*help* Confused...Will this work? (New system, old key??)

So my scenario is as follows:

I currently have an old system (Q6600, p5q, etc.) in which I bought a windows 7 upgrade and installed cleanly using one of the guides.

Now I'm building a HTPC (completely diff specs besides the HDD, amd ii x2, 785g), can I use my old key and install on the new machine?

I've been reading around and it seems that some places state you need to call in for a phone activation, but because my install was originally from an upgrade disc im not sure if that makes a difference?

Please advise!

Thanks

It depends if the XP or Vista which qualifies you to use Win7 Upgrade version is tied to the former machine or is a retail copy. If retail then it continues qualifying you to use Upgrade version.

If you're using the same HD, boot DVD to CUstom Install, it will scan the HD to see another OS (Win7) to allow Upgrade version key upfront, even if you go on to use Drive Options to delete, repartition and/or format.

If you install to new, wiped or clean HD or it rejects Upgrade key, leave key box blank and use one of the workarounds given here after install: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

gregrocker said:

It depends if the XP or Vista which qualifies you to use Win7 Upgrade version is tied to the former machine or is a retail copy. If retail then it continues qualifying you to use Upgrade version.

If you're using the same HD, boot DVD to CUstom Install, it will scan the HD to see another OS (Win7) to allow Upgrade version key upfront, even if you go on to use Drive Options to delete, repartition and/or format.

If you install to new, wiped or clean HD or it rejects Upgrade key, leave key box blank and use one of the workarounds given here after install: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

Oh ok cool thanks. I'm pretty sure I did the clean install using the upgrade windows 7 version work around in the first place. I do have a retail oem copy of XP laying around too, but I'd prefer to clean install everything.

So given that I'm keeping the same HDD, this *should* work fine right?

nitroman84 said:

Okay here is the method I use, this will allow you to reinstall without getting the Windows.old file.
When I purchased Vista it was as an upgrade to XP that I currently owned. Long story short I had problems upgrading to Vista. Tech support showed me the way of installing then running an upgrade install. My way is a little more streamlined in that you just install follow a few steps and continue on with your business.

First Install Windows as you normally would but do not enter the key and DO NOT select automatically activate in the installation options. Make sure that option is deselected. Now you have a fresh copy with the standard 30 day trial period. In windows press and hold the Windows key and click R on the keyboard, this brings up the Run command window. Type regedit in that window and press enter. UAC will prompt, click yes. You will now see the Registry Editor, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Setup/OOBE/. Right click MediaBootInstall and click Modify, change the "1" to a "0". Click okay and exit the registry editor.

Second open an elevated command prompt, (Click Start and type CMD in the search box) right click cmd.exe and select “run as administrator”. Once the command prompt appears type “slmgr /rearm” without the quotes, and press enter. Next simply type Exit and hit enter again, after which it will ask you to restart your machine. Once restarted activate windows with your upgrade product key by clicking start and typing Activate Windows. Follow the prompts and you should have no problems and also no windows.old folder hogging up space on your system.

Sounds good thank you!

Cool thanks, I'll give this a shot. When you were upgrading, did you change any hardware?

I also should note I bought this upgrade via student promo, worked fine as a clean install before so hopefully no problems arise.

jwei said:

gregrocker said:

It depends if the XP or Vista which qualifies you to use Win7 Upgrade version is tied to the former machine or is a retail copy. If retail then it continues qualifying you to use Upgrade version.

If you're using the same HD, boot DVD to CUstom Install, it will scan the HD to see another OS (Win7) to allow Upgrade version key upfront, even if you go on to use Drive Options to delete, repartition and/or format.

If you install to new, wiped or clean HD or it rejects Upgrade key, leave key box blank and use one of the workarounds given here after install: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

Oh ok cool thanks. I'm pretty sure I did the clean install using the upgrade windows 7 version work around in the first place. I do have a retail oem copy of XP laying around too, but I'd prefer to clean install everything.

So given that I'm keeping the same HDD, this *should* work fine right?

Retail OEM XP like Factory OEM is a qualifier for Upgrade version but technically only on the machine it was first installed upon and remains tied to.

There is no reason to reinstall XP even if you could in-place Upgrade it as you can Vista. It simply doesn't have to be on the machine.

Again, if installing to a new or wiped HD which has no OS on it, the installer will likely refuse the Upgrade version key upfront. In that case, leave the key box blank, after install do the registry workaround in the tutorial, activate at Computer>Properties.