Trying to install Windows 7 on a new hard drive.

kingsman1288

Reputable
Dec 31, 2014
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4,510
I recently was given a gently used Aspire 771G and was told all I needed to do was install a new hard drive and my own copy of Windows. I went out and bought a new 500GB HD and a new copy of Windows 7. When I try to boot up the laptop to get into BIOS to change the boot settings, I receive the message that there is no bootable device detected. When I attempt to boot up the laptop with the Windows boot disk in the DVD tray, I am able to select the DVD drive to boot from. After selecting the DVD drive, I then recieve an error stating that "atapi dvd blocked by current security". I can't change the security settings in BIOS because I am unable to even access BIOS in the first place. What can I do to resolve this problem? Any help anyone out there can provide will be greatly appreciated!
 
Solution
You can use the generic key to download the media (IT WILL NOT ACTIVATE WINDOWS - YOU NEED YOUR KEY, which in your case is in the BIOS).

Core: 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT
Professional: XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB

If you put the Core key in, it will allow you to download the ISO.





The previous owner was my brother, and there apparently was never a password set for the bios. My main issue is that I can't even bring the bios menu up. I've tried pushing every key possible at startup but it just takes me straight to the "no bootable device" message.
 


Secure boot is most likely turned on. The laptop was bought via Amazon and was refurbished. Windows 8 came pre-installed and no disc was with the laptop. Am I basically screwed without the disc? Or is there something I could download from Windows to allow me to access the BIOS?
 

I can't download Windows 8 on the laptop because there is no OS currently installed. It's a blank hard drive. That's the reason I am attempting to install Windows 7. I'm not very tech savvy so maybe there is another way to download it other than directly to the computer? I also can't disable secure boot because I am unable to even access the BIOS menu on the laptop.

 


Thank you, I will try that. Hopefully it will work.
 
That solution didn't work because it asks me for a Windows 8 key which I don't have. I tried using the key from my other laptop that runs Windows to download it but the key keeps coming back as not valid. Sooo...now I'm back to square one. All I need is just to get into BIOS to disable secure boot. The fact that I can't is driving me up the wall. I've been scouring google for days and now luck. At this point I'm just ready to give up 🙁
 
You can use the generic key to download the media (IT WILL NOT ACTIVATE WINDOWS - YOU NEED YOUR KEY, which in your case is in the BIOS).

Core: 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT
Professional: XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB

If you put the Core key in, it will allow you to download the ISO.



 
Solution