Windows 7 Trouble with clean install 7 pro on Dell

[John Jensen]

I bought an educational version of Windows 7 Pro 64 bit to install on my Dell desktop. The hard drive had died so I put in a new hard drive and tried to install the OS with good results up until the point of putting in the product key. More than double checked accuracy, but still didn't get the key recognized. I went ahead and installed Linux just to see what would happen and it installed with no trouble. But I still need to get Windows on there. Any suggestions? I lost all my discs from the OS that came with the computer a few years ago.

 

[Saltgrass]

Could you give a little more information about your system? Did it originally come with Windows 7?

 

[John Jensen]

It originally came with Vista home premium 64bit. I upgraded to Windows 7 home premium.

 

[Joe S]

Was this a full version or an upgrade version? If it is an upgrade version that might be part of the problem.
Joe

 

[John Jensen]

Yes that was a full version of Windows 7 pro.

 

[John Jensen]

I may be wrong I guess. I'll double check that today. Assumptions being what they are. Thanks.

 

[John Jensen]

Joe;
You nailed it. I bought this disc a couple of years ago. Never used it. Anyway. Thanks for helping me pierce the veil of my false assumptions. Do you know a good source for affordable Windows 7 full version?
Again....thanks!