Clean install after upgrade Windows NOT activating

reddwarf4ever said:

The error was with a DVD, trying USB pen now, seems to be working....

I had a feeling it was DVD. I use thumb drives myself, the installs go a lot faster.

Yes but why so much trouble with the DVD ? why was I getting that error, didn't get it when installing 10-N from a DVD curiously enough
A pen is better though, as you say faster and can hold 32 &. 64 bit versions...using an 8gb pen so should be ok.....

Have been told that using the 'N' version is better for older computers.....don't know f that's true or not...
but can never use a 'N' version unless have a 7 or 8 'N' version which is unlikely.....

reddwarf4ever said:

Yes but why so much trouble with the DVD ? why was I getting that error, didn't get it when installing 10-N from a DVD curiously enough
A pen is better though, as you say faster and can hold 32 &. 64 bit versions...using an 8gb pen so should be ok.....

Have been told that using the 'N' version is better for older computers.....don't know f that's true or not...
but can never use a 'N' version unless have a 7 or 8 'N' version which is unlikely.....

I don't know why you get that error using a DVD, only that its a common error when you do install from a DVD? I would think the driver you need is the SATA driver, unless your DVD is on IDE?

I don't think it matters, N or normal, on old hardware. N is just missing some stuff. You can't upgrade to 10 N if the qualifying OS isn't the N version. There is nothing stopping you from buying the N version stand alone though. Not as far as I know anyway.

thanks

So the 'N' version was the issue, installed normal Windows 10 pro and activated immediately..installed using USB boot....also clean installed Windows 10 home on my Wifes PC ( finally convinced her to move up from Vista.....) but used the DVD for that install without issues....so all swell that ends well and something else learnt...
thanks everyone

CTPhil said:

My experience has been (N or non N notwithstanding) that you won't be able to activate 10 with a 7 key unless 7 has been previously installed.

You can do a clean install on ANY system, whatever the OS, so long as you have a valid Windows 7,8 or 8.1 product key, that has not previously been used for a Windows 10 upgrade.....didn't used to be this way, but MS changed the rules, for the better, unbelievably.....just did clean install on a PC with Vista with a Windows 7 product key...although it can be added later with a CMD line...

As long as it's not a Windows 7 OEM-SLP key, it should be doable. Some people have used a key finder on the an installed Windows 7 OS and got that key. Those keys are refused if entered manually on a clean install. You can upgrade from an OS using them, but not clean install with them. To clean install 10 with a Windows 7 key it needs to be Retail or OEM-COA (from the COA sticker on an OEM PC).