Need to do clean install of windows...no windows discs or recovery, but COA+Key

[Ns1]

So I bought a laptop used. It came with a clean install of win7 prem but no discs. The key + COA are affixed to the laptop.

What are my options for doing a clean install of win7 w/o spending a fortune on new win7 discs? I see on eBay there's discs/usb drives with all the recovery stuff on them, ie;

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=windows+7+restore&LH_PrefLoc=1

is that my best bet? Basically, I have a legit key and I want to use it but I don't have the discs. Help me ATOS, you're my only hope.

 

[KeithP]

What is the brand of the computer? Have looked to see if replacement discs are available through them?

-KeithP

 

[LtMikePowelll]

Go to Google and search for Windows 7 (insert edition here) iso, download that file, it's should be around 3 - 3.5GB, then use a program called ImgBurn to burn to anyblank dvd and you should be able to use the key that come with the laptop and re-install window
Hope that helped your problem.

Edit: here the link for the iso: http://social.technet.microsoft.com...-1e127a14612a/windows-7-home-premium-download

ImgBurn: http://www.imgburn.com/

 

[Bubbaleone]

So I bought a laptop used. It came with a clean install of win7 prem but no discs. The key + COA are affixed to the laptop.

What are my options for doing a clean install of win7 w/o spending a fortune on new win7 discs? I see on eBay there's discs/usb drives with all the recovery stuff on them, ie;

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=windows+7+restore&LH_PrefLoc=1

is that my best bet? Basically, I have a legit key and I want to use it but I don't have the discs. Help me ATOS, you're my only hope.

These are the legal Digital River ISO download links for all versions of Windows 7: http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=32979735&postcount=3

Paste your product key into this PIDchecker and it'll show you exactly which version that key is valid for.

.

 

[Ns1]

These are the legal Digital River ISO download links for all versions of Windows 7: http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=32979735&postcount=3

Paste your product key into this PIDchecker and it'll show you exactly which version that key is valid for.

.

Nice. Will check it out tmr. Thx

 

[Mushkins]

Be warned, if its a valid key it *will* install with that downloaded media, but the activation might not take. Unfortunately it *looks* like it took a lot of the time unless you actually go into the windows activation checker to see otherwise, or let the 30 days run out.

If it doesn't activate, you've gotta click through the little menu that will give you the microsoft automated activation phone number to call. You call it, tap in your key, and it spits out a new code you put into the activation prompt. Then you're good to go.

 

[Elixer]

Paste your product key into this PIDchecker and it'll show you exactly which version that key is valid for.
.

You know, what makes you think that site don't store the keys, and then sell it to someone else ?

 

[Ns1]

Be warned, if its a valid key it *will* install with that downloaded media, but the activation might not take. Unfortunately it *looks* like it took a lot of the time unless you actually go into the windows activation checker to see otherwise, or let the 30 days run out.

If it doesn't activate, you've gotta click through the little menu that will give you the microsoft automated activation phone number to call. You call it, tap in your key, and it spits out a new code you put into the activation prompt. Then you're good to go.

thanks!

I <3 AT

 

[hennessy1]

The best luck I have had with scenarios like this is if you have an image of win7 ultimate use a tool called efi remover. This will allow you to install any version of windows that your key dictates you have a license for. It also will not install the retail registry key and you can usually activate no problem this way. I say usually because I have had a 98% success rate with this method.

 

[ViRGE]

You know, what makes you think that site don't store the keys, and then sell it to someone else ?

It's a good question. The short answer is that the site has been up for years and this has never been a problem; the operator is one of the bigwigs over at MDL. There's also a downloadable version of the PID checker, the website is just more convenient.