my client had win 7, upgraded to 10, then experienced the dreaded blinking cursor a few days later. even though there is a windows.old directory, it won't allow me to go back to an earlier build. so, i figured i could get the serial off the machine and just reinstall win 7, but when i went to microsoft for verification, it did not take the serial, referring to it as an upgraded install serial.
?!?
did upgrading change his initial product key? does that mean i have to find a OEM windows 10 disc and retry install? is his chance to go back to win 7 gone forever? can i re-layer another 10 install over things to get the machine to boot again?
thanks for this help!
berbes
You may have to Call MS, it is an easy automated process, takes about 5 minutes. Or you may have to use an OEM Disk.
whew. thanks gary. now, calling a giant like MS is a bit overwhelming. here?
thanks!!
That didn't have anything to do with the upgrade to Windows 10. Remember these days from Windows 7?:referring to it as an upgraded install serial.
Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version - Windows 7 Help blog
I am not sure that will work with an OEM DVD. I have done it with Retail, many times.That didn't have anything to do with the upgrade to Windows 10. Remember these days from Windows 7?:
Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version - Windows 7 Help blog
Oh and about calling MS when I did it, on the error pop up it gave the phone number.
If he had Win 7 there should be a COA sticker on the case. Is that the key being used?
Open a Command Prompt, run "SLUI 4.EXE"and follow the wizard to activate Windows 7 by phone.
Note the space between SLUI and 4.EXE.
This will provide you with phone numbers you can call to help with activation problems.
If you haven't done anything yet, Showkey should show you your current key and the original Windows 7 key. Keep in mind that if this was a factory OEM-SLP install, the Windows 7 key you find will not work with regular install media. It will let you install but will not activate. OEM-SLP keys are blocked from online activation. OEM-SLP installs activate against the SLIC table in the BIOS. To reinstall with regular Windows 7 install media you need the code on the COA sticker. If you can't see it, remove the battery and look there. If you have done the free upgrade and activated, you can now clean install That same version of Windows 10. Just click skip when asked for a product code. That PC will have a digital entitlement on record on the activation server and should activate with no issues. You can get install media here,
