Windows 7: Reformatting

I'm having software issues and I want to reformat my PC. It's a HP Pavilion DV7 Laptop
that I bought from Best Buy. I need the product key and I'm not 100% that the key under the laptop is the correct key I need to use. Can anyone confirm for me?
If not can someone tell me how to get the key.
Thanks! - Josh.

Welcome to the Forum

I think jelly bean is the best
Key Finder Programs - Top 13 Free Product Key Finder Programs - Keyfinder Software

Try others if Jelly Bean does not work.

When you reactivate one of the keys will work.

Using that program it will just tell me what the product key is there something special I need to do?

What I would do is just follow the instructions of JB. Then try to activate with the key number from JB or from bottom of the computer. If it does not work try the other. If you had the OS preinstalled the mfg has special numbers etc. One will be correct.

mfg?
Sorry I don't know what it means

You have no reason to be sorry, I am the lazy one. If your Operating System came preinstalled the manufacturer (mfg) may have used special volume licensing key numbers etc. But you try both and you will be ok.

Make your factory Recovery Disks if you don't have them, so you have a path back to factory condition in case of resale, hardware servicing, etc.

Back up your data, gather your program installers, boot the Windows 7 DVD Repair console or Repair CD, press Shift F10 to open a Command Prompt, type:
DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK # (for Windows 7 disk)
clean all (zeros HD, takes about an hour per 320gb)
create partition primary
select partition 1
assign letter=c:
active
format
exit

This wipes your HD to give the deepest possible clean, and to remove HP Recov and service partitions which won't be accessible after clean install anyway.

Now boot your Windows 7 DVD, select Custom to install to partition you've created.

The installer is mostly driver complete, with newer drivers arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates. Any drivers then missing in Device Manager can be found on the HP Support Downloads webpage for your model. Applications you want to keep can be extracted from HP Recov disks using this: HP 3rd Party Software After Clean Win 7 Install

Install programs slowly with Restore Points so that you can gauge performance changes. Remove any freeloading startup programs from msconfig as only AV and gadgets are needed to start up with computer.

When you have it setup as you want, run free state-of-the-art CCLeaner "Run Cleaner" and Registry tab then Auslogics Disk and Registry defraggesr. Then save a Windows 7 backup image externally so you never have to reinstall again, just reimage the HD or replacement in 15-20 minutes using DVD or Repair CD.

Thanks!

The program worked and gave me different key so we will see what happens.

I'll post and update soon.

Before I do the reformat listen to this and tell me what you think.

When I have all 3 of my laptops connected to my network (all running windows 7) I have a ridiculous problem with all of webpages timing out. So I do cmd -> ping Google /t and it says request timed out over and over and over.

BUT, when I disconnect my HP and leave the Toshiba and Vaio running I have 0 problems.

When I bought the laptop it didn't come with any disc's.
I bought a windows 7 upgrade disc for my old vista machine and ended up getting rid of it so I have the upgrade for 32 bit and 64 bit.

Likely the useless HP connection manager included in the factory bloatware. You'll get a much smoother connection and faster startup using Windows 7's built in wireless manager.

This is why I recommended wiping the HD to get rid of any HP utility partitions where these programs can remain to gum up the clean reinstall.

The Windows 7 installers you have should work fine, as Factory OEM and retail are the same installer since Vista. You can unlock all versions using this: http://lifehacker.com/5438005/eicfg-...windows-7-disc

Install the licensed version to activate with the key stickered to the HP. Save the Retail Upgrade key for another computer to avoid wasting $100+ unnecessariily.