Windows 7 Activation issue

The problem is that Win7 starter to Home Premium is not a supported Upgrade path unless you buy the Anytime Upgrade key, although retail keys do work if inserted in Anytime instead.

I would try a http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html?ltr=R using Flash Stick or by transferring the DVD files to desktop to run Setup as Admin. This will reset activation and satisfy the need to have an underlying OS to accept Upgrade key - since a Repair Install is an upgrade over itself. Activate at Computer>Properties link.

If this fails, run a Custom clean install from dekstop also (or boot flash stick) which will see the underlying OS to allow use of Upgrade version key. If not use one of the workarounds here: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

The best way to write the Win7 ISO to bootable 4gb+ flash stick is to install UltraISO trial version, Open DVD on file tab, Write Image file on Bootable tab, Format button, Write button.
 
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Anyways,if you don't wan't to call Microsoft and let them help you.??
then you have to install the very first OS.
No way around it.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom: Self-Build
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 64bits
CPU
Core i7 920 4 x 3,9 Mhz.
Motherboard
MSI Pro-E socket 1366,2 x usb 3.0
Memory
6 gb ddr3 1333mhz
Graphics Card(s)
XFX/ATI HD5770 1GB gddr5,overclocked
Sound Card
Creative (under construction)
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer X243HQ 24 inch
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
SAMSUNG HD103SJ ATA Device 1TB,
Hitachi 7220 2TB
PSU
500Watt,Coolermaster
Case
Cooler Master,work in progress.
Cooling
Scythe Mugen rev. 2b + 4 case-fans + Northbridge Fan 8000 re
Keyboard
Logitech K340
Mouse
Logitech M705 Marathon Mouse
Internet Speed
16 MB/s down 1 up
Other Info
e-Sata ports + external:
WDS 1 TB X 2 , Medion 1,5 TB,Medion 1 TB USB 3.0,500GB Medion 3.0 USB
Results:

I found the answer.

The problem was I did not activate Windows Starter, i then upgraded to Home Premium with an upgrade key i had. Once i had upgraded to The Home Premium i could not activate using the Windows Starter Key i had from my netbook. I also could not activate it using my upgrade Home Premium key because as far as the system was concerned i did not have a legitimate active version of Windows 7 on the Computer. I tired to activate it using the methods listed above but none of them worked as essentially the computer was confused. I tired talking to people at Microsoft they would no nothing for me and told me to talk to the seller. I called the people on the helpline for my seller computer they couldn't help, they told me to talk to the manufacturer. I talked to the manufactuer they said they couldn't help i needed to talk to the seller.

So no one would help me.

I talked to a techie friend who said that i needed to reboot to factory settings, or do a system restore.

I couldn't do a system restore as the system would not let me restore to a date before i i did the upgrade.

I also couldn't restore to factory settings as the windows upgrade had changed the files and therefore the backup was corrupt!

The solution, i had to reinstall windows 7 starter except the netbook has no disk drive and so no disk was provided. Therefore i had to get another disk version of Windows adjust it to make it Windows 7 Starter using the following link and then put it on a flashdrive and reinstall windows, then i activated it via phone.

What annoys me is that i made one honest mistake (i didn't realise that i couldn't install the windows upgrade i had for my computer on my netbook (you can install office on two different compupters and still be legitimate)) Bit the annoying thing is that Windows lets you do it. I thne had to spent five or six hous trying to fix the results of an honest mistake, which i think the system should not have allowed me to do in the first place!

Windows 7 Starter clean install without disk
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 64
Glad you have solved your problem. If you click on the red triangle (top right corner) and type solved in the box this will let moderators & other members know that your issue is solved.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
My own abomination, I call it the Money Pit
OS
Windows 10 Pro x 2/Windows 11 Home
CPU
Intel i7 2600K @ 3.40 GHz
Motherboard
ASUS Sabertooth P67
Memory
Corsair Vengeance 16GB DDR3 1600MHz CL8 Dual Channel Kit
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA GeForce RTX 3080 XC3 ULTRA GAMING 10GB GDDR6X
Sound Card
Onboard Realtek or Nvidia High Definition Audio (HDMI)
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung JS7000 50" SUHD TV or Samsung 27" FHD 60Hz 8ms GTG V
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
1 x Samsung 870 EVO 250 GB SSD (Windows 10 Pro), 1 x Samsung 850 EVO 250 GB SSD (Windows 10 Pro)
PSU
Corsair AX860 - 860W Modular Power Supply
Case
Phanteks Enthoo Luxe Full Tower Case - Black
Cooling
CORSAIR Hydro Series H150i PRO RGB 360mm Liquid CPU Cooler
Keyboard
Logitech K830 Illuminated Living-Room Keyboard
Mouse
Logitech MX Anywhere 2S Wireless Mouse
Internet Speed
100 Mbps
Antivirus
ESET Internet Security
Browser
Latest Version Of Firefox & Microsoft Edge Chromium Stable
Other Info
LG Super Multi Blue Internal Blu-ray Disk Rewriter - BH10LS30
6x2 HDMI Switcher (6 inputs, 2 outputs) so I can send the output of my Cable Box, Roku, or any my 4 computers to either my TV or Monitor separately or simultaneously.
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