HDD Died: Can can I reinstall OEM Windows 7?


  1. blogger007
    Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
       New #1

    HDD Died: Can can I reinstall OEM Windows 7?


    Hi folks,

    Here's the problem as briefly as I can put it:

    -My HP Pavilion DV5-2155DX laptop (Windows 7 Home Premium OA, 64 bit I think) has a dead hdd
    -I ran all sorts of diagnostics, including SMART, and they all show it's the hdd
    -I can boot into the laptop using Lubuntu on a USB key
    -The HP laptop didn't come with a retail version of Windows 7 but an OEM version (so no dvd disc)

    What I want to do:

    -I want to reinstall Windows 7 and run it off an external hard drive OR just boot Windows 7 from a USB key (I don't want to install a new internal hard drive).
    -I went to Microsoft's website and tried to download a Windows 7 ISO file, but couldn't because I have an OEM version

    -So is there any way I can download/reinstall an OEM Windows 7 without purchasing a recovery disk from HP? Is it even possible to do that if I have an OEM Windows 7?

    NOTE: Right now I'm using a Toshiba laptop to write this, not my HP one, but I can still get into my HP laptop via boot usb.

    ANY help would be hugely appreciated.

    Thanks!
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  3. Golden
    Posts : 19,383
    Windows 10 Pro x64 ; Xubuntu x64
       New #2

    Yes you can legitimately reinstall that OEM licence if you can find/borrow a Home Premium x64 ISO/disk.

    Don't bother installing externally...it will run so slow to be unusable. Install to a new HDD or SSD.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  4. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       New #3

    Installing on an external SSD on USB3 will yield good results. I have done that a few times. eSata will also work.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  6. blogger007
    Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       New #4

    Thanks for the information; it really helps. But I was wondering: if my original HP laptop had an OEM Windows 7 64bit, can I DOWNGRADE to the 32bit version or do I HAVE to reinstall the 64 bit one?

    The reason I want a downgrade is because the 64bit is kind of heavy and sucks up the resources.

    Thanks for your help.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  7. ThrashZone
    Posts : 20,583
    Win-7-Pro64bit 7-H-Prem-64bit
       New #5

    Hi and welcome to SevenForums,
    The machine should have a tag that has a SNID on it usually near or on the tag with the oem activation key from H-P could be in the battery compartment

    That SNID you can search H-P's website and it will show what was originally installed on the machine

    The key would most likely activate either 64 bit or 32 bit you'd have to ask H-P really or simply test it installing 32 bit
    Which you can get a iso or torrent download if nobody you know has one
    ISO image
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  8. blogger007
    Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       New #6

    Thanks for your help ThrashZone.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  10. ThrashZone
    Posts : 20,583
    Win-7-Pro64bit 7-H-Prem-64bit
       New #7

    Hi,
    No problem mate let us know how everything goes if you need further install assistance let us know :)
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  11. torchwood
    Posts : 7,107
    W7 home premium 32bit/W7HP 64bit/w10 tp insider ring
       New #8

    laggy


    64 bit shoudn't be laggy on that setup
    Mines alot older got less Ram an older motherboard.
    I suspect when you reinstall it'll be much faster, and if you get rid of HP bloatware and swop your AV to MS's own, even better.

    Roy
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  12. Ranger4
    Posts : 9,746
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit sp1
       New #9

    If you really want to get this laptop working fast, install an internal SSD & then reinstall Windows x64 & you will be surprised how much faster it will be.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  13. AddRAM
    Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       New #10

      My Computer
    Quote Quote

 

  Related Discussions
Hi folks, First a rundown of my issues and how I got here, then a few question targeted to this and other forums I have posted this in. Apologize for being long …. Tuesday night I was doing the patch Tuesday Windows update on my primary computer, a docked Lenovo W530 workstation which...
Before I got the BSOD, I was using my computer normally. It was working fine. The battery died, so I plugged my PC in and booted it up. After choosing Windows 7 from the "Choose an Operating System" menu, I saw the "Starting Windows" screen for a LONG time. (Over 2 minutes) The BSOD error is...
My computers motherboard has died - won't boot, power supply checks out OK, no response even with all hardware disconnected. Its seven years old, so I've ordered new a new mobo, cpu, ram to replace my build. My question - is there a way to get my current Windows 7 install to boot on my new...
I wiped my hard drive clean with a Wipedrive CD, then went to reinstall my W7 OS and the DVD drive is dead. NO DVD will open. I have an external USB DVD drive, but can't get it to boot. Any ideas on how I can reinstall W7 in this laptop without having to get the built in DVD drive repaired?
My Sony Vaio (windows 7) died last night, after I dropped it in my garage getting out of the car. I removed the hard drive and installed it in an external case. I have it connected to my work laptop (dell windows 7) and I do hear the tone when I plug in the USB that tells me the computer noticed...
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

 © Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:38.
Find Us