Doing Clean Install with upgrade..

Thanks both of you..

I pulled down the partition wizard, but trying to figure out how to work it is a little weird, with no documentation & just once up & running a help.. But the first page of the help does say it is able to "Resize" which would be great so I have to check it out.

If for some reason it doesn't resize the primary bootable partition or something. I will then try the other way.. But, I really would prefer not..

Found out the problem with the W7 install where it just went to a blue screen with wisps, but no install program options like "English" and "install No" prompts.. Which I though was some sort of MS lockout.

We now have to put the disk in, boot up on it and wait half an hour to 45 minutes for the prompts to show up.. The whole install is way slower, then our first few attempts also. Even with the format or delete to clear everything down. I think this computer is sick and tired of doing reinstalls!

You need to wipe the HD to try the install. Try this first: SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

If you can't get to the command line then boot Partition Wizard CD, select 1 for Screen Res, on Disk tab select Wipe Disk and apply one set of zeroes.

Win7 DVD should autostart on wiped HD unless there are other problems.

Test your RAM with memtest86 CD for 5-6 passes, then your HD using maker's full diagnostics/repair CD scan: Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp.

Next try clearing the CMOS in BIOS setup: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS Look at SATA controller setting: try AHCI, then IDE if necessary.

Make sure your CD drive is set to boot first in BIOS setup, then try install again.

Report back.

Hi this is Moose trackers son.

The activation code error is now more inline with what it should be. "the activation server determined that the specified product key could not be used."

we belive this is due to that fact that that key was used to load windows 7 onto my laptop about a year ago. My laptop is in for service now and we figure this would be a good time to switch the windows 7 thats on the laptop on to the PC.

We have another version of windows 7 that will only work on the laptop but when we were installing it on the laptop is had not come in yet.

i tryed to call windows but it just went through the automated stuff and told me to stay on the line for an operator then it said some more automated stuff and hung up.

So im at a loss on how to say that were moving the windows 7 off the laptop and onto the desk top.

Windows 7 has only been released since Oct. 2009 so was this the Beta RC (Release Candidate) you activated a year ago, which has expired?

If not, then if it is retail Upgrade (and not OEM) it needs to have the hardware changes (from laptop to desktop) updated in MS activation servers, which is normally done by having you call to exchange a series of numbers during activation.

It may also ask you how many machines the copy of Win7 is installed upon, to which you must answer "one."

Where did you get the Win7 you are attempting to install on the desktop which was previously on the laptop?

Are you getting the key refusal at the beginning of the install? If so, continue install without supplying key and do the workaround in this tutorial: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

the one year was an estimate. It was bought at a best buy and installed when it was brand new to the market.

Ive tryed calling them and didnt get anywhere like i said in the previous post.

Thanks to everyone i finally got windows 7 activated.

so unless we run into something else we should be fine.