Upgrading from Windows 8 Release preview

[majorawsome]

My friend was having problems with Windows 7 (Some sectors of his hard drive went bad, and no matter how much I urge him he doesn't get a new hard drive). Now that Windows 8 is out I was wondering how if we needed to have him purchase the system builder or the upgrade. I am wondering this because his computer doesn't have Windows 7 on it anymore so I don't know if the upgrade version would reject his computer, or if it would work. Thanks for all of the replies!

 

[Brett928S2]

Hi

I seriously doubt 8 will install on a crashed hard drive....

He does realise that sooner or later that drive will damage a sector containing windows start up files.... and then he WONT GET INTO WINDOWS EVER AGAIN....and there is a VERY GOOD chance he will lose ALL his data on the drive....unless he wants to pay a data recovery company THOUSANDS to recover it...

All the best Brett

 

[The_Prophecy]

Microsoft does not support upgrading from the Release Preview to the RTM build. Your friend is going to have to do a fresh install. While you're at it, get your friend to heed Brett and your advice about the hard drive. He's going to really regret not getting a replacement drive if he doesn't have his data backed up.

 

[majorawsome]

I'll tell him that he needs to get his hard drive fixed ASAP. but for the Winodws 7, there is recovery media, so will that install w/out the Windows key? I remeber I used those for my laptop but I forgot if it needs the key or not.

 

[majorawsome]

Best answer selected by majorawsome.