install media for msdn-aa kays

Ok, still dealing with the idiot msdn-aa administrator at school.

Does anyone know what kind of install media msdn-aa keys are good for?

Volume License, retail/rtm, or ???

Or has the whole concept of VL, retail/rtm, etc, etc media been throw out for Win7?

thanks

 

All install media is the same. The only difference is the architecture (x32 or x64) and on some disks, the flavor (Home Premium, Professional, Utimate). The license is what determines the version.

 

At least if your MSDNAA membership is through the IEEE or ACM, you should also be aware that Windows 7 is not currently available - it was pulled due to too many people scamming e-mail addresses for early and cheap access to Windows 7. I don't know if this lack of Windows 7 extends to all of MSDNAA, but it may well - check with someone with a non-IEEE or ACM MSDNAA membership first if you can't.

Otherwise, you can use the install media for a complete install once you've burned it to a CD or DVD. Upgrades may also be possible, but I haven't investigated that. I haven't read the legalese, but I'm almost certain they are to be used only on your systems - why would Microsoft let you sell 15 keys as retail prices when you paid $30 for an ACM or IEEE membership? So basically, think of it as OEM that you can only use on your own machines, and not sell.

Assuming the Windows 7 embargo extends to MSDNAA, and you still want Windows 7 features, take a look at Dreamspark. The overall software selection is much more limited (hey, it's free...), but it includes Windows Server 2008 R2, which is basically Windows 7 in server mode. It takes more work to get it looking and acting like Windows 7, but it's possible to get many of the features working (some, such as Media Center, aren't possible). Look at http://www.win2008r2workstation.com/ for a conversion guide. The other downside is it's 64-bit only, so if you need 16-bit apps, you're out of luck and will have to either stick with 2K/XP/Vista, or buy Windows 7 32-bit Upgrade at retail.

 

I can get W7 from my college's MSDNAA program and it worked fine when I installed it earlier. I used the .ISO links here, plugged in my MSDN product key and it activated just fine.

 

booboo, thanks for the confirmation

Apollo, nice info, not applicable to the question........