Solved Installing Upgrade Windows 7 Issue

[YoullNeverCatch]

Okay, can't seem to locate the spindle with Vista install on it, found four other spindles, but not the one I need. Called Dell, I can get another sent to me for ~20 dollars, but it'll take five business days or some such. Trying to decide if I should do it.

 

[Brink]

That's not a bad deal at all. If you needed it sooner, then you might ask them if there may be an option for faster shipping for an additional charge.

 

[YoullNeverCatch]

Success! Found the Vista disk. Gonna head on down to Best Buy (most likely) and get a new HD. Question, you showed how to do an install with the upgrade disk, I don't know if there's an activation code on the Vista disk itself or if it's the code string on the back of the disk sleeve. Problem is that the disk is cracked. Will that mess this up?

 

[Brink]

What do you mean by cracked?

Physically or software cracked?

 

[Dwarf]

I was going to ask that.

If you mean cracked in the physically damaged sense then it would depend where on the disk the crack is. If it is around the central hub (a common occurrence caused by removing/replacing the disk in its protective case) then you might be OK providing that the crack does not stray onto the main surface of the disk itself. If it does, or if the crack is solely on the main surface, then there is nothing you can do as a cracked CD/DVD is irreparable.

On the other hand, if you mean cracked in the sense of software hacked, then I'm afraid we cannot assist you any further with that, other than to suggest that you buy a legitimate copy from a reputable retailer.

 

[YoullNeverCatch]

Yes, I mean physically damaged. I can send you a picture if you're worried. I hate it when terms like that get mixed. I was under the impression that I could do the install from the Windows 7 disk, and that I only need the Vista activation code, which would be on the disk case? I found another copy, this has happened before and I try to keep the copy from each one.

 

[Brink]

No worries, we just needed to be clear.

You would need a Windows 7 product key number to activate Windows 7 with though.

 

[Dwarf]

We had to ask, as you could have meant either way. I'm glad that you meant cracked as in the physical sense.

Please send a picture showing the damage. Might be an idea to show both sides of the disk in full.

 

[YoullNeverCatch]

The W7 disk has an activation code on the back, the front says:

Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate
32 bit x86 Upgrade: Pre-existing OS Liscence Required
(Product Key Required)

The Vista disk says

Reinstallation DVD
Windows Vista Home Premium 32BIT SP1

 

[Brink]

If you install your upgrade Windows 7 using an option in the tutorial below, you will not need Vista installed. Option One it the most common way.


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

 

[Dwarf]

Which of the disks is damaged? If it isn't the W7 disk, then you can, in fact, clean install from it. See http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html for detailed instructions.

 

[YoullNeverCatch]

As I mentioned, I've had to get several new hard drives from Dell (I suspect bad manufacture) and each time they send an install disk, so I've got several Vista disks. One of the Vista disks is physically damaged. The windows 7 disk is fine, and has it's own product key on the back.

The Vista disks have a code under a barcode on the back, will I need this?

 

[Brink]

If you use the tutorial link above to install your upgrade Windows 7, then you will not need Vista or Vista's product key number at all. You will only need the Windows 7 installation disc and the Windows 7 product key number.

 

[YoullNeverCatch]

Cool.

 

[YoullNeverCatch]

Got a problem, it's telling me the windows key is invalid. Should I try installing Vista and then upgrading?

 

[Dwarf]

Firstly, ensure that you are trying to enter the correct key. If you are, then it is probably because the key is an upgrade key. Try installing W7 again, this time from the desktop and not boot. This time, select Upgrade as opposed to the Custom option.

 

[Brink]

In addition, be sure that you follow the steps exactly in the tutorial below or it will give you that error. You might also look at Option Three to see if it is the same error.

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

 

[YoullNeverCatch]

The current drive was blank and out of the box, how do I install from here?

 

[Brink]

From the link in step 1 of Option One at the link above, you should be able to just select it during installation like in step 7 below. Following the steps in the tut should get you there.

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

 

[YoullNeverCatch]

It's still giving me the error. I had somebody else type in the product key, in case I was misreading something, but it's still giving me the error.