Windows 7: Clean install with upgrade disk reformatting question

I have a laptop which has been giving me a hard time lately, and I need to reinstall windows 7 (for the 4th time in 1.2 years). I have never reformatted it before and all I have is the windows 7 upgrade disk that came with it (I got it back in September when all of those free upgrade deals were going on, it originally had vista.) I read that you can have activation issues after formatting the hard drive while installing using the upgrade disc. I think Microsoft let you do it if your email them to activate it, but I'm not sure and I don't know where you would do this. Since I don't feel like formatting it, installing vista, and then reinstalling 7, can anyone help?

We frown on double posting.

sorry, but as my issue falls into two categories I wasn't sure which to put it into

No problem. The advice was to help you. It is frowed upon here, because it hurts everyone.
Trying to help, we do not have the opinions of all the others
Trying to be helped. You will get duplicate and confusing information.
In any event, let me welcome you to the forum and wish you luck with your problem.