Upgrade from RC to retail Ultimate

[jimsido]

I apparently cannot change the product key from a Windows 7 Ultimate eval copy 7100 to a retail Ultimate product key and have it activate properly. The process tells me my key is not valid...is that correct? I do not see anywhere an activation phone number to call.

 

[gregrocker]

You need to clean install or run an in-place Upgrade using your retail copy and key in order to get it to accept the key:

How to Upgrade the Windows 7 RC to RTM (Final Release) :: the How-To Geek

MS recommends against in-place Upgrading RC but a few have reported doing it successfully. Here is a warning posted by a Win7 developer: http://blogs.technet.com/haroldwong...dows-7-release-candidate-to-release-code.aspx

If you don't like the performance you can always use your retail Win7 Ultimate to clean install from boot wtih formatting.

If you are using an Upgrade version, then under the EULA you should have a qualifying copy of XP/Vista on hand although it doesn't need to be installed.

 

[jimsido]

thanks, will back up the files with Easy Transfer and try an in place upgrade from the retail DVD, thanks for the quick response....

 

[jimsido]

Solved

Finally figured out the DVD reader was not reading the installation DVD. Don't know if a format problem or what..disappointed in the Hitachi component on the IBM-S51. The component was an HL (Hitachi-LG) Data Storage CD Rewriter/DVD-ROM Drive model GCC-H20N IBM PN: 41N9975, FRU: 41X7992. Replaced the DVD and 'Clean' install went just fine.