Lee -

If you have the time, or even care, I would go ahead and get Windows 7 working well. Then take a disk image of you c: drive, so you can always get back to it. Then you should be able to upgrade to Windows 10. Make sure, if you do, that you do the in place upgrade (for the first time). That's what authorizes the free upgrade to Windows 10. Then, after you have upgraded and registered with Microsoft, you can then do a clean install, if you wish. When you register Windows 10 with Microsoft, it will send Microsoft a unique signature for your computer, so as long as you are doing the clean install on that same computer, you shouldn't have any problems re-authorizing it.

But, do what you feel comfortable with.

And good luck! I know it's been frustrating.

John

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