Upgrade product key ... about to call MS

hobiecatter · 15 Feb 2010

My plan was: To upgrade my desktop and laptop from XP to Windows 7. I originally bought the 32 bit upgrade version and installed it on my desktop. When I was ready to buy the second upgrade, I decided I wanted to replace the 32 bit version on my desktop with a 64 bit version so that I can upgrade >4 gigs, and use the previous 32 bit product key to install it on my laptop. This way I will have 64 bit on my desktop and the 32 bit version on my laptop.

With the new 64 bit version, I had no problems with the new key and install on my desktop. However, "Moving" the 32 bit version to my laptop installed fine, but of course after a couple of weeks it is now asking for a different product key for activation. I'm not surprised about this, but just wondering if Microsoft will hassle me when I call to get this resolved?

richc46 · 15 Feb 2010

If you had a qualifying OS for both computers (XP or Vista), you can just explain the situation to the rep and it will all be sorted out. There will not be a problem. The current problem results from the fact that the MS system thinks that the first key is already used.
Good luck.

hobiecatter · 15 Feb 2010

richc46 said:

If you had a qualifying OS for both computers (XP or Vista), you can just explain the situation to the rep and it will all be sorted out. There will not be a problem. The current problem results from the fact that the MS system thinks that the first key is already used.
Good luck.

great, that is what I was hoping for ...thanks!

Kari · 15 Feb 2010

I can only tell about my own positive experience:

I would like publicly thank Microsoft and Activate by phone feature, for making all kind of activation problems history.

I installed Vista Ultimate today on VPC virtual machine using my Vista Ultimate DVD. Tried to activate, was told activation code is already used. I remembered then that is true, I had this Vista on this same laptop until October when I in-place upgraded to Seven. Although my 7 Ultimate is a full retail version, the in-place upgrade "reserves" the key from the old OS thus treating my full retail 7 as upgrade version. Understandable but not right.

I tried the phone activation, choosing the option to personally talk with tech support. Activation process gave the right phone number. A nice lady with an Indian accent understood my logic (Vista licence should be freed because in-place upgrade was made using full retail 7).

A minute later my virtual machine with Vista Ultimate was activated.

Nice!

Kari

Edit: the text above was copied from an earlier post i wrote on a closed forum, so "today" was actually some time ago.

Wishmaster · 15 Feb 2010

I have had similar experiences with MS Kari has in the past.

My activation failed after a re-install.

I called up MS, and they were very pleasant and helpful and got everything worked out quickly and without hassle.

In some cases the activation process can be annoying.
None-the-less +1 to MS support :)

gregrocker · 15 Feb 2010

Nice to know.

Does this confirm that the Product Key for the qualifying Vista or XP is deactivated once used to Upgrade (either in-place or custom clean install) to Win7 using Upgrade version?

The reason I'm asking is there are many still using the qualifying OS in a dual boot who don't seem to lose activation.

Is there something that causes it to be deactivated?

Kari · 15 Feb 2010

Gregrocker, that is a good question. I can only talk about my own experience, it seems it is really difficult to find answer to this question.

I've done a dozen or so in-place upgrades during the last three months. In every case it seems as if in-place upgrading Vista to Seven, the Vista key was locked to that installation, even if in-place was made using a full retail install media.

Same thing when doing clean, custom install using upgrade install media, Vista activation seems to stay locked i.e. trying to install it on a new machine it gets "This key is already used" error. When XP has been the qualifying product, there's been no problems to install XP later on a new machine.

It is a bit confusing situation, especially when you think that MS itself originally published the "Install first without the key, followed by second installation with key" tweak to use upgrade media to do a completely fresh install on a formatted hard disk.

Kari

gregrocker · 15 Feb 2010

I'll bet qualifying Vista/XP activation survives in a Dual Boot with Win7 because they aren't attempting to be reinstalled to other hardware.

That might be the deal killer?

I can't test it with the XP Home retail I earmarked as qualifier for a Home Premium upgrade because I never had it installed on the machine I upgraded. So this is indeed all very confusing and still seems to be very much on the honor system.