can it be fixed or fresh install only option?

[FixupSellon]

hello, dont know how often people look in this section, but im after a bit of help and can't seem to quite find the exact information on need on a google search.


basically i had a dell optiplex, fitted a 200gb hdd, reinstalled windows 7 pro 64bit using this refurb key stuck to the case and was using it as my main and a bit of an old school gaming machine, but then i picked up a cube cheap and prefer it, so sold the dell.

now i connected the hdd to the cube thinking i could use the os as it wasn't tied to the board, but nope i keep getting 'start up repair' which has been useless, so i brought a new 500gb hdd(cube holds 3)to be the main and loaded it with 8.1 that failed due to lack of activation key provided, so downloaded windows 7 iso again as i originally installed with that but the disc i made failed on this machine, so i tried twice as it turned out my keys(2nd one i have from another machine i had for spares) won't activate it like it use to, guess the 'build' as its called is different even though was from same site same link and so i am currently using an unactivated version with linux zorin 9 on a small hdd connected and my 200gb is connected as a 3rd which i can access ..

which now leads on to the question in hand:

since i can view my 200gb as a 2nd drive and have access to my games/files etc still, is there a away i can get it to boot in to that os?? as unless i resort back to xp or find htpc software my 500gb is wasted and linux no use to combine with windows 7 and without a valid os on the 500 i couldnt even copy the games/files over to format the 200gb.

 

[MrMacca]

So you have no official licence key?

Nothing else you can do really legally if you do not have a product key attached to the machine or with the original installation disk.

The hardware installed on your previous Dell Windows 7 is completely different to the one inside your cheap cube.

Did the cube originally come with windows 8.1 installed?

 

[bledd]

Buy a Windows licence.

Buy an SSD for the Windows install.



I'm not sure which is more criminal, not using an SSD or not having a Windows licence

 

[FixupSellon]

Thanks for replies.

The license key for windows 7 pro is legit, it was a refurbished sticker on the case, the windows 8.1 was an iso I downloaded to try a key out I had from another case no keys I've had have been from sites. All from Coa stickers on computers I've brought or been given as spare..

I know the dell had different specs to my cubes, but I've swapped out hdd's with operating systems to other computers before and only odd ones declined it as you will, they were to get rid of so losing the os to start again wasn't a big deal..

Just don't fully understand why my windows 7 drive is active as a secondary so I can still use my games and files, but I just can't boot into it from the get go..

As for ssd, I've thought about it, just ones up to 64gb, but never had the money nor really been bothered.

 

[BuToNz]

Refurb license keys are tied to the hardware and can't be used on another machine.

You'll need to buy a genuine license.