uninstall 32-bit on PC 1 and install 64-bit on PC 2

Hi all,

First timer here. I have a weird issue. I've attended the MS event The New Efficiency a while ago and was given a free copy of 32-bit windows 7 disc. I read on the forums that the same disc and key can also be used on a 64-bit machine. The same day after attending the event, I installed windows 7 on my 32-bit Thinkpad and activated it. I played with it for a few days and I didn't really like it (I've been using XP for a long time). So I formatted my Thinkpad and re-installed XP Pro.

Last week, I built a new 64-bit desktop PC (core i7 and all) and since I already have the windows 7 key but only 32-bit media, I downloaded a 64 bit version from *cough* you-no-where *cough* (I verified the checksums and all) and used the 32-bit key. It accepted it but it is not able to activate it. It says it cannot use this key, please try a different one blah blah. There was an error code (can't remember now) something like C004C008 which I looked it up and found that the error code occurs when the key reaches the maximum allowed activations which is usually 15. But I've used it only once on my thinkpad and I did not give the disc to anybody. There was an option to call automated phone support to get activated which I did but even that got rejected. I think activating windows 7 on my thinkpad previously is preventing me from installing it again on new machine.

What are my options? How do I activate my windows 7 copy on my new desktop?

Thanks.

Thanks for your reply, Ken.

Yes, I did check the box which says 'Activate Windows while I'm online' which automatically activated it on my Thinkpad. I'll try calling MS.

I called them a while ago and was able to get a new activation code. All is well. :)

Jonathan_King said:

If you don't mind, what number did you call?

I called them at 1-888-725-1047. It's the automated phone response thing. You should call that number when you are at your computer with the activation screen open because you need to read out some numbers from the screen. When the automated thing fails to activate, it will ask you to be on hold to talk to a real person and you should be able to get the activation code then. It took me less than 10 minutes.