Windows 7: Reactivate Win7 Student Upgrade

I bought the Student Upgrade for $30 last year to upgrade from XP to Windows 7. Since then, my hard drive has failed. I bought a new hard drive, and installed XP that came with the laptop.



How can I reinstall Windows 7? I have the Activation Key from the last time I bought it. I tried putting an ISO file on a DVD using this link Microsoft Fixes Windows 7 Student Edition Upgrade Problems

Windows 7 loaded up fine, but the Activation Key didn't work. Is there a way I can re-use my activation key from the first time I upgraded to Windows 7?

Keep in mind this is the Student Upgrade from Digital River (I believe it was Windows 7 Professional).

Thanks

If nothing else, give MS a call: Activation and registration of a Microsoft product

If you used the download MS posted to make good on Digital River not supplying an ISO on Student Deal, it is Home Premium version.

If you have a Pro key, you need to run this tool on the ISO to unlock all versions: Ei.cfg Removal Utility Lets You Use Any Product Key With Your Windows 7 Disc

Then burn an all-versions DVD using Windows Image Burner or ImgBurn at 4x speed, boot it, choose your licensed version to clean reinstall using Custom>Drive options to repartition and format. Clean Install Windows 7

Here are tips to get a purrfect reinstall: re-install windows 7

Hello tcollins1388, welcome to Seven Forums!



If that is an upgrade version you have you will need to follow this tutorial at the link below and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.


Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

Check your Windows 7 Student edition Upgrade email, this will tell you which Windows 7 you have.