Not Sure Wheter OEM Key will work in Windows 7 Home Pr. Reinstallation

waqas100 · 12 Jun 2013

Hi Everyone,

I bought a lenovo Y570 Laptop almost a year ago and it came with Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit preinstalled. I also had a factory recovery partition but I mistakenly deleted it as I didn't know of it. The problem is now my computer is getting a bit slow. I want to re-install my windows without losing my genuine windows.

I have an OEM sticker on the Laptop but I am not sure whether the key will work. If I download Home Premium 64 Bit and reinstall the Windows will the key work? I didn't want to try before making myself sure regarding the process because I don't want to lose my genuine windows. I haven't modified the laptop hardware.

And to enhance my OEM Knowledge can someone also tell whether this key can be used in other computers? I saw in the internet that it can't be. If it is like that, can someone enlighten me with the technical details of OEM and how it is known whether the installation is on the factory laptop or some other machine? And how many times can I use the OEM key?

It would also be great if someone can tell me how can I remake my recovery partition, hide it and restore the laptop's partition strucutre(which was like this, One Big C Drive and other rec. partitions hidden) as it was when I got it out of the box. There is a Onekey Recovery button near the power button, it is not working also. So it will also be great if someone can give me the solution for it too.

Thanks in Advance.

vaidas3 · 12 Jun 2013

Yes your OEM key will work (if its same pc and same version of windows)
more about clean reinstall OEM pc
Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

Mark Phelps · 12 Jun 2013

waqas100 said:

And to enhance my OEM Knowledge can someone also tell whether this key can be used in other computers? I saw in the internet that it can't be.

NO -- the key is tied to the PC and can't be used in other computers.

If it is like that, can someone enlighten me with the technical details of OEM and how it is known whether the installation is on the factory laptop or some other machine?

The key is tied to the BIOS and thus, can't be migrated to another machine.

And how many times can I use the OEM key?

You can reuse the key an unlimited number of times -- on the same PC.

It would also be great if someone can tell me how can I remake my recovery partition, hide it and restore the laptop's partition strucutre(which was like this, One Big C Drive and other rec. partitions hidden) as it was when I got it out of the box. There is a Onekey Recovery button near the power button, it is not working also. So it will also be great if someone can give me the solution for it too.

I'm not aware that you can do that. OEMs create special compressed versions of Win7 that include drivers and software. While you certainly could build a compressed image, that would take (AFAIK) downloading and installing WAIK and doing a lot of work -- stuff I don't do myself, so I can't advise you. As to making the key work, that may require special software in the Recovery partition to respond to the key press.

If you want a restorable version of Win7, you would do better imaging it off to an external drive, using the Win7 imaging feature, or a third-party product like Macrium Reflect or Acronis.

theog · 12 Jun 2013

It would also be great if someone can tell me how can I remake my recovery partition, hide it and restore the laptop's partition strucutre(which was like this, One Big C Drive and other rec. partitions hidden) as it was when I got it out of the box. There is a Onekey Recovery button near the power button, it is not working also. So it will also be great if someone can give me the solution for it too.

You can use your Recovery DVD's to remake the Recovery Partition.

Windows 8 - Downgrade Instructions

Lenovo said:

Performing the recovery process for Windows 7

Notes:
•You must have an internal or external DVD drive to use the recovery discs.
•During the recovery process, all data on the hard disk drive will be deleted. Copy any important data or personal files that you want to keep onto removable media or a network drive before you start the recovery process.

To restore your computer to the original factory configuration using the recovery disc set, do the following:
1.Make the CD/DVD drive the first startup device in the startup sequence using the following procedure:
◾Repeatedly press and release the F1 key when turning on the computer. When you hear multiple beeps or see a logo screen, release the F1 key. The Setup Utility program opens.
◾Use the arrow keys to select Startup. Depending on your computer model, select Primary Boot Sequence, Boot, or Startup Sequence.
◾Select the CD/DVD drive as the first boot device by following the instructions and the help messages on the screen.

LENOVO said:

6.Read the messages on the screen and then select GPT partition style or MBR partition style as you desire. Click Next. ¦Note: GPT partition style is selected by default.

gregrocker · 12 Jun 2013

You're better off doing the vastly superior Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 without the corrupting bloatware and useless crapware utilities that have better versions built into Win7. Delete all partitions during install. Follow the steps closely and you'll have a perfect install. We'll be here to help if you need it.