Is it still possible to re-install Win 7 RC?

I've been having problems with my computer and I'm trying to figure out whether they're due to a hard drive failure or on OS issue. I'm running Win 7 RC. I want to do a clean install to see if that fixes all the problems I'm having, but there are 2 potential problems with that:

1) Will I still be able to install the OS from the disc I made when I downloaded the .iso file in June? Or will it no longer allow me to use it now that the official release is out?

2) Even if I can use it, I have lost my product key and can't find it anywhere. I know there are a lot of generic keys out there for Win 7 RC, as the used the same set for all downloaders. Will I be able to install with one of these keys?

Thanks for any clarifications.

 

You can still reinstall. The RC is valid until June 2010. In march I believe it will start shutting down after 2 hours of use.

 

Thanks. What about the product key? I've lost the one MS sent me. Will it work if I use one of the generic ones floating around the internet?

 

I don't know about the generic keys floating around, but I do know that you can use the rearm trick to get a total of 120 days from the activation grace period. If you're going to go that route, you might as well install the RTM version. That way, if you decide to buy a full license later, you can just input that key and activate without having to bother with a reinstall. If you do go the RTM route, just make sure that you install the version that you intend to install later.

 

Don't use the re-arm trick. It is lame. I got a spare x64 key.

Send me a PM if you want it.

 

Use any of the keys from the net, they still work.

One key is not assigned to only one copy of win 7 RC, so they can be reused.

 

there where only 10 RC keys existing, so the ones on the web should work.