Windows 7 - Doing Clean Install with upgrade..

Boot the Windows 7 DVD, press Shift F10 at first screen to open a Command Line, then use the steps given here to wipe the HD: SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

The HD must always be wiped with at least one set of zeroes if there is a virus to overwrite infected code.

The reason your key was not accepted is because you didn't compete either of the workarounds given. I dont' know why you think that MS is somehow punishing you since it was explained to you that this is a perfectly legal workaround used by millions to avoid having to install the qualifying OS first. As long as you have the qualifying OS on hand then you meet the EULA license agreement.

Once you wipe the HD, the DVD will autostart to Custom Install. Do one of the workarounds given in the tutorial to get it activated.

As far as I know, Microsoft has no "lock-out" that's triggered by attempts to hack the Windows 7 install. There may be a problem installing to a disk that contains no qualifying former OS. The work-around may be as simple as installing without a license key (You'd need to install a second time to activate), but you may need to create a generic installer. (Search on "ei.cfg".)

There are freeware tools around that can do the basic disk chores. GPARTed seems to be popular, but I've never used it. (It's Linux based, which could be a problem if your hardware is too new for Linux drivers to exist.)

I suggest creating a bootable USB key drive for the install:

Use a USB Key to Install Windows 7—Even on a Netbook

It may not help you, but at least you'll spend less time on each failed install.

Ok Got all done up to the reinstall of the Windows 7.. I guess the partition it created for where Windows 7 is is too tiny. I get the error..

Windows setup cannot find a location to store temp installation files. To Install Windows make sure that a partition on your boot disk has at least 686 megabtes mb free space.. when I look at the Computer the hard drive shows 452 GB of free space.. But I know that Windows 7 creates a small partition onto itself.. That must be what is too small.

How can I increase the size of this invisible partition?

Please explain how you cleaned & formatted the HD for this most recent attempt at installing. Did you format it to one large single partition ?

Ok I see under Computer management// Disk Management the C: drive has 465.76 GB capacity with 452.33 GB free.. I also have a System Reserved area 100 MB capacity with 72 MB free.

I would imagine my System Reserved area is my problem ?yes?.. If so can I allocate it more without a reformat?

YES.. I just formated it then went. I did not make any partitions. So one big partition.. But it seemed everytime we went back to redo their was 2 partitions one being tiny.

Have a look at this tutorial at the link below.



SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

It sounds like the last install has already used up most of the space of the 100mb partition.

I have done over 50 Windows 7 installs. My favorite way is to pre-format the whole HD as one large partition. So I think your best option is to re-format it that way.

Why did I fear that answer.. This install is getting really old guys! For the 15th plus time.. I have done my computer at least twice.. Why my son's was such a hair puller. Thought this was a good time to let him do it himself to learn. I don't think he EVER wants to do a window install again.

Back again. Trying to follow link barefoot kid left.. in my Bios I am to choose Optical Disk drive.. I don't have that option. I have:
Hard disk
CDROM
Disabled
removable

So How do I clear down & create a partition before the install without using the DOS prompt? Or get the Dos to be the book area with what I have to select from?