Windows 7: Reinstalling W7 on Laptop From Friend - Not Sure Which Install Type

Hello All,

I recently purchased a Lenovo x201t laptop/tablet from a friend of mine for a killer price. It has 8GB of DDR3 RAM, an Intel Core i7 processor, etc... It is just a really loaded laptop but it is hanging all the time, crashing, etc... So I want to do a fresh install.

Unfortunately, this laptop does not have an o9ptical drive but I did follow instructions to copy all my Windows 7 installation media to a USB key and I will use that for the installation, but I have two things I need to sort out before I can begin and I can't seem to figure it out myself.

The laptop is currently running Windows 7 Ultimate, x64.

1) The laptop shipped with an OEM Version of Windows 7 Professional and there is a COA sticker on the bottom of the laptop with a product key on it, I'm assuming I could use this if I were to download an OEM Windows 7 Pro x64 install DVD and put it on the thumb drive, but I really want to use Windows 7 Ultimate as that is what is on the laptop now.

I used Belarc Advisor to print out a complete configuration of my hardware configuration so I can be sure I get everything reinstalled properly and it was also able to pull out the product key for my current Windows 7 Ultimate installation, that I assume I can reuse but that is what brings me to my second problem...

2) I'm not sure of installation method that my buddy used to install Windows 7 Ultimate x64 on this machine and I can't get a hold of him for a few weeks as he is out of the country and away from any computer/iPad/Blackberry/etc... So I figure he had to do one of three things; 1) Purchased Windows 7 Ultimate Upgrade and upgraded the Windows 7 Pro installation that was already installed 2)He could have used an OEM version of Windows 7 Ultimate x64 to do the new installation or 3) He could have purchased Windows 7 Ultimate x64 from a local retailer or online and did a complete clean install with a full retail version of Windows 7 Ultimate x64.

How can I figure out which type of media my product key is valid for? I'm sure there must be some way to figure this out, but I can't seem to find that information anywhere and I thought if anyone knew, it would be you guys!



Please let me know if I'm missing and information or if I can provide more information to help me solve this puzzle.


Thanks,

Mike

You can reinstall with the Recovery USB pendrive, than use Anytime upgrade to Windows 7 Ultimate

No install files needed.
Only the Upgrade key is need.
Anytime upgrade only adds-on the Programs & Features from version to version.
Windows Anytime Upgrade - How to

Right click on computer, select properties. Look in the lower left corner at the numbers. If the numbers have OEM in it, that will answer part of your question.

Yea, it does have OEM in it...

What next?

I'm lost on this, could you explain in more detail?


Thx,

Mike

Step one:
Reinstall Windows 7 Pro with Recovery USB Pendrive.
How to use Lenovo Recovery
Lenovo Support - How do I recover my factory installed programs and files? - Desktops and Workstations

Step two:
Upgrade to Windows 7 Ultimate using Anytime upgrade.
No install files needed.
Only the Ultimate key is need.
Anytime upgrade only adds-on the Programs & Features from version to version.
Windows Anytime Upgrade - How to

How can I verify that that method with work with my product key?

Thx!

And is this the equivalent to doing a clean install? I really want to start fresh and have a nice, fast laptop...

I'm researching how to create the USB Recovery drive now...

And do I use the product key from right clicking on computer and selecting properties to activate my Ultimate upgrade?


THX!

If your Windows 7 Ultimate product key is legal, it will work.

Honestly I'd really like to do just a completely fresh install of Windows 7 Ultimate, but I need to figure out what my key is good for... Any more ideas on that front?