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Can I install Windows 7 OS over a "non genuine" and corrupt install? RRS feed

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    I purchased a laptop off of Craigslist less than a month ago.  It's a Dell Latitude E6400.  There is a Windows Vista sticker on it, but it was running Windows 7 (?).  I got several pop up notices about the OS not being genuine Windows 7, and yesterday my computer refused to boot and start up.  The start up repair utility was unable to solve the problem.

     

    I have a feeling the non genuine Windows 7 was a bad install (go figure) and I needed to fix the problem anyway.  My question:  Since I need to install a valid Windows 7 anyway, can I purchase a Windows 7 disk and just pop it in?  I know this is predicated on the failure to start being a result of a corrupt install, but that's the only thing I know it could be (and I don't know much about it).  Will a valid install from a disk overwrite the non genuine install?  Or will I have to format my hard drive?  I don't want to format and go through the driver finding process.

     

    Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

    Thursday, December 2, 2010 7:04 PM

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    You can purchase a full version retail copy of windows (refer to the buying MS products safely online sticky on this forum before buying online) and install it on any computer that supports it. To install an upgrade retail product you would need to restore the original Vista product first.

    You can install Vista by performing a system restore (if the restoration image is still on the drive), order installation media from the computer manufacturer, or install windows using the appropriate vista installation CD, the key on the bottom of your PC and activating by phone. This would allow the use of an upgrade product and save you money.

     

    Thursday, December 2, 2010 9:30 PM