Question Can you make a recovery disc on an old computer or computer that may have malware?

[Jaywood79]

Desktop computer over 9 years of use
Running windows 7
HP computer

no recovery disc
no windows 7 disc

I looked at the computer and in windows see the HP recovery media creation tool where you can make a recovery disc on an DVD or USB

My worry is this computer is really old, being over 9 years old, lots of software installed and uninstalled, some junkware, errors and registory problems and temp files and may have some malware. And also some malware in the past

I wondery if the advise to make a recovery disk now? Or just install Linux mint or get windows 10?As all what is going on here? Do you trust the the recovery portion of this computer?

 

[SkyNetRising]

If you suspect malware infection, then clean it first.Use MBAM.
https://www.malwarebytes.com/

Recovery disk? What do you think it's going to give you?
Just use windows installation media instead. If you don't have it, then download iso file and make the media.

 

[Jack Skell]

With HP, their disk software will burn discs that include the version of windows that came with it, and the HP software that came with it. I would burn it as soon as possible. It will not save any updates or other programs. It will be a clean install as it came from the factory

Make sure you have enough discs before you start.

When you booted off of the CD ROM, be sure to completely reformat the hard drive. It will give you that option.

Some HP computers only allow one set of disks To be made. If you call HP support they can sell you the disks that came with it. I think they charge me $15 last time several years ago.

I would consider this a better option than trying to reformat it off of the recovery partition. At this point.

 

[Jaywood79]

With HP, their disk software will burn discs that include the version of windows that came with it, and the HP software that came with it. I would burn it as soon as possible. It will not save any updates or other programs. It will be a clean install as it came from the factory

Make sure you have enough discs before you start.

When you booted off of the CD ROM, be sure to completely reformat the hard drive. It will give you that option.

Some HP computers only allow one set of disks To be made. If you call HP support they can sell you the disks that came with it. I think they charge me $15 last time several years ago.

I would consider this a better option than trying to reformat it off of the recovery partition. At this point.

Can you download windows from Microsoft if you have OEM product kay?

Or OEM product kay are no good?

 

[ex_bubblehead]

OEM keys cannot be used to download from the Microsoft site. For OEM you must contact the OEM (HP, Compaq, Dell, etc.)

 

[jsmithepa]

TL;DR

U can recover the Windows key by running a couple of utils out on the web. Don't remember, Google.

Armed with this and a generic copy of W7 (same Pro or Home), u should be able to re-install that sucker. May have to go into HP and download all HP drivers anew, if they are still available. Don't have any of that HP maybe snail-mail you a disc for the cost of shipping. Sometimes, u can find these on eBay.

 

[Jaywood79]

TL;DR

U can recover the Windows key by running a couple of utils out on the web. Don't remember, Google.

Armed with this and a generic copy of W7 (same Pro or Home), u should be able to re-install that sucker. May have to go into HP and download all HP drivers anew, if they are still available. Don't have any of that HP maybe snail-mail you a disc for the cost of shipping. Sometimes, u can find these on eBay.

I did some digging and found a recovery partition on D drive.

 

[mdd1963]

The key recovered from an pre-built OEM install will be recognized as such, and likely will not work for a fresh install....