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Purchased Win7 Starter, auto registered, but now wish to Install Win7 Home Basic, and UNREGISTER the Win7 Starter RRS feed

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    Hi all,

    First of all, I live in Thailand (expat),

    I purchased Windows7 Starter for my laptop, and installed it with the option to automatically register it once online. (So I assume it's registered)

    Then I discovered that Starter doesn't support Multiple Monitors, which is essential for my work.

    I have now purchased Windows 7 Home Basic, which I would like to install, on this same laptop, and remove the Windows 7 Starter.

    On the "Windows Anytime Upgrade" screen, it cautions you NOT to use the Product Key that came with the new OS; saying you MUST use ONLY a "Windows Anytime Upgrade" Key, which is not available in Thailand.

    So... Question: Is there some way I can, in effect, UNREGISTER the Starter version from Microsoft's Records, to be able to install the Windows 7 Starter OS on another laptop I own, at a later time?

    When I insert the new Windows 7 Home Basic DVD, and run SETUP, and select the "Upgrade" option, it rejects being able to upgrade via installation, and redirects me to use the "Windows Anytime Upgrade" function. But then, as I mentioned above, this option says NOT to type in a Product Key obtained by purchasing new software. 

    So I'm confused. What's the right way to proceed??? Any help (urgent need) sincerely appreciated!

    Pawpcorn

    Friday, November 12, 2010 11:01 AM

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    "Pawpcorn" wrote in message news:212be66b-533e-48ab-a041-73738068ff25...

    Gotcha there; I didn't realize that OEM copies are tied and restricted ("married, unable to divorce!") to the original machine... I think that says it all... OH, btw, the laptop has NO COA sticker of any sort.

    As I wrote earlier, the screen for the "Windows Anytime Upgrade" function clearly states NOT to enter the Product Key that comes with a new OS, and says, instead that you MUST use ONLY a "Windows Anytime Upgrade" Key, which is NOT the same thing, nor available in Thailand. ( http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/windows-anytime-upgrade-frequently-asked-questions )

    I'm so very afraid that if I entered the full install Win7 Home Basic key at the "Windows Anytime Upgrade" screen, it would invalidate that number from ever being able to be used for the full installation... and would likely fail being able to do an "upgrade" anyway, since you state with certainty that an OEM license is ONLY good for the original machine it was installed upon.

    So basically, I'm "hosed" for the amount I spent on the starter OEM package (about $50). My mistake, I should have researched it more thoroughly. I never would have guessed in a million years that in the Starter Edition that Microsoft would have crippled the ability to use TWO monitors (without the same content showing up on both monitors), in addition to not allowing the Windows Media Player to play DVDs, as was my rude awakening.

    Today, I spent the equivalent of $150 for the Win7 Home Basic Retail package. And that's here in Bangkok, where I earn 1/5 the hourly salary I used to earn in America, and you can buy a delicious meal for $1. So that's Windows 7 Home Basic for the price of 150 dinners (and hosed for another 50 dinners; over a half year of dinners, but who's counting?!....) Thus, I'm not taking any chances with the new Win7 Home Basic Retail licence; I've just now finished installing and registering it, as a fresh install, at this time. Time to close the book, and get back to productivity, with my laptop.

    Question: Is there a way, in future, that I could move the registration of this Win7 Home Basic Retail to another computer, and reinstall the Win7 Starter OEM back with this laptop (since they're "married for life", so to speak?) IE, can you transfer a Win7 Home Basic Retail license to another computer, or does this laptop have a WIFE AND a MISTRESS for its lifetime? 

    Thanks again for your help!

    Pawpcorn


    You really should not have had a problem with upgrading using the Anytime Upgrade process - at worst you'd only have ended up having to do a clean install, which appears to be your only other option.
     
    Full Retail packages can be moved at will, so long as there is only one copy installed at any one time (so you can't dial-boot two instances on the same machine, and you can't have it installed on two machines at the same time). When moving to a new machine, wipe the old, and then install the new, and you'll probably have to activate by telephone rather than over the internet. a bit like getting divorced before you can re-marry, really  - but without the alimony payments<g>. Do it too often, and MS may end up blocking your Key for abuse until you can give good reasons why, but any sensible use shouldn't create problems.
     
    At least, when/if you sell the laptop on, you'll be able to give the new owner the COA Sticker for Starter, and a valid license and disk - you may be able to get a higher price as a result..
     

    --

    Noel Paton | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi | CrashFixPC | The Three-toed Sloth
    • Marked as answer by Darin Smith MS Monday, November 15, 2010 7:31 PM
    Friday, November 12, 2010 2:21 PM
    Moderator

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    "Pawpcorn" wrote in message news:f8b42280-65b8-4f18-9b07-03ceed697de4...

    Hi all,

    First of all, I live in Thailand (expat),

    I purchased Windows7 Starter for my laptop, and installed it with the option to automatically register it once online. (So I assume it's registered)

    Then I discovered that Starter doesn't support Multiple Monitors, which is essential for my work.

    I have now purchased Windows 7 Home Basic, which I would like to install, on this same laptop, and remove the Windows 7 Starter.

    On the "Windows Anytime Upgrade" screen, it cautions you NOT to use the Product Key that came with the new OS; saying you MUST use ONLY a "Windows Anytime Upgrade" Key, which is not available in Thailand.

    So... Question: Is there some way I can, in effect, UNREGISTER the Starter version from Microsoft's Records, to be able to install the Windows 7 Starter OS on another laptop I own, at a later time?

    When I insert the new Windows 7 Home Basic DVD, and run SETUP, and select the "Upgrade" option, it rejects being able to upgrade via installation, and redirects me to use the "Windows Anytime Upgrade" function. But then, as I mentioned above, this option says NOT to type in a Product Key obtained by purchasing new software. 

    So I'm confused. What's the right way to proceed??? Any help (urgent need) sincerely appreciated!

    Pawpcorn


    You have a couple of problems here.
    1) Win 7 Starter edition is only available to OEMs - you should not have been able to purchase it as a standalone product, So the license for it would be invalid anyhow.
    2) As a result of that, any upgrade you do from that, with an Upgrade license would be invalid.
     
    What version of Windows was your laptop originally licensed for, according to the COA sticker on the case?
    If for either XP or Vista, you should be able to reinstall the original OS from the manufacturer's recovery disks, and then use your Upgrade disk to upgrade to Win7 Home Basic.

    --

    Noel Paton | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi | CrashFixPC | The Three-toed Sloth
    • Proposed as answer by Darin Smith MS Friday, November 12, 2010 8:01 PM
    Friday, November 12, 2010 12:48 PM
    Moderator
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    Hi Noel, thanks for replying!

    Well, purchased the Win 7 starter (yes OEM version) over the counter at a PC shop in local mall...

    Laptop, as previously obtained, was previously owned by an IBM tech... and had clone copy of XP professional installed (hey, this IS Thailand), so "upgrade" is moot point.

    Anyway, I don't really wish to "upgrade" per se; I just would like to have the license for the starter edition freed up for another use, on another laptop I own.

    Note too that the Windows7 Home Basic I purchased is NOT OEM, not an upgrade, but a full install, full legit (expensive) version of Windows 7 Home Basic.

    So as far as you know, when I install from scratch, then register the new Win7 Home Basic with Microsoft, they won't free up the license for the Win7 Home Starter, then? IE I'll never be able to install the Home Starter on another computer, and it will just be trash, so to speak?

    Thanks again,

    Pawpcorn

    Friday, November 12, 2010 1:00 PM
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    "Pawpcorn" wrote in message news:7cf1d8a1-3949-4f0f-bad5-4fcbfea71726...

    Hi Noel, thanks for replying!

    Well, purchased the Win 7 starter (yes OEM version) over the counter at a PC shop in local mall...

    Laptop, as previously obtained, was previously owned by an IBM tech... and had clone copy of XP professional installed (hey, this IS Thailand), so "upgrade" is moot point.

    Anyway, I don't really wish to "upgrade" per se; I just would like to have the license for the starter edition freed up for another use, on another laptop I own.

    Note too that the Windows7 Home Basic I purchased is NOT OEM, not an upgrade, but a full install, full legit (expensive) version of Windows 7 Home Basic.

    So as far as you know, when I install from scratch, then register the new Win7 Home Basic with Microsoft, they won't free up the license for the Win7 Home Starter, then? IE I'll never be able to install the Home Starter on another computer, and it will just be trash, so to speak?

    Thanks again,

    Pawpcorn


    Ah - if your copy of Home Basic is the Full Retail version, then you should be able to upgrade just using the Anytime Upgrade procedure.
    It would, in theory, free the Starter license - but you may have a fight on your hands, as OEM copies are tied and restricted to the first machine on which they are installed, and cannot be moved under any circumstances to a new machine. You'd have to try it, and then see if you can persuade the operator at activation time to allow the change - and that could be an uphill task, since Starter editions are NOT supposed to be sold to the public anyhow.
     
    The laptop (assuming it has a Windows COA sticker that is valid) would still be licensed to use the original OS, despite its chequered history, so you could use an Upgrade version on that, and reserve your Full License for the other machine.
     
    HTH?

    --

    Noel Paton | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi | CrashFixPC | The Three-toed Sloth
    Friday, November 12, 2010 1:14 PM
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    Gotcha there; I didn't realize that OEM copies are tied and restricted ("married, unable to divorce!") to the original machine... I think that says it all... OH, btw, the laptop has NO COA sticker of any sort.

    As I wrote earlier, the screen for the "Windows Anytime Upgrade" function clearly states NOT to enter the Product Key that comes with a new OS, and says, instead that you MUST use ONLY a "Windows Anytime Upgrade" Key, which is NOT the same thing, nor available in Thailand. ( http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/windows-anytime-upgrade-frequently-asked-questions )

    I'm so very afraid that if I entered the full install Win7 Home Basic key at the "Windows Anytime Upgrade" screen, it would invalidate that number from ever being able to be used for the full installation... and would likely fail being able to do an "upgrade" anyway, since you state with certainty that an OEM license is ONLY good for the original machine it was installed upon.

    So basically, I'm "hosed" for the amount I spent on the starter OEM package (about $50). My mistake, I should have researched it more thoroughly. I never would have guessed in a million years that in the Starter Edition that Microsoft would have crippled the ability to use TWO monitors (without the same content showing up on both monitors), in addition to not allowing the Windows Media Player to play DVDs, as was my rude awakening.

    Today, I spent the equivalent of $150 for the Win7 Home Basic Retail package. And that's here in Bangkok, where I earn 1/5 the hourly salary I used to earn in America, and you can buy a delicious meal for $1. So that's Windows 7 Home Basic for the price of 150 dinners (and hosed for another 50 dinners; over a half year of dinners, but who's counting?!....) Thus, I'm not taking any chances with the new Win7 Home Basic Retail licence; I've just now finished installing and registering it, as a fresh install, at this time. Time to close the book, and get back to productivity, with my laptop.

    Question: Is there a way, in future, that I could move the registration of this Win7 Home Basic Retail to another computer, and reinstall the Win7 Starter OEM back with this laptop (since they're "married for life", so to speak?) IE, can you transfer a Win7 Home Basic Retail license to another computer, or does this laptop have a WIFE AND a MISTRESS for its lifetime? 

    Thanks again for your help!

    Pawpcorn

    • Edited by Pawpcorn Friday, November 12, 2010 2:01 PM added no sticker on laptop note
    Friday, November 12, 2010 2:00 PM
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    "Pawpcorn" wrote in message news:212be66b-533e-48ab-a041-73738068ff25...

    Gotcha there; I didn't realize that OEM copies are tied and restricted ("married, unable to divorce!") to the original machine... I think that says it all... OH, btw, the laptop has NO COA sticker of any sort.

    As I wrote earlier, the screen for the "Windows Anytime Upgrade" function clearly states NOT to enter the Product Key that comes with a new OS, and says, instead that you MUST use ONLY a "Windows Anytime Upgrade" Key, which is NOT the same thing, nor available in Thailand. ( http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/windows-anytime-upgrade-frequently-asked-questions )

    I'm so very afraid that if I entered the full install Win7 Home Basic key at the "Windows Anytime Upgrade" screen, it would invalidate that number from ever being able to be used for the full installation... and would likely fail being able to do an "upgrade" anyway, since you state with certainty that an OEM license is ONLY good for the original machine it was installed upon.

    So basically, I'm "hosed" for the amount I spent on the starter OEM package (about $50). My mistake, I should have researched it more thoroughly. I never would have guessed in a million years that in the Starter Edition that Microsoft would have crippled the ability to use TWO monitors (without the same content showing up on both monitors), in addition to not allowing the Windows Media Player to play DVDs, as was my rude awakening.

    Today, I spent the equivalent of $150 for the Win7 Home Basic Retail package. And that's here in Bangkok, where I earn 1/5 the hourly salary I used to earn in America, and you can buy a delicious meal for $1. So that's Windows 7 Home Basic for the price of 150 dinners (and hosed for another 50 dinners; over a half year of dinners, but who's counting?!....) Thus, I'm not taking any chances with the new Win7 Home Basic Retail licence; I've just now finished installing and registering it, as a fresh install, at this time. Time to close the book, and get back to productivity, with my laptop.

    Question: Is there a way, in future, that I could move the registration of this Win7 Home Basic Retail to another computer, and reinstall the Win7 Starter OEM back with this laptop (since they're "married for life", so to speak?) IE, can you transfer a Win7 Home Basic Retail license to another computer, or does this laptop have a WIFE AND a MISTRESS for its lifetime? 

    Thanks again for your help!

    Pawpcorn


    You really should not have had a problem with upgrading using the Anytime Upgrade process - at worst you'd only have ended up having to do a clean install, which appears to be your only other option.
     
    Full Retail packages can be moved at will, so long as there is only one copy installed at any one time (so you can't dial-boot two instances on the same machine, and you can't have it installed on two machines at the same time). When moving to a new machine, wipe the old, and then install the new, and you'll probably have to activate by telephone rather than over the internet. a bit like getting divorced before you can re-marry, really  - but without the alimony payments<g>. Do it too often, and MS may end up blocking your Key for abuse until you can give good reasons why, but any sensible use shouldn't create problems.
     
    At least, when/if you sell the laptop on, you'll be able to give the new owner the COA Sticker for Starter, and a valid license and disk - you may be able to get a higher price as a result..
     

    --

    Noel Paton | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi | CrashFixPC | The Three-toed Sloth
    • Marked as answer by Darin Smith MS Monday, November 15, 2010 7:31 PM
    Friday, November 12, 2010 2:21 PM
    Moderator