HELP !!! Windows Major Crash re-upgrade from Vista

[ikwi]

I have brought a second hand Compaq Presario which was upgraded from Vista to Windows 7. The computer still has the original Vista serial number on it
The computer has crashed completely and I am unable to boot it. I don't have repair disk or the Win & installation disk and the computer is outside warranty period.

What I want is can I go back to Microsoft and use the original Vista product code to reload a Win 7 O/S?

 

[Snick]

Hi ikwi,
Yes, if Vista on your machine was 64 bit and the Win7 you have now is upgrade.
Does your win7 product key match the Vista sticker product key?
(25 character key 5 sets of 5 alpha-numeric) not product ID
magic jellybean will find your product key on your machine.
Repair Install
Ultimate iso available.
TechBench
All editions ( pro, home premium, etc ) can be made available from any windows 7 iso - either by removing the ei.cfg file from the sources folder, or by using
eicfg_removal_utility.zip
Repair Install Video
eicfc utility video

 

[ikwi]

It's a 32 bit system.
The computer was upgraded by the store I bought it from so I don't have the WIn 7 product key but I do have the Vista product key

 

[Snick]

magic jellybean will find your Windows 7 product key on your machine.
Windows stores your product key as hexi-decimal, i.e. base 16.
MagicJellybean, Belarc Advisor and other programs will convert Base 16/hex to alpha-neumeric/base 10.
Your Vista x32 product key will not work on your Win7 x64 machine!
Therefore, you will have to obtain the product key, not product ID via MagicJellybean.

 

[ikwi]

The computer I have is Win 7 32 bit, the Vista is 32 bit.
I cannot boot up that computer as it will not progress past the BIOS.
I was hoping to use my other computer (XP) to access Microsoft and use the Vista product code to download Win 7 (which I believe the store has already done.)

 

[Snick]

You're sure it's windows 7 32 bit?
If you have an OEM version of Vista upgraded to Windows 7, accessing Microsoft for
an ISO download will be fruitless.

Do you know how to download an ISO image and burn it to disk?
The TechBench link I provided in post will permit you to download Win7 x32 ISO image without need of product key.
Burning ISO images with ImgBurn
If you make a Win7 DVD you can use it to repair windows startup. I'd shy away from repair install, being that you're not sue that the Win7 was an upgrade from Vista. If, by chance, it wasn't done via upgrade, your product keys may differ. It's important for Microsoft verification of Genuine Windows

 

[ikwi]

Great thank you for the links. Although the little message at the bottom right of my screen and the pop ups are somewhat disconcerting. (Just call me Kim DotCom)
Now just one more question; I use my XP computer to run my railway, with all the associated bits and pieces by which I mean track plans, DCC and a Java based program.
Is it possible to network the WIN 7 with the XP to run these programs or do I have to download them again on to WIN 7.
I have already set up a homegroup network which enables me to transfer files but I need the programs to open them.

 

[driver1101]

..

I know that maybe this would sound stupid, but try installing vista with your OEM key and download ISO file of Win7 and do the upgade.

 

[ikwi]

I don't have the original Vista but the product key is on the back.
Are you saying I should download Vista using this product key then using this as a stepping stone to upgrade to Win 7.