>Hi All,
>
>I just had a very frustrating experience with Windows 7 that I thought I would share. Some time ago I added a new HD to my computer and installed Win 7 upgrade that I had purchased. I did this because I have never liked upgrading an existing install. All went well and I can even remember activating windows. I installed most of my programs I use and had it just about ready to use. Then I got busy taking care of a customer and stayed with XP for over a month. Yesterday, I started finishing my new install and all I got was a black screen that said I did not have a valid copy of windows. I tried to activate again but I received an error that my copy of windows had to be used for an upgrade not a clean install. I called MS and they said that I had to install XP first and then install Win 7. I explained to them that the drive that had XP on it was visible to Win 7 but they said that would not work. So a day and a half of work done the tube. GRRRRR.
>
>Not sure if anyone has any ideas but maybe someone my see this before they make the same mistake.

I find this rather confusing.
First you've said you bought an upgrade and you did this because you've never liked upgrades.
How can you install most of your programs if you never got the OS upgrade finished?
Lastly - if you buy an upgrade version of windows you can't do a clean install.