Reinstalling W7 on Laptop From Friend - Not Sure Which Install Type

It would best to get a ISO from a good source, first.

To create the installation USB Drive I followed instructions from PC Magazine. It boots the installer fine.

All I did was delete the ei.cfg, I didn't use the tool. Should I reboot into W7 and redo it with the tool or am I good to proceed?

I just need to be sure that after deleting the ei.cfg file I will only be greeted with 4 options, not 8 -- 4 for Retail and 4 for OEM. Once I get that and I'm sure I'm installing the right version of W7 Pro I'll stop asking stupid questions hahaha

The installer versions haven't been divided between retail and OEM since XP.

If the stick boots and gives you Pro version to choose, then it is good for retail or OEM.

Yup, I'm booting the installer.

I haven't done an install since XP, hence my confusion... I was using a Macbook Pro until W7 came out because I HATE Vista.

Doc, mine looks like that minus the 32bit stuff.


-Mike

Installing now, hoping for the best...

Thanks so much for the help guys, I really appreciate it!


-Mike

It will work as long as your ISO isn't infected or had something added. Read the download comments and scan for viruses.


Boot the Windows 7 installer, choose Custom Install, then Drive Options (Advanced) to Delete all partitions not needed, following illustrated steps given here: Clean Install Windows 7

If you Delete all partitions to create New ones and Format, the installer will issue a 100mb System Reserved boot partition which conveniently places the Repair Console (normally only on the DVD or Repair CD) on the F8 Advanced Boot Options menu. Partition as you wish and Format before installing to first OS partition.

The installer is mostly driver-complete, with newer arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates. Just in case, have your Wireless driver on flash stick or CD so you can get online quickly. Then enable hardware driver auto-updating and check for optional Updates frequently.

Any drivers still missing in Device Manager can be found on the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer or device. Driver Install - Device Manager

Install updates and then programs slowly over time to gauge performance changes after each. Don't let any programs write themselves into msconfig>Startup as they slow startup, become freeloaders on your RAM/CPU and can spy on you. I only allow AV and gadgets. Startup Programs - Change

Use a lightweight free AV like MS Security Essentials which works perfectly with Windows 7 Firewall. http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

When it is finished, clean and order the HD perfectly using state-of-the-art free CCleaner Disk and Registry tabs, then Puran boot-time defragger + full Disk Check after adding Intelligent Optimizer on Additional Operations tab:
CCleaner - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com
http://download.cnet.com/Puran-Defra...-75115626.html

Finally save a Windows 7 Backup image externally so you never have to reinstall again, just reimage the HD (or replacement) using DVD/Repair CD with the stored image. Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

Bad news guys!!

Whenever I type my product key, click 'next' and it says "this key is not valid"!!

What is going on?? This is the exact key from the bottom of my laptop that says, "Windows 7 Pro OA"


PLS HELP!