[underscore]

Originally Posted by Honyoung

its not accepting my cd key do you think its becuase im using someone elses cd? the reason why im using their cd is becuase its a brand new computer so i dont have a current os on it. will i have to use the link they gave me and dl my own cd?

Originally Posted by underscore

I tried it a bunch of times a bunch of different ways but it would never accept my serial either in the installer or in Windows. I found a way to workaround it that's super simple, it was posted up that it worked for Vista and people were wondering if it worked for 7 as well. It did for me, so here it is:

1) Download the upgrade ISO from Microsoft when you pay and get the serial key (or just use a plain Win7 ISO) and burn it.
2) Boot from disc and follow the install, when it gets to the serial number and activation, don't enter one and uncheck automatic activation when online (not sure if that was important or not but uncheck it anyways)
3) Finish up the install so you're running the 30 day trial of Win7 Ultimate
4) Take out the install DVD, restart
5) Put the disc back in, and boot up the upgrade installer from inside Windows
6) Go through the whole thing again, this time entering your upgrade serial key and leaving the auto activation checked off
7) Finish the install, and enjoy your shiny new copy of Windows 7

Super easy since all you do is install it twice, I guess all the upgrade thing checks for is if you`re running 32 or 64 bit, and if your current install is horribly illegitimate.

you can use any CD, and the method I've posted several times and it will work.