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Windows 7 Student Discount + Issues and Fixes
Animeman59
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Hello to all my PA peeps,
If you haven't heard, Windows 7 is now officially available. You can go ahead and buy Windows 7 at full retail prices, or you can take advantage of Microsoft's student discount and get either Windows 7 Home Premium or Professional for as little as $30! Go to www.win741.com for the discount. All you need is a valid college email account from whatever school you are attending. An email will be sent to your account to confirm if you're eligible.
Windows 7 Student Discount
If you are eligible for this discount, now you can go ahead and download your copy of Windows 7. But first, there's a few things you need to consider, before you complete your order and had over your hard-earned cash. For every issue that I list here, I do have a work-around for it. So please, read over this post and then decide if this deal is right for you.
ISSUES:
1) The copies of Windows 7 Home Premium and Professional that are being offered are UPGRADE versions of the software, and NOT FULL RETAIL versions. That means that if you already have Windows Vista, then you're good to go with a straight upgrade. However, if you have XP, then you need to do a complete reinstall of your system. That entails backing up your data, remembering all the software you installed, formatting your hard drive, and doing a full install of Windows 7. Also, if you do a clean install, then you CANNOT USE YOUR UPGRADE PRODUCT KEY to finalize your installation of Windows 7. BUT, there's a very simple work-around for this. Trust me, it's completely simple and will not involve any complex hacks. I'll explain more further down the post, so bear with me. There's no reason for you to get full retail versions of the OS, and you'll save a couple of hundred bucks in the process.
2) This deal only includes an ELECTRONIC DOWNLOAD of the OS. If you want an actual DVD of the software, then you need to shell out an extra $13 for the disc. This puts your total cost to almost $50, but that's still a steal when you consider that the upgrade version of Home Premium is $120, and Professional is $200.00. If you still want a disc, then go ahead and pay the extra cash. They'll send it out to you through snail mail. I ordered a disc anyway, because (to me) it's always a good idea to have a hard copy of the software. HOWEVER, with the following tricks that I'm about to tell you, you might want to reconsider that option if you want to be thrifty.
3) If you want to go the 64-bit route, then that option is also available as well, for no extra charge. Awesome! But, and this is a big "BUT", if you're going from a 32-bit OS (XP or Vista) to 64-bit Windows 7, then your downloaded software WILL NOT WORK. Microsoft's answer for this is suggesting that you go 32-bit to 32-bit, and only going 64-bit if you already had a prior 64-bit OS (Vista 64-bit). This is unacceptable and stupid. I'll say this once. GO 64-BIT!! It's the future of all OS's and software. Also, I'll be explaining how to actually load your 64-bit system when you're saddled with a 32-bit OS. This trick is a little involve, but it is NOT COMPLICATED. Just follow the directions and you'll be fine. I promise.
FIXES:
Okay, here's the ticks that I'm going to tell you so that you save some serious moolah on Windows 7. I'll explain these as simple as possible so that anybody can do this. If you're having trouble, or if you're just afraid, then call that computer geek friend of yours to help you out.
MAKING AN INSTALLATION DISC FROM YOUR DOWNLOADED COPY OF WINDOWS 7
When you have finally downloaded your copy of Windows 7 from the student discount website, you probably noticed that it's an automatic upgrade setup file, and NOT AN ISO DISC FILE. That means you'll have to run the file while you're still logged into your old Windows OS. If you have Vista, then your good, but XP is out of luck. Also, if you're going from a 32-bit OS to 64-bit, regardless whether it's XP or Vista, then this download won't work. If you're going from 32-bit to 32-bit, then you're okay, but you don't want to do that since you're not in the stone age. So what do you do? Just follow the steps below. As I said, it's a bit involved, but NOT COMPLICATED. Just follow the instructions, and you're good.
These steps are taking verbatim from the download squad. Here's the link if you're interested.
To start with, make sure your downloaded Windows 7 files (the 'expandedSetup' directory) is unzipped into C:\ -- it'll make things easier later.
1) Download this tool -- alternatively you can obtain the official pack from Microsoft, but that's a whole darn gigabyte.
2) Unzip and move oscdimg.exe to your System32 directory (likely to be C:\Windows\System32)
3) Open an elevated command prompt. In Vista you do this by typing 'cmd' into your 'Start Menu' and hitting ctrl+shift+enter. In XP, just type 'cmd' into the Run dialogue (Windows Key+R or from your Start Menu).
4) Type (or copy and paste) the following into your command prompt (this will vary a little, depending on where you've put your expandedSetup folder):
oscdimg.exe -u2 -b"C:\expandedSetup\boot\etfsboot.com" -h "C:\expandedSetup" C:\WIN7.ISO
5) Ta'da! You've got a burnable ISO!
All you need to finish the job is a good burning application like ImgBurn, CDBurnerXP, or InfraRecorder. For this particular task I'd recommend ImgBurn - then just right click the ISO file and start the burn from your context menu. Or launch ImgBurn and choose "write image file to disc" -- your choice!
Pretty simple, right? Now you have an actual installation disc that's yours to keep. It's nice to have an actual installation disc, just in case.
DOING A CLEAN INSTALL WITH AN UPGRADE VERSION OF WINDOWS 7
As I stated before, you're getting the upgrade version of Windows 7 with this student discount. If you're going from Vista to Windows 7, then you're golden. You don't need to do a clean install, and the installation will take care of itself. It will be pretty straightforward. However, if you still got XP (I understand why), then you need to do a clean install. So here's the steps needed to do that.
1) Backup all of your data. Any documents, pictures, media files, and anything else that is VERY IMPORTANT to you. BACK IT UP! Put all of it onto an external hard drive, or burn it to DVDs. Anything. Just get your data off of your computer and somewhere safe. You're going to be formatting your hard drive for the clean install, and that means that you'll be erasing everything off your drive. Please, please, please. Backup your data.
2) Make a note of all your software, and make sure you have installation discs for them, or have executables available to reload the software. As I said before, you'll be formatting your hard drive, so all of the programs you've installed through the years will be gone. Make sure you're able to retrieve them again.
3) Okay. So you've got your backups in order, and your software ready. Now you can do the install. Reboot your machine and boot off the Windows 7 ISO disc that you made earlier. Go through and complete the installation steps. You'll format your hard drive, prep your OS account, etc., etc.
4) When you get to the screen asking for your product key. STOP! Don't enter anything. Leave the product key boxes blank, and UNCHECK the "Automatically activate Windows when I'm online" box. Click the next button and continue the installation as normal.
5) After installation, you'll have a fully functioning Windows 7 OS. Download all of the critial updates from Microsoft's windows update website, and load your programs if you wish.
6) Now, after all that, you can activate Windows 7 (you have 30 days to do this, btw). Right-click on "My Computer" and choose "Properties". From there you should see a "Activate Windows Now" link. Click on it and enter your product key.
Boom! You now have a legal and complete install of Windows 7, and it only cost you $30.
I hope this little instructional helps. Enjoy your new operating system.
If you haven't heard, Windows 7 is now officially available. You can go ahead and buy Windows 7 at full retail prices, or you can take advantage of Microsoft's student discount and get either Windows 7 Home Premium or Professional for as little as $30! Go to www.win741.com for the discount. All you need is a valid college email account from whatever school you are attending. An email will be sent to your account to confirm if you're eligible.
Windows 7 Student Discount
If you are eligible for this discount, now you can go ahead and download your copy of Windows 7. But first, there's a few things you need to consider, before you complete your order and had over your hard-earned cash. For every issue that I list here, I do have a work-around for it. So please, read over this post and then decide if this deal is right for you.
ISSUES:
1) The copies of Windows 7 Home Premium and Professional that are being offered are UPGRADE versions of the software, and NOT FULL RETAIL versions. That means that if you already have Windows Vista, then you're good to go with a straight upgrade. However, if you have XP, then you need to do a complete reinstall of your system. That entails backing up your data, remembering all the software you installed, formatting your hard drive, and doing a full install of Windows 7. Also, if you do a clean install, then you CANNOT USE YOUR UPGRADE PRODUCT KEY to finalize your installation of Windows 7. BUT, there's a very simple work-around for this. Trust me, it's completely simple and will not involve any complex hacks. I'll explain more further down the post, so bear with me. There's no reason for you to get full retail versions of the OS, and you'll save a couple of hundred bucks in the process.
2) This deal only includes an ELECTRONIC DOWNLOAD of the OS. If you want an actual DVD of the software, then you need to shell out an extra $13 for the disc. This puts your total cost to almost $50, but that's still a steal when you consider that the upgrade version of Home Premium is $120, and Professional is $200.00. If you still want a disc, then go ahead and pay the extra cash. They'll send it out to you through snail mail. I ordered a disc anyway, because (to me) it's always a good idea to have a hard copy of the software. HOWEVER, with the following tricks that I'm about to tell you, you might want to reconsider that option if you want to be thrifty.
3) If you want to go the 64-bit route, then that option is also available as well, for no extra charge. Awesome! But, and this is a big "BUT", if you're going from a 32-bit OS (XP or Vista) to 64-bit Windows 7, then your downloaded software WILL NOT WORK. Microsoft's answer for this is suggesting that you go 32-bit to 32-bit, and only going 64-bit if you already had a prior 64-bit OS (Vista 64-bit). This is unacceptable and stupid. I'll say this once. GO 64-BIT!! It's the future of all OS's and software. Also, I'll be explaining how to actually load your 64-bit system when you're saddled with a 32-bit OS. This trick is a little involve, but it is NOT COMPLICATED. Just follow the directions and you'll be fine. I promise.
FIXES:
Okay, here's the ticks that I'm going to tell you so that you save some serious moolah on Windows 7. I'll explain these as simple as possible so that anybody can do this. If you're having trouble, or if you're just afraid, then call that computer geek friend of yours to help you out.
MAKING AN INSTALLATION DISC FROM YOUR DOWNLOADED COPY OF WINDOWS 7
When you have finally downloaded your copy of Windows 7 from the student discount website, you probably noticed that it's an automatic upgrade setup file, and NOT AN ISO DISC FILE. That means you'll have to run the file while you're still logged into your old Windows OS. If you have Vista, then your good, but XP is out of luck. Also, if you're going from a 32-bit OS to 64-bit, regardless whether it's XP or Vista, then this download won't work. If you're going from 32-bit to 32-bit, then you're okay, but you don't want to do that since you're not in the stone age. So what do you do? Just follow the steps below. As I said, it's a bit involved, but NOT COMPLICATED. Just follow the instructions, and you're good.
These steps are taking verbatim from the download squad. Here's the link if you're interested.
To start with, make sure your downloaded Windows 7 files (the 'expandedSetup' directory) is unzipped into C:\ -- it'll make things easier later.
1) Download this tool -- alternatively you can obtain the official pack from Microsoft, but that's a whole darn gigabyte.
2) Unzip and move oscdimg.exe to your System32 directory (likely to be C:\Windows\System32)
3) Open an elevated command prompt. In Vista you do this by typing 'cmd' into your 'Start Menu' and hitting ctrl+shift+enter. In XP, just type 'cmd' into the Run dialogue (Windows Key+R or from your Start Menu).
4) Type (or copy and paste) the following into your command prompt (this will vary a little, depending on where you've put your expandedSetup folder):
oscdimg.exe -u2 -b"C:\expandedSetup\boot\etfsboot.com" -h "C:\expandedSetup" C:\WIN7.ISO
5) Ta'da! You've got a burnable ISO!
All you need to finish the job is a good burning application like ImgBurn, CDBurnerXP, or InfraRecorder. For this particular task I'd recommend ImgBurn - then just right click the ISO file and start the burn from your context menu. Or launch ImgBurn and choose "write image file to disc" -- your choice!
Pretty simple, right? Now you have an actual installation disc that's yours to keep. It's nice to have an actual installation disc, just in case.
DOING A CLEAN INSTALL WITH AN UPGRADE VERSION OF WINDOWS 7
As I stated before, you're getting the upgrade version of Windows 7 with this student discount. If you're going from Vista to Windows 7, then you're golden. You don't need to do a clean install, and the installation will take care of itself. It will be pretty straightforward. However, if you still got XP (I understand why), then you need to do a clean install. So here's the steps needed to do that.
1) Backup all of your data. Any documents, pictures, media files, and anything else that is VERY IMPORTANT to you. BACK IT UP! Put all of it onto an external hard drive, or burn it to DVDs. Anything. Just get your data off of your computer and somewhere safe. You're going to be formatting your hard drive for the clean install, and that means that you'll be erasing everything off your drive. Please, please, please. Backup your data.
2) Make a note of all your software, and make sure you have installation discs for them, or have executables available to reload the software. As I said before, you'll be formatting your hard drive, so all of the programs you've installed through the years will be gone. Make sure you're able to retrieve them again.
3) Okay. So you've got your backups in order, and your software ready. Now you can do the install. Reboot your machine and boot off the Windows 7 ISO disc that you made earlier. Go through and complete the installation steps. You'll format your hard drive, prep your OS account, etc., etc.
4) When you get to the screen asking for your product key. STOP! Don't enter anything. Leave the product key boxes blank, and UNCHECK the "Automatically activate Windows when I'm online" box. Click the next button and continue the installation as normal.
5) After installation, you'll have a fully functioning Windows 7 OS. Download all of the critial updates from Microsoft's windows update website, and load your programs if you wish.
6) Now, after all that, you can activate Windows 7 (you have 30 days to do this, btw). Right-click on "My Computer" and choose "Properties". From there you should see a "Activate Windows Now" link. Click on it and enter your product key.
Boom! You now have a legal and complete install of Windows 7, and it only cost you $30.
I hope this little instructional helps. Enjoy your new operating system.
Animeman59 on
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Posts
http://gizmodo.com/5391268/microsoft-fixes-windows-7-student-edition-upgrade-problems
so you need a prior version of Windows to register this? They don't give you a new product key with it or something?
1)Backup everything to network drive
2)Load Win7 RC
3)Download student upgrade
4)Choose custom install, input Key, etc
5)Shiny new Win7
Didn't even ask for a Windows key other than the one in the email (student 'upgrade')
EDIT: Nevermind.
I assume you're just trying to be careful here. I have no reason to worry about my separate media partition yes? I'm going to keep that intact and format and merge my current XP and Windows 7 RC partitions.
I had also zero problems with the student upgrade. It was probably the fastest and easiest install of any Microsoft OS I've ever done.
My instructions are mostly for those who want to go 32 bit - 64 bit, or from Windows XP to Windows 7.
BTW, Microsoft has acknowledge the problem that is occurring with the student discount download and has now offered their own ISO file. Friggin awesome!
You can get it here. Plus, there's a Windows tool for making a bootable Windows 7 USB drive here.
EDIT: Kriz also mentions this in his post with a link to gizmodo.com. Nice job looking out for us. ^_^
BTW, no, you don't need a prior install, since you'll pretty much be using a clean disk (after formatting) for the installation I mentioned.
I can tell since you went from Windows 7 RC to the full version. The installer pretty much believed you upgraded.
However, if you ever want to do a complete reinstall sometime in the future, then just follow the steps I listed before, and you're golden.
Whatever works, right? ^_^
Which leave me little to no choice but to do a custom install and do a fresh reformat and all, right?
Even assuming I can get the trick to work and not pay for the full version, I have about 400GB of media and nowhere to back it up