Wrong key for windows 7??

[lolage]

Hey, i bought windows 7 last september with the student offer. Just got my new hard drive so putting windows 7 on it. I come to put in my key code and it says its wrong? Ive triple checked it and its as it says in the email...

Any ideas???

 

[SiriusB]

The Student copy of Windows is an Upgrade version. If it doesn't detect a previous Windows installation it doesn't work.

Easiest way around that is to reinstall Windows 7 again over the top of the current install. This time around the key should work.

 

[lolage]

The Student copy of Windows is an Upgrade version. If it doesn't detect a previous Windows installation it doesn't work.

Easiest way around that is to reinstall Windows 7 again over the top of the current install. This time around the key should work.

I was pretty sure it worked on a clean install even though it diddnt state it? Do i need to get windows vista back on my pc?

 

[lolage]

Easiest way around that is to reinstall Windows 7 again over the top of the current install. This time around the key should work.

Even though i havn't put my key in? So i can just stop the installation now and reinsert the disk? Is there a need to put my vista/xp disks in?

 

[SiriusB]

Finish the installation without a key [it will let you do it after a couple of boxes moaning at you]. Once done, reboot and start the installation all over again, this time with the key. See how you get on.

 

[lolage]

Finish the installation without a key [it will let you do it after a couple of boxes moaning at you]. Once done, reboot and start the installation all over again, this time with the key. See how you get on.

Okay, thanks - will report back.

 

[vertica]

I had exactly this problem. You are meant to install the upgrade over an existing activated windows install (even if you format the existing install in the process).

However there is a work around on my digital life. allows you to use your upgrade key to activate windows without having forefilled the pre-install requirements.

If the mods have issue with the link then feel free to remove it. It is posted as an option for people with a ligit copy of both w7 and previous, but were unaware of the requirements before install - it is not mentioned at all in the student pack that you must install over an existing copy of windows. The first you know of this is when your activation is rejected!

 

[Begbie]

download a dodgy copy, install that. Then install the OEM over the top. Madness really.

 

[SiriusB]

I used my Retail Pro disc I got from the Purple Shirts when it was half price, and just used the student key on my other PC.

 

[richb93]

I got the same student offer version and had no such problems with the key after a clean reinstall, despite it being an upgrade copy. A friend of mine however had this same problem and it was fixed by changing a registry setting.