Dead Hard drive - Do I own the Windows 7 OS that's on it?

So I can buy a cheap hard drive to replace my dead one, and I'm wondering if HP will give me install discs or download based on my serial number or something like that? I just want to have the same OS on the same computer as usual, but with a replacement hard drive.

I have no install or recovery discs or anything.

 

You own a license to use the OS on the hardware you purchased. You can install a new harddrive and install the OS on it. HP will sell you a recovery disk. You can however use another disk to install the OS on your harddrive provided you can obtain a disk of the same type (home vs pro vs ultimate).

 

If you are able to "obtain" an .iso file for the correct version of Win 7 you can use this tool Microsoft Store Online to create a USB installer.

 

If its an OEM version that was loaded on your notebook when you bought it, you will need the disk from HP. I learned this the hard way. But now I have a set of recovery disks for every notebook I own. Just makes it easier.

Sent from my ARCHOS 80G9 using Tapatalk 2

 

search on here for digital river download which has all the operating systems on it to download and then just use your original licence key.

 

Thanks everyone for the responses. Downloading the iso to a good computer, making a bootable USB stick, and entering the original license key sounds like the way to go. Where do I get the original license key?

 

if its not on a sticker on bottom of computer then check under the battery. if its not there your buggered.

download magic jelly keyfinder and do a system search but as your hard drive is dead then once again your buggered.

 

It is perfectly legal to download vanilla (original microsoft windows) iso and use your oem key on it. You must download the exact version your oem key is for (for example if it is Windows 7 Home x64 then download that). I have done it on my Acer, got rid of all bloatware and hidden partitions and all is workng perfectly.

 

Your OEM key will work for either x86 or x64. As MrDJ mentioned, the downloaded ISO, whether 32 bit or 64 bit, will actually have all editions, the key will determine which edition gets installed. If you use an install disk for a specific edition, it will have a file that you'll have to remove first (see here: How to Select Any Edition or Version (SKU) of Windows 7 to Install From Single Edition DVD Disc Media or ISO « My Digital Life)

If you don't have an OEM key (have you checked under the battery?), then you'll have to buy the restore disks from HP. The restore disk won't need the key, it will check the BIOS for an OEM activation code.

 

Yeah, you don't have to "obtain" anything. Just use the legal links already provided. The USB tool you mentioned though is awesome. Windows installs a bit faster from a memory stick in my experience.

 

So I've got the Windows sticker on the bottom of my computer, but the numbers are completely faded and rubbed off.
If I hit F1 at start up it gives me system info which includes a "product number" (can't remember exactly what it is called but it says nothing about Windows). It is 25 digits. Could this be my Windows license key?

 

No, I don't think that's the Windows key. If you can't read the sticker on the bottom, you'll have to buy the restore disks from HP. If you're a student you might be able to get an academic licence from your school for cheaper than the cost of restore disks.

 

If I get recovery discs from HP and install onto a new hard drive, I will still need the license key won't I? Will the key come with the discs?

 

Check with HP when you order the discs. As far as I know OEM installations use a manufacturer specific code and do not actually use the key on the bottom of your computer. Similarly, the recovery discs will use the OEM activation code in the BIOS without you having to enter a key. How to check that your computer can do this - see here: How to Check or Verify PC Motherboard BIOS SLIC Version is SLP OA 2.0 or 2.1 for OEM Activation « My Digital Life

Perhaps somebody with more recent experience can confirm for Win 7 restore discs, the last time I used HP restore discs was when I restored Win XP to a DV1000 years ago and that did not require a key.

 

is the drive totally dead and unable to boot at all? if it can boot then download KeyFinder | Magical Jelly Bean and run it.

also legal download of 7 http://forum.notebookreview.com/win...-digitalriver-windows-7-sp1-13-languages.html

 

It won't boot, and when I hook it up to another computer through a USB to SATA cable, the drive isn't found by the good computer. It does spin however, and GRC Spinrite (repair program) can see the disc and its partitions, but it can't fix the disc. Any ideas? I just want my data!

I just ordered a replacement HD - Seagate 750 GB hybrid HDD/SSD. $118 at Amazon.

I'm just going to buy the recovery discs. It looks like they are less than 20 bucks. I'm assuming there is some way they provide you with a license along with it. I can't ask HP any questions. They have to confirm that you are under warranty before they let you connect to chat or email !!!!

Wouldn't the recovery discs be easier than the clean install from digital river? I mean, it should come with all the drivers and stuff specifically for my PC right?

 

you would still need a driver disc that came with lappy or can you download drivers from the hp website. i have no idea how they work compared to clevo who readily have drivers available on all their websites.

 

I had to get the recovery discs for my HP desktop awhile back. You don't need your Windows license key. Basically, it will make it look like when you first got your notebook. Then windows will have you do all your important updates. (I had over 300 on vista when I did mine)

Sent from my SGH-T999

 

I don't come to this forum much but the expertise and helpfulness here is great! Thanks to everyone who has offered suggestions.
My hard drive is on the way and my HP recovery discs are on the way (16 bucks).

Now the problem will be installing without a disk drive. What's the best option?

- Convert disks to USB thumb drive - This seems simple enough for 1 disk, but the recovery set is 3 disks. Is there a way to combine them into 1 flash drive?

- Connect new hdd to a computer that has a disk drive using a usb hard drive enclosure and install all the files, then transfer the drive to my laptop. Would that work?

- Get a USB external disk drive. I would rather not spend the dough, but might be able to borrow one, but would it work through USB?

What's the best way to do this?

 

Ouch, would have been better off getting a DVD from somewhere else.

Won't work. Those recovery disks are disk images, not Windows installation DVDs If you were to open them, you would see three large files and a couple of executables to image your drive.

Won't work. For the same reason above

This is the way to do it, and yes it will work provided your laptop bios is set to boot to external drive

 

smilinsteve: If you pick the option "Minimal install" or "Minimal recovery" during installation (if it's available), you should get a cleaner install without any bloatware. Highly recommended.