New Key !?

My W7, purchased on eBay 5 months ago, has just gone t.ts up !!

'Not Genuine" !! not really surprised, thought it was too good to be true (and it was).

Have now purchased Upgrade version of Ultimate 64. (same as on now)

Question is will I be able to simply type in new key ?? or will I have to go through the whole process all over again !? I hope not !

Hi Stu49,

I think the new key will be ok, providing it't exactly the same version. If not just do a repair install, this will make it think it's an upgrade and should save you the re-install.

If it does go ugly, there's always these three options showing you "How to Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version" (the three options are under the one link, in case you were thinking I didn't post enough link ).

You cant use an upgrade for the same version that you already have installed... unfortunately, you will need to do a clean install ... I know its not what you want to hear, just consider it a lesson learned... follow this tutorial on how to do a clean install from an upgrade DVD... Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

I paid extra for Ultimate !! could have managed with Professional, but like u I thought better chance if same type :)

I'll try the repair if not, took me weeks to get it all on from scratch don't want to have to redo that !

Tks :)

Tews said:

You cant use an upgrade for the same version that you already have installed... unfortunately, you will need to do a clean install ... I know its not what you want to hear, just consider it a lesson learned... follow this tutorial on how to do a clean install from an upgrade DVD... Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

but it's asking for a NEW key !! so why won't it accept the one I've bought ??

Stu49 said:

Tews said:

You cant use an upgrade for the same version that you already have installed... unfortunately, you will need to do a clean install ... I know its not what you want to hear, just consider it a lesson learned... follow this tutorial on how to do a clean install from an upgrade DVD... Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

but it's asking for a NEW key !! so why won't it accept the one I've bought ??

Stu, your dilemma is that the OEM does not match the key. If the copy you purchased off of ebay is pirated no matter what key you purchase will not activate it. As Tews suggested you must perform a complete clean installation.
Your Premium Disk that you purchased? Will have the Product key. I know its a major pain but thats your only option.

You might want to do a Windows Easy Transfer of settings, doc, pics, etc first

Windows Easy Transfer - Transfer To & From Computers

DocBrown said:

You might want to do a Windows Easy Transfer of settings, doc, pics, etc first

Windows Easy Transfer - Transfer To & From Computers

Good catch Doc!

Stu49 said:

Tews said:

You cant use an upgrade for the same version that you already have installed... unfortunately, you will need to do a clean install ... I know its not what you want to hear, just consider it a lesson learned... follow this tutorial on how to do a clean install from an upgrade DVD... Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

but it's asking for a NEW key !! so why won't it accept the one I've bought ??

I'm sure a repair install will work for you. I remember Gregrocker posting it a while back; but I could be wrong *grin*.

You could also try to change your product key using slmgr.vbs -ipk <insert your new product key here>
Then run activation using slmgr.vbs -ato

EDIT: Forgot to mention, run the above commands in an elevated command prompt

That sounds like an MSDN key that has been blacklisted by MS.... You will not be able to use that key ... you will need to get a genuine key from Microsoft...