Supposed to have two product keys?

Hi all,

I've been happily using my copy of Windows 7 (boxed retail) for a while now.
I decided to reinstall I thought I'd make the jump to 64bit using the copy
that came in the box. However, when it came to typing in the product key, it
said that the key was invalid! I tripple checked it but to no avail. I ended
up installing the 32bit again.

My question is, should the same product key work with both DVDs? Or should I
have a 2nd license key which I never got?

Many Thanks,

Dave

Thanks for the quick reply. My understanding is that at retail you simply
buy "Windows 7 Home Premium" and it comes with the two DVDs, one for 64 bit
and one for 32 bit. I might understand that once you have made your choice
you're stuck, but where you have entered a product key you have not yet even
established internet connectivity.

I believe what you are saying is that I should have two product keys. I've
fired off an email to Microsoft and will hopefully get this resolved.

"Drew" <> wrote in message
news:i0nfm7$4rf$...
> Unless you purchased 2 licenses specifically then you would have only one.
> 1 license for the 32bit or 1 license for the 64bit. You cannot install
> both with the same license. Now if I misunderstood and you are simply
> getting a error than a quick call to Microsoft will clear up and activate
> your copy.
>
> "David Sharp" <> wrote in message
> news:4F7BDC1F-C4AD-435A-B20F-...
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I've been happily using my copy of Windows 7 (boxed retail) for a while
>> now. I decided to reinstall I thought I'd make the jump to 64bit using
>> the copy that came in the box. However, when it came to typing in the
>> product key, it said that the key was invalid! I tripple checked it but
>> to no avail. I ended up installing the 32bit again.
>>
>> My question is, should the same product key work with both DVDs? Or
>> should I have a 2nd license key which I never got?
>>
>> Many Thanks,
>>
>> Dave
>

Unless you purchased 2 licenses specifically then you would have only one. 1
license for the 32bit or 1 license for the 64bit. You cannot install both
with the same license. Now if I misunderstood and you are simply getting a
error than a quick call to Microsoft will clear up and activate your copy.

"David Sharp" <> wrote in message
news:4F7BDC1F-C4AD-435A-B20F-...
> Hi all,
>
> I've been happily using my copy of Windows 7 (boxed retail) for a while
> now. I decided to reinstall I thought I'd make the jump to 64bit using the
> copy that came in the box. However, when it came to typing in the product
> key, it said that the key was invalid! I tripple checked it but to no
> avail. I ended up installing the 32bit again.
>
> My question is, should the same product key work with both DVDs? Or should
> I have a 2nd license key which I never got?
>
> Many Thanks,
>
> Dave

I have the same copy (boxed retail) and it is one key in the box, and it
works with both 32- and 64-bit. But only one at a time.

--

XP x64 SP2 - Vista x64 SP2 - Windows 7 Ultimate x64 in tripleboot


"David Sharp" wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> I've been happily using my copy of Windows 7 (boxed retail) for a while now.
> I decided to reinstall I thought I'd make the jump to 64bit using the copy
> that came in the box. However, when it came to typing in the product key, it
> said that the key was invalid! I tripple checked it but to no avail. I ended
> up installing the 32bit again.
>
> My question is, should the same product key work with both DVDs? Or should I
> have a 2nd license key which I never got?
>
> Many Thanks,
>
> Dave
>

You should have only one product key. You may only have either the 32 or
64-bit installed at any time, but may switch between them as often as
you like.

If the key does not work for the 64-bit DVD, install without entering a
key, which gives you a 30-day trial, and use telephone activation.



On 03/07/2010 14:08, David Sharp wrote:
> Thanks for the quick reply. My understanding is that at retail you
> simply buy "Windows 7 Home Premium" and it comes with the two DVDs, one
> for 64 bit and one for 32 bit. I might understand that once you have
> made your choice you're stuck, but where you have entered a product key
> you have not yet even established internet connectivity.
>
> I believe what you are saying is that I should have two product keys.
> I've fired off an email to Microsoft and will hopefully get this resolved.
>
> "Drew" <> wrote in message
> news:i0nfm7$4rf$...
>> Unless you purchased 2 licenses specifically then you would have only
>> one. 1 license for the 32bit or 1 license for the 64bit. You cannot
>> install both with the same license. Now if I misunderstood and you are
>> simply getting a error than a quick call to Microsoft will clear up
>> and activate your copy.
>>
>> "David Sharp" <> wrote in message
>> news:4F7BDC1F-C4AD-435A-B20F-...
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> I've been happily using my copy of Windows 7 (boxed retail) for a
>>> while now. I decided to reinstall I thought I'd make the jump to
>>> 64bit using the copy that came in the box. However, when it came to
>>> typing in the product key, it said that the key was invalid! I
>>> tripple checked it but to no avail. I ended up installing the 32bit
>>> again.
>>>
>>> My question is, should the same product key work with both DVDs? Or
>>> should I have a 2nd license key which I never got?
>>>
>>> Many Thanks,
>>>
>>> Dave
>>

Hi James,

I was replacing the hard disk in my laptop with a new one so it was a full
install.

Dave

"James" <> wrote in message
news:...
> On Sat, 3 Jul 2010 13:45:22 +0100, "David Sharp"
> <> wrote:
>
>>Hi all,
>>
>>I've been happily using my copy of Windows 7 (boxed retail) for a while
>>now.
>>I decided to reinstall I thought I'd make the jump to 64bit using the copy
>>that came in the box. However, when it came to typing in the product key,
>>it
>>said that the key was invalid! I tripple checked it but to no avail. I
>>ended
>>up installing the 32bit again.
>>
>>My question is, should the same product key work with both DVDs? Or should
>>I
>>have a 2nd license key which I never got?
>>
>>Many Thanks,
>>
>>Dave
>
> Don't know if it makes any difference but was your 64-bit install a
> clean install or did you just install over the original 32 bit files?
> And the same question for the 32-bit to 32-bit.

One key and I used it to install the 32-bit and 64-bit versions in separate
partitions - been that way for months and no problems have popped up.

"David Sharp" <> wrote in message
news:4F7BDC1F-C4AD-435A-B20F-...
> Hi all,
>
> I've been happily using my copy of Windows 7 (boxed retail) for a while
> now. I decided to reinstall I thought I'd make the jump to 64bit using the
> copy that came in the box. However, when it came to typing in the product
> key, it said that the key was invalid! I tripple checked it but to no
> avail. I ended up installing the 32bit again.
>
> My question is, should the same product key work with both DVDs? Or should
> I have a 2nd license key which I never got?
>
> Many Thanks,
>
> Dave

And if you read your End User License Agreement (EULA) is specifically
states there can be one, and only one, installation with a single key.

2. INSTALLATION AND USE RIGHTS.
a. One Copy per Computer. You may install one copy of the
software on one computer. That computer is the “licensed
computer.”
b. Licensed Computer. You may use the software on up to two
processors on the licensed computer at one time. Unless
otherwise provided in these license terms, you may not use the
software on any other computer.
c. Number of Users. Unless otherwise provided in these license
terms, only one user may use the software at a time.
d. Alternative Versions. The software may include more than
one version, such as 32-bit and 64-bit. You may install and use
only one version at one time.


On 2010-07-03 15:35, Jerry wrote:
> One key and I used it to install the 32-bit and 64-bit versions in separate
> partitions - been that way for months and no problems have popped up.
>
> "David Sharp"<> wrote in message
> news:4F7BDC1F-C4AD-435A-B20F-...
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I've been happily using my copy of Windows 7 (boxed retail) for a while
>> now. I decided to reinstall I thought I'd make the jump to 64bit using the
>> copy that came in the box. However, when it came to typing in the product
>> key, it said that the key was invalid! I tripple checked it but to no
>> avail. I ended up installing the 32bit again.
>>
>> My question is, should the same product key work with both DVDs? Or should
>> I have a 2nd license key which I never got?
>>
>> Many Thanks,
>>
>> Dave
>
>

Correct - one copy per computer. I have one computer, one hard drive, two
partitions - therefore I can only use one copy at a time as I can only boot
into one operating system on one computer at a time. That's what the
agreement says - in plain English.

"Bobby Johnson" <> wrote in message
news:%...
> And if you read your End User License Agreement (EULA) is specifically
> states there can be one, and only one, installation with a single key.
>
> 2. INSTALLATION AND USE RIGHTS.
> a. One Copy per Computer. You may install one copy of the
> software on one computer. That computer is the “licensed
> computer.”
> b. Licensed Computer. You may use the software on up to two
> processors on the licensed computer at one time. Unless
> otherwise provided in these license terms, you may not use the
> software on any other computer.
> c. Number of Users. Unless otherwise provided in these license
> terms, only one user may use the software at a time.
> d. Alternative Versions. The software may include more than
> one version, such as 32-bit and 64-bit. You may install and use
> only one version at one time.
>
>
> On 2010-07-03 15:35, Jerry wrote:
>> One key and I used it to install the 32-bit and 64-bit versions in
>> separate
>> partitions - been that way for months and no problems have popped up.
>>
>> "David Sharp"<> wrote in message
>> news:4F7BDC1F-C4AD-435A-B20F-...
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> I've been happily using my copy of Windows 7 (boxed retail) for a while
>>> now. I decided to reinstall I thought I'd make the jump to 64bit using
>>> the
>>> copy that came in the box. However, when it came to typing in the
>>> product
>>> key, it said that the key was invalid! I tripple checked it but to no
>>> avail. I ended up installing the 32bit again.
>>>
>>> My question is, should the same product key work with both DVDs? Or
>>> should
>>> I have a 2nd license key which I never got?
>>>
>>> Many Thanks,
>>>
>>> Dave
>>
>>

It's too bad you don't comprehend the English language better.
(a.) States "...one copy on one computer."

If you have two partitions, one with 32-bit and one with 64-bit, that is
TWO (2)! One plus One equals Two

A direct violation of the EULA.

(d.) States "you may install and use only one version at one time."

If you install 32-bit and 64-bit that is TWO (2) installs!

A direct violation of the EULA

Nowhere does it mention "...boot into one operating system on one
computer at a time."

Most courts don't accept ignorance as a plea of innocence. Especially
since you must agree to acceptance of the EULA at some point to complete
the installation.



On 2010-07-04 15:50, Jerry wrote:
> Correct - one copy per computer. I have one computer, one hard drive, two
> partitions - therefore I can only use one copy at a time as I can only boot
> into one operating system on one computer at a time. That's what the
> agreement says - in plain English.
>
> "Bobby Johnson"<> wrote in message
> news:%...
>> And if you read your End User License Agreement (EULA) is specifically
>> states there can be one, and only one, installation with a single key.
>>
>> 2. INSTALLATION AND USE RIGHTS.
>> a. One Copy per Computer. You may install one copy of the
>> software on one computer. That computer is the “licensed
>> computer.”
>> b. Licensed Computer. You may use the software on up to two
>> processors on the licensed computer at one time. Unless
>> otherwise provided in these license terms, you may not use the
>> software on any other computer.
>> c. Number of Users. Unless otherwise provided in these license
>> terms, only one user may use the software at a time.
>> d. Alternative Versions. The software may include more than
>> one version, such as 32-bit and 64-bit. You may install and use
>> only one version at one time.
>>
>>
>> On 2010-07-03 15:35, Jerry wrote:
>>> One key and I used it to install the 32-bit and 64-bit versions in
>>> separate
>>> partitions - been that way for months and no problems have popped up.
>>>
>>> "David Sharp"<> wrote in message
>>> news:4F7BDC1F-C4AD-435A-B20F-...
>>>> Hi all,
>>>>
>>>> I've been happily using my copy of Windows 7 (boxed retail) for a while
>>>> now. I decided to reinstall I thought I'd make the jump to 64bit using
>>>> the
>>>> copy that came in the box. However, when it came to typing in the
>>>> product
>>>> key, it said that the key was invalid! I tripple checked it but to no
>>>> avail. I ended up installing the 32bit again.
>>>>
>>>> My question is, should the same product key work with both DVDs? Or
>>>> should
>>>> I have a 2nd license key which I never got?
>>>>
>>>> Many Thanks,
>>>>
>>>> Dave
>>>
>>>
>
>