CD KEY Format ?

[amdark]

Hi, I have a Gateway SX2855-UR10P PC with Win7 Home Premium. I bought it refurbished an did not receive any cds or documentation. I do have a serial sticker on the side of the unit.

My ? is: Can i download a copy of win 7 home premium and then use that key to re-install windows after format of course?

I heard OEM keys are link to system IE bios or HDD im assuming. Can anyone off any insight on this.

Thanks in advance,
Andrew

 

[unreal9400]

Yes.
That key will work since you have the COA sticker.
OEM key will only work with your system only.

 

[amdark]

Ahh ok thank you. Now since it was refurbished is it possible its not an OEM key. Will it say OEM on the sticker if it is?

 

[unreal9400]

Usually you will be able to see the manufacture name whether it's HP, Acer or Dell on the sticker.

 

[WyomingKnott]

It will probably work. I strongly suggest that you make an image backup of the drive to an external disk in case it does not work, so that you can at least restore a working copy of the current setup.

It is my understanding that re-installing the same version of the same OS to the same hardware is legal. This post from Microsoft discusses it and lists sources for the distro, from which you could burn a DVD: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_install/where-can-i-download-windows-7-iso-i-have-a/7d964b05-2be9-4800-bc7f-3ca30356fc3d

 

[amdark]

It says Win 7 Home Prem OA. So which one of these ISO would it be.

http://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technology-science/microsoft/14-windows-7-direct-download-links

 

[unreal9400]

Try this instead
http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-24209.iso

 

[amdark]

ok thanks