Windows 7 Not Valid

I am hoping I can get help without feeling like a complete loser. :) After reading online, I already am aware that my actions probably were not the best...so with that said....I'm not very savvy when it comes to this so please bear with me. Thanks

I have a Dell XPS. It originally came with XP. I since upgraded to Vista then back to XP. Well, a while back I installed Win7 64-bit using the Dell reinstallation DVD. One day I came home to find that my wallpaper was removed and a notice saying that my copy wasn't valid. So, after researching, I found I have a 32 bit system. So, to my problem...

I went on eBay (yes I know, I know), purchase a reinstallation CD for 32 bit. Everything worked out perfectly. Again, I came home to find that my CD isn't valid per MS. I read on MS forum that the Windows License Type: OEM SLP was not meant for individual users and so that is why it wasn't working? Something like that. Well, that's what mine says.

When I reform my PC with XP, the drivers and installation takes me a good day if not more. So, I really don't want to go back. I also liked the Dell reinstallation DVD because all the drivers installed. It took an hour or so to reformat. Love it!!!

I don't know what to do. I thought this CD was going to work since I have several Dell computers and my XP and Vista CDs are not labeled for each PC and am sure I've mixed them up but haven't had any issues. Win7 seems to be different. There's a link that will allow me to purchase a code from MS. Is this my only resort? I saw on ebay someone selling a hard drive that was bad along with the CD. Is that what I need? If I buy the code from MS, will I be able to use this CD along with the code they give me?

I am really hope that you can help me.
Thanks

With XP MS allowed Dell to pre-activate the OS by BIOS type. If you had a Dell PC, notebook or desktop, that had the correct BIOS, age of system and seen by the install routine as a Dell BIOS, you could install XP, any version, using a Dell supply CD on any dell PC and have it come back as valid, activated, and stay that way FOREVER.

Ms stopped that with Dell and all other manufacturers. Not sure if that took place with the release of Vista but I know for a fact it is that way with Windows 7. So now when and if you reinstall the OS you must enter a valid Key and activate it either online or over the phone.

So what you need to do now is buy a REAL Windows 7 Upgrade version that comes with a valid Windows 7 license and key. Or you can go to someplace like Newegg and buy a REAL OEM version that will come with a VALID key.

Or just reinstall XP from your stash of Dell XP CDs.

And for Christ sake STAY AWAY FROM eBAY. All you will get is what you've got now a Key that will not work.
Actually it is not the type of key, you can install any OS on any computer using a OEM disk and key (the only thing with OEM is once it is registered to that specific hardware it CAN NOT be MOVED to another system) and it will work 100% for that one PC.
What you bought was a pirated key, Whether it was OEM to begin with or MSDN key, I don't know but more then likely that key has been sold hundreds of times. When MS see this same key being used over and over they black list it making it invalid on any install.

Your tale of woe noted.
IMO - Your questions above would be best discussed with Microsoft directly to get a definitive answer re options available to you ...
Good luck.

Thank you Shootist. I believe this is the real CD that came with the previous owner's computer as it looks exactly like the other Dell CDs. Either case, you are right.

Question-if I go with the upgrade, would I install XP then pop in the W7? As mentioned, I really don't want to spend the days to install drivers in the right order and so on.

Will this upgrade automatically install the drivers like this Dell reinstallation DVD did?

Also, if W7 worked on my PC now, then the upgraded one will as well, right?

fordfan said:

Thank you Shootist. I believe this is the real CD that came with the previous owner's computer as it looks exactly like the other Dell CDs. Either case, you are right.

Question-if I go with the upgrade, would I install XP then pop in the W7? As mentioned, I really don't want to spend the days to install drivers in the right order and so on.

Will this upgrade automatically install the drivers like this Dell reinstallation DVD did?

Also, if W7 worked on my PC now, then the upgraded one will as well, right?

If you buy the same version that you are now running you can change the key without having to do any reinstall. That also might mean you would need to call MS to activate but that's no big deal with a real key.
In control panel look under System at the bottom of that page there is a section to change Product key. You use that to enter the new key and then activate. MS has made quit simple for people in your situation to get legal.
Actually I'm typing this on a new PC built about 4+ weeks ago and I used a upgrade DVD to install the OS without having any other OS on the box.
There are a few way to do that and they are covered in the tutorial section of this forum. But like I said above all you need to do is change the key to one that is valid.
Good luck.

So I purchased the upgrade to Windows 7 Home from the Professional I had. I entered the serial number and it didn't work which didn't surprise me. So, I went to reinstall 7 and my DVD/CD ROM didn't read the disk so I went ahead and did a clean install. I added the XP that came with the computer. It just finished and I filled in the first screens. Now I'm at the home screen and I put the CD for 7 in my computer. The CD ROM still didn't read it. I rebooted and pressed F12 to load from the disk and it said it couldn't find anything. Please help. Thanks