Windows Install Conundrum

[CraigSca]

Ok - building a PC for my Dad. He has a 4 year old eMachines box, so it's well past due. Anyway, I'm building one from scratch and since he's running Windows XP Home, I ask him to run Keyfinder and just copy down the license so I can install his license off of my CDs. Well, news to me - but apparently he (probably) has an OEM license because it keeps saying the license is invalid when I attempt to type it in.

So - is there any way I can quickly buy a new Home XP license somewhere without having to a) spend $200 for it because Windows 7 is the only thing available now and b) having to wait 5-7 days for a box with a CD in it when I only need the license key?

I found a site called "download-company.com" - but I'm not sure it's valid and not just some phishing scheme.

Any help is appreciated - thanks!

[gstelmack]

Local computer store. Not sure what they are getting for an OEM XP license these days.

[CraigSca]

I saw an XP Home license from Amazon for about $90. I also see that Windows 7 OEM is ~ $103. I'm thinking that may be the way to go, but my concern is my Dad - he's not exactly a PC guy, and I really wouldn't be able to help him too much since I've never even seen Windows 7.

[jeff061]

Eh, 7 and even Vista are easy for the ultra novices. The few things they use the system for are very much large, front and center. It's the intermediate user that seems to get more frustrated.

[CraigSca]

Windows 7 it is - thanks!

[Julio Riddols]

Another option would be to call microsoft and let them know youre upgrading your computer and need to re-install windows on it. I had to do something similar when I changed my HDD, DVDrom, memory and sound card, and they basically released the license so I could use it again.

[CraigSca]

Thanks, I'll give this a shot. It's unfortunate - one of my selling points to my father is that I could build him a much faster PC than what he was using, with better parts, for cheaper than he could buy. $100 for Windows would certainly kill that theory

[CraigSca]

Ok, next question - how do I know whether to buy the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows 7?

[MizzouRah]

They both come in the same box. Most people, including myself, are fine with the 32 bit version. Unless.. you plan on having >4GB of memory, then you would need W7 64bit version to take advantage of the extra ram.

[MizzouRah]

About the WXP issue though.. there should be an option to validate windows via phone - might want to give that a shot.

[CraigSca]

Tried it - they said it's an OEM via eMachines and I would need to speak to them. Bottom line is OEM versions of Windows are tied to the BIOS, so I'm out of luck since I'm using a new motherboard and CPU.

I see on newegg the 32-bit and 64-bit are the exact same cost. Would I lose something if I decided to buy the 64-bit or should I stay with 32-bit since I'm only using 2 GB memory (for now, anyway).

[Vince, Pt. II]

I bought Windows 7 in store (full version, not upgrade version) and got both the 32-bit and 64-bit discs (that is, both were included in my one single purchase). If you're only using 2 GB memory, I wouldn't even bother with the 64-bit though.

[Airhog]

If you have a .edu email address, you can pick up windows 7 for 30 bucks

[MizzouRah]

I bought W7 upgrade and it came with both 32 and 64 bit programs.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by CraigSca

Tried it - they said it's an OEM via eMachines and I would need to speak to them. Bottom line is OEM versions of Windows are tied to the BIOS, so I'm out of luck since I'm using a new motherboard and CPU.

Ok.. well, if you had the WXP OEM cd that came with the emachine, I believe you would be able to install that on the new pc. I think it's tied to the OEM version of software tied to the CD - I know some older machines did not come with cd's.