Windows 7 Upgrade Edition

[Lonehunter]

So when I purchased this copy of Windows for my current PC I thought it was the full edition, but it was for upgrading from XP or Vista only apparently. So I used a Dell XP Disc from my old Dell PC to install XP, then used my Windows 7 disc to upgrade.

Well now I'm building a new PC and wondered if I can use the same trick. My current PC has been verified through Microsoft so I'm not sure if it's tied to just that one PC.

Advice? Answers? Suggestions?

Any help is much appreciated.

[Hamma]

It should work they usually let you use multiple activations. You may also want to try and install Win7 by booting off it, it may allow you to put in an XP disc to verify upgrade. Used to work back in the day

[Lonehunter]

That could be a huge time saver, thanks

[Crator]

Um, only can use multiple activations if the activation key has multiple activations on it. You want to contact Microsoft Licensing support if you have any issues. They can reset the activation for you if need be because of reinstalls.

Check this thread out to reactivate after reinstall: Can't activate after reinstall
- http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_install/cant-activate-after-reinstall/4763f002-6878-4e6f-b0af-b75761cf2012

Unlike Windows XP where the key was not checked against activations servers, Windows 7 does. For home users you will activate against Microsoft servers over the Internet. For businesses with Active Directory you can have your own server in-house which you put in your volume license you purchase from MS. That volume license grants you so many activations against your in-house server.

[Crator]

BTW, Microsoft Office 2010 uses the same activation methods as Windows 7

[Lonehunter]

Thanks, unfortunately I think the bran new Hard Drive I ordered is busted. First time booting up with BIOS it detects the drive but keeps saying it has an error, and no drive space. It's definitely connected to the motherboard and powered right, and I'm pretty sure I got the jumper right (I really tried every combo), but still Primary Master Hard Disk Error.

[Crator]

Interesting. What kind of bus is the drive using? IDE? SATA?

[Taro]

I'm not sure about the activation limit. I have never run in to it. However, to discuss the installing a fresh install using upgrade media; check out this link (http://www.winsupersite.com/article/windows-7/clean-install-windows-7-with-upgrade-media). I have used it and can verify it does work. Even better, Microsoft support did not give me any trouble over it went I contacted them for an unrelated driver issue. While not official, it does not seem to be of great concern to anyone. It might be worth checking out. With luck, you might not run in to the activation limit issue...

[Crator]

Good try, but using the rearm command just reset the evaluation period. You can do a rearm up to 3 times then you are boned. Trust me, I've set this up at my company and went through the documentation. I know how it works.

Use any version of Windows 7 free for 120 days (http://windowssecrets.com/top-story/use-any-version-of-windows-7-free-for-120-days/)

[Hamma]

I don't install client OS's nearly as much as I used to. I remember being able to get multiple activations out of one key. :\

[Crator]

I checked the other day for a friend, for the upgrade to Win 7, looks like they offer a 3-pack for it. So 3 activations on 3 separate PCs are allow with it. However, if you reinstall your OS and reactivate with the 3-pack key I think it will use another activation. The only way to redeem your activation is to call Microsoft support.

[Lonehunter]

It's a SATA

[Crator]

Try switching SATA ports and cables?

[Lonehunter]

I did, every time it does detect the drive, just says something like "Primary Master Drive Disk Error" and when it shows the amount it's zero

[Crator]

Very well could be an issue with the drive. Do you have another to test the SATA bus to ensure it is ok? Is the CDROM drive SATA and it is working ok?

[Baneblade]

I finally stabbed Vista in the eye and went back to XP Pro... I won't be upgrading to W7 until I build my new machine later this year.

[Lonehunter]

A SATA drive from another PC was recognized fine. Stopped by a PC shop with mine and they confirmed it's dead, no power getting to it. First time I've had a problem with Newegg merchandise :(

Thanks for the tip ID but if my upgrade edition doesn't work I'ma just buy a full Windows7 edition. There may be ways around it but this will be my first PC that's not outdated. Not skipping on any $ just to make sure everything is legal and up to date.

If PS2 gets cancelled, I'm throwing this all off a bridge by my house.


http://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/images/neri_nrgbridge_wfog.jpg

[Taro]

Good try, but using the rearm command just reset the evaluation period. You can do a rearm up to 3 times then you are boned. Trust me, I've set this up at my company and went through the documentation. I know how it works.

Use any version of Windows 7 free for 120 days (http://windowssecrets.com/top-story/use-any-version-of-windows-7-free-for-120-days/)
Trust me, you didn't even read information in my link prior to dismissing it. Furthermore, the very page you linked to references another post (http://windowssecrets.com/top-story/clean-install-windows-7-from-the-upgrade-disc/) on the same site, in which they link DIRECTLY to the walkthrough I brought up in my last post.

The second method brought up is a Registry edit. It does work. The current install I am using has run on it for nearly a year. While I agree ONLY re-arming your install will re-set the trial window, you are ignoring everything done before re-arming in the walkthrough. It is a very simple registry edit allows for all of this to work.

Once again, Microsoft knows of this issue and they do not seem to care. I cannot see it going away anytime soon. If they were to do that, they could have easily 'fixed' it when they did their last patch to squash various activation workarounds before.

[Crator]

Meh, whateva'. Do what you want. Just know that those methods are not supported and can be fixed by them. BTW, the link you provided no longer works.