Well ya, you have to install the network (ethernet) drivers before you can get out to the net, then just run windows update.
You have 30 days to activate windows, you don`t have to rush that, but you do need a valid key, you don`t want to do all that work then not be able to activate windows.
You said it has a Home Premium COA, so as long as you can read the key, you`re all set.
Last edited by AddRAM; 22 Apr 2015 at 17:48.
The product key sticker is intact and not worn.
So, do I just do a save as of the driver files onto the flash drive? Also the bios version on the laptop appears to have 3 newer versions available, would I load just the newest version or do I need to install in order as updates? Thank you for your help.
I wouldn't update the BIOS unless I had a SPECIFIC reason to believe doing so would solve an existing problem.
BIOS updating can go very very wrong, in which case you get to buy a new motherboard. Not to be taken lightly.
Problems the updates are designed to fix are usually mentioned at the motherboard manufacturer's web site.
Windows 7 is very good at providing the proper drivers. The only one I'd be particularly concerned about is the NIC (Internet) driver as you need it to establish connectivity. I might download the others, but probably wouldn't install them unless the drivers supplied by Windows proved to be deficient for some reason.
You always install the latest bios, but as Ignatz has said, don`t worry about that now.
And yes save the network driver to the flash drive.
But I would save it on the pc you`re using too.
Of course, very sensible advice ignat and addram. I guess I'm still a little spun up from lack of sleep and suffering through error after error. The most important thing is to get connectivity at this point. Thank you for taking the time to respond.
Look over these steps for doing a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to see how close you've come so far. If not I'd start over and do it again. Everything needed is in the tutorial, including the latest official Win7 installer which I'd use if you have any further problems with the one you "found." Make sure you use the licensed version on the COA sticker which Product Key is used to activate it. Follow the steps closely on drivers.
AWESOME!!! I cannot thank you all enough. It took several tries to find the correct driver but once I got connectivity back things have been going a lot smoother. After a few more driver installs and 150 or so automatic windows updates everything seems to be working fine. The product key was verified and I am done with this little project.
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