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It should be fine, iirc, the ability to do so on retail versions is standard, however on OEM versions it is dependent on the SLIC data. Just try it and see if it works for you; it recently worked for me on an Acer, dropping to 32bit from 64bit and back, using an OEM key.

Does the COA specifically mention x64/64bit?

Does the COA specifically mention x64/64bit?

It does not, it just has product key, thats it. I just dont want to wipe hdd amd install and find out the key wont work, as I will be goosed then as the recovery partion will of been wiped and no way to get laptop up and working again.

I have downloaded and put on disc, wiped my drive and installed 32bit win 7, but will not activate using my key.

This is what I have been informed:

Retail install disk will not work with your OEM product key. It'll install, but your product key would be rejected for activation.


That's because, in a file on the install disk, there is a preset value for the 'Channel' to which the licensing belongs. In a file called ei.cfg one of the entries is called 'Channel' and the value set for that variable on a retail install disk is set as 'Retail'. For the OEM key to be accepted that variable needs to be set to 'OEM'.

It's rather easy to fix, if you wish to make a 'roll your own' install disk to use, but you need to use a suitable third party software tool to do the job. A suitable software tool will be one which performs the functions of:

Creating an .ISO file disk image from an optical disk.
* Allowing the contents of files within that ISO image to be edited.

ISOBuster is a popular such tool.


So the procedure required is:

* Create an ISO image of the install disk
* Locate the file ei.cfg which is in the \sources folder on the disk
* Alter the entry value for 'Channel' from Retail to OEM
* Burn the altered ISO image to disk, to create a new install disk which will work with your OEM install key.



Note: These procedures are not "supported by Microsoft" ones, despite the fact that related procedures have been mentioned in Microsoft technical blogs etc. They'll work just fine, but if you require any further assistance with them you can't expect that it'll come from the formal customer support arrangements.

1) I've checked the code and the install, it's not rat-infested and I resent the implication that I'd link to a location if I wasn't sure about the source.

2) Does it matter where the ISO is obtained from? As if MS will ever know if he's using ISO's from tpb or their site. Shit, he'll probably get better download speeds from torrenting it.

Sorry mate, didn't see the bit where you said it was tested and verified virus free.

Still, I can't understand why anyone would bother their arse downloading something from virusheaven, when they can get the proper thing from the actual developer at no cost - it's an unnecessary risk to take imho.

I have been informed I need a OEM install disk of Windows 7 Home Premium for it to work with key on bottom of laptop, and info on this Matt or Exo, thanks.