattended install and is a bootable disc.

All windows genuine advantage (WGA) updates have been removed/disabled so it updates all windows updates with no problem.
Ive been using this for the past 4 years and its been spot on.

If you want a copy PM me and ill send you the disc m8

Click to expand...

Very Kind mate, but I think I am good pal!

I have a copy now from the last post I made, and the key I think works, I am just doing it now on a really old laptop that I have spare

Thanks again!

Mick

Yep, Digital River host all the untouched iso's. Still worth a quick hash check though as they're big files - I had to download a Win 8 image in the past a couple of times from there as first one seemed to download ok but was a few bytes of so didn't get a checksum match.

Mick said:

For anyone else looking for legit copies try this

Not sure if this will work for me or not due to version dependencies etc... but will try it out, worst case is I put my old hard drive back in until I can get it going...

##################################
Windows 7 Home Premium x86 with SP1 (bootable)

Windows 7 Home Premium x64 with SP1 (bootable)

After downloading the .iso file use ImgBurn or Gear ISO to create a bootable DVD.
Create a Bootable Windows 7 DVD using the .ISO file
Burning a Windows 7 ISO File on a DVD
Burning a Windows 7 ISO File on a DVD
ImgBurn - In addtion to supporting the creation of Cds/DVDs from .ISO files,
it supports a wide range of other image file formats, and it's free.
(BIN, CUE, DI, DVD, GI, IMG, MDS, NRG, PDI and ISO)
The Official ImgBurn Website
Download and install Gear ISO burn (Free):
GEAR ISO Burner - GEAR Software, Multimedia Made Easy
Note: Always use the slowest burn speed (4x or 2x) if offered a choice.
##################################

Click to expand...

Hope you dont mind me piggybacking with a query.....

If you have restore disks, how do you restore to a smaller drive?

VectorZ said:

Yep, Digital River host all the untouched iso's. Still worth a quick hash check though as they're big files - I had to download a Win 8 image in the past a couple of times from there as first one seemed to download ok but was a few bytes of so didn't get a checksum match.

Click to expand...

Yep hash checked and also virus scanned them mate.

They are good pal.

Thank you
Mick

Abu Baniaz said:

Hope you dont mind me piggybacking with a query.....

If you have restore disks, how do you restore to a smaller drive?

Click to expand...

It should restore OK to a smaller drive, just use up all available space on first partition.

It does not I am afraid. It asks for a 1TB drive as that is what the machine came with. This is a Dell machine by the way.

Abu Baniaz said:

It does not I am afraid. It asks for a 1TB drive as that is what the machine came with. This is a Dell machine by the way.

Click to expand...

I'm guessing its something to do with Dell recovery CD. Any specific reason for using the recovery CD rather then doing a fresh install ?

Mick said:

Yep hash checked and also virus scanned them mate.

They are good pal.

Thank you
Mick

Click to expand...

Don't forget that you can use USB key (8 GB or more) for installation rather then DVD if you have ISO file. Useful if you don't have a DVD drive in the PC.

Microsoft Store

So you dont have to put the key in again, label faded, not bother with hunting for drivers.

Recovery disks are a fresh install.