Don't tell me I have to re-install Vista

[boomhower]

I boought W7 when the had the half price pre-order. Got and did a clean install via read from disc, not from Vista reformat included. I have sense brokee my hard drive(yes I broke it, it didn't die). I then proceeded to go to BB and buy another since I was in a pinch. Installed it and re-installed W7. Now I can't activate saying it is not meant for fresh installations. I can't get through to MS's activation for anything. Do I have any options other the reinstalling Vista and then reinstalling W7?

 

[lxskllr]

Try installing Win7, but don't activate it, then "upgrade" by installing it again. That used to work for Vista, but I'm not sure about 7. The almighty Google should tell you though.

 

[dguy6789]

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/clean_install_upgrade_media.asp

Hope this is what you're looking for.

 

[SimMike2]

This time make an image file of your Windows 7 install. I use Acronis to make an image of my main boot partition once per week.

Besides that, the double install trick should work.

 

[Zargon]

x2

acronis is great

if you happen to be using a seagate drive, you can get seagate disc wizard which is a cut down version of acronis that will work for that

 

[azzav17]

Try the Paul Thurrot thing. I used it when I upgraded my laptop. I used my retail Home Premium Full Install disc, the same install on my dekstop, then I purchased an upgrade key with the 30 smackers student offer (love being 18 ) and used regedit to say it was an upgrade install. Et voila

 

[boomhower]

Try the Paul Thurrot thing. I used it when I upgraded my laptop. I used my retail Home Premium Full Install disc, the same install on my dekstop, then I purchased an upgrade key with the 30 smackers student offer (love being 18 ) and used regedit to say it was an upgrade install. Et voila

I think that is what I am going to try. I am working the next couple days and I'll give it a shot over the weekend.