Reinstalling Win7 on new HDD

[prism]

I bought Win7 through theultimatesteal.com (Win7 at a student discount) and just purchased a new HDD. I'm trying to install Win7 on it, but when I try to put in my CD key I keep getting an error saying it's an invalid key. I've re-checked and re-typed it 10 times to no avail. Is there something that would be keeping me from installing the OS on a new HDD? Do I need to transfer all my old files to the new HDD, or "unactivate" Win7 somehow before it will let me reinstall it?

 

[jamesmcuk]

is the copy of windows 7 an upgrade - if so you will need to install the old OS first

 

[Anteaus]

Are you using a disc burnt from the download files or are you using a disc you borrowed? You have to match the key with the proper media

 

[prism]

It is the disc burnt from the downloaded file. While it's technically called an Upgrade, I was able to install it on a freshly formatted HDD the first time. Speaking of which, do I need to format a brand new HDD before installing an OS? Didn't give me the option when I started installing Win7 on this new drive...

 

[Anteaus]

It is the disc burnt from the downloaded file. While it's technically called an Upgrade, I was able to install it on a freshly formatted HDD the first time. Speaking of which, do I need to format a brand new HDD before installing an OS? Didn't give me the option when I started installing Win7 on this new drive...

If it's an upgrade version, it will do a check for OS from the start. If you get to the point where you choose where to install you are fine at that point. You then can adjust your partitions, format, etc within the installer. It will automatically format new partitions you create and tell it to install to.

 

[cheez]

I would always install OS on a clean drive, meaning "format". And stay away from the upgrade.. they are notorious for problems and will also run into performance issues. Get a full copy.

 

[SimMike2]

The upgrade edition will work fine with clean install if you do the double install method. First install it without entering the CD key. When it is all installed and updated, reinstall it again from within Windows, this time entering your CD key when it asks. This will do the "upgrade" of your just installed OS.

 

[prism]

The upgrade edition will work fine with clean install if you do the double install method. First install it without entering the CD key. When it is all installed and updated, reinstall it again from within Windows, this time entering your CD key when it asks. This will do the "upgrade" of your just installed OS.

How do I do this? Do I restart the computer, boot from the CD and install it the same way I did the clean install? Or do I run the install right from the disc while Windows is up and running?

Plus, when you say "updated," do you mean I need to go through all (or at least the critical) Windows Updates?

Sorry, I'm just very new to this kinda stuff 😀

 

[Anteaus]

The upgrade edition will work fine with clean install if you do the double install method. First install it without entering the CD key. When it is all installed and updated, reinstall it again from within Windows, this time entering your CD key when it asks. This will do the "upgrade" of your just installed OS.

I thought they fixed that loophole. My installer won't move forward without a activated OS on the drive somewhere. I keep an image of my old XP install for this reason.