Is reactivating Win7 necessary before upgrade to 8

[windum]

Hi folks. I have a computer running Vista Home Premium, full retail version, not OEM. The motherboard of this unit has developed terminal problems and I wish to replace it with a board of almost identical specs I have had, unused for years now. I understand I will have to go through the telephone activation process...but here's the point of all this.

I wish to take up the MS offer of Windows 8 Pro Upgrade for $39.99. As I understand it, this offer is available only to a machine already running an activated, genuine copy of an earlier OS, is it necessary that I go through the process of reactivating Vista after installing the "new" MB prior to downloading and installing Windows 8?

Thanks for any advice on this.

[MANEMAN]

Is reactivating Win7 necessary before upgrade to 8

Hi there.

"I understand I will have to go through the telephone activation process."

"As I understand it, this offer is available only to a machine already running an activated, genuine copy of an earlier OS"

Seems to me you sort of understand it, and have mainly answered some of your own questions there Windum.

Obviously apart from the fact that if you are reinstalling Vista, you will activate Vista and not Win7.

Do make sure that your Motherboard and CPU are up to handling the new operating system before shelling out any money, especially if the Vista itself was an upgrade from Windows 98 or XP on this similar Motherboard.

Upgrade offers

If you're running Windows 7 (or indeed XP/Vista) on your desktop or laptop computer, you can buy an upgrade to the Pro version of Windows 8 for a mere £24.99. This offer runs up until the end of January 2013.

Microsoft seems to be pushing all users towards the Pro edition, as the standard Windows 8 version (which doesn't include advanced tools like remote desktop and BitLocker encryption) isn't yet available to purchase. It's likely that this version will be more prominent on new Windows 8 PCs.

There's more though -- if you bought a Windows 7 machine since 2 June 2012, your upgrade price is £14.99 until 31 January 2013. If you're in this category, follow the instructions on the above link and you'll receive a promo code via email, which you can use during the installation process.

For a full explanation of the upgrade process or any individual problems that you forsee, contact Microsoft direct. You cant really go wrong that way.

Here are a few links to give a better overview of what is on offer.

http://windows.micro...s/upgrade-offer

http://www.pcadvisor...rade-windows-8/

http://www.techradar...eview?artc_pg=2

Thanks for your post it helps others in the same circumstances to have a clearer view too.

John.

[windum]

Thanks Maneman. Whoops...yes, i did mean Vista not Win 7! The offer referred to in your reply is the same one available here in Australia for $39.99.

It was certainly not made clear in my original post, but what I am really asking is "Must I wait until I instal the new motherboard, then reactivate Vista, before I can download Windows 8. Or can I download it now, before the old board finally gives up the ghost, burn an ISO image which I will put aside to use after I've had the chance to pop in the new (old) board?"

Thanks for your trouble.

[MANEMAN]

Cant see why not. If anyone knows any different, please jump in with some comments now.

(Does the Australian version ISO have to be burnt upside down or would gravity overcome that problem is one question that comes to mind.)

Like I say though, any purely individual little quirks or questions................. Check with Microsoft.

John.

[windum]

Ta John. Burning an image down here is ok as long as the cat is sitting on top of the computer to keep it weighed down! (Or should that be up??) I have been told that Microsoft charges like a wounded bull to give info on the phone. A recorded gizmo suggests the caller contact his computer retailer for advice. (I've found many of these know even less than I do!) What I think I'll do is go ahead with the download, then when I have the new MB in, I'll try to run the ISO image of Win8. If there are problems, then I'll go through the activation process with Vista if required, then try again to load Win8. When all is done, I will advise.