Is this Win7 Pro deal in any way a bad idea for T4x?

[ipso]

Multiple parts:

1.) Is there any reason why Win7 doesn't quite work on T42/T43 machines? (I'd like to assume that if I have at least 1GB I could skate by, but obviously max RAM is best.) Web surfing only.

2.) This flavor of Win7 disc/license would be perfect, right? There are various Win 'pressings' - I don't know if T4x machines are sensitive to Win7, much less certain partial or international versions.

An Example: $98 - http://www.ebay.com/itm/141104718961?ss ... 1423.l2649
(The link should work for a while - I have no idea who the guy is.)

UP FOR SALE: A Brand New Windows 7 Professional Full Version 32 and 64bit CDs w/COA and includes Service Pack 1. …100% Legitimate product. This item is INTENDED for End-users that need to get a computer back-up and running or sytem builders that recondition older computers for resale. This item is to be installed ONLY on a Formatted Windows 7 Partition. It is a Full Version Only.

Emphasis mine. Does that somehow mean I can't take an XP formatted (or completely blank HD) and use this license? - it reads like I have to have a valid license of Win7 installed first for the discs to work? Are there even versions of Windows like that? (discussed further below.) I don't think so, but I just need to ask – sorry.

3.) I mean, sure, I could wait around and look to spend $98 or less on a junker machine with a Win7 COE (I assume such things exist – like XP), and just use that license for my T42, (but I'd still need the 32/64 bit install discs... don't have those yet.)

The ideal thing would be a 3-pack family license (..for the same price, yeah right) as I have a T42 and a T43 (and another T42 that may or may not be fixed at some point) all with XP Pro COEs. (Also a couple of venerated old Sony desktops with XP and won't run Win8.) The problem there is I want to be able to just hand one out to a friend or family member if they need one – so the license needs to go with the machine. I only mention that because:

The day of black doom approaches, 4/8/14.

Does anyone expect a “Black Friday” type super sale as doomsday befalls? Or am I missing a more cost effective way to update these older ThinkPad machines with Windows 7?

(Mint 13 Cinnamon works pretty good... but I want to solve a Win scenario, if possible.)

4.) Finally - I just purchased a T420i machine off eBay [you guys have created a monster] with a fresh install of Win 7 Ultimate - but - it does not have a COE sticker on the bottom, or an OEM partition that I can access via the blue IBM button. (I make way too many assumptions.) How do I reinstall Windows 7? It's best to do that when receiving a new machine, but also in the future. How do I even confirm I'm registered with MS, and not running with Corp X group license?

Shouldn't I expect that when purchasing a machine off eBay that advertizes it comes with Win7? - the ability to reinstall it? Or the ability to confirm with Windows I'm the guy? If I kind of softly insist on that from the seller, am I an idiot? If so, I guess then with every machine purchased I'd have to query and get a response in writing about the OS license. Nobody on eBay seems to do that.....?

Thank you very much; for any time you have to help sort through these things. As we approach XP doom I think many people will be interested in same, and may end up here....

[ajkula66]

1.) Is there any reason why Win7 doesn't quite work on T42/T43 machines? (I'd like to assume that if I have at least 1GB I could skate by, but obviously max RAM is best.) Web surfing only.

GPU is the key.

Any T43/p with ATi graphics will be fine with W7. The same holds true for T42p and those T42 units that sport a Radeon 9600 GPU.

Lower end T42s (Radeon 7500/9000) and Intel-based T43s will be missing proper graphic drivers and be laggy in the Vista/W7 environment.

I'd recommend 2GB of RAM regardless...these machines are pretty old, and every little bit helps.

4.) Finally - I just purchased a T420i machine off eBay [you guys have created a monster] with a fresh install of Win 7 Ultimate - but - it does not have a COE sticker on the bottom, or an OEM partition that I can access via the blue IBM button. (I make way too many assumptions.) How do I reinstall Windows 7? It's best to do that when receiving a new machine, but also in the future. How do I even confirm I'm registered with MS, and not running with Corp X group license?

On a T420, COA should be on the chassis, under the battery. Have you checked there?

Personally, I wouldn't be checking anything with M$, as long as the machine doesn't scream that you're running an illegal copy.

Shouldn't I expect that when purchasing a machine off eBay that advertizes it comes with Win7? - the ability to reinstall it? Or the ability to confirm with Windows I'm the guy? If I kind of softly insist on that from the seller, am I an idiot? If so, I guess then with every machine purchased I'd have to query and get a response in writing about the OS license. Nobody on eBay seems to do that.....?

Thank you very much; for any time you have to help sort through these things. As we approach XP doom I think many people will be interested in same, and may end up here....

Expect nothing from feebay and you won't be disappointed. Seriously.

[RealBlackStuff]

Get the W7 Family Pack here for $149.95: http://s2ehjt6h6.appplicationsmarket.ne ... =windows+7
But hurry!
It's the 4th orange box.

[precip9]

With respect to the original link, this is massive fraud, massive counterfeiting. The tipoff is

"This item is INTENDED for End-users that need to get a computer back-up and running or sytem builders that recondition older computers for resale. This item is to be installed ONLY on a Formatted Windows 7 Partition. "

There is no legitimate Microsoft product that conforms to this stipulation.

***FRAUD***

[ipso]

On a T420, COA should be on the chassis, under the battery. Have you checked there?

Doh...

Any T43/p with ATi graphics will be fine with W7. The same holds true for T42p and those T42 units that sport a Radeon 9600 GPU.

Lower end T42s (Radeon 7500/9000) and Intel-based T43s will be missing proper graphic drivers and be laggy in the Vista/W7 environment.

Perfect detail...!! Thank you.

@RealBlackStuff – thanks – as always – for supporting my habit – a right and proper forums.thinkpad habit enabler.

@precip9
Understood. (I was sure I would get a chuckle because that example was so obviously legitimate.)

...But if it's fraud, how can it be that Microsoft is not all over this guy? All over eBay?

One offs – impossible to track – but this guy is a store that has sold 22824 items. It's not like eBay is based in Thailand.

(..“Why are there people like Frank?”)

[precip9]

@precip9
)

I'm wondering too. The number of sales looks preposterous. Maybe they've hacked eBay.