Cannot get Windows 7 activated after a crash/reinstall

Question

During a recent Windows 7 update, our computer (Dell Inspiron M5030) crashed. We tried all the usual avenues to get it back, but Windows would not load. We then re-installed Windows 7 using a friend's windows 7 disk, after trying all the other options .

I have entered the product key from our computer, but it says my key doesnt work with the version of Windows 7 installed on this computer. We do not have a disk. Windows 7 came installed on our computer when we bought it at Microcenter.

It turns out that the version we tried to reinstall was Windows 7 Ultimate. The version that came installed on our computer was Windows 7 Home Premium, which explains why it didn't work.

Our computer is a couple of years old. Is it possible, to get the Windows 7 Home Premium reinstalled again? I spoke with a Microsoft rep yesterday who told me they could help me, for a fee. They suggested I contact the Original Equipment Manufacturer (Dell) if I need further assistance.

Please advise me on what my next step should be. Thank you!

Philip_Yip · Answer

The Microsoft tool will also allow you burn a DVD.

ieee488 · Answer

To me, for a laptop with a DVD drive, instead of going through the additional step of creating the bootable USB, I prefer to download the ISO file, and use Roxio or Cyberlink to burn the ISO image file to a DVD, and boot from the DVD to install Windows.