clean install

[stratoc]

hello, I bought windows 7 on the early release deal from microsoft store. I ran a repair install on this pc about 6 months ago no problems. I decided to do a clean install, simply to clear out a lot of junk.
I selected custom install all ran fine until it asked for the product key, it said it was invalid? no help, options, I double checked i had entered it correctly, and gave up and restore an image. no hardware changes, this another microsoft buy another one scam?

 

[LuzTeTT]

hello, I bought windows 7 on the early release deal from microsoft store. I ran a repair install on this pc about 6 months ago no problems. I decided to do a clean install, simply to clear out a lot of junk.
I selected custom install all ran fine until it asked for the product key, it said it was invalid? no help, options, I double checked i had entered it correctly, and gave up and restore an image. no hardware changes, this another microsoft buy another one scam?

Hi stratoc,

Can you confirm what type of key you have?
Is this an OEM installation, or an upgrade installation? If you want to do a clean install, you need to have a key for an OEM installation software package of Microsoft Windows. The keys are not interchangable.

Regards,
LuzTeTT

 

[stratoc]

its oem. i think i had a similar problem with vista but it gave me an option to activate automatically on the phone. 7 just say invalid and stays there. Reciept says: 1 windows 7 home premium full download.
I didnt upgrade from vista i upgraded the system including hard drives, so it was clean install originally?
What is puzzling me is how can it get to the window and say key is 'invalid' and give you 1 option re enter it? no reason or other option or help screen very amateur indeed!

 

[Bill2]

You have a self-built computer and the win7 early release. Thats not OEM, likely an Upgrade version or a Retail. For complete instructions on Clean Install with an Upgrade disk, read this tutorial.

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

If that too doesnt work, try activating by phone.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18715-activate-windows-7-phone.html

 

[stratoc]

ah! thank you very much.