Complicated one! Transfering Windows 7

Notmyrealname

Bargain.hunter wrote: »

Surely if I have paid for a bundle, which includes windows, I have made a purchase and thus, can use on any machine. ie, if i purchase a piece of software and my machine breaks i can install it on my new machine, why should windows be different?

Because the license on the machine is an OEM license and heavily discounted by Microsoft for that manufacturer. If you want a transferable Windows license, buy a Retail one but you'll pay considerably more than an OEM one.

Bargain.hunter_4

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Tell us more about the PC. Specifications. Motherboard etc.

PC is an AMD 8 core machine, with 16gb ram and most importantly plenty of drive storage 4 x 2tb.

bluesnake

Bargain.hunter wrote: »

This is the laptop http://www.ebuyer.com/294486-asus-k53u-laptop-k53u-sx297v

I assume this is one of those locked windows OS machines.

I will have to also start a post to see if this is a decent machine. Just looking for cheap and cheerful for the kids, but it seems they are all starting at the £250 mark

The 6 cell batteries may not last too long when disconnected from power. Have you considered getting a them an android tablet instead as they are half the price, less to go wrong, possibly more robust and more vibration proof - no disk.
http://www.futeko.com/browse.php?cat=tablet
paste but delete the £ sign,
http://www.focal£price.com/tablet-pc/ca-013001.html
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4144305

NiftyDigits

Bargain.hunter wrote: »

PC is an AMD 8 core machine, with 16gb ram and most importantly plenty of drive storage 4 x 2tb.

That tells me nothing of the Motherboard. This could be a long day.

Exact specifications of the Motherboard if the thing is not branded.

prowla

You may be able to use the Windows licence off the laptop. You won't be able to keep using the same licence on both concurrently, of course, so don't register the desktop until you are sure it's OK.

Presumably it has a COA sticker (but if not you can get the key using the "produkey" utility), and hopefully it has media (or the ability to burn an install image to a disc) or you are in a world of pain.

Alternatively, you may be able to pick up a Windows 7 licence COA sticker at a computer fair or similar for £20-25.

You're going to want 64-bit Windows.

As far as Linux goes, Ubuntu works well, and you can get a "live" CD, which you can boot from (slowly!) and check out the OS running on your machine before installing it permanently to the hard disk.

I would not recommend dual-booting, unless you are certain that you need Windows on the laptop.

If you want both machines to run Linux, you could add VMware (or other virtualization) and run your Windows in a self-contained window on one.

Notmyrealname

NiftyDigits wrote: »

That tells me nothing of the Motherboard. This could be a long day.

Exact specifications of the Motherboard if the thing is not branded.

What difference does that make? I fail to see what point you're getting at.

NiftyDigits

Notmyrealname wrote: »

What difference does that make? I fail to see what point you're getting at.

I'm sorry...but why should I be concerned as to whether you see the point? Is this your thread? Was I replying to a question posed by you?

If you have a genuine enquiry, then perhaps you can put it a little more politely.
Then, perhaps, I might provide you with an answer.

NiftyDigits

prowla wrote: »

You may be able to use the Windows licence off the laptop. You won't be able to keep using the same licence on both concurrently, of course, so don't register the desktop until you are sure it's OK.

Presumably it has a COA sticker (but if not you can get the key using the "produkey" utility), and hopefully it has media (or the ability to burn an install image to a disc) or you are in a world of pain.

Alternatively, you may be able to pick up a Windows 7 licence COA sticker at a computer fair or similar for £20-25.

You're going to want 64-bit Windows.

As far as Linux goes, Ubuntu works well, and you can get a "live" CD, which you can boot from (slowly!) and check out the OS running on your machine before installing it permanently to the hard disk.

I would not recommend dual-booting, unless you are certain that you need Windows on the laptop.

If you want both machines to run Linux, you could add VMware (or other virtualization) and run your Windows in a self-contained window on one.

This wouldn't help at all, as the key retrieved will be a volume licence key utilised during pre-activation.
As to whether the OP could get the COA key to work, I couldn't possibly comment.

Jamie_Cortez

This is one of those grey area moral based decisions.

OEM OS do work on other machines its a well known fact (but not all the time), the OS is tied to the motherboard everything else is replaceable.

However, you can change the motherboard and the OEM install will still pass and may well register. You may need to use the automated telephone line which gives you a code to enter.

The problem is both are against the licence for OEM purchase.

Will M$ hunt you down for it? er no.

From Laptop too PC is a little more tricky but possible.

prowla

NiftyDigits wrote: »

This wouldn't help at all, as the key retrieved will be a volume licence key utilised during pre-activation.
As to whether the OP could get the COA key to work, I couldn't possibly comment.

How do you know?