Im trying to fix a boot error on a new install. No HDD installed

What exactly is this recovery disk? Where did it come from? Reason for asking: OEM Windows is "married" to whatever computer it was first installed into, usually factory-installed. If this is a Retail Windows install dvd, then it should have installed. You mentioned booting the dvd without the HD installed, I'm wondering if the recovery dvd has a bad smudge or bad sector on it.

You can not use a recovery dvd from another pc.

Post what version of windows 7 you want, what language, and what bit rate, 32 or 64 and we will post the link to download a fresh iso file from Microsoft.

If you want W7 Pro SP1 64 bit, then here ya go.

http://software-download.microsoft.c...e4c3cc103c913a


Links are valid for 24 hours from the time of creation.
Links expire: 6/9/2016 6:26:21 PM UTC

You`ll need a key to activate windows, good luck :)

1. Turn off and remove all power sources from PC.

2. Hold power button in for 30 seconds just to make sure caps are drained.

3. Remove battery from motherboard.

4. Disconnect all drives from motherboard. All hard drives, all external drives, DVD and CD ROM drives. (Leave USB ports connected)

5. Replace battery (Make sure it has a charge. It usually does.)

6. Connect power and monitor to the PC and turn on PC.

7. Let me know what you see after this. (You will likely need to reset your date and time stamp in your Bios)

AddRAM said:

...You'll need a key to activate windows...

Addendum: I removed the earlier-placed URL because of a following post by Layback Bea.
THANKS Layback Bear, I appreciate you weighing in! :)

As far as I know this post by Noel still holds true. I have not been able to find anything that contradicts this.

**If anybody else can find something that makes this (below) untrue please let me know.**

Please read.

Can buy Windows key without media.

Quote:
Noel D Paton
Noel D Paton replied on

Insider MCC: Content Creator

Reply In reply to deleted message

"Peter0.0" wrote in message news:6f018df2-4d42-4aee-8d74-838cda9f3063...
Seems good... Thanks!


There are NO legal sales of Keys for Windows other than with accompanying software - if you buy from this shop it will almost certainly turn out to be a counterfeit copy. Most such sales will work for a limited period, until the number of activations exceeds the limit, at which time MS will Block the Key from further activations and all current installs will become flagged as non-genuine.
If you've already made a purchase and installed the product I recommend that you visit the Windows 7 Genuine forum and read the Announcements and stickies there - and post an MGADiag report to have the key checked.
Microsoft forums - Windows 7 Genuine Advantage Validation Issues (Windows 7)

--

Noel Paton | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi | CrashFixPC | The Three-toed Sloth
Noel Paton
Nil Carborundum Illegitemi -
No, I don't work for Microsoft!
Noel's Windows Helpsite - Homepage
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If this PC lets you get online there is a chance that it will look for firmware upgrades at some point. Be prepared to update your Bios. A reset to factory specs is best in such circumstances as you describe in your lead post. You can always use what data you have on the original drive later, once you get a proper o/s up and running, by connecting it as a secondary drive and accessing the files drag and drop style to your new installation. I would recommend (after saving the files you want to keep) to reformat the secondary (original) drive afterward but keep it connected to the motherboard as some of these older OEM type PCs use firmware that identifies your PC as being legitimately licensed. The same goes for your CD and/or DVD ROM drives (as I once learned the hard way). I know it's a pain. Let us know how you are progressing.

*edit* Oh, I forgot that you do not have the original hard drive. That could be a bit of a problem. You may have to go to the manufacturer's web site and see if they have some recovery tools there for your make and model. Perhaps flashing the Bios from a USB might be the fix? You could likely make a bootable recovery flash drive as some manufacturers offer software for this. It's looking more and more like a CMOS/FIRMWARE/BIOS issue.

Glad to read you got it up and running.