Installing windows

I came across a dual core laptop with 4 gig of memory that booted up fine but the windows 7 was corrupt and it was missing a few keys (needs a keyboard). I thought I could reload windows off the partition on the hard drive but no dice, it wasn't there. Now I had a problem. Nice working laptop that needs windows but I don't have a copy of windows.

I thought it might be worth calling Microsoft to see if I could get a disk to re-install windows. It did have the sticker on the bottom. What I found talking to tech support really surprised me.

I didn't need the disk. I can legally download and ISO of windows 7 which would work for 30 days and just use the key on the bottom to activate the copy. The tech also said legal ISOs of XP and Vista were also available. This seems to be a great LEGAL way to re-install and OS on a computer that was wiped.



New info to me so I thought I would pass it along............

Did the tech tell you where to download these?

Thanks.

I must have had worse luck because I was looking for xp pro 64bit. Found one on some google drive, but was wondering if there was a legitimate download source.

When you download these ISO files you have to have a program that can burn them to CD. Not every program can burn an ISO image to cd. On top of that you need to make sure the image is bootable. Try Img-burn, it can do both.

I do want to point out that this stuff is not as easy as it sounds for beginners, so make sure you do lots of reading.

nero burns an ISO almost automatic, and asks if you want it to be bootable

Originally Posted by sledge42

Well first ya need to measure your rough opening.. then you can frame to that width.... Oh wait.. Wrong Windows!

FUNNY
That is EXACTLY what I was thinking when I opened the thread

It actually is not that hard. Plenty of places to find a copy on the web...just make sure you download the EXACT version your key is for. If you know a bit about computers you can just put windows on a usb stick...much easier and quicker and then boot from there.

Last option for the less technically inclined is to get someone you know or a computer company to do the cd burning for you. Just download the iso to a thumb drive and see what they will charge...just explain what you are doing.

Originally Posted by webuyselltradestuff

It actually is not that hard. Plenty of places to find a copy on the web...

I wouldn't recommend just dl'ing that from anywhere ; )

I use Ultimate ISO Burner - Free download and software reviews - CNET Download.com

Small, simple to use, no bloatware.

You also need to keep in mind that there's a million different versions of the same OS. Ok, a million is an exaggeration but... Say you have Windows 7 pro license key on the bottom of your laptop. This is an OEM key that will only work with OEM copies of the manufacturers disk. So, from my experience, a Windows 7 pro license key from say an HP laptop will not work with a Windows 7 pro oem disk from Dell, nor will it work with a Windows 7 pro retail copy, volume license copy etc. You would need an HP OEM copy of Windows 7 pro for a Windows 7 pro license key on the bottom of an HP laptop for the key to work properly.

That make sense?

I haven't run into a problem using retail versions with different manufacturer's OEM keys.

It may simply be the different company OEM disks won't work (though I could be wrong about that also). I know for sure volume license versions won't work with the oem keys. Retail, I'm surprised it works with OEM keys but it's something I'm a little less familiar with.

Originally Posted by JustInTime

You also need to keep in mind that there's a million different versions of the same OS. Ok, a million is an exaggeration but... Say you have Windows 7 pro license key on the bottom of your laptop. This is an OEM key that will only work with OEM copies of the manufacturers disk. So, from my experience, a Windows 7 pro license key from say an HP laptop will not work with a Windows 7 pro oem disk from Dell, nor will it work with a Windows 7 pro retail copy, volume license copy etc. You would need an HP OEM copy of Windows 7 pro for a Windows 7 pro license key on the bottom of an HP laptop for the key to work properly.

That make sense?

I think he's not speaking of a brand name license, but authentic M$ Windows recovery disks, directly from M$, only for computers with M$ Windows license keys ; )
If your Windows sticker has OEM on it, then you'll need the manufacturers version

Pretty much any manufacturer's OEM disc will work in any machine, for example a dell disc in an hp machine. I have tested this many times and it will work. The problem you run into is that you would have an hp machine with dell logos all over the place.

There is a way to copy branded disc, remove the OEM branding and burn a generic copy of the disc. This is probably not legal but there is zero chance anyone would ever know. This also allows you to install any version of the OS, as with vista and windows 7, they are all on the same discs. The key you use tells the machine which version to install.