Solved Reformat gone bad - please help

[theog]

Yes, both machines are 64 bit machines. The major difference is that one pc has Windows 8 while the other has Windows 7. I would like to note that my pc came from the factory with Windows Vista on it, but came pre-packaged with a Windows 7 upgrade disk. I'm mildly curious to know if it wouldn't be easier to install Vista and upgrade to Windows 7 via my old upgrade disk.

NO need to download any ISO, as you have a good Genuine Microsoft Windows 7 DVD.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

 

[kathy025]

Last answer, I promise. :3

Yes, an upgrade product key works on a downloaded Retail Windows 7 ISO

but I was not serious about "last answer" - just having a bit 'o fun.

Ask as many questions as you want, your previous post got me thinking and I asked some folks some questions. All questions are good, not so for all answers.

Haha, thanks Slartybart!

Does this mean the Upgrade key can also be transferred from PC to PC one at a time (like Retail)?
Or, is the Upgrade key stuck to the M/B it was first activated on (like OEM)?

Sorry I haven't encountered an Upgrade license myself, only OEM license and VL Build license.

 

[theog]

The OEM manufacturer's Vista to Windows 7 Upgrade are OEM license,

 

[kathy025]

Thanks for the response, theog. Regarding this,

but came pre-packaged with a Windows 7 upgrade disk.

NO need to download any ISO, as you have a good Genuine Microsoft Windows 7 DVD.

If I deduced correctly, does this mean an Upgrade CD can be also be used for a full clean install?

I may have taken the term "Upgrade" too literally and initially believed it is explicitly for upgrade purposes only. Someone kindly confirm.

 

[theog]

@kathy025
As the OP's PC came with Vista COA, you can upgrade from Vista or clean install, but the Vista COA can not be transferred from PC to PC

 

[Britton30]

If I deduced correctly, does this mean an Upgrade CD can be also be used for a full clean install?

I may have taken the term "Upgrade" too literally and initially believed it is explicitly for upgrade purposes only. Someone kindly confirm.

It can be but the Retail Upgrade will have a new license key with it. As Theog pointed out, the Vista, or any, OEM COA can't be used.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

 

[Slartybart]

Kathy,

Take a look at the tutorial Theog posted, . Yes you can do a clean install using the upgrade disc.

To answer your other question "Does this mean the Upgrade key can also be transferred from PC to PC one at a time (like Retail)?"

No I don't believe so - but other members are more knowledgable re: MS licensing than I am.

NO need to download any ISO, as you have a good Genuine Microsoft Windows 7 DVD.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

Theog,

That was my 2nd plan if everything else failed. Tossing around making it the 1st plan. It would certainly make the process easier, maybe longer for a complete WU update, but SP1 and the hotfix rollup cut down on the number significantly.

Now the question I have is: Will the upgrade disc automatically provide the key at install time as would an OEM Recovery (restore to factory condition) install does. Or do you still have to input the key after the install.

I suspect that you have to input the key - just not sure.

The Vista COA is not valid for Win7. I understand the Vista key / Win7 Key.

Thanks,

Bill

 

[Slartybart]

I need to make sure that arayfo1 has a key to enter, it won't be printed on the DVD. It should be included with the packaging.

Or the install media provides the OEM SLP key.

 

[Britton30]

Yes, both machines are 64 bit machines. The major difference is that one pc has Windows 8 while the other has Windows 7. I would like to note that my pc came from the factory with Windows Vista on it, but came pre-packaged with a Windows 7 upgrade disk. I'm mildly curious to know if it wouldn't be easier to install Vista and upgrade to Windows 7 via my old upgrade disk.

NO need to download any ISO, as you have a good Genuine Microsoft Windows 7 DVD.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

I'm sorry Ray, I missed your post.

 

[Slartybart]

Taking my own advice "read the tutorial" tells me that the user will have to enter the product key

 

[Slartybart]

So I think for the best results I'll advise:
install using OEM upgrade disc,
installl network driver and test since arayfo1 had connectivity issues before.
--> will address connectivity issues at this point if there are any

download SP1 and hotfix rollup,
run WU until exhausted

 

[Slartybart]

arayfo1: don't worry about all the chatter - it's good information, but lots of thinking out loud.

:ar:New plan - forget about downloading the iso. Use your Win7 upgrade disc
Changing tutorials also: read up on, but take no action yet: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

I want to make sure that you have completed the backup of your data.
You were moving everything on D:\ to an external drive.
Is the move done?

If your data is backed up, I thhnk we're ready to start the process. Whenever you post that you're ready.

 

[kathy025]

Discussion moved here.

 

[Slartybart]

Kathy, I'm going to suggest that you open a new thread for your questions so that we don't distract the effort here.

Thanks,

Bill

 

[kathy025]

I shall be doing that. Thanks also to theog, Briton, and Slarty for your kind assistance to my licensing queries.
A new thread shall be posted in the Windows Updates and Activation forum.

Back to you, OP.

 

[arayfo1]

Yes, the upgrade disc that I have has the product key listed on the sleeve (not the disc).

Disclaimer: I'm not ignoring any other posts here. I plan to answer them all. I just want to read though all of the comments and then take a moment to decide what my next course of action might be before I waste anyone's time with so much dialogue. I will post an update briefly.

You are correct Kathy. I missed the fact that it was an upgrade CD, thought it might have been an upgrade any time.

Still I want to make sure that arayfo1 has the key. They aren't printed on the disc.

Thanks

I have quick question. Don't Upgrade CDs come with their own upgrade product key?

 

[arayfo1]

Actually, this was my initial plan. This was exactly why I was 'stupid' enough to reformat my drive in the first place without a Windows install disc, because I assumed that the Acer Windows 7 Upgrade Disc would act as a clean install and that all I would need to do is 1) enter my disc 2) change boot device to dvd drive and 3) restart the pc. Not unless I'm missing something and that will actually somehow work - I'm all ears.

Posting an update next. .

arayfo1: don't worry about all the chatter - it's good information, but lots of thinking out loud.

:ar:New plan - forget about downloading the iso. Use your Win7 upgrade disc
Changing tutorials also: read up on, but take no action yet: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

I want to make sure that you have completed the backup of your data.
You were moving everything on D:\ to an external drive.
Is the move done?

If your data is backed up, I thhnk we're ready to start the process. Whenever you post that you're ready.

 

[gregrocker]

Does it say Upgrade on the disk? If it was from the PC manufacturer it is likely an OEM version which locks to the mobo.

On the chance it is an Upgrade key, with a wiped HD it will not detect an OS to allow Upgrade version key so may reject the key during install. Leave the key blank and continue with install.

If it doesn't ask for key or accepts key then it's OEM version and you're good to go.

If it rejects the key and you're sure you are using Home Premium, then you only need to do the quick workaround in Option 3 of Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

 

[Slartybart]

When we get started, we'll go step-by-step all the way through.

OK?

One last question: Do you have the product key for the Win7 Upgrade disc?
The product Key is either on the pakage or inside the package.

 

[arayfo1]

Update: I don't mean to sound as though I am trying to wriggle out of starting over again, but before we proceed I thought I should mention that I managed to establish an internet connection several times last night. I was having issues getting my files transferred (80gb) and anyways on a whim I decided to play around with the homegroup troubleshooter which then prompted me to try the network troubleshooter and somehow or another I was able to connect again that way. I'm not sure why it didn't do the same whenever I tried troubleshooting the connection from the system tray, not unless it has something to do with homegroup. So I'm really not sure if I have homegroup set up correctly or if that should even be a factor, but what happened is since I had an internet connection I went ahead and installed my updates. Naturally, I was prompted to restart so that windows can proceed to configure updates. Updates were configured but whenever I signed back in there was no longer an internet connection. I managed to reestablish the connection a couple times but each time I had to reinstall all 128 updates. So the last time I established internet connection prior to going to bed I set it to download all 128 updates again and went on to bed. I haven't been able to reconnect to the internet at all today. Also, I should probably note that this all took place using the iso I downloaded from the tutorial. I am somewhat curious if windows firewall isn't blocking my wifi signal.

Anyways, I keep getting sucked into 'troubleshooting my connection problem' when most likely you guys think I should start over again. So what do you guys think? Is it possible to use my upgrade disc to sort all this mess out?