Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: TDeacon on January 19, 2017, 02:03:19 PM

Title: Getting Windows 7 to work on my new build
Post by: TDeacon on January 19, 2017, 02:03:19 PM: I have an unused OEM Windows 7 license purchased in 2012, which I want to use on my new (and first) PC build. Since Windows 7 extended support goes to January 2020, I figure I can get 3 years of use out of it before deciding whether to settle for Windows 10, or to avoid Windows altogether. (BTW, this thread is not intended to be a discussion of the pros and cons of Windows 10).

My concern is whether the (old) Windows 7 version on my CD will be able to use my new hardware well enough to update the MOBO bios, obtain the latest updates from the MS website, etc. Is there a chicken-and-egg problem here (i.e. everything will eventually work with the updates, but how to get the updates)?

QUESTION: Anyone know if this will be an issue?

Mark H.

NOTE that I am still researching my PC build, but a preliminary parts list includes:
CPU    Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler    CRYORIG H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler
Motherboard    Asus Z170-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard
Memory    G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-3000 Memory
Video Card    Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1070 8GB G1 Gaming Video Card
Case    Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case
(Initial monitor, keyboard, and mouse are contemporary with Windows 7, so presumably not an issue).
Title: Re: Getting Windows 7 to work on my new build
Post by: AKIron on January 19, 2017, 02:08:03 PM: I can't say for sure but I doubt there will be any issues.
Title: Re: Getting Windows 7 to work on my new build
Post by: Skuzzy on January 19, 2017, 02:12:49 PM: The Skylake family of CPU's is the last CPU family supported by Windows 7. There is no support for newer CPU's for Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.
Title: Re: Getting Windows 7 to work on my new build
Post by: TDeacon on January 19, 2017, 02:24:04 PM: Quote from: Skuzzy on January 19, 2017, 02:12:49 PM
The Skylake family of CPU's is the last CPU family supported by Windows 7. There is no support for newer CPU's for Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.

I know; that's why I'm not using the latest 7xxx Kabylake hardware.

So do you think I can update Win7 to work with my specified Skylake hardware, including getting BIOS and Win7 updates? I do have other PCs and OSs with which I could get to the Internet, but for simplicity's sake hoped that I could update from the new build starting with the installed (old) version of Win7.

BTW, my 15-year-old current PC dual-boots to WinXP and Linux Mint, and I plan to dual-boot the new one with Win7 and Linux Mint. Ideally, I would do this after updating BIOS and Win7, and getting everything to work properly.

MH
Title: Re: Getting Windows 7 to work on my new build
Post by: Skuzzy on January 19, 2017, 02:31:45 PM: You know what hardware you are going to use, so visit the various manufacturer''s WEB sites and check for support of Windows 7. I am thinking it is a no-brainer, but better safe than sorry.
Title: Re: Getting Windows 7 to work on my new build
Post by: Bizman on January 20, 2017, 11:15:14 AM: If your Windows CD includes SP1, use it. Otherwise download and burn/create a bootable USB stick a fresh copy of Win7 from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7 (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7) using the key you have.

During the installation you'll be asked about updates. Choose to install "critical" downloads only, that will reduce the amount of them by a third or so and save you from some marketing crap not to mention unwanted driver "updates".

After finishing the installation, check if the activation has succeeded. If not, try to do it online. If you get the message about your key being invalid, choose the option to type another key. Then simply retype the one you've used during the installation and voilá, the activation should be OK.