Dell Vostro 220

Here is the issue: Client's PC had Win XP Pro on it when Hard drive went bad. Bought new drive for replacement and noticed the sticker (COA) said Windows 7 Pro OA. So I said to myself, self, let's just install Windows 7 Pro 64 Bit since I had a cd of it. :) Installed fine and went to activate it and comes up key is not valid???:confused: What the heck. Doubled check to make sure all was correct and was. According to everything I have read, you should be able to use a different cd, but, of the sameOS type. Am I missing something here. The clients don't have any CD's for the OS.

Read through this page and it should give you the information you require to sort it out
http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/h...0-fba6ee6cd2cc

If i read it right you might only be able to install 32 bit although I assumed that 32/64 bit uses the same key

One also supposes that the morally and legally challenged might purchase an OEM version of Windows and install it, even though this is software piracy and a violation of the law. I mention this because there is a lot of confusion about Microsoft Windows licensing, and Win7 is one of the more confusing examples. So, I hope that no one reading this thread would consider this sort of action. After all, like Ferrit says, all you need is a disk that matches your version of Windows and it will install just fine. Also, just an FYI, the Windows 7 license prohibits copying of the distribution DVD. So don't do that either.

There is nothing wrong and it shoudn't be hard to find someone with a Dell Win 7 Dvd that you can borrow. Local flea market sells em for $25.00.

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Originally Posted by slgrieb

One also supposes that the morally and legally challenged might purchase an OEM version of Windows and install it, even though this is software piracy and a violation of the law. I mention this because there is a lot of confusion about Microsoft Windows licensing, and Win7 is one of the more confusing examples. So, I hope that no one reading this thread would consider this sort of action. After all, like Ferrit says, all you need is a disk that matches your version of Windows and it will install just fine. Also, just an FYI, the Windows 7 license prohibits copying of the distribution DVD. So don't do that either.

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Actually,this sytem was bought my client om my recomendation several years ago. It came with the free upgrade when it was purchased from dell directly. Hence it either did not come with a disk or they lost, misplaced it over the years. As I stated in my original post, it has the win 7 COA on the PC but did not state which version 32/64 bit. I DO NOT ADVOCATE ILLEGAL INSTALLATIONS AND HAVE NOT DONE SO. To me this is an insult as a professional and my question was an honest one.

Thanks for the link and answer Ferrit. It does seem Dell has some kind of bios key imbedded in the system and if it is not a Dell cd will not work. I had my clients purchase a Win 7 Home Edition 32/64 bit software and all is good. It did come with 2 cd's which does use the same license number so your assumpton is correct.

Glad it worked out for you Zonie

Sorry, Zonie, no insult intended. I think it's always worth bearing in mind that you never know who might be read this thread, and sometimes I think it's worth stating what you and I might consider to be obvious, but others might not know. And in particular, Windows licensing certainly is confusing. I can point you to any number of places where folks who should know better have stated that it's legal to use an OEM version of Windows 7 on a computer that the builder is going to use, rather than resell. In fact, Win7 OEM licensing specifically prohibits this, and explicitly states that the builder in this case must purchase a retail copy of Windows.