Help me install windows?

Waldo451 · 08 Jun 2011

ok so my laptop completely crashed. I took it to my cousin and he completely wiped it clean and put a dell recovery disk into it (its an acer aspire 3000). Well he couldnt find the license key to 'activate' winodws. Then the laptop screen broke and started working the other day. *NOTE: this happened around thanksgiving of 2010* anyways, i have a windows xp sp3 disk that im not sure works because a stranger gave it to me. When i put it in nothing prompts me. I try to boot CD/DVD and nothing happens. Anyways, i wanted to put windows 7 maybe on a dvd-r. i read somewhere that you have to get a license key hence expire like what happened before. i do have a dvd burner in this computer. so what ive come to ask you is, 1.Where do i download windows 7 iso. 2.How do i put it on a dvd-r. 3.How do i completely wipe the laptop clean without logging into it because as i said windows expired and i cant use it. 4.How long will it take. and lastly 5.How can i make sure it wont expire and everything will work fine on it.

BriceH · 08 Jun 2011

Hi, Waldo451, and welcome to the Seven Forums.

I am going to discourage you from downloading a Windows 7 ISO, as that is illegal.
If you do decide to download an ISO, follow this tutorial to burn it to a DVD: Burn Disc Image - ISO or IMG file
You would be installing Windows 7 over any current Windows installation on your computer, thus wiping it. Remember that this will delete all of your data. That means your documents, music, movies, programs, etc.
Allot about a 2 or 3 hour time period to installing Windows. It will take you a while after that to install all of your programs and copy over all of your documents again.
If you enter a legal license key in the Activate Windows dialog, it will never "expire".

Hope this helps.

Waldo451 · 08 Jun 2011

BriceH said:

[*]If you enter a legal license key in the Activate Windows dialog, it will never "expire".[/LIST]Hope this helps.

Yes i understand that but where am i going to get a license key?

BriceH · 08 Jun 2011

Waldo451 said:

BriceH said:

[*]If you enter a legal license key in the Activate Windows dialog, it will never "expire".[/LIST]Hope this helps.

Yes i understand that but where am i going to get a license key?

Take a look on the bottom of your computer. There may be a sticker with your license key printed on it. If not, I'm sorry, but you will have to buy a new copy of Windows 7.

Now, if you do find your license key, it sounds as if you don't have an installation disc. In that case, you should ask some friends and see if anyone will let you borrow theirs. You can use any license key of a Windows 7 edition on any installation disc of that same edition.

theog · 09 Jun 2011

If your Acer came with Windows 7,You can Order Gateway Recovery Disks from here:
https://secure.tx.acer.com/RCDB/Main.aspx?brand=gateway
EMachine
https://secure.tx.acer.com/RCDB/SelectBrand.aspx

or
Buy Windows Products Windows 7 Special Offers Shop Your Favorite Store