Confusion over W7 licences

[fredu]

Hi
I am confused with the licence situation, and hope someone can help me understand my options.
I purchased an 'upgrade' version of W7, which comes with 32 and 64bit DVDs.
I started by doing what I normally do, and reformat all harddrives.

I was given only one choice, to go for the 'custom' clean install. I did this, but the system refused to accept my licence key. I eventually resolved this to 'this is an upgrade key', and should ONLY be installed from an existing Vista installation

So, reinstalled Vista, and installed W7 from there using the 'upgrade' option.

But, some questions:
Q1) Can I somehow perform a full 'custom' install with this key? did I make a mistake?
Q2) As I have the 64bit os Disk, can I still install this version? This obviously requires a full 'clean' installation as well. Will my 'upgrade' key work?

thanks

 

[theog]

Hi
I am confused with the licence situation, and hope someone can help me understand my options.
I purchased an 'upgrade' version of W7, which comes with 32 and 64bit DVDs.
I started by doing what I normally do, and reformat all harddrives.

I was given only one choice, to go for the 'custom' clean install. I did this, but the system refused to accept my licence key. I eventually resolved this to 'this is an upgrade key', and should ONLY be installed from an existing Vista installation

So, reinstalled Vista, and installed W7 from there using the 'upgrade' option.

But, some questions:
Q1) Can I somehow perform a full 'custom' install with this key? did I make a mistake?
Q2) As I have the 64bit os Disk, can I still install this version? This obviously requires a full 'clean' installation as well. Will my 'upgrade' key work?

thanks

Hi fredu

1) & 2) YES.

Have a read:

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

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html?ltr=C

http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/34853-common-installation-problems.html

 

[richc46]

Yes, an upgrade can perform a clean install. I use the term clean and custom interchangeably, but know the difference. If you want to make a clean install. Boot from the DVD, you may have to change your BIOS setting to boot from CD/DVD. Early in the process you will be required to chose and option, chose custom install. Click on the advanced option, to format. You will then proceed, until you are asked for your key. Do not give it at this point. Continue until you have an installation. Now, still do not give a key number. Use the system, install you programs and make sure that you are satisfied. Prior to 30 days, activate with your key. If your key is rejected you will be given the option to call a number, where you can activate over the phone. If this is unsucessful, a person will speak to you. Make sure you have your key number and possibly the key for the prior OS, if you are doing an upgrade. You are ready to go.

My personal preference at this juncture is to make a OS image and put it away. Down the road if you have a problem, you do not need to reinstall, activate and all that nonsense. Just use your saved OS image. What I do is make a note of any big changes that I make to the system after I made the OS image. In this way, I could bring my OS back to where it was, after a problem, with very little effort.

Now the most important part, enjoy, I know I am. Good luck
Richard

 

[fredu]

Thanks so much for the quick response. Very informative, will look into this this weekend.
Again, thanks