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Windows 7 Activation Problem Using Upgrade Disk

Assassin

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Posted August 12, 2012 at 5:14PM

PC came with Vista installed (have disk). 2 months ago upgraded to Windows 7 by buying W7 Upgrade disk. Following recent hard drive failure I reinstalled W7 using W7 upgrade disk only. Now online activation system says they won't accept W7 activation code because I didn't reinstall Vista first. They say the W7 disk is for upgrading only. Can they make me reinstall my OS again, Vista first, then W7 upgrade? Or will they allow me to activate W7 as is? I have valid disks, licences and codes for both Vista and W7 and am using on only 1 PC. Surely they can tell that from their records of my PC's hardware configuration. Grateful for suggestions please.

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difarn

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Posted August 12, 2012 at 6:20PM

You could ring Microsoft to activate by telephone - this article explains how to find the appropriate number

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Assassin

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Posted August 12, 2012 at 6:55PM

Thanks. I have the phone number. Do you think they can insist I reinstall the OS in "the right order"?

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rdave13

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Posted August 12, 2012 at 7:24PM

Have a look here for future reference.

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difarn

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Posted August 12, 2012 at 10:29PM

I think it is very possible that they will suggest that. I suggest that you look at doing a clean install as in rdave13 post.

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xania

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Posted August 13, 2012 at 3:34PM

Normally for an upgrade, the installation will ask you to insert the install disk of the older OS before starting an upgrade installation. Failing this, though, I would have thought they would accept you merely reading them the Vista product key?

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difarn

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Posted August 13, 2012 at 4:49PM

There are conflicting pieces of advice on this but I just came across this:-

Skip entering your Windows 7 product key and complete the installation.

Once you reach the desktop, click Start, right click Computer

Click Properties

Scroll down to Windows Activation

Click the link x days until activation.

Click the link that says 'Show me other ways to activate'

Enter your Windows 7 product key

Click Next

Select Phone Activation

Click Next when "Enter your key page" displayed

Select your country

Click Next, call the number listed

Remember to explain to the call agent your situation.

They will give you a confirmation ID, enter it

Click Next to complete the activation.

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