Vista Business upgrade 0xC004F061 error

[ScottD_1]

My motherboard died so I was forced to upgrade my system. This included the addition of a solid state C drive. Unfortunately, when I p;lug in my Vista Business *UPGRADE* product key, I receive the infamous 0xC004F061 error (Software Licensing Service determined that this key can only be used for upgrading, not a clean install.

What can I do, as my 30-day trial is drawing to a close and I have 40GB of applications installed?

 

[ScottD_1]

I neglected to mention that this fresh install was Vista x64 Business, and that my previous installation had been 32-bit. I also understand that the product key is the same between bother versions.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Backup and reinstall

http://www.winsupersite.com/article/windows-vista2/how-to-clean-install-windows-vista-with-upgrade-media-128230

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Use double install method.

 

[ScottD_1]

Whereas the winsupersite.com link presumably illustrates a valid method of upgrading a fresh install from a fresh install, it does not address the possibility of having installed updates. When the existing installation is perceived as "newer" than the upgrade disc, there appears to be no way out ... other than buying a fresh Vista license, buying a Windows 7 or 8 license, or blowing everything away and doing the "double install" (thereby losing all other installed applications and configurations.

Any other ideas? Or is my assessment correct?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

You are correct!

 

[ScottD_1]

Best answer selected by ScottD_1.

 

[ScottD_1]

You are correct!

As a senior on "Socialist Insecurity", I cannot afford a new OS any more than I could afford the forced "upgrade when my motherboard soiled the sheets.

Thankfully, I added an SSD to keep disk performance on par with the 6-core CPU (AMD FX-6100 in an ASUS M5A97 mobo). I was amazed at how fast everything installed the first time, so the second time shouldn't take more than a couple short days to install and re-tweak.

Thanks.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Your Welcome!