New
#1
Windows 7 Ultimate "Not Genuine" Please Help!
Purchased Dell Latitude E6400 on ebay two days ago. Found out that the copy of Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit is not genuine. Microsoft stated that the key is a "default" key and it was recommended that I do a clean install.
I attempted to contact Dell yesterday about getting recovery discs and they could not find the laptop's service tag number in their system. So I would like to install a fresh copy of Windows 7 without involving Dell, as I have already received advice about that.
My questions are as follows:
1. Since Windows 7 Ultimate was installed on the system (even though it was not genuine), do I have to reinstall using Windows 7 Ultimate disc? I would really like to reinstall using Windows 7 Home Premium. I do not need ultimate as I am a personal user. I have received conflicting answers on this...some said I had to buy ultimate, others said a fresh install using Windows 7 Home would be good. I don't want to waste money getting the wrong software.
2. Do I even need a Windows 7 CD? Can I use a key from a genuine copy just to change the key. And how can I change the key...I cannot do it through the control panel.
3. I do have a copy of Windows XP Pro that is legit...can that be used, or is that too old an operating system to use. Or can Vista be used?
I want to get genuine without spending a lot of money, and I don't need to pay $200 or more for Windows 7 Ultimate that I really dont need.
Thank you for your help.