Windows 7 - Doing a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

I don't think so Gator. I just formatted after booting into the Upgrade disk using Custom>Advanced>Delete>Create>Format.

Gave it my license key upfront too (why not?).

I think these are full retail keys given with pre-orders as an extra Thank You to beta testers.

That may be, but mine was a retail Upgrade Windows 7 and not a preorder or download. It still activated with that key number as well with a clean install.

Guys,
Sorry to say this but doing a clean install from upgrade disc is not working for me. Here are my details: I preordered via MS store for Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade. I downloaded the 64-bit ISO file and burned it. I was running RAID 0 + RAID 1 on my 2 300gb hds, and i figured nows a good time to reconfigure the raid so I DELETED ALL PARTITIONS and created a single 600GB RAID 0 partition (completely blank). I booted off of the 64-bit ISO (file name was Windows7HomePremium64bit.iso direct from microsofts store download), however I was at a black screen that said "Select CD-ROM Boot Type: " and it listed two options. A "1.)" and "2.)" both of which were blank. Not sure what to do I typed 1 and hit enter and the Windows 7 setup began. I selected a custom install and choose the one and only blank raid HD in my system. Everything appeared to be going well but then when it came time to enter my product key I used the one from my MS Store order and it said it was invalid. I retyped it 3 times to make sure I wasn't making a typo. Finally I gave up and left it blank and it finished install. After setup completed I right clicked on my computer and tried to activate windows. Again I entered the product key from the MS store, it also failed but at least this time I got some useful information. It said something on the order of I was trying to use an upgrade key and this was a violation of the licensing agreement since it was not an upgrade edition. Not sure what I did wrong here, I'm suspicious about the "Select CD-ROM Boot Type:" msg when booting from my 64-bit DVD, I don't get this if I boot from my 32-bit DVD (instead I get the regular "Press any key to boot from CD/DVD" msg. I'm trying to install the 32-bit now and I'll post my results shortly. Any ideas?

Finally, thanks for informing us..

Ok couple of updates: I just tried installing off of my 32-bit ISO download. I left my unactivated windows 7 64-bit install from 15 min ago in place and just booted of the 32-bit ISO. During setup it showed the existing partitions from the 64-bit install and I deleted both of them. Then I choose to install the 32-bit version in the unallocated space. This time it accepted my product key in the windows setup! (I didn't bother to activate yet since I really want to activate the 64-bit version)

So heres the big question:

Is 32-bit upgrade disc behaving differently than 64-bit upgrade disc??

or

Does having the previous windows7 unactivated 64-bit partition on the hard drive when I booted off the 32-bit DVD trigger something different?

More testing up next: My plan right now is to leave the 32-bit version installed on the HD, and boot off the 64-bit DVD again and delete all partitions and then install on the unallocated space. I'll post again in a few min when I have results.

Well, another twist in the never-ending saga. Could Option 1 possibly mean something like "clean install of Retail version and Option 2 "clean install of Upgrade version?"
Or efi boot (an option only in x64)?
If you are experimenting, try Option 2 of the x64 install.

In your case it almost sounds like MS is shipping a full version with an upgrade key, perhaps erroneously.

This time before I started installing x64 with x32 in place on the HD I tried option 2, but instead I got a Non-System disk or Desk error msg. I googled this Select cd-rom boot type problem and most of what came up had to do with trying to install windows7/vista on Mac Hardware. Something to do with EFI BIOS. I'm running an Intel DG965WH motherboard (few years old) with a Core 2 Duo CPU at 1.83ghz (also a few years old). Using onboard RAID0 with my Maxtor 300GB 7200RPM drives and an ATI X1900. Don't think I have anything out of the ordinary for hardware.

Since option 2 wouldn't start the install, I picked #1 again and its running right now. Should know soon. I'm determined to get to the root of this tonight! =)

I bought an academic version of the upgrade last month for $29.99. I was so excited that I set up the Windows 7 Professional RTM on my old desktop, which was previously using XP Professional, around the first of October. I wiped the C partition with GParted and did a clean install. I figured, like a dork, that I'd just enter the product key as soon as I got the email. I did that but I got an error code. So, I activated using 7Loader 1.5. I then started the 7 Professional upgrade installation I downloaded from MS shortly after midnight on the 22nd. I was able to do a clean install, but I had to kiss all my programs goodbye (for now). I just now activated my desktop using the upgrade product key I purchased and am glad I don't have to rely on a loader.

BTW, I had been using 7Loader on my laptop with Windows 7 Ultimate before I installed Professional on my desktop. I wasn't sure how I'd ultimately pay for the real deal. Luckily, I got chosen to host a launch party. As soon as I got my party pack, I uninstalled 7Loader and typed in my new product key. Free and legit 7 Ultimate!

Geeze - now I don't know what to do anymore.

I might have been right on the efi boot idea. I'm curious to see what happens this time around.