Installing Windows 7

I acquired a PC without a HDD. It is DELL and used to run W7.

DELL's 25 digit key attached, but MS does not recognize this key.

This is the message:

"The product key you entered appears to be for software pre-installed by the device manufacturer.
Please contact the device manufacturer for software recovery options."

I installed a blank HDD and loaded UBUNTU temporarily,
but I am not familiar with it and do not want to learn.

I also do not want to buy another W7 key, is there any way around the problem in my situation.....?

Thanks,
-BBDS

Layback Bear said:

Dell's key will not work on a new install on a new Hard Drive.

Does your PC have a Microsoft sticker on it that looks something like this?

Yes, exactly like in your picture. And the 25 bite key is not recognized.
Does it mean all my attempts to download W7 will fail....?

-BBDS

Your key will work but you just can't use that one to download from Microsoft, as you already found out.

Try the link that Thrash posted above, it's a torrent but that's basically all we are left with now.

There is no reason why the key on the sticker will not work unless the motherboard has been changed, HD change does not invalidate the key, ITS more than likely been incorrectly read and input.

Roy