How to upgrade to Windows 7 with corrupted XP?

hi all,

I have an old XP pro CD that I gave to my boyfriend for his new
computer. I tried to install it, and I don't know what happened,
it was bad - I guess over the years the CD got corrupted.

The serial number of course is good but there's no COA because
back when I bought it they weren't doing that yet.

So I installed windows 7 RC 1 on his new computer. I don't want to
talk him into buying the windows 7 upgrade if he can't upgrade.

I read somewhere that windows xp has to be installed on the HD
in order to do the upgrade, but at the same time you can do a
clean install. What?

So how am I going to get this upgrade? Do I have to get Microsoft
to send me a new CD? Because that's not bloody likely, is it?
I was thinking all I'd have to do would be to input the old XP
serial number.

Thanks,

Tyler

I suspect that the Win7 Upgrade Disk will be looking for key WinXP File(s) in key place(s). I don't recall if Vista would have upgraded from XP by just inserting the XP Disk at the right time. I guess this would depend on how corrupt your XP Disk actually is. Make sure it is not a smudge on the CD that is causing the problem during re-install. Wipe from the center outward if you decide to try and clean it with a soft rag.

Hi Zidane,

Yes I know about backing up and doing a fresh install. I do have the
CD and the serial #.

So it sounds like what I read was wrong, and I can just input the
XP serial number when I got to install windows 7.

Thanks everyone.

Zidane2424 said:

If you have Windows XP, you can purchase Windows 7 Upgrade versions. But you must back up your files, clean install, and reinstall your applications.

When you use your upgrade disc from 7 it will probably ask you to insert your Windows XP CD or ask for your Windows XP key.

IF YOU DON"T HAVE EITHER...You can install 7 fresh (don't type in your product key!!!).
When 7 is done installing proceed to launch 7 setup's within 7 (I know...its wierd but trust me)...insert your product key and your done (it will upgrade 7 with 7....but will cause no extra space taken up or anything...its like copying the same file to a directory twice (just overwriting)

PS the last step was posted by a user who called Microsoft about it and that is exactly what they said to do...

Do you install windows 7 fresh from the upgrade cd, then run 7's setup
within 7, then insert your XP product key? Or at that point do you insert
your windows 7 product key?

this might sound mad tyler, but try polishing out the scratches with 't-cut', 'brasso' or somet like a stainless steel or silver polish. if it works u can be rest assured u've got an original xp cd.

Tyler is your XP pro a retail version or a OEM or upgrade, because if it is a retail version then you can use some other copy of XP pro and use your key to install it, but it as to be the same version, (ie) retail to retail, upgrade to upgrade, I have done it myself and have learned to made a back up copy of it for just in case.