Using Old Hard Drive Windows 7 (Format or Dban?)

[Kungpow]

Well I tried to boot my new pc up with no success, so im going to need a new copy of Windows 7.

The old hard drive came with Windows 7 pre installed so I dont have a code or the disk. If windows 7 was pre installed should I Format, Dban or get a new hard drive? Anything else is should do before I do this process?

The Computer was based off a HP p6510f

Thanks

 

[Dragoic]

Are you able to boot up your old system?
Are you sure the key is not written on a label (Normally on the side of the case)

 

[ronintexas]

If the hard drive is still good - you can create "Operating System Discs" in Windows to create a fresh copy - or they have "Rescue Discs" to put it back to factory new.

Since you have replaced the mobo/CPU - HP licenses everything OEM - meaning you will need to buy a new copy of Windows 7. You can download an ISO and install from Digital River:

Windows 7 Home Premium 32Bit: http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-58996.iso
Windows 7 Home Premium 64Bit: http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-58997.iso


Windows 7 Professional 32Bit: http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59183.iso
Windows 7 Professional 64Bit: http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59186.iso


Windows 7 Ultimate 32Bit: http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59463.iso
Windows 7 Ultimate 64Bit: http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59465.iso

You just make a DVD or USB flash drive to boot - you will need to purchase the exact copy of windows within 30 days....

 

[Kungpow]

Are you able to boot up your old system?
Are you sure the key is not written on a label (Normally on the side of the case)

It will say starting windows and then fail. It roots back to that HP startup repair or something so it does not boot up.

 

[ronintexas]

The digital-river downloads are ISO (you expand them to a DVD or USB flash drive), and then boot from them. You MIGHT get lucky and be able to repair the installation, but I am never that lucky....

Skip over the activation once you get it repaired and/or do a fresh install - and remember - 30 days to get a license. If you try the sticker on the side of the computer, more than likely it will fail, and then Windows can lock on you....

 

[Kungpow]

If the hard drive is still good - you can create "Operating System Discs" in Windows to create a fresh copy - or they have "Rescue Discs" to put it back to factory new.

Since you have replaced the mobo/CPU - HP licenses everything OEM - meaning you will need to buy a new copy of Windows 7. You can download an ISO and install from Digital River:

Windows 7 Home Premium 32Bit: http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-58996.iso
Windows 7 Home Premium 64Bit: http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-58997.iso


Windows 7 Professional 32Bit: http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59183.iso
Windows 7 Professional 64Bit: http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59186.iso


Windows 7 Ultimate 32Bit: http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59463.iso
Windows 7 Ultimate 64Bit: http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59465.iso

You just make a DVD or USB flash drive to boot - you will need to purchase the exact copy of windows within 30 days....

I'll borrow the installation disk from my friend. Or I can go the Ncix and pick up a copy. Could you please explain about Operating System disks or Rescue Disks.

 

[ronintexas]

With the old mobo/CPU, there is HP utilities that allow you to create an OS disk (one disk for Windows only) or Rescue Disks (this installs Windows and all of the pre-loaded software from HP - including drivers). They need to put a bigger mention of this in the manual - it should be the first thing you do after booting up the first time....

 

[Kungpow]

With the old mobo/CPU, there is HP utilities that allow you to create an OS disk (one disk for Windows only) or Rescue Disks (this installs Windows and all of the pre-loaded software from HP - including drivers). They need to put a bigger mention of this in the manual - it should be the first thing you do after booting up the first time....

Will it matter if my hardware is different when I use a Rescue Disk or a Operating System Disk? My new Pc is totally different from the old one except for the CPU and the Hard Drive. Im thinking when I make a Rescue Disk or a Operating System Disk It is only accustomed to Hp Pc's or the HP p6510f. Or the product key only works for Hp specific computers.

 

[Kungpow]

Well I bought Win 7 Home so should I format or use Dban?

 

[Dragoic]

If you have the key and install media. Then I'll suggest a clean install. It clears out driver issues and all sort of rubbish files.

 

[Kungpow]

Well I managed to remove the original OEM Windows 7 but im trying to figure out how to update my computer without the internet. I have missing drivers so I cant connect or update.

 

[Dragoic]

Predownload them and place them onto a USB/CD.