upgrade return policy help

Hi all,

On 5/2/10 I purchased 7 Ultimate Upgrade from Office Max. I was assured by the associate that I would be able to use the upgrade discs to do a full install on clean/new/zero written drive and installation would just ask for my previous discs(Vista Ultimate Full). As most of you are probably aware, this isn't the case.

If I zero-write my hard drive and then begin installation afterward, at the cd key screen I'm told it's invalid. My only choice then is to bypass it with no cdkey which works fine. Once installed, I try again to enter my key and am told its only for an upgrade path and not full install (as shown in the screenshots from the Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version )

In that guide,
option 1: doesn't work.
Option 2: defeats zero-writing my drive.
Option 3: i'm not interested in using workarounds.

I revisted officemax today to see if i could get store credit with a return and apply it to a full version on the spot and i was told by the acting manager that that would be illegal, but that Microsoft does do refunds inside of 60 days of use.

Could someone point me to the number or webpage i could get further information from to proceed with refunding/deactivating these upgrade discs and purchase the full version?

Thank you for your time,
Ageeb

p.s. for the record, I was able to get an intial install activated, but only through talking with a customer service rep. They required me to run a tool called 'msdt' and gave me a key string to enter into the running tool. I've formatted again under the impression that the same string (of which was emailed to me for future reference) would still work and it doesn't. If this is the process I have to use each time I format, I'd rather use the full version and avoid this altogether.

You seem to be more interested in returning your purchase than getting it to work. Whats wrong with workarounds? If you want to throw good money, go ahead, it'll help the economy come out of recession otherwise use Option 3 in that tutorial.

FYI, theres an option 4 also. Do a double install.

1. After starting up the just installed Windows 7 system, allow system to boot to desktop.
2. Insert the same Windows 7 DVD media into CD/DVD optical drive tray to start Install Windows wizard again.
3. Reinstall Windows 7 once again (both Upgrade or Custom Install should be OK), enter product key during installation so that Windows 7 can be automatically activated when user first online after installation is done.

You seem to be more interested in returning your purchase than getting it to work.

Yes that is what i'm after. I feel duped having asked specifically If I can zero-write my discs first before using upgrade discs and be told yes of course (no workaround/reg hacks/etc required.) Not only that, but having been lied to, the retailer is allowed to hide behind some legality and completely wash their hands of any customer satisfaction.

Whats wrong with workarounds?

It's not how I, and I'll go out on a limb to say Microsoft, envisioned my/their product to be used. So if you go buy a car expecting rear-wheel drive, after asking and being told it was, to discover it was front-wheel drive, would you drive it backwards everywhere as your workaround?

If you want to throw good money, go ahead, it'll help the economy come out of recession

If I were to do nothing and go buy a full version I could see your argument. I was told Microsoft will do a refund for me (retailer can't as explained in last post) and would apply that to the full version. Or was I lied to a second time and no refunds are possible? Where am I throwing money away?

So if you were to follow my advice, do a double install (see my previous post) and everything works out fine, how about that??

What time is it in your country? Spare an hour and try it.

So what you're saying is I'm stuck with this version, refunds aren't possible, and a double-install workaround is my only option? Stellar...

edit:
Bill2,

Let me say I appreciate you taking the time to tell me I can get this version to work and pass WGA tools, I'm just very frustrated that I was sold something with certain expectations only to discover it's not true, and that i'm possibly stuck with it. Any sarcasm, anger anyone might be percieving isn't directed toward you or SF, instead software policies, etc...

At the least, thanks for letting me vent.

No, you're not stuck, refunds are entirely possible and DOUBLE INSTALL is a WORKING option.