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Students: Get your $29 version of Windows 7 PRO not home here

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chrisrottan

macrumors member
Oct 23, 2009
77
0
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xc runner

macrumors member
Jan 2, 2009
39
0
chrisrottan said:
Or you can call microsoft directly and get the full version for 30 bucks, either home premium or professional.
Click to expand...

So if I call Microsoft I can get the full upgrade version of windows 7 for 30 bucks? That would be great because then I could put windows on my Mac.
 
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blazerdude20

macrumors member
Jul 19, 2008
67
6
chrisrottan said:
Or you can call microsoft directly and get the full version for 30 bucks, either home premium or professional.
Click to expand...

is this the full version or an upgrade pack? if its the full version i think im gonna get it and install it on my macbook with bootcamp. actually wait is w7 supported yet?
 
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akadmon

Suspended
Aug 30, 2006
2,006
2
New England
Even though it's labeled "Upgrade", the downloadable $30 Student version is actually full W7 that you can fresh install. I did this already, so yeah, you can bank on it.
 
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blazerdude20

macrumors member
Jul 19, 2008
67
6
akadmon said:
Even though it's labeled "Upgrade", the downloadable $30 Student version is actually full W7 that you can fresh install. I did this already, so yeah, you can bank on it.
Click to expand...

did you install through bootcamp? instructions would be great if you have time.:D
 
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cutlassvillager

macrumors member
Feb 16, 2009
35
0
akadmon said:
Even though it's labeled "Upgrade", the downloadable $30 Student version is actually full W7 that you can fresh install. I did this already, so yeah, you can bank on it.
Click to expand...
Really? I did a fresh install but then got an error when I tried to activate it. The error was something along the lines of "Your product key is valid for upgrade only, you cannot perform a clean install using this key." So I had to reinstall Vista and do a custom install then just delete the Windows.old folder after activating. That seemed to basically do a fresh install since Vista Home Premium cannot be upgraded to 7 Professional and none of my settings were retained. Did you do the old Vista trick of installing first then reinstalling a second time then activating from there? At what point did you enter in your product key?
 
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akadmon

Suspended
Aug 30, 2006
2,006
2
New England
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akadmon

Suspended
Aug 30, 2006
2,006
2
New England
cutlassvillager said:
Really? I did a fresh install but then got an error when I tried to activate it. The error was something along the lines of "Your product key is valid for upgrade only, you cannot perform a clean install using this key." So I had to reinstall Vista and do a custom install then just delete the Windows.old folder after activating. Did you do the old Vista trick of installing first then reinstalling a second time then activating from there? At what point did you enter in your product key?
Click to expand...

I assume you have a legitimate key. All I did was not enter the key during the installation (that's an option, you know). I entered it after everything was installed. It worked without a hitch. Some people have been saying they had to run the installer again from within W7 and do an upgrade of W7 to W7 (sounds silly, but it's true), entering the key only after this upgrade. I did not have to do it, so try this first. It will save you some time.
 
spillproof

spillproof

macrumors 68020
Jun 4, 2009
2,028
3
USA
My university is selling it Win7 Pro for $40 at the computer store. $10 discount for no DVD, I can handle that.
 
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cutlassvillager

macrumors member
Feb 16, 2009
35
0
akadmon said:
I assume you have a legitimate key. All I did was not enter the key during the installation (that's an option, you know). I entered it after everything was installed. It worked without a hitch. Some people have been saying they had to run the installer again from within W7 and do an upgrade of W7 to W7 (sounds silly, but it's true), entering the key only after this upgrade. I did not have to do it, so try this first. It will save you some time.
Click to expand...
Yes, I was using the key that was emailed to me from Microsoft on October 22nd. I also waited to enter the key in once the system was installed and that's when I got the error. Now I am wondering that if I would have just entered it in during the install I wouldn't have gotten the error. Thanks for your help. Now that it's finally installed I don't want to dare mess with it at this point.
On a different note...did making the .iso not seem like a complete PITA? I have many friends (that are students) that want to upgrade to Windows 7 Professional, but I can't really even suggest getting the student discount unless I know I will be close enough to provide them with the burned copy I made. Come on MSFT...you're not some hole-in-the-wall company, you could at least provide the disk image for us.
Reading through the forum on the link you posted it looks like even tech support is having trouble creating the iso for some people...even using Remote Desktop! Imagine the frustration some are experiencing right now.
 
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davidlt

macrumors member
May 22, 2007
56
0
Lithuania
Actually you can get a free copy of Windows 7 Professional if your university has MSDN AA account. If they have own, you should ask your IT department you create you an account after you will be able to download quite a lot of Microsoft production for free (while you are student). License keys and etc. will be held on MSDN AA website.

Also don't forget DreamSpark. It was even possible to get a free certification from Microsoft!

david,
Lithuania,
MSP
 
Confuzzeled23

Confuzzeled23

macrumors 6502
Jan 27, 2009
301
60
Hey,
I was just wondering whether you needed to pay the extra money for a CD. Is it fine just to download the .exe and burn it to a dvd?
Thanks.
 
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chrisrottan

macrumors member
Oct 23, 2009
77
0
Yeah, the only way to get Windows 7 professional for $30 is by calling CS: 1.877.696.7786
It will be the FULL version for students.
For non-students, just ask how you can upgrade from windows xp. Most likely than not, they will sell you the full version at a discounted price of $30.

Or

You can do what the nice guy said, join your MSDNA from your school and download and activate it for free. But then again, You'd have to sign up for a course.
 
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akadmon

Suspended
Aug 30, 2006
2,006
2
New England
Confuzzeled23 said:
Hey,
I was just wondering whether you needed to pay the extra money for a CD. Is it fine just to download the .exe and burn it to a dvd?
Thanks.
Click to expand...

You can pay $13 and get a CD (actually a DVD), or you can spend a little time (only because others have already done the heavy lifting for you) and create a DVD yourself. See post #9 in this thread (notice it's a little more complicated than just "burning the exe"). If you are getting a 64-bit version of Windows 7, be aware that the exe will work only if you are running it from a previous 64-bit version of Windows (XP or Vista). On any 32-bit version of Windows, you will get an error at the end of the unpacking process (the exe unpacks a couple of "box" files into a setup folder). Don't worry about it (I did, way too much), just follow the directions in the link I gave above.
 
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chrisrottan

macrumors member
Oct 23, 2009
77
0
Confuzzeled23 said:
Hey,
I was just wondering whether you needed to pay the extra money for a CD. Is it fine just to download the .exe and burn it to a dvd?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Right click and select save target as. Once it's downloaded, change the extension to .iso
Direct downloads:
Home Premium 32bit: Click Here
Home Premium 64bit: Click Here

Professional 32bit: Click Here
Professional 64bit: Click Here

This way, you won't need to buy the actual DVD which will cost you extra but for those who want a piece of mind, buy the DVD. For those who want to save extra money, the links i just gave you will be just fine.
Don't forget to LEGALLY buy your windows 7 cd key.
 
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Eddyisgreat

macrumors 601
Oct 24, 2007
4,851
2
Just wanted to mention the version that comes from Microsoft for 30 bucks is the RETAIL sealed version...so if you are into that sort of thing. Alot of us ordered ours last week and didn't expect to get them for a while ( I was told the cheapest was ground) but alot of us got bumped up to next day air. I just got mine in today and have only made backups of the DVD's but i'm going to install it once I get home today. I could have downloaded it (since i'm only using the copies) but this is before DR offered the ISOs, and I don't have a current windows install to make my own bootable CD (though I certainly could have.
 
mousouchop

mousouchop

macrumors 6502a
Oct 22, 2008
814
118
New York
Eh, I am a little mad that I didn't find out about the Full Pro version available by calling that number until after I had already bought the digital download version of the Pro Upgrade from win741.com.

In any case, I compiled my own ISO, burned it, and used a registry hack to make my purchased key work with a fresh install. I suppose that is the same thing in the end. Wouldn't have minded having the retail packaging for the same $30 bucks though.

Always nice to get something physical for your money instead of just a number/file. This is why I don't like the shift to digital distribution. ><
 
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StruckANerve

macrumors 6502
Dec 31, 2008
392
0
Rio Rancho, NM
chrisrottan said:
Yeah, the only way to get Windows 7 professional for $30 is by calling CS: 1.877.696.7786
It will be the FULL version for students.
For non-students, just ask how you can upgrade from windows xp. Most likely than not, they will sell you the full version at a discounted price of $30.

Or

You can do what the nice guy said, join your MSDNA from your school and download and activate it for free. But then again, You'd have to sign up for a course.
Click to expand...

So I just call them up and ask to purchase a copy of Win7 for $30? Is there anything specific I need to say?
 
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chrisrottan

macrumors member
Oct 23, 2009
77
0
nmrrjw66 said:
So I just call them up and ask to purchase a copy of Win7 for $30? Is there anything specific I need to say?
Click to expand...
If you're a student, ask them for a windows 7 professional edition for students, FULL retail version. They will ask for your university email address and you give it to them. CC info will be asked and then an emal to your university email will be sent with tracking information via UPS.

If you're not a student, ask them for the promotion of Windows 7 professional(full) and ask them you're a long-time windows xp user. Since you can't upgrade unless you have vista, they will give you a discount of Windows professional. If they ask you for more than 30, tell them you heard about the student/teacher discount and would like to know if they could offer you the same dvd at that price. They will verify your address(1 copy per address) if you've ordered before. If you haven't, they will proceed to ask you for your CC and an email address(avoid google/yahoo).
 
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trippingchris

macrumors newbie
Dec 31, 2008
26
0
Can you do a clean install with digitalriver without a previous version of Windows? I bought it a few days ago for $30 before I knew about calling Microsoft for the $30 Full version.
 
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chrisrottan

macrumors member
Oct 23, 2009
77
0
trippingchris said:
Can you do a clean install with digitalriver without a previous version of Windows? I bought it a few days ago for $30 before I knew about calling Microsoft for the $30 Full version.
Click to expand...

32bit is known to have an upgrade only serial.
For 64bit, it is a full retail copy from DR. I too ordered a 64bit copy for DR. Did a fresh install on a custom pc and the serial workd just fine. However, I use the 32bit on Vmware on the mac. There should be work-arounds but I'm not into macs that much and my knowledge is vague at best.
 
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