Win 7 ISO for Sony Vaio: New SSD, failing HDD

[McDougal66]

Ok, so a friend has a late 00s Sony Vaio laptop and the HDD is failing. Here's I want to do:

1) A clean install of Windows 7 Pro on the new SSD, either from my computer via external enclosure or from installer on thumbdrive on his computer with the new SSD installed. Then, use factory install Windows license key on back of Vaio.

2) Pull files off of failing HDD from my computer via external disk enclosure.

I have no idea where to find a download for the Windows 7 installer. I just want to use the license key included on the back of the Vaio. Also, I cannot just use the recovery partition or clone the existing HDD because it is failing and I don't want undue stress on it. The only work i want it doing is through access to its files from my computer.

The only link I have found on Sony's website is to order disks. Is this my only option? Any help would be appreciated.

I'm not sure why this needs to be this difficult.

 

[drkatz42]

download the correct iso and burn it to a dvd

http://www.w7forums.com/threads/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-image-downloads.12325/

 

[boosted1g]

Unfortunately Microsoft pulled the download of Windows 7 images form downloadriver.com.

Thus you are left with 3 options

1) get the DVD from Sony
2) Try to find a legit copy on torrents/usenet/p2p
3) Hope someone on forums/local can help you out.

You can use a normal home premium image with your key (assuming laptop has home premium as that is the norm).
You will then just need all the drivers.

 

[mbarnes86]

Hi

Nowdays legal downloads of windows 7 or 8 ISO is only available from Microsoft . digital river is no longer able to make images available
To download a ISO from Microsoft you need to enter a retail licence key .

So Sony seems the best bet for a legal recovery disk set
There are a few sites offering recovery dvd's I have no idea how reliable they are

Regards
Mike Barnes

 

[USAFRet]

In decreasing complexity and cost:
Order the disk set from Sony
or
Buy a new OS license
or
Invent a time machine. Go back in time to before the drive started failing. Create a free recovery disk set with whatever functionality Sony gives you.

 

[McDougal66]

Ok, thanks to all who answered. I think I'll have to wait for the DVD, or wait and see if he finds the DVD that it came with. It sucks that Sony and other PC manufacturers don't provide those same files as downloads. Not sure why.

Thanks again!

 

[USAFRet]

Ok, thanks to all who answered. I think I'll have to wait for the DVD, or wait and see if he finds the DVD that it came with. It sucks that Sony and other PC manufacturers don't provide those same files as downloads. Not sure why.

Thanks again!

They are included on the drive as it comes from the factory, but you have to create them yourself, before the drive dies.

I guess they're too worried about people downloading the wrong one for their device, and piracy in general.