Windows 7 Installation Questions. Help Requested.

[Sherman90]

Hey guys,

Once again, Microsoft has left me feeling nothing but confusion.

Long story short, I need a copy of Windows on my Unibody MBP within the next few days. I'm eligible for a "student" copy which I've registered to download for $39.99, but am not sure if the student copy will be of any help to me.

Here are my questions.

1. The "student" copy is termed an "upgrade" and comes by way of download. There isn't time for me to get the physical disc. Will I be able to install this "upgrade" on a clean Windows partition via Boot Camp?

2. Can the "upgrade" version be used as a clean install of Windows 7?

3. If I can install a clean version of Windows 7 this way, does it need to be via Snow Leopard?

4. Should I download the 32bit or 64bit version of Windows 7?

I think that's all. I'm basically just wondering WHAT the hell the download actually is (a burnable .iso file?), and whether I can use that download via bootcamp to install!

Thanks so much!

 

[neowillendit]

I've used Windows 7 32-Bit since April on my MBP so to answer your questions:

1. No (you will have to install Vista first via Bootcamp, and it must be matching architecture types, 32-Bit Vista to 32-Bit Windows 7 and 64-Bit Vista to 64-Bit Windows 7)

2. Yes (only when installed over Vista...once the installer checks for Vista, it will allow an re-format option, then you will be able to upgrade)

3. No (it can be installed while using Leopard like I've been doing since April, Leopard's Disc drivers work beautifully for all my latest games, BioShock, Call of Duty 4, Fallout 3, Crysis and Crysis Warhead, Assassin's Creed and not a single driver related problem, everything is optimized and works perfectly as you would expect from Apple...won't always happen but I still expect it hehe)

4. Personal preference (although I've read around these forums that 64-Bit drivers off of the OS X disc's are shody...VERY shody, and besides the only gain you get in 64-Bit is the ability to use more than about 3.2GBs of RAM, not any faster, most apps aren't coded to take advantage anyway)

Hope I could help

 

[balamw]

See here for the answer to many of your questions and more w.r.t. the student download. https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/807326/

The answer to 1 and 2 in particular are more complicated than neowillendit implies. Especially since Microsoft has contradicted themselves time and again as to whether the Student deal actually was an upgrade or not... (Read the thread).

See here for instructions on how to clean install from upgrade media http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/clean_install_upgrade_media.asp, and links to the student ISOs are in the thread.

B

 

[CylonGlitch]

The link provided above gives three great steps on how to do a clean install from upgrade disks.

Quick Summary :
1) it just works
2) Install with upgrade, and at CD Key enter nothing. Then do a reg hack to make it think it was a clean install (this is what I did, worked perfectly)
3) Install with upgrade, and at CD key enter nothing. Once that is done, start the install process again and it will think it is doing an upgrade. At the CD Key the second time, just enter your key and you're ready to rock and roll. (Microsoft told me to do this, it is supported by them)

As for the 32/64 bit issue. I would recommend 32 bit for now; there are some valid reasons for going to 64 bit; but also some issues with doing so. First are drivers; Apple doesn't supply 64 bit drivers for it yet. Although the 64bit vista drivers can be made to work and they are OK. Just upgrade your video drivers afterwards. (this is my method) BUT worse then that, is that I had to make a modified install disk to get the 64 bit version to run; once I did that everything was OK, but it wasn't simple.

If you don't have a specific reason to go 64 bit, don't bother right now, it really isn't necessary.

 

[Quad5Ny]

Everyone's got their own opinion, here's what I recommend. =P


1.) Purchase your copy, doesn't matter if its x32 or x64, keys are interchangeable.

2.) Download THE ACTUAL ISO not the stupid Exe/Box, - http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/28/direct-download-ISO-dvd-for-windows-7-student-upgrade/

2b.) Pick your ISO, 32bit or 64bit and burn it.(I recommend 64bit if you have more than 3 gigs of ram).

3.) DO NOT enter your CD KEY during setup, just click next.

4.) Open up regedit and go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Setup/OOBE/ and Change MediaBootInstall from 1 to 0

5.) Open up the command prompt and type slmgr /rearm

6.) Reboot

7.) Make sure you have a internet connection and Right click on Computer > Properties > Click on Activate Windows

8.) Enter your CD key

9.) Enjoy.


If this is the first time your using windows with your Mac I STRONGLY suggest removing Bootcamp.exe from starting up automatically or replacing it with this one. - http://www.codelaboratories.com/files/MacBook/KbdMgr.rar
The reason is that it causes anything you want to run in realtime such as audio/video (ex: YouTube) to lag/skip.

Also, some of the AirPort wireless drivers on Boot Camp cause lag too, hopefully you get lucky and wont have any trouble with those.
And if you find the speakers acting up on you check this thread. - MacRumors.com 13-inch MacBook Pro: Low audio volume under Boot Camp?


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Full Article on how to Install the Upgrade edition cleanly. - http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/clean_install_upgrade_media.asp
DPC Latency article (where I got the exe from) - http://alexpopovich.wordpress.com/2008/10/30/macbook-rev-f-audio-skipping-in-vista-analisys-and-solution/

-------------------------------------

Oh, if your a student your problem also eligible for the MSDN:AA and some other stuff. -
http://www.microsoft.com/student/
https://www.dreamspark.com/Products/ProductList.aspx
http://www.win741.com/
http://www.msdnaa.net/search/schoolsearch.aspx

International Win7 Student Purchase Pages. -
US: http://www.microsoft.com/student/discounts/theultimatesteal-us/default.aspx
UK: http://www.microsoft.com/uk/education/studentoffer/default.aspx
Canada (EN): http://www.windows.ca/studentoffer
Canada (FR): http://www.windows.ca/fr/studentoffer
France: http://www.windows7pourlesetudiants.fr
Germany: http://www.Windows7fuerStudenten.de
Australia: http://www.microsoft.com/australia/windows/offers/windows-7-student-upgrade.aspx
Mexico: http://www.windows7paraestudiantes.com.mx
Korea: http://www.microsoft.com/korea/windows/student


-Enjoy, Quad