Windows 10: Wonderful Microsoft

Hi there

I use Linux a lot and run Windows mainly as VM's -- Photoshop, Office, some corporate applications like SAPGUI for accessing their SAP systems and a video capturing application to save Amazon and SKY TV programs for later viewing without all the DRM crud.

Start with an easy distro like MINT and run it as a VM - in the beginning you will make a load of errors but re-install of most Linux systems (for home use -- preparing servers for business is another matter entirely though) is simple and doesn't take long if you have do do it loads of times before you get it to the way you like.

Most things will run on Linux - usually FREE and you can customize it anyway you want. Doesn't mean you have to leave Windows --Windows is still essential for several things -- I like running BOTH. !!! My media, file server and internet gateway are all run via a Linux server which probably only gets re-booted every six months or so -- stable as a rock and no "automatic updates" which re-boots your machine in the middle of the night when you are doing something (other than drinking !!!!!).

You'll have fun learning as well.

Cheers
jimbo.

 

If Windows 7 is installed and activated, there will be a key stored in the Windows Registry. If your upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 10 I'm not even sure Windows 10 looks for a key, it just checks to see if Windows 7 is activated. In any case the key is there to be found. In this scenario an OEM_SLP key will pass muster and be accepted. Then once you have a Digital License, next time around, clean install 10 and skip entering a key.
If you wipe Windows 7 before installing Windows 10, there is no key to be found. Windows 7 keys are not stored in the BIOS. Enter an OEM-SLP key and it will be rejected. Those keys are generic OEM factory keys that are blocked from online activation, even Windows 7 online activation. What you have to enter is the OEM-COA key from the COA sticker.
If I've already mentioned the above in this thread my apologies. I just got up and haven't even finished my first cup of java. *Wink

 

Hi there

I know it's a bit of a pain but the most FOOLPROOF way of getting a clean activated fresh install of W10 --especially on older (or pre-UEFI) computers is do do the following steps

1) BACKUP existing W7 -- important in case you either want to revert or things get hosed up so you can start again.
2) Upgrade the W7 installation to W10 and activate either with W7 key or see if it gets automatically activated.
3) wipe HDD and install from scratch W10. It will activate since there already is a digital licence by virtue of step 2).
4) Backup new clean W10 system.


FREE MACRIUM will work on W7 without any problems for backing up the system. THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS TOO MANY BACKUPS !!!!

Optionally perform another backup after the initial upgrade (step 2)

(I assume you've either got media creation tool or an ISO file -- note though W7 doesn't have the ability to mount ISO's -- you need a 3rd party product for that so it's better to create a bootable USB drive).


Cheers
jimbo

 

Yep well I am sticking with my 7 Home right now - what I wanted was for that support person to allow me to use the OEM and I would have installed it onto a drive then tried the dual boot using an ISO and my Home key for that second partition.

It was just the fact that they refused point blank to help me out that really has me extremely angry because not only have I done $230 but also the you did it your problem attitude no empathy at all but what can you expect these days and in the light of a the crap that has been going on.

All I can say is I hope he/they choke on the $230 they have got out of me - but it just goes to show you just what loyalty means to those people, because you can't tell me that they would not know that I have installed Windows of many versions over the years . The greed borders on the obscene in my mind.

 

Microsoft do not offer Tech support for OEM versions, even when its OEM System Builder. It's always been that way. If you have a factory OEM install you contact HP, or Dell, or whoever it was you bought it from. If OEM System Builder the retailer that sold you the PC with it installed is responsible for tech support. If you bought the system builder copy yourself, you are your tech support.

 

Hmm well I guess if it were a 10 OEM at issue - like I bought I would get support *sarc

Right now my Ivy Bridge is dead in the water and getting an ISO for it from either Heidoc or Microsoft site - even though they verified the copy and it's key I have is not going to happen so looks like I shall have to install from that DVD I bought.

If I didn't have that well that would be another few hundred dollars have gained out of me. The longer this goes on the less I feel like staying with Microsoft not that they could give a rat's backside about what I think*really (or anyone else's thoughts either as long as they make the money out of the unwary and gullible - at least that is how it appears to me. Ethical not to my way of thinking morally well again that would be up to what one thinks of as moral.

 

I understand your frustration mate, ... as much as the fanboys want to promote Win 10... it's not worth the $230 - that's why 50% of the world is still on Win 7...

 

Once you activate an OEM copy, it's tied to that PC (motherboard). Retail is transferable, OEM isn't. Windows 10 and Windows 7 both go by the same rules.

 

Yep Craig I am not so much frustrated as angry at them behaving in a manner that would not even occur to or be even contemplated by me. I think they should be thoroughly ashamed of the manner in how they have rigged their software - not just 10 but the whole throw of the dice.

I just hope they sleep well at night.*sarc

 

With money they make, they can afford a lot of sleeping pills.

 

Ell Mike I guess it would any upset you when you say that and I guess that is the way of the world now isn't it?

Seems to me to be nothing but apathy all round whatever became of human kindness and fairness.

Well they can stick my copy of 10 in their nighttime drinking chocolate to wash down those sleeping pills and get a good nights sleep because if I treated anyone like they have me I would not be overly pleased with myself.
Well what goes around comes around eh?

I am just glad that I have some morals left in me and right now am installing my broken Ivy Bridge with the original DVD I bought so they can do whatever they like with their "free lunch" ISO's because there isn't a person alive who thinks there is something as such as a fee lunch.

 

You know how many people in the world go hungry and thirsty ??? Any of those super large corporations could at least half it but compassion is last thing on their minds, even when some help they do it for exposure and lower their taxes.

 

For the record, I'd just like to state that I don't always agree with what they (Microsoft) are doing. Don't shoot the messenger. *Wink

The following isn't meant to be condescending or inflammatory in any way. But a little research likely would have saved a lot of your frustration. Knowing your PC already had a valid Windows 8 key that could be used to activate Windows 10, would have saved you from using your 10 OEM key on that PC. Even the Windows 7 key would have been enough if it has a 7 COA sticker on it.
And knowing the difference between OEM and Retail activation rules would have clued you in to the fact that once activated its not transferable. Again, I'm not trying to rub salt in your wounds. Just pointing out it wasn't all Microsoft's fault that you ended up in this situation. On the other side of the coin I agree that you could have been treated better.

 

Microsoft is a huge corporation. You are 1 customer out of millions. I am almost surprised they don't yet just give away Windows for free, as that is not their money maker. They make their money with the enterprise, with xbox live, and server licensing to businesses.

Keep in mind, the person you talked to works for a call center, probably feels underpaid and over worked and goes by a script. You won't personally garner much empathy from this person.

As stated above OEM licensing gives you 0 support. The person who "sold" you the pc was expected to provide that support. It has always been that way.

I am sorry you had a bad experience. Try to imagine the number of calls MS could get from the world of uneducated computer users. They are too big to individually handle each and every one, like your case. They have a procedure and they have to follow it.

For those who don't feel Windows is worth the price, luckily there are free options out there. Please try them out, some are outstanding. If they don't give you what you need though, and only Windows does than perhaps Windows IS actually worth it to you.

 

Yep I know alpha I said that a while ago I should have taken my time and realised I was already "on the books" on that small laptop - from a while ago but it doesn't mean that they can treat you like crap. I was only asking if I could use the OEM to install to Ivy (that I built with a Home 64bit 7) I didn't need to be treated like something that just crawled out of a drain or like someone who was trying to get it for nothing because surely their records would have shown I had made a mistake?? .
It is the principle that counts perhaps I am too old fashioned and set in my ways and definitely as about as cynical as one can get now.

Anyway am reinstalling the Ivy for the fourth time with the original OEM DVD and I will not be bothering with a dual boot because I have one on the small laptop and to more 10's on the large gaming laptop and my Sandy Bridge and that didn't have 8 on it because I built the thing and used a Home Premium OEM yet they gave me Pro with that.

As for the poor on this planet I know you are right for example the average Australian family wastes on average $3500 of food per year while those fat cats sit back on frankly obscene salaries making even more obscene amounts of money and yet still want every last cent they can lay their grubby and extremely greedy hands on.

Sorry for the rant everyone but for me Microsoft has gone from a simply magical company to some salivating beast determined to enslave and devour anything or one in it's path. Hopefully I am not the only individual who feels this way and has become very disenchanted with the system and completely without any respect for those who own and run it, and I cannot sit by and take this lying down I just felt that someone needed to say something in defense of being steamrollered as I am sure there are many others who have received the treatment I have got. .

I said it before what goes around - comes around - hopefully.*Rolleyes