Windows 7 activation (upgrade) after clean reinstall

hi guys,

I'm experiencing the problem with Windows 7 upgrade version. I was using WIn 7 few months without any issues. Win7 was installed over windows Vista in my case.
But few days ago I've decided to make clean reinstall (from scratch, formated HDD).

The installation was funny until I have got the error message telling me that my key is not for the clean installation and I cannot activate the system. I just left the field for key empty and the windows started.

I thought that I will activate the system in 'normal' mode not during installation. So I have now fully installed Windows 7 and I cannot activate it - because the installation was made not M$ 'mroper way'. Very funny So the 'proper way' is to install windows Vista and upgrade it to windows 7?

The system was activated on this PC (the same harware 100%) before so I cannot do this again? I cannot even show Vista installation CD, installation key etc?

Is there other way to activate it?



Cheers,

Maciejka

 

Yes, an upgrade version of Windows 7 should be clean installed on a computer that had Vista (or XP) on it previously. It is a bit of a pain, but that is what you have to deal with considering that an upgrade does cost less than the full retail. That is also what you agreed to do (EULA) when you started using the OS.

Just because you activated it previously though does not mean that you cannot activate it now. You just might need to contact Microsoft if that happens, and will only take a few minutes.

 

Or just install again, windows 7 usually will think it's an upgrade. Just to make sure you do partition and format during windows 7 installtion.

 

There are a couple of methods which will allow you to clean install with Upgrade Media.
Read this article or scroll to the bottom of the article and read Methods, 1,2,3.
http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/clean_install_upgrade_media.asp

 

the 3rd one saved me few hours, cheers mate.

 

What's odd is the fact that I just formatted the laptop yesterday (booted from windows DVD, did NOT start the upgrade in windows!) and used my Dell Win 7 upgrade disc, installed with out a hitch, even activated online perfectly. Then I messed up a driver install and formatted again and it activated a 2nd time with out a hitch online, no calling or errors.

It seems to be about 50/50 if there's going to be an issue or not.

 

I think you can do online activation 3 times with retail version.

 

And it should goes like that especially if you are doing that on the same hardware and the system was activated before from this PC (as I remember Microsoft comparing hardware during activation process).

I'm absolutely understand what upgrade means and what are the limitations. But I always though that I'm getting discount from full product because I'm loyal to Microsoft
But it was my opinion only and probably is wrong

btw. I'm still sure that installing the old system (so wasting at least 30 mins) just to prove ability to upgrade is stupid. Again this is only my opinion.

many thanks to you guys for helping me :0
cheers