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Thread ID: 104575 2009-11-01 08:13:00 Win7 activation fail Jayess64 (8703) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
826170 2009-11-01 08:13:00 Can someone tell me where I have gone wrong?

I installed the upgrade version of Win7 Home Premium 64-bit as an upgrade from Win XP Pro. As advised on the box, I performed a 'custom' install, wiping the XP installation. I did not activate during installation, since I wanted to be sure that 64-bit would not cause me problems.

Setting up the 64-bit Win7 was essentially trouble free, so I deleted the Windows.old folder and decided to go ahead and activate. The result was a message telling me that the Product Key was for an 'upgrade' installation, not a clean install!

What the heck?????
Jayess64 (8703)
826171 2009-11-01 08:19:00 I'm pretty sure you can't upgrade from XP. You have to do a fresh install whellington (15030)
826172 2009-11-01 08:28:00 Yep.
:)
Trev (427)
826173 2009-11-01 08:30:00 Well, yes. It seems to depend on what 'upgrade' means, and that would appear to have been defined by Microsoft's lawyers.

On the Windows 7 box is a notice that reads: "This version of Windows 7 is designed as an upgrade for Windows Vista. If you are upgrading from Windows XP you will need to back up your files and settings, perform a clean install and then re-install your existing files, settings and programs."

It does not say that you can't upgrade from XP with this box, just that you need to do a clean install, which the installation procedure allows you to do. If upgrading from XP is forbidden, I would have expected the installer to have detected the the original system and refuse to proceed.
Jayess64 (8703)
826174 2009-11-01 09:08:00 You can only use the Update Version of Win7 with Vista.

If you have XP, you must buy OEM or Retail Win7.
Chilling_Silence (9)
826175 2009-11-01 10:10:00 Well, it seems it can be done.... Jayess64 (8703)
826176 2009-11-01 19:40:00 windows.microsoft.com
Google is your friend.
:)
Trev (427)
826177 2009-11-01 20:15:00 Well I stand corrected, you learn something new every day ... Chilling_Silence (9)
826178 2009-11-01 20:41:00 ;) Trev (427)
826179 2009-11-01 21:05:00 Seems you arnt the only one with this issue. You may have to do a phone
activation

I found this(below). Reminds me of the crazy process involved in upgrading Vista Home to Vista Pro.. had to upgrade to demo/limited(30day?) then full version for it to work.


"For the 64bit activation problem. Several people here have reported that when you do a clean install of the Windows 7 Upgrade version and it won't activate, you need to do a Upgrade-in-place install on it and then it will activate."

this may help
www.winsupersite.com

this is for a upgrade to Vista, but applies for 7
windowsitpro.com
sroby (11519)
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