Windows 7: win7 home premium 64bit sp1 OEM to home prem. retail fam pack ugrade

I can't do this with OEM version, correct?

The service pack number has no effect. It will validate just fine regardless.

I actually just reinstalled Windows on my own computer and the key I had was for 7 Pro (purchased before SP1) but I used a 7 Pro SP1 install disc and had no problem.

EDIT: I'm afraid I don't understand the last question.

Okay, since I already have done the clone & installed it. Can I buy another OEM home premium, change product key, use new product key on this install? Or, do I need to upgrade to retail first?

I can't recall Microsoft's policy on this. Let me do some checking.

The product key & activation key are two different things, correct?

Thankyou, dude!

Also, I do believe, if I continue with OEM, & ever upgrade my motherboards, I might have a hard time getting a new activation key from ms?

Activate and Change Product Key should have the same effect.

Microsoft's official policy is that you can not use a new OEM Windows 7 license on a PC you are building for yourself. You have to use a retail copy. If you ignore this policy Microsoft has the right to permanently deactivate that license.

If you replace the Motherboard on a computer you purchased, you can attempt to activate by phone. You will eventually get transferred to a real person (I think you can continuously press 0 to get transferred faster). When you do, explain the problem and if the person is reasonable they'll give you a new activation code.

So, upgrade to windows7 home premium family pack retail, clone, delete "upgrade" from registry on cloned drive, sysprep, install in other computer, change product key, use new key provided with fam pack. Does this sound like it would work? Thanks