Need some help with reinstalling windows

You only need to have the qualifying XP or Vista on hand and not use it again during the period it is qualifying to use Win7 Upgrade version. It does not need to be installed.

When installing Upgrade version to a wiped or clean HD, leave key blank during install then after install use one of the workarounds in the tutorial to activate at Computer>Properties link.

Easiest is the Registry edit; set a System Restore point in case you goof.

gregrocker said:

Are you following these steps to set DVD drive to boot first: Boot from CD - How to Boot your Computer from a Bootable CD or DVD - Boot to CD

Does it say Press Any key to Boot from DVD? If not, it is not set correctly in BIOS.

If so, Where did you get Win7? Did you burn the DVD yourself? Try burning another using ImgBurn at 4x speed.

Try booting the Upgrade version DVD using one-time BIOS boot menu key given on first boot screen.

If this fails, use free Partition Wizard bootable CD which will autostart to Wipe the HD from the disk tab, then DVD should autostart on blank disk. Free Download Magic Partition Manager Software - Partition Wizard Online

Leave the Product Key box blank, then after install use one of the workarounds given here to activate at Computer>Properties: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

when i booted from the disc it asked me to press any key to boot from dvd, so i did that right. the dvd is retail, i got it at walmart.

Correct me if i'm wrong, but what it looks like is that i'm going to have to wipe my hard drive before i can get the 64-bit dvd to boot and install.

Yes, wiping the HD using PW CD which will autostart is what I suggested. The DVD should then autostart unless you have BIOS problems.

Make sure you have the latest BIOS version update from your Computer maker or Asus Support Downloads webpage while you still have an OS. If so, Try resetting the CMOS: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixthe.../clearcmos.htm

The error message you showed in your first post means the disk was trying to run from Windows, not being booted. So pressing any key to boot DVD is apparently not working.

Try using the one-time BIOS boot menu key given on first boot screen to trigger the DVD, which on Asus is normally F8, ESC or DEL.

Next try writing the DVD ISO to flash stick to boot it. Extract ISO from DVD using ImgBurn, install UltraISO trial version, on File>Open ISO, on Bootable>Write Disk Image, Format, Write. Boot under USB or HD's.

gregrocker said:

You only need to have the qualifying XP or Vista on hand and not use it again during the period it is qualifying to use Win7 Upgrade version. It does not need to be installed.

When installing Upgrade version to a wiped or clean HD, leave key blank during install then after install use one of the workarounds in the tutorial to activate at Computer>Properties link.

Easiest is the Registry edit; set a System Restore point in case you goof.

I don't have any previous versions of windows, only this win 7 upgrade disc.

Where did you get Win7?

Did it originally come pre-installed on a factory built computer?

gregrocker said:

Where did you get Win7?

Did it originally come pre-installed on a factory built computer?

I got Win 7 at walmart and did a custom install because i had Win XP. A friend of mine loaded XP a long time ago but i never had the disc.

how do i know for sure that the upgrade disc will boot and install on a clean hard drive?

Did you buy the copy of XP your friend loaded for you?

If so, do you still have the Product Key, which should suffice as qualifying you to use Win7 Upgrade version since the key is proof of ownership and not the installer.