Cannot Activate After Clean Install
Sep 25, 2010
I installed a new hard drive today and performed a clean install on the new drive. I followed the tip under Tutorial that mentioned not to activate during the installation. I reinstalled the OS from the upgrade version of Win 7 Professional. Now the OS is installed, I attempted to activate my copy and received the message that it is an invalid key, can only be used for upgrading not for clean installation. I do have a valid key, entered the key from the Microsoft email received when I purchased the product.
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Aug 3, 2010
My wife wants to buy a laptop (oh joy - another PC to maintain!)The thing I despise about laptops is the Bloatware. Even after uninstalling as much crapware and trialware you can find there is still gigabytes of useless data left over.And I can't remember the last time I've ever seen OS media come with a computer.So I'm wondering if, after creating the "Recovery Disks" and doing a disk image of the drive out of the box, I could wipe the hard drive and install Windows 7 clean using the OEM key (usually on a sticker on the bottom of the laptop) to activate.his would be using an upgrade version of Windows 7 media. But the idea is to re-activate the OEM license, not another instance of my upgrade license.(Please note that I know how to "Clean Install Windows 7 from Upgrade Media").Would this work?And, is this a legal, socially acceptable way to get a new, clean system on a new laptop?
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Nov 28, 2010
I have tried to install Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit on my PC for 2 weeks now and every time it has been unsuccessful. I turned off the sleep and hibernation functions, as well as extended the time to 2 hours for the hard drives. There are no compatibility issues at all. The PC locks up which seems to be about the 60-70%.I have tried the 62% MS and still it wont upgrade. I did a Custom install and had no problems but when I entered the CD key it came back as invalid and tried again and got an Error Code 0xC004F061 which states Only use this software for upgrade and not clean install. There is no means to input your Vista CD key to show up have a valid upgrade. The instructions for Windows XP stated you have to do a clean install and why not Vista Premium.
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Dec 17, 2011
What I want to do is convert a 32 bit Win Ult to 64 bit, transfer it to a new hard drive then install in a new build. It this possible using the same key used to activate the 32 bit install? I have Windows install DVDs for both which are Upgrade versions.I'm also confused on the order to do things. Convert first, if possible, then clone the drive. Clone the current drive, do the build then convert. Also I understand maybe sysprep would be needed too.I will have a new motherboard soon (hopefully) so I want to use my old one and CPU, graphics, and RAM to make a new PC for my wife. The only component that will be re-used is the DVD-RW and I may add a 2nd one which I don't need.
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Jan 15, 2013
Can one install with a CD of an Ultimate edition and activate with a Home Premium key. Does that work. I have never done that, but that question came up.
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Oct 26, 2009
I have 4 copies of Windows 7 Home Premium on pre-order that should be delivered within the next few days.
I also purchased the $30 "Educational" download of Windows 7 Home Premium, downloaded it, and created a DVD.
I was able to install the EDU version without incident on one PC, however I haven't activated that install yet.
My question is this: Can I use the EDU install DVD to upgrade/clean install my and my family's PCs without activating yet, then just activate later using the RETAIL keys once they arrive?
I'm not trying to cheat anything--ultimately, I will have all proper licenses. It's just that the timing is such that I have the opportunity to do several installs tonight, and it would be helpful if I could install now using the EDU DVD and activate with the RETAIL keys later.
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Oct 22, 2009
I recently bought the full retail Windows 7 Home Premium, I installed it on my pc and everything is going great. I also have a copy of the upgrade offered to students and a valid key for that.
My brother wants to install Windows 7 on his comp (He's running windows vista premium 64) and I was wondering if I could use my Windows 7 installation disk to install it, and then just use the upgrade key to activate it? I want to do a custom (clean) install over windows vista, and then delete the windows.old folder.
I don't see a problem and a disk seems easier than that .exe file you get from downloading on digital river, so I was just wondering if it would work.
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Sep 24, 2011
I have a laptop which came with Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. I did not make recovery disks or record the COA serial on the bottom. The hard drive failed, I have replaced the hard drive, and would like to install and activate the same OS that came with the laptop. I do have the Product ID and the original pre-installed (OEM) product key. I have working setup disc for Windows 7, correct edition and architecture - but it's retail. I have installed it successfully, but activation failed with the original OEM key.
The problem is that the COA key on the sticker on the bottom of the laptop is unreadable because the sticker has been worn out. I can read some characters of the key, however, so I have narrowed the key down to a set of 384 keys. However, it is not practical to try each of those possible keys. I think if I had the COA key, I could activate it, but there isn't really a way to get it at this point.
Is there a way to activate with the OEM key, other than what I have tried (i.e. activating from inside the completed install.) ? I think I read once that if you have the iso of the setup disc and can edit the files and repack it, then you can change it from a retail to OEM image by editing one file. Is this true? If so, I think I will try installing using that modified image. Otherwise, are there any other options?
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Jan 29, 2013
My copy of windows is genuine it was a retail upgrade from windows vista and I did the validation over 1 year ago. (Still have the box CD code etc.) It keeps telling me to activate windows 27 days remaining. Which Ive tried to do. It rejects my code Ive tried all known methods of activation.
1.Only done 1 fresh re-install and 1 full backup of windows over the lifespan of the product key.
2.This was an upgrade copy designed for windows vista purchased from one of the largest retail stores in New Zealand.
3.My hardware is now completely new bar the hardrive, DVD writer & chassis.
4.All hardware has been installed correctly and has been burnt in
Code: Diagnostic Report (1.9.0027.0):
-----------------------------------------
Windows Validation Data-->
Validation Code: 0
Cached Online Validation Code: 0x0
Windows Product Key: *****-*****-8PHP8-HQX2X-7HG4V
Windows Product Key Hash: eFzXSbfBjnArkzKHGHrtQZEQjmA=
Windows Product ID: 00359-034-0207246-85659
[code]....
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Feb 13, 2013
I am getting an error "cannot install" 0x80070714 when I try to install windows 7 into a clean disk and the installation just stops..
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Jun 10, 2012
tell me if a re-install from a system image file on my notebook is as good as a clean install from say a retail disk.I can not format all my drive and start a fresh. Can my System image file become glitchy or infected with a virus.?
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Jan 30, 2012
I'm working on a re-install of all components following a complete corruption of the boot sector on my drive which could not be fixed with repairs. The last time I installed everything fresh, I had no issues. Between then and now, there have been no hardware changes on my system, but now I am having issues installing the IDT Codecs. I keep getting an error along the following lines: Quote: ExitError: Error=Device Object not present, restart the system and run setup again. Running under compatibility mode, and running drivers from both the motherboard CD and the manufacturer website both have the same effect. The CD, when booted, says "This OS not support!" and only contains 32-bit vista codecs. ECS' website download indicates the IDT drivers as being compatible with Windows 7. Both do not work. It is almost as if the hardware "disappeared," despite the fact that I was using the drivers quite successfully till just 2 days ago, when the boot sector went kaput.
Windows has installed its own default set, which do nothing to power the 8mm jacks which I use with my speakers, but instead put sound through the HDMI, which is useless because I use a dedicated graphics card. I have tried uninstalling this codec and re-installing IDT, to no effect. Windows replaces with its own default codec.I have referenced this thread here, but offered solutions do not seem to work for me: Intel IDT Audio Driver will not install
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Feb 3, 2010
Does anyone know whether there is a difference in performance between doing a clean install of Windows 7 vs upgrading Vista? Any better stability? I'm just wondering whether it's worth the trouble of the clean install.
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Jun 29, 2010
I have seen a lot on clean installs but all guides are from like 2009. Is clean install still a way to install windows 7 with upgrade disc on a new hdd? since i have a hdd with vista on it and i have the licence how do i install 7 with the licence and a black hdd?
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Feb 26, 2011
I originally did the upgrade install of Windows 7 from Vista to Windows 7. I am seeing that I now am running "ChkDsc" every time that my computer is shut down. I was told that I would be better off to do a clean install and reinstall programs and files. Can I do a clean install with my upgrade disc, or will I be creating additional problems ?
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Jan 31, 2010
I'm an IT student who got a free Win 7 x64 disk from my school, and I am unable to do a clean install. My system specs are as follows:
Intel Core 2 Duo 3.12 Ghz
nVidia GeForce 9800 GTX 512 MB PCI-e
320 GB Western Digital HD SATA
1 Gb DDR2 1066 MHz and 2x2Gb DDR2 1066 MHz SDRAM
I set my boot sequence to boot from DVD-ROM drive first, and HD second. It goes to the "Windows is loading files" screen and gets hung up. I started the process and went to watch TV for an hour, and it is still on the "Windows is loading files" screen. I haven't gotten any error messages. I've unplugged all USB devices from my computer as I have seen on this forum that it has worked for some people.
edited to add: I originally had only 2 Gb of RAM, and it got hung up at the "Windows is loading files" screen. I thought it was getting hung up because I didn't have enough RAM, so I bought brand new 2 sticks of 2 Gb RAM. I took out one of the 1 Gb sticks and placed both of the 2 Gb of RAM...for a total of 5 Gigs. And, it is still doing the same thing.
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Oct 23, 2009
I'm finding this decision quite hard to decide on and can't decide what to do. I am very picky about wasted space or unnecessary stuff on my hard drive, yet I'd rather not install everything all over again which will take about 20 hours or so.
My question is...if I do an upgrade-install, can I just delete everything in the Windows.old folder and have everything practically the same as a clean install? Or will there be still be some left over things from the hundreds of programs I've installed and uninstalled?
Edit: I've ran the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor and everything seems ok.
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Feb 8, 2013
My 2 year old laptop is starting to get sluggish so I'm wondering if I should try to do a clean install of my Home Premium Windows. Problem is, the computer came with no disks. Also, I'm assuming that the Backup and Restore function that's built in would only give me a copy of my crap-filled hard drive contents if I "made" the backup (to an external disk, presumably) then "restored" it to my freshly formatted internal drive. right? So, can I make my OWN clean disks with some utility on the machine? Or do I have to BUY another copy of Windows 7 Home Premium? Or will Best Buy provide me with one if I take my machine in? Or will Lenovo provide one?
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Jan 30, 2012
I'm about to buy the Windows 7 Professional Upgrade version. Is it possible to do a clean install from it? (I have a preinstalled Windows 7 Home Premium on my pc). If not, what is the preferred product to do this?
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Oct 19, 2009
I am currently running build 7600 of Windows 7, I did a clean install without formatting the drive over windows vista premium 64bit and then removed the windows.old folder via the directions found on this board. My question is, that when I download my copy of Windows 7 off of digitalriver (I'm a college student) what is it I need to do in order to have a clean install? I've heard numerous reports that say I wouldn't have to install anything because build 7600 is the final version, and all I would need to do is enter the product key given on my upgrade version.
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Oct 22, 2009
I've purchased and downloaded the UPGRADE 64-bit version of Windows 7. I have a blank HDD waiting to go into my machine. Am i able to just do a clean install of this straight onto the new HDD, or do i need the full retail version of this?
I'm currently using XP Pro 32-bit on my existing HDD, hence getting a new one in preparation.
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Oct 24, 2011
i purchased a crucial m4 256gb ssd coming in Wednesday anyways i was wondering how can i make a clean install of windows 7 64 bit on the SSD, i have my HDD backed up but unfortunately i lost my window's 7 cd... what can i do? is there a program i could use to transfer from my HDD to SSD, but with clean install? i have 480gb used on my HDD...
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Aug 1, 2011
Is there anyway (at all) that I can convert my version of windows 32bit and all my software to 64 bit without doing a clean install?
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Apr 6, 2012
i've had enough of 7, I use my PC for music and after months of installing/uninstalling/re installing/researching/driver checking etc. i've decided i'm just not going to get things working with 7.
I have my XP disc and i'm ready to do a clean install, but i'm struggling to get it going... what do I do!? Inserting the XP disc brings up the autopay but the option to install is greyed out, which I understand as it's a step down. However, when I press f12 on booting to try to boot my pc from disc it just locks on the boot menu. What can I do to get a clean install of XP going?
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Jun 18, 2012
I have been having numerous problems over the past wk. The firewall won't stay on, can't do windows updates etc. I have run Vipre as my anti virus and also mbam and superantispyware and everything is coming back clean. Today I decided to just backup my documents etc and then do a clean install. Now the problem is that the DVD burner doesn't show up in the BIOS. It shows up in my computer and it's running fine. If I format it out of the computer can I get windows to install from that DVD drive?
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Nov 7, 2012
I have been having a lot of blue screens for the past few weeks. I have tried running a disk check and memcheck and those didn't find any problems. I just did a fresh install of windows 7 64 bit and have been having the same problems.
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Aug 10, 2009
i wanna Format my C:/ drive and Clean install Windows 7 beta..
im inserted W7 DVD and restarted my computer.. bt doesn't Boot From Windows 7 DVD .My first boot Devise is DVD rom.second Boot Devise is HDD...
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Feb 26, 2010
I didn't notice until I tried 2 burns. Then I resorted to downloading elsewhere and after 3 more downloads I got the right file(verified by hash) for 64 bit Windows Pro English. Burned the iso to my thumb drive fine, seemed to install fine and fast on this system: [code] Have 2 500GB spinpoint F3s in raid 0 and 1(setup in bios correctly and in raid menu bios fine)190GB raid 0, 375GB raid 1 using Intel raid after mostly done with install it said it had to restart so it did, but since I used a USB thumb drive it tried booting from that again instead of finishing install. I redid the install after fixing partitions and it seemed to go fine this time I removed the drive when it restarted. I was actually finally in windows 7!After installing a couple drivers I needed I restarted then things went bad.Could no longer enter windows normally because once it loaded the screen went blank.It automatically installed gfx drivers but the monitor drivers aren't installed and I was incapable of installing them after 1-2 hours trying to figure out a way. Monitor didn't show up in device manager.Monitor is an Acer2051w.I could get into safemode and try to mess with stuff.I was able to uninstall video drivers then boot into windows normally but it would automatically install the same driver and I wouldn't be able to get back in again. Automatic driver installation was off by the way.
So I couldn't fix this so I decided to reinstall Windows 7. The install went through fine, said it had to restart to finish up and after restarting the screen would stay blank forever. Doesn't seem to be installing properly now.So I can't get it installed again, and when it was it wasn't working properly. I have the monitor drivers even but no way of installing them so Windows is screwing up setting a bad resolution/ settings for the display that I can't fix hence the blank screen issue.
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Apr 11, 2011
I have a retail Upgrade DVD for Windows 7 Home Premium which I purchased. I did a clean install by wiping my hard drive using the format partition option on the Windows 7 DVD. I had Vista installed on the HDD before the upgrade so the installation program could "SEE" that I had a qualifying version of Windows to validate the upgrade key.Activation was successful.Now, I want to start a clean slate. However, I don't have Vista installed anymore, just Windows 7.Can I reinstall with an upgrade key on a blank, reformatted hard drive? Will activation pass?Or do I need to reformat with the installation program on the DVD?Finally, I made an image of my Vista operating system before I upgraded, do I need to restore the image so my Win 7 DVD can once again "SEE" the qualifying Windows version?There are forums out there that say different things, yes you can, no you can't, well it depends.
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May 16, 2011
I have a couple questions I have been trying to hunt the answers down for. Im super paranoid considering the not so easy to find rules and regulations Microsoft has for its software.I currently have an OEM version of Windows 7 Home on my laptop. I was wondering if:
1. I can upgrade from a Windows 7 Home (which was pre-installed on my laptop) to Windows 7 Professional using Windows Upgrade Anytime? If so,
2. Will problems that I have on my current windows transfer to the upgraded version? If not,Is it possible to do a 'clean install' of the upgrade?
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Oct 23, 2011
I am not sure if I am in the correct forum or not. Before I post all of my system details, etc., I wanted to ask a few questions about cleaning this new dell xps 17 L702x out and reinstalling the OS and getting the drivers from dell vs the cd's that came with it ? I have a few more questions about that, but wanted to make sure I was in the right place before spewing out all the details.
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