Maximum PC

I just built my new computer and installed win. XP Pro with service pack3, only to find out when i went to activate my os that i didn't have anymore activation's left on this install. I tried using Microsofts product key code replacement. Only to find out that i don't have access to system restore to be able to create a restore point, that is necessary to be able to get a new key code from Microsoft. I would really appreciate any and all ideas to be able activate my OS, since this would be the first step on an upgrade to Win.7. Thanks Shawn

Phone activation. When you entered the product key and tried to activate it, one of the subsequent options should have been to pursue a phone activation. The whole thing is automated, and altogether should only take about 5 minutes.

..sounds more like a time to get legit.

but why you're installing windows xp if you want to get to windows 7 is beyond me.

That's true too. A clean Win7 install would be preferable to an upgrade.

get win 7... leave xp behind.

Yes, purchase an upgrade version of either Windows 7 Professional or Windows 7 Ultimate (whichever you prefer) and perform the upgrade by choosing "Custom" install the first time you run the DVD and (when prompted) leave the product key blank. Run the DVD a second time and then choose "Upgrade" when asked which type of installation you will be performing (the software will see the existing Windows 7 Custom installation and will upgrade it when you enter the product key for the software during the second installation).

You never want to upgrade to Windows 7 from an existing installaton of Windows XP. When Windows Vista (and subsequently Windows 7) was being written by Microsoft, they rewrote the entire OS from the ground up and separated many of the core components of the OS as much as they could from one another. Upgrading from an existing installation of Windows XP to Windows 7 will only cause problems due to the vast differences in the way the code was written for each of the OSes. Just FYI.

If you can't afford the upgrade to win 7, then either go the phone route to activate the key you own or buy a Enterprise version of XP Pro for 40 bucks, that is what I pay for it. Personally I would spend the hundred bucks for win7 if you can do that.

To install the upgrade version which costs a hundred bucks, format the drive because Microsoft says you can't upgrade winXP. Install it once like the above poster says without typing in the key, then just install over it adding the key this time. It is simple, I have done this in the past.

If you can't go for the above suggestions because of money constraints, download and use Win8 Developers edition until they shut it down. They give plenty of warning before they do, so don't worry about loosing data...plenty of time to back it up.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/br229516

If this is an old system use the 32 bit version, if this is a newer system, two years old or less, use the 64 bit version. I say this because I tried the 64 bit on an old system and couldn't get drivers to run some of the hardware, where by installing the 32 bit version it had all the drivers I needed and is running fine...never ran this fast with XP. The only problem I ran into is I have to run the network diagnostic to connect to the internet when I turn it on in the morning....small price to pay for a free operating system I say. If you decide to go this route for now, you will want to get rid of the Metro GUI and go back to the Win7 style GUI, go here to learn how to change it:

http://techblog.ginktage.com/2011/09/ho ... windows-8/

Nasty

Thanks for all the great advice. I thought that you had to have win Xp already installed to be able to up grade to win7, it even says that on all the win7 boxes that the os comes in. I will buy an up grade version of win7 and try that very soon. I was also told by microsoft on their website that if you don't have either xp or vista, you have to use a full version of win7. Shawn

Follow pcstudent's advice, its really simple and a good work around in using the upgrade to do a full clean install and saving a few bucks on the side.

Yes i agree that's PC Student's advice is the way to go and save some cash in the process. So thanks JBAZZ 2000 for your advice and help. Shawn

Where does it say that you actually have to have the product installed, let alone activated?

Try not to jump to too many conclusions

The only requirement is you have a license to cede as part of the upgrade. Seemingly you've jacked yours, so this shouldn't be a big deal.

Ya don't even need a license for XP to install the upgrade version of win7....it never asks for it and the Microsoft site says you can't run the upgrade with XP still on the disk, you must format it first. Come on guys, it is so simple to do this.

Nasty

I know... and the funny thing about it was the fact that the workaround was found way before the actual retail version of the upgrade discs were released. lol

Not to install But you do need it to be in compliance with the EULA. Sort of odd that you have WPA, but yet go on the honor system here regarding your qualified license.



This is more apparent when going from 32 bit (XP) to 64 bit. There are migration concerns that does seemingly work to a point, so while you do a clean install, you can conceivably still save your data.

Nope, ya gotta format the drive in any case before installing win7 upgrade.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/172596/h ... ows_7.html

Nasty

Ok i agree that you have to reformat the drive before installing win7 upgrade. Can i reformat my drive with the win 7 upgrade disc, or do i use the win xp pro disc to reformat the drive?. I am only asking because i have built a few computers in the past using only win xp pro. shawn harris

You can use the win 7 disk, just choose custom install. Delete the partition, make a new one and format ntfs, then install windows... twice, the first time do not put the windows key in, the second time you install put the key in...that simple.

Nasty