Windows 7: Operating System Help

Okay, so recently I had lost my entire recovery partition and operating system due to the installation of a different one.. Now I had help getting my windows 7 back from some helpful people here, so I have returned for more help... I have the netbook I currently use... But I also have access to another netbook, the exact same kind and model and it has the recovery partition still on it.. Is there any way I could make an image of that netbook and use it on my current one and regain my recovery partition and my complete windows 7? Keep in mind I do still have my product key so if i could get it back then it would be like brand new again.. Am I correct?

Yes, you can do that, just make an image of the partition you want to recover, and then restore that image to the disc you want it restored on. Then you can restore the machine from that partition. Or, you can restore the machine directly from the image you made, ignoring the original partition. This will work as long as the OEM ( Original Equipment Manufacturer ) has not put in any functions to prevent it. If you can't restore directly from the image ( Should work 99% of the time) just restore to the original partition as previously described.

Bear in mind that the machines MUST be identical for it to work properly.

I use this for such stuff;

Free Download EASEUS Todo Backup Freeware and Trial version. Complete Backup and Restore Software for Windows & Linux.

You want the "Free Home Version".

Regards....Mike Connor

could someone maybe tell me how to just copy all partitions from one computer to another? I think that would be easier

The software I posted above will do that. Be aware that you can not simply "Copy" stuff for an operation of this nature, you have to have images.

Once you have the software, and you have any questions, just come back and ask away. The software is easy to use.

Regards...Mike Connor

The motherboards will have (as will the other H/W) different, separate H/W IDs and one OEM recovery partition will not start on different hardware, the same as you can't use OEM recovery disks to 'install' to a different machine than the one the disks were created on.

That 'cute' little OS you played with wasn't worth the trouble in the long-run now was it?

Save externally or to another HD a Windows 7 backup image of your current install, unless you don't want it. Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup - Windows 7 Forums

Then save another Windows 7 backup image of the identical netbook's entire HD, reimage it onto your netbook. System Image Recovery - Windows 7 Forums

Now go into Computer>Properties to change Product Key to your key from COA sticker. If it activates, then test performance and decide if you want to keep it.

It would be interesting to see if the Factory Recovery partition will run from within Windows 7, or cue up to run from boot using the hotkey required.

If it fails, reimage your original Windows 7 image back onto the machine.