Windows 7: Clean install of windows 7 w/out disc? (new computer didn't come w/)

Hey guys. I did a search but couldn't fin exactly what I was looking for so hopefully someone can help me out. I just got a new Acer laptop and I wanted to do a clean install of Windows 7 like it did on my last laptop (I love being bloatware free!). Problem is that this laptop didn't come with a Windows disc, or any disc for that matter as I guess all the recovery info is on a HD partition. So how do I get a clean install of Windows 7?

Also, I just remembered, I do have a Windows 7 disc from my old laptop. Would that work? What would I use for activation key if so?



Thanks

Manual how to use Acer eRecovery Management here:
ftp://ftp.support.acer-euro.com/notebook/empowering_technology/NB%20ET2%20user's%20guide/Acer%20eRecovery%20Management%20English.pdf

You can Order Acer recovery disks from here:
https://secure.tx.acer.com/RCDB/Main.aspx?brand=acer

Welcome MGFTP to the windows 7 forums.

1st, your old windows 7 disk most likely will not work on your new machine.

I recommend decrapifying your existing machine. You can clean it up very easily by removing all the pre-installed programs by acer. Most manufacturers get a commission when you purchase programs they have pre-installed as trialware. Just remove them and then clean it up. You should be fine. I do this all the time for my business clients as it is easier than a complete re-install.
Using the recovery disks won't help you much as many times it just re-installs all that trial ware that you don't want or need.

Rich

Hello mgftp,

Let us know the results of following Theog's advice.

Generally speaking, 1 win 7 disc=1 machine or in other words, 1 disc per machine.

The question is: The machine on which you installed Win 7--is that machine still in use?

Do you have the key for that Win 7?

An economical solution is tho buy and OEM version of Win 7 and then use your COA on your new computer when validating.

I'm rather sure there's a write-up on that. If not, then GregRocker is an expert in this approach.

You can do a clean install from the recovery partition (even burn a recovery disk from there). But that will not help. You will get the same bloatware all over again.

The options you have are:
1. Slim down the installation disk with vLite
2. Buy an installation disk - maybe an OEM version. Was on sale 2 weeks ago at Newegg for $84.
3. Uninstall everything you do not need from your current installation. Use Revo Uninstaller. That will be the cheapest and most expedient solution.

He wants a clean reinstall without the factory bloatware on the Recovery Partition or disks. Here's how: Reinstalling Windows 7

Is the Windows 7 disk which came with your other computer a DVD which says "Windows 7 Installation Disk?" Is it the same version as on your new laptop? If not can you put it in drive and browse (Open) the DVD to Sources folder to see if there is an ei.cfg file?

If so, you can extract the ISO using ImgBUrn, run the eicfg removal tool
to unlock all versions, burn a DVD with ImgBurn at 4x speed to clean reinstall with the Product Key on COA sticker.

If not, you'll have to find or borrow a retail Windows 7 installer to do the same, or download an ISO from the web searching for official Wn7 downloads from Digital Life.

Thanks for the replies everyone.............



I am not interested in recovery. I am interested in a clean install. Thanks

Thanks, this is an option, but I am hoping to find a way to just do a clean install.

I have the key for that windows 7 disc. The computer is in use and I plan to sell it once I get the new one up and running.

Thanks, really just looking for a clean install if possible.

The disc I have says Windows 7 Upgrade Media. I used it to do a clean install on the laptop I got it for, so I can only assume the full product is on the disc. The disc and the old computer were 32 bit and the new computer comes loaded with 64 but they are both premium edition.

I do see that file on the disc, but I am not sure what you mean by extract the ISO?

But are you saying since they key for the new laptop is for Windows 7 Premium that I could use my old Windows 7 Premium to do the clean install and just use the key on the bottom of the new laptop? Does the 32 vs 64 bit thing matter?

Thanks a lot for your reply. You seem to get what I am trying to do here.

You need the x64 DVD for x64
.
x86 dvd for x86, which you have.

So I am screwed? haha...

You can likely use the Windows 7 DVD you have to reinstall Home Premium with the Product Key on the COA but it will be 32 bit. If you want 64 bit you'll need to find an installer, borrow from a friend, or download from the internet searching Windows 7 official downloads from My Digital Life.

Since it's the same version you don't need to unlock all versions. Extracting the ISO with ImgBurn means copying the image file off the disk, to run the ei.cfg removal tool on it and burn an all-versions disk if need be.

You can use either 32 or 64 bit with each license, your choice. No harm in trying the other version. I don't recommend 32 bit for more than 4 gb RAM or 64 bit for less.

Follow the steps given here to get a perfect reinstall: Reinstalling Windows 7