Invalid product key??

[bloodhunter]

I have a genuine windows 7 upgrade discs and when i enter the product key during the install process it says it is invalid. This is NOT the activation stage so why won't Windows accept it.

I must ad that i have fitted a brand new hard drive to my laptop (HP) as it has Vista installed as standard and i wanted 7 on it instead.

 

[Raumarik]

Is it a 32bit version of Vista and a 64bit version of Windows 7 (or the other way around?) Just wondering, can't see why else it'd be giving you that error unless it's just a duff DVD or printed label.

 

[bloodhunter]

I am using the 32bit win7 to replace 32bit Vista.

Also i cannot enter bios with the win7 hard drive installed but when i put the original back in with Vista on i can get into bios.

Incidentally in bios it shows Vista as the factory installed OS, could this be somehow affecting the validation of the product key??

The product key is correct as i have used it on my main pc without issue, like i say i should be able to install successfully but have issues with activation after the 30 day period.

I have the latest bios installed. It is the same version for Vista and 7.

 

[Raumarik]

You've already used the upgrade on your main PC? Not sure you'll be able to activate without calling them up and claiming you've had a faulty motherboard or something. Is it a retail version of the upgrade DVD?

Have you installed Windows 7 on the HDD when it's in the laptop or are you playing swaps with the main PC?

 

[bloodhunter]

I finally got it sorted. the reason i had this problem was that when i installed 7 on the fresh hard drive i did not realise that it needed a previous version of Windows on it so the upgrade Win7 could install properly and read the info required.

Activation went without issue as well.

 

[davidansell]

=]