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#1
Upgrading from Vista vs. Clean Install Activation Error
I'm having an issue activating my new installation of Windows 7 Pro. I'm trying to install windows 7 on a Dell optiplex computer that originally came with Vista. The activation key I have is for a Vista to 7 upgrade. However, I had replaced Vista with Ubuntu a few years ago, so I had to do a clean install of Windows 7. Therefore my activation key isn't working - when I try to activate windows I get an error that says "this activation key is only for an upgrade, not a clean installation".
I spoke with microsoft over their tech support chat, and they told me my key won't work unless I put Vista back on the computer, then upgrade to 7 instead of doing a clean install. However, I didn't get Vista's Activation key before I installed Ubuntu (years ago) and I don't have the Vista install disk.
In my opinion, since I legally own a copy of Vista and have an upgrade license, I should be allowed to activate Windows 7. When I explained this to them they wouldn't answer the question and just sent me to this link:
Windows 7 activation error: 0xC004F061
So, what are my options? I really don't want to buy a full copy of Windows 7 (can I even do that anymore?) when I already own it.
Thanks for the help.