Beagle
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IT guru needed
Ok, I did something stupid. I am upgrading my computer with win7x64. I bought a new hard drive to put it on and I bought win7x64 Home Premium. unfortunately I bought an OEM version. I read the warning on the outside of the box saying not to open it or I can't return it, but I didn't realize I had to have an OPK to install it (and another computer running win7 or 2003 server...).
so. I am not stuck with software I just bought but cannot install. I doubt ebay will let me sell it even tho technically it's still never been installed or activated, so legally it should be fine to sell it I would think.
what other options do I have? am I stuck eating the $100+ I paid for it?
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Jonbouy
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Re:IT guru needed
2011/02/18 19:58:27
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Beagle
what other options do I have? am I stuck eating the $100+ I paid for it?
Contact Microsoft to see if you can obtain a retail license for it or obtain an OPK from whoever sold you the software? I did a similar upgrade on XP via MS UK after purchasing a second hand machine with the OS pre-installed by an MCP after some negotiation and explanation of how it came about, the point was I wanted a legitimate system and was prepared to pay what was due and they eventually obliged with me just paying the price difference once they were satisfied I wasn't just trying to run a pirate version. That was a long time ago though and policy may have changed but I would suggest going through MS in the first instance.
post edited by Jonbouy - 2011/02/18 20:06:30
"We can't do anything to change the world until capitalism crumbles. In the meantime we should all go shopping to console ourselves" - Banksy
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Beagle
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Re:IT guru needed
2011/02/18 20:20:17
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thanks JB I may try that. I don't think I can get an OPK to work because I've read the directions on how to install the OEM using an OPK and I can't meet all of the requirements even if I had the OPK to use: [size=4 font="times new roman"][size=4 font="times new roman"] Requirements
To complete this scenario, you need the following: Windows 7 product DVD Windows OPK DVD A technician computer A technician computer can be any computer on which you install the Windows OPK. The technician computer must be running Windows Server® 2003, Windows Vista, or Windows 7, and it requires a DVD-ROM drive. A USB flash drive (UFD) A destination computer The destination computer is the computer that you intend to deploy to an end user. You are required to customize this computer with your support information, as discussed in Step 1 of the following procedure, and reseal it, as discussed in Step 3, before it is deployed.
But if they're willing to upgrade me to a Home Premium non-OEM version for a fee, that would be completely acceptable! I will call them and see!
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marcos69
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Re:IT guru needed
2011/02/18 21:04:45
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How does an Ovulation Prediction Kit help you install an OS? Computers have changed a lot since the last one I built.
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Beagle
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Re:IT guru needed
2011/02/18 21:21:25
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RobertB
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Re:IT guru needed
2011/02/18 21:31:53
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marcos69
How does an Ovulation Prediction Kit help you install an OS?
Maybe you need to make sure there is a compatible 0 present with all the little 1's flying around. 
My Soundclick Page SONAR Professional, X3eStudio,W7 64bit, AMD Athlon IIx4 2.8Ghz, 4GB RAM, 64bit, AKAI EIE Pro, Nektar Impact LX61,Alesis DM6,Alesis ControlPad,Yamaha MG10/2,Alesis M1Mk2 monitors,Samson Servo300,assorted guitars,Lava Lamp Shimozu-Kushiari or Bob
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einstein36
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Re:IT guru needed
2011/02/18 21:55:01
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Okay...If I am not mistaken here...you can go ahead and try to just install windows 7 and there might be a option that does the clean install for the ability to format and install the operating system, the top choice is the upgrade option, but go ahead and insert the DVD and see if the bottom option, the clean install is available, because most OEM's do this by default anyways...
the 2nd choice and a little bit harder to do is to back up your data onto a usb flash drive, etc and then just use the upgrade option from the dvd after you insert it and start the windows upgrade process...
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Beagle
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Re:IT guru needed
2011/02/18 22:11:23
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I tried that before I searched the internet to find out that I needed an OPK to install it and it didn't work.
I booted from the disk and it started loading files and then after about a minute or 2 it said "starting windows" and then it rebooted. tried it again and same thing. I assumed that meant it was needing the "technician computer" at that time and couldn't find it - but I don't know enough about it to know if that was the problem or not.
but regardless I couldn't install it - couldn't even get to the "options" you are talking about.
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timidi
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Re:IT guru needed
2011/02/18 22:22:48
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DeeS
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Re:IT guru needed
2011/02/18 22:29:36
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timidi
what is an OPK??
Glad you asked, I was wondering too.
Vista Business x64 Service pack 2 - Intel Xeon X5472 @ 3.0 GHz processors (2) Quad Core - 8.0 GB ram - Creative SB X-Fi - Nvidia Quadro 5600 - Sonar 8.5 & X1a Producer The problem with perfection is that it has no limits. Normally, once you obtain perfection, you realize how it could be better. David Gibson - The Art of Mixing
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Beagle
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Re:IT guru needed
2011/02/18 22:48:34
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Microsoft OEM Pre-installation Kit
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Bub 
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Re:IT guru needed
2011/02/18 23:37:24
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Hey Beagle, I bought Windows 7 Professional x64 and it says the same thing on the box about the OPK. I just ignored it and installed it. I had no problems whatsoever, I registered it, and have been getting updates for months now and so far the Microsoft Police haven't said anything. Just ignore it, you'll be fine. Bub. Edit: I had a bad stick of RAM brand new out of the box when I built my PC and I was experiencing the same exact thing you are describing. It tested ok with Memtest86, but bad with the Windows Mem Diag. I think you can run the Windows 7 Memory Diagnostic by rebooting your PC (even if windows isn't installed) and holding down F8. Go in to diagnostics mode, and run the memory diagnostics. So far I've had it find 3 bad sticks of RAM that Memtest86 couldn't find so it's my go to memory checker now. Also, it's lightning fast. It found a bad stick of RAM in under 5 minutes, and I've let Memtest86 run all night and it never found anything wrong. Also, you may be having a problem with your SATA HDD driver. That will cause problems like you are describing too. Sometimes you have to hold down F6 and tell Windows you are manually installing the SATA driver. The nice thing about Windows 7 is, you can throw it on a USB stick, prior to Win7 you were forced to use a floppy drive or create a slip stream disc. You get the F6 driver from your Mobo manufacture's web site. I've run in to this before, it's very frustrating, but it has nothing to do with the OPK, I guarantee that.
post edited by Bub - 2011/02/18 23:47:57
"I pulled the head off Elvis, filled Fred up to his pelvis, yaba daba do, the King is gone, and so are you."
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Janet
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Re:IT guru needed
2011/02/19 00:43:46
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I can't believe you didn't ask me.
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Bub
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Re:IT guru needed
2011/02/19 01:02:07
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Time to take the Chistmas Tree down in your avatar Janet. :)
We're taking our tree down tomorrow. A little late. Doh. :)
"I pulled the head off Elvis, filled Fred up to his pelvis, yaba daba do, the King is gone, and so are you."
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JD1813
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Re:IT guru needed
2011/02/19 07:38:08
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Bub
Hey Beagle,
I bought Windows 7 Professional x64 and it says the same thing on the box about the OPK. I just ignored it and installed it. I had no problems whatsoever, I registered it, and have been getting updates for months now and so far the Microsoft Police haven't said anything.
Just ignore it, you'll be fine.
Bub.
Edit: I had a bad stick of RAM brand new out of the box when I built my PC and I was experiencing the same exact thing you are describing. It tested ok with Memtest86, but bad with the Windows Mem Diag. I think you can run the Windows 7 Memory Diagnostic by rebooting your PC (even if windows isn't installed) and holding down F8. Go in to diagnostics mode, and run the memory diagnostics. So far I've had it find 3 bad sticks of RAM that Memtest86 couldn't find so it's my go to memory checker now. Also, it's lightning fast. It found a bad stick of RAM in under 5 minutes, and I've let Memtest86 run all night and it never found anything wrong.
Also, you may be having a problem with your SATA HDD driver. That will cause problems like you are describing too. Sometimes you have to hold down F6 and tell Windows you are manually installing the SATA driver. The nice thing about Windows 7 is, you can throw it on a USB stick, prior to Win7 you were forced to use a floppy drive or create a slip stream disc.
You get the F6 driver from your Mobo manufacture's web site.
I've run in to this before, it's very frustrating, but it has nothing to do with the OPK, I guarantee that.
Beagle, I also concur with Bub. I have bought and installed Win 7 (the Pro version, I highly recommend) both the 32 and 64-bit versions both at work and now the 64-bit at home. I have never had a problem with the OPK requirement - rather, I tend to agree with Bub in that it's more likely that you may need to first download a driver for your eSATA drive, through the manufacturer. There *could* be a memory issue as Bub mentioned but I tend to doubt it given your description, I think you may be only having a driver issue. 
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Beagle
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Re:IT guru needed
2011/02/19 08:03:25
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great guys! I'll play with it more and see what is going on. I just assumed it did that because of the OPK requirement.
I don't think it should be a memory problem, however, the system runs fine currently in XP. but I did install a new PCIe/SATA card and that's what I put my new hard drive on for installing win7 onto, so maybe it is a driver problem.
thanks Bub and John (and uh Janet...) I appreciate it and I'll let you know how it goes!
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Guitarhacker
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Re:IT guru needed
2011/02/19 08:40:41
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Janet & Bub.... why be in a hurry? Wait a few more months and it'll be in season again.
Down here in the south, that is a time honored tradition. Put um up once... leave um up until they fall off. All you gotta do is change the bad bulbs every so often.
My website & music: www.herbhartley.com MC4/5/6/X1e.c, on a Custom DAW Focusrite Firewire Saffire Interface BMI/NSAI "Just as the blade chooses the warrior, so too, the song chooses the writer "
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Janet
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Re:IT guru needed
2011/02/19 08:43:22
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Bub, I'll work on that. Thanks! lol
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Bub
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Re:IT guru needed
2011/02/19 10:36:50
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My father in law commented on our tree still being up when they came up to watch the Superbowl. They're coming up again today and I'm never going to hear the end of it now. :)
"I pulled the head off Elvis, filled Fred up to his pelvis, yaba daba do, the King is gone, and so are you."
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Wookiee
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Re:IT guru needed
2011/02/19 12:19:16
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One other thing Beagle make sure you have all your drives on disk so you can install if windows installation struggles.
Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain.
Karma has a way of finding its own way home.
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Janet
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Re:IT guru needed
2011/02/19 12:52:23
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Bub, actually, I should tell you about these new-fangled cameras they've got now. You can take a picture of something, and later you can change the real background (the one that was in the photo) and the background in the picture will STAY THE SAME! Isn't that amazing? You should look into that sometime when you get a chance.
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FastBikerBoy
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Re:IT guru needed
2011/02/19 13:10:03
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My OEM installed without any troubles. One thing though - when you do install it let the installation format the disks for you. I had all mine pre-formatted ready to go and the installation kept hanging at the final stage. Much hair ripping, bad language and web searching later, I discovered it wouldn't install without having done it's own prep work first. Typical MS.......... 
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Beagle
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Re:IT guru needed
2011/02/19 13:12:22
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CRAP! wish you had chimed in earlier, FBB! that's what I've been doing all morning is formatting the 2 new drives and the one I intend for the OS is already done!
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FastBikerBoy
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Re:IT guru needed
2011/02/19 13:49:29
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Timing has never been my strong suit. I think Windows 7 writes/creates a small hidden partition for some reason. Vista may have been the same but I never installed that only bought a laptop with it on.
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Beagle
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Re:IT guru needed
2011/02/19 14:01:32
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regarding the possibility that Bub and John mentioned of having to load drivers via F6 - i'm not getting that far before it craps out. as soon as it says "starting windows" after loading the files that's when it reboots - every time. I don't get to ANY options yet.
the next thing I'm going to try is disconnect all hard drives except the one I'm going to install win7 on and see if that helps.
barring that I'll look at the memory being a possible problem, I just have a hard time believing it's a bad stick when I'm using it for XP just fine.
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Jumbicat
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Re:IT guru needed
2011/02/19 19:10:01
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Win7Pro64Bit-AMD-1090t -4 GIG OC DDR3-2k-GTX-465-C300 SATA6-SSD 64G-Sonar 8.5,X2a - Pro Tools Digi-001, a few Axon controllers http://soundcloud.com/jumbicat
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Beagle
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Re:IT guru needed
2011/02/19 21:35:59
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I got a blue screen in Winxp while it was formating the 1T drive I bought for my audio drive for the win7 machine. there may be a problem with that drive. I"m going to have to disconnect it at least and see what happens.
I spent the afternoon and evening with the lovely Mrs. Beagle, tho, so I have not had time to work on it since I posted that last post at about 1:30. probably not tonight, either. and tomorrow's pretty packed. looks like this will have to wait a couple of days.
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craigb
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Re:IT guru needed
2011/02/19 21:46:24
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I seem to recall someone saying back in the early 80's "In probably less than 20 years we'll actually get to just use computers instead of spending all our time getting them to work!"
Maybe in another 20? *Sigh*
Time for all of you to head over to Beyond My DAW!
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Jumbicat
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Re:IT guru needed
2011/02/19 21:57:02
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Blue screen during format.... Ram ended up being my problem we discussed last week. It would blue screen on me half way through the set up so I eliminated ram and disconnected everything except the hard drive and CD rom. Pulled the audio card, digi board, drive 2 and 3 and usb hub. It's a process of elimination. Is the Power supply rated for all your hardware? Does your motherboard have a LCD that shows binary/Hex status of the post? Sometimes just before the blue screen it will start to cycle suggesting a power issue is present.
post edited by Jumbicat - 2011/02/19 22:26:44
Win7Pro64Bit-AMD-1090t -4 GIG OC DDR3-2k-GTX-465-C300 SATA6-SSD 64G-Sonar 8.5,X2a - Pro Tools Digi-001, a few Axon controllers http://soundcloud.com/jumbicat
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craigb
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Re:IT guru needed
2011/02/20 04:32:21
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I once had a weird issue where things looked fine with the case open (and laying on it's side so I could see everything), then it would halt on boot up. Turns out one of the small power cables was pushing itself into the CPU fan and stopping it (thus overheating things) but, of course, it was only happening AFTER I returned the case to it's upright position... The only thing I can think of to suggest is to make sure all your connections are truly connected. Sometimes a slight gap causes weird stuff to happen. I also once had something that was tightened down too much where one solder point would either barely touch another metal part or eventually arc causing a short and a reboot. However, that one was a LONG time ago! As long as I'm throwing out weird stuff to check, two weeks ago I was getting bizarre behaviour out of one PC and it turned out that the battery on the motherboard was going dead.
post edited by craigb - 2011/02/20 04:34:15
Time for all of you to head over to Beyond My DAW!
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