QUESTION:
My alternate option is to not upgrade it to Win7 Pro, and use a clean Win7 Home Edition (btw, the win7 pro disk is cracked/activated, but I uninstall the key and use a legit key i bought to activate it correctly <- and this is probably why the disk won't boot). But I do not possess a clean installation disk of Win7 Home Edition. If anything, I can an ISO of one and burn it into a CD, but I am not sure if I should waste a disk doing so. Please help
SOLUTION:
So many things wrong here. This is not Sony's fault.
Assuming you have a valid, legal, legitimate license for Windows, you can download the official install ISO here
https://www.w7forums.com/threads/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-image-downloads.12325/
Download
Burn to DVD
Install using that.
Activate with your key.
Whatever disk(s) you have, put it through the shredder
http://sonylaptopservice.com/