Pre-installed Win7 transfer

[Sir Shfvingle]

Last Christmas I bought a pre-built HP with win7 home premium 64-bit. I'd like to buy an SSD now and get the OS onto it, but the computer never came with a disc. Now, I've read up on all the legality concerning OEM OS's and don't think this breaks any laws. However, I don't know how to transfer win7 from the HDD. Could anyone help me on this? Thanks.

Post script: if I must buy a new OS, can I still buy an OEM OS($100) and not a retail one($200)? I wouldn't want to install an OEM OS on an SSD to have it fail and lost the OS...

[PoleCat]

There is no difference between the file structure of a pre-install or OEM. The only difference is MS support - they won't give live customer support to OEM license users.

That said - you can't just move an OS from one HDD to another. The drive must be formatted and the OS installed - it's not a movable file system. You'll need another license. Good luck.

[Smokey]

There is no difference between the file structure of a pre-install or OEM. The only difference is MS support - they won't give live customer support to OEM license users.

That said - you can't just move an OS from one HDD to another. The drive must be formatted and the OS installed - it's not a movable file system. You'll need another license. Good luck.

Sorry but that is incorrect!

Just use a free clone program like Clonezilla:
http://clonezilla.org/

The only thing you need is a USB storage where you have more room than your HDD or at least your system partition.
download the live CD, make boot CD, boot it & follow default settings, choose to clone HDD or system partition, clone it, add new SSD, boot CD, add USB storage with image, install image.

you could just clone system partition (shrink it first if needed) install it on SSD and then delete that partition on your normal HDD and still use and keep the DATA that was on the other partition(s).

ill put it this way I've gone with the same system partition from 500gbSATA>32GBSSD>64GBSSD> to my current 128GB SSD. With no problems at all.

Just read up on Cloning and you be alright. free and easy...

[PoleCat]

Sorry but that is incorrect!

Just use a free clone program like Clonezilla:
http://clonezilla.org/

The only thing you need is a USB storage where you have more room than your HDD or at least your system partition.
download the live CD, make boot CD, boot it & follow default settings, choose to clone HDD or system partition, clone it, add new SSD, boot CD, add USB storage with image, install image.

you could just clone system partition (shrink it first if needed) install it on SSD and then delete that partition on your normal HDD and still use and keep the DATA that was on the other partition(s).

ill put it this way I've gone with the same system partition from 500gbSATA>32GBSSD>64GBSSD> to my current 128GB SSD. With no problems at all.

Just read up on Cloning and you be alright. free and easy...

I wasn't wrong - just under informed. Good catch. ISO software has been around for years but I've never looked into anything freeware before- had no need.

The problem I see is that the basic Windows partition can sometimes be pretty large for those that don't upkeep their systems well. Just how much of a reduction can you get with this program - how well does it compress? How large a capacity does one need for file transfer? Are we talking flash drives or Ext. HDD?

Lastly, Smokey - stick around and answer some questions from time to time. I think you're just what this site needs. Good luck!

[Sir Shfvingle]

Meaning I must buy a new one?

[Leonidas The Lion]

Yes.

[Sir Shfvingle]

Blast...
Thanks for info.

[karamazovmm]

you can also do this:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/wind...e-posting.html

its legal and its free, no cloning required (not that cloning is advised). You have the OEM license in your pc, its all that you need.

[Top-Tier-Tech]

WAIT A DAMN SECOND EVERYONE!!!

Method 1: HP computers always have a program to create recovery discs which contain the OS and all of HP's bloatware, the system can be re-installed from those discs you create.

Method 2: If you can obtain a Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit OEM install disc you can install Windows from that and enter your OEM key which is attached to your case somewhere.


HE DOES NOT NEED TO BUY ANOTHER LICENSE. I have used BOTH of these methods on prebuilt PC's and laptops and I know they absolutely WILL WORK on any new HDD or SSD drive that you install on your PC.

[karamazovmm]

oh yeah forgot about the recovery discs

[Sir Shfvingle]

Ya, Top Tier, I had been talking with my friend and he does have a Win7 disc, and I do have the license, and he just suggested to try entering it again when re-installing with his disc. If that doesn't work, I'll begin to try all the other methods said here. Thank you all a bunch.

[Top-Tier-Tech]

Ya, Top Tier, I had been talking with my friend and he does have a Win7 disc, and I do have the license, and he just suggested to try entering it again when re-installing with his disc.

Remember that will only work if his disc is a Windows 7 Home Premium OEM disc, if it is retail or of another version don't even bother trying. Windows XP and Vista used to allow the version you install be determined by your key but with Win7 your disc must match your license type exactly.

[Sir Shfvingle]

Oh I see. I'll have to check that.

[Top-Tier-Tech]

Oh I see. I'll have to check that.

If the disc is different and you can't find the recovery disc creation tool on the HP (it should still be there unless you deleted the program) then there is always a third option... you could contact HP and ask them for recovery discs, they would charge you but it would be cheaper than buying a new license by far.

[Sir Shfvingle]

Ok, I found the program, though it will return the computer to factory state. Would a program like this http://www.amazon.com/Acronis-True-I.../dp/B002MFSG0M allow me to get back to the current state? It comes with the SSD I'm considering. And I'm not actually doing this now, I'd just like to know the general description of things I'll have to do.

[PoleCat]

Ok, I found the program, though it will return the computer to factory state. Would a program like this http://www.amazon.com/Acronis-True-I.../dp/B002MFSG0M allow me to get back to the current state? It comes with the SSD I'm considering. And I'm not actually doing this now, I'd just like to know the general description of things I'll have to do.

If the software comes free with your SSD purchase I see no reason why it wouldn't work. Though I can't say I've ever used it before.

Another route to take is to just back-up every file you care about on a flash drive and don't have discs for. After that use the HP recovery discs to recreate the base factory partition on your SSD and then move every back-up back on to your old HDD after a format.

EDIT: Although I have to say that Smokey's idea sounds better from my standpoint. That keeps you from re-adding HP bloatware to your SSD if you've already uninstalled them. And best - it's free.

[Top-Tier-Tech]

Ok, I found the program, though it will return the computer to factory state. Would a program like this http://www.amazon.com/Acronis-True-I.../dp/B002MFSG0M allow me to get back to the current state? It comes with the SSD I'm considering. And I'm not actually doing this now, I'd just like to know the general description of things I'll have to do.

In response to both you and Polecat:

When you install an OS onto an SSD I highly recommend you back up your data you want onto a flash drive or DVD's and do a fresh install. The reasoning behind this is that although you can usually clone your drive to the SSD a host of issues may arise from attempting to do so. Sometimes it simply won't work and the cloned SSD won't boot, sometimes you encounter various problems you never had before as HDD's and SSD's read and write data differently and a cloned drive arranges everything as is was on the original, and almost always you will see a performance hit on a cloned SSD rather than a fresh install.

I have read up on this whole topic back when i was thinking of getting a SSD on my gaming PC and all the potential problems and many, many users experiencing them tell me that a fresh install is the only surefire way to go. It's not that hard to back up your files and game saves so why not be certain your SSD will perform it's best without any issues arising from cloning.

[Smokey]

The problem I see is that the basic Windows partition can sometimes be pretty large for those that don't upkeep their systems well. Just how much of a reduction can you get with this program - how well does it compress? How large a capacity does one need for file transfer? Are we talking flash drives or Ext. HDD?

I just use the default compression level, but there a many levels of compression to choose from.
Clonezilla is block level compression meaning it only back-ups real block data.
using default settings a normal 30GB XP system partition compressed as an image is only 6GB in real terms.
I use external USB storage and a normal clone takes about 30 mins and an image restore about 15. its the perfect back-up system.

The HP back-up is pretty worthless IMO, its takes many DVD's, lots of time and installs all the bloatware with it.

"Lastly, Smokey - stick around and answer some questions from time to time. I think you're just what this site needs. Good luck!"

Thanks man!

When you install an OS onto an SSD I highly recommend you back up your data you want onto a flash drive or DVD's and do a fresh install. The reasoning behind this is that although you can usually clone your drive to the SSD a host of issues may arise from attempting to do so. Sometimes it simply won't work and the cloned SSD won't boot, sometimes you encounter various problems you never had before as HDD's and SSD's read and write data differently and a cloned drive arranges everything as is was on the original, and almost always you will see a performance hit on a cloned SSD rather than a fresh install.

I have read up on this whole topic back when i was thinking of getting a SSD on my gaming PC and all the potential problems and many, many users experiencing them tell me that a fresh install is the only surefire way to go. It's not that hard to back up your files and game saves so why not be certain your SSD will perform it's best without any issues arising from cloning.

could you post some back-up to these clams?

You do understand what RAID is?
A raid controller creates a "logical drive" this logical drive can be made up of many many physical drives, this logical drive is seen by the OS as one physical drive.
An OS can be spread across 20 drives, no matter if SSD, SATA or SAS...
Almost all the data on the Internet is located on a logical drive.

You do understand what virtualization is?
In a VMware data park you can have 50 - 60 servers running from a one 12disk MSA.

At the end of the day an OS does not know or care what physical drive its on.

[PoleCat]

In response to both you and Polecat:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

When you install an OS onto an SSD I highly recommend you back up your data you want onto a flash drive or DVD's and do a fresh install. The reasoning behind this is that although you can usually clone your drive to the SSD a host of issues may arise from attempting to do so. Sometimes it simply won't work and the cloned SSD won't boot, sometimes you encounter various problems you never had before as HDD's and SSD's read and write data differently and a cloned drive arranges everything as is was on the original, and almost always you will see a performance hit on a cloned SSD rather than a fresh install.

I have read up on this whole topic back when i was thinking of getting a SSD on my gaming PC and all the potential problems and many, many users experiencing them tell me that a fresh install is the only surefire way to go. It's not that hard to back up your files and game saves so why not be certain your SSD will perform it's best without any issues arising from cloning.

...[snip]...could you post some back-up to these clams?

You do understand what RAID is?
A raid controller creates a "logical drive" this logical drive can be made up of many many physical drives,

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

this logical drive is seen by the OS as one physical drive.
An OS can be spread across 20 drives, no matter if SSD, SATA or SAS...
Almost all the data on the Internet is located on a logical drive.

You do understand what virtualization is?
In a VMware data park you can have 50 - 60 servers running from a one 12disk MSA.

At the end of the day an OS does not know or care what physical drive its on.

@Top-Tier-Tech - You may very well be correct. The problem with ISO's always were that they were created on one disk and transferred to another system that may have had a larger or smaller capacity - this had led me to problems in the past on regular HDDs. A clean install does sound like the right course under a SSD situation. But....

@Smokey - I'm pretty sure T3 knows about RAID/logical drives. The problem is that we're on a board where very few resort to that level of tech. Most just want the damn computer to work. You've recommended clonezilla - I'm sure some will check it out. Can you confirm that it can be used to only clone the system partition and transfer that to a new drive? I'm sure you know what I'm talking about - Win32, Reg and etc.

Lastly @ Sir Shfvingle - I'd still highly recommend buying your own Window license if only for peace of mind. Pre-built systems always have bloatware on them and you never know what else is on the machine that an anti-virus won't pick up. Clean your OS yearly and you'll be about as secure as you can be. Those discs will also help you recover from a fatal crash. Think of it as insurance. Whether MS or OEM - pick OEM as there are always sites with some people that are willing to give some of their time to help. (screw MS) Good luck all!

[Top-Tier-Tech]

@Smokey - I'm pretty sure T3 knows about RAID/logical drives. The problem is that we're on a board where very few resort to that level of tech.

Exactly, I can see that would be a stretch for the OP and even if he could do it easily enough there is still problems that can arise which can be completely avoided by a quick, simple re-install of the OS.

could you post some back-up to these clams?

You do understand what RAID is?
A raid controller creates a "logical drive" this logical drive can be made up of many many physical drives, this logical drive is seen by the OS as one physical drive.
An OS can be spread across 20 drives, no matter if SSD, SATA or SAS...
Almost all the data on the Internet is located on a logical drive.

You do understand what virtualization is?
In a VMware data park you can have 50 - 60 servers running from a one 12disk MSA.

At the end of the day an OS does not know or care what physical drive its on.

I researched SSD cloning for several hours (the same type of research I do for anything I buy) a few months ago, mostly on forums such as Overclock.net and OCZ so I'm not going to dig through all that again to make you happy.

And yes, I obviously understand RAID and virtualization. If you think I am that dumb... sigh