Windows 7 OEM and clean install

Headshot

Can you do a clean install with windows 7 OEM

There's a lot of mixed information out there like if you change the cpu and motherboard like I did, It cant be done and other are saying it can be

what's up?

Iv tried the advance recovery methods but nothing, its like it doesnt recognise the disk

Voodu Child

Yes, it's possible.

I have done clean OEM installs using my Win7 retail disc. You need to modify the ei.cfg file but if you do it properly it will validate just fine using your OEM product key.

If you don't have a retail disc there's a few legit places you can download it from. Check google.

I would also retrieve your current product key using jellybean; sometimes OEM installs don't actually use the product key that is on the sticker. So it might validate easier with one or the other.

slimjimmc

Headshot wrote: »

Can you do a clean install with windows 7 OEM

There's a lot of mixed information out there like if you change the cpu and motherboard like I did, It cant be done and other are saying it can be

what's up?

Iv tried the advance recovery methods but nothing, its like it doesnt recognise the disk

Microsoft seems to be very clear on what you can and can't do with OEM licences, so even if it's technically possible to reinstall, you may not be licensed to do so:
http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/pages/licensing_faq.aspx#faq1

Q. Can a PC with an OEM Windows operating system have its motherboard upgraded and keep the same license? What if it was replaced because it was defective?
A. Generally, an end user can upgrade or replace all of the hardware components on a computer—except the motherboard—and still retain the license for the original Microsoft OEM operating system software. If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect, then a new computer has been created. Microsoft OEM operating system software cannot be transferred to the new computer, and the license of new operating system software is required. If the motherboard is replaced because it is defective, you do not need to acquire a new operating system license for the PC as long as the replacement motherboard is the same make/model or the same manufacturer's replacement/equivalent, as defined by the manufacturer's warranty.

The reason for this licensing rule primarily relates to the End User Software License Terms and the support of the software covered by that End User Software License Terms. The End User Software License Terms is a set of usage rights granted to the end user by the PC manufacturer and relates only to rights for that software as installed on that particular PC. The system builder is required to support the software on the original PC. Understanding that end users, over time, upgrade their PCs with different components, Microsoft needed to have one base component "left standing" that would still define the original PC. Since the motherboard contains the CPU and is the "heart and soul" of the PC, when the motherboard is replaced (for reasons other than defect) a new PC is essentially created. The original system builder did not manufacture this new PC, and therefore cannot be expected to support it.

Overheal

Which if you buy your motherboard correctly, shouldn't be a problem. So long as you remember to invest most of your build into it, ensuring it has plenty of capacity for memory, good bus speeds and one of the latest sockets theres no reason a decent motherboard won't last you 4-8 years, depending. With a good socket you can replace everything right down to the CPU with even faster parts than were available initially.

Voodu Child

I misread the OP, I was thinking of a clean reinstall on a purchased system to get rid of the factory-installed bloat. Didn't realise the mobo had been changed, in that case it will not be possible.

Headshot

I was lucky anyway lads

Didnt need to do a clean install

Some day I may in the future but not anyway soon

Capt'n Midnight

Overheal wrote: »

Which if you buy your motherboard correctly, shouldn't be a problem. So long as you remember to invest most of your build into it, ensuring it has plenty of capacity for memory, good bus speeds and one of the latest sockets theres no reason a decent motherboard won't last you 4-8 years, depending. With a good socket you can replace everything right down to the CPU with even faster parts than were available initially.

Though if Moores law continues it might be cheaper to sell the old machine and put the proceds towards a new one every few years if you want ultimate perfromance or if you have an entry level machine.

RAM is something to consider upgrading, even when buying a new machine it's usually cheaper to buy third party RAM.