Using a customized restore disk to do a custom install


  1. dogsbodyorg
    Posts : 1
    Ubuntu
       New #1

    Using a customized restore disk to do a custom install


    I have just bought an HP Pavilion laptop which comes with "Windows 7 Home Prem OA". I have created a set of restore disks (3 DVD's) which I have tested and successfully restore the entire laptop.

    I want to boot this laptop into many different operating systems and so need to be able to do a customised install of Windows but the disc's won't let me.

    Does anyone know how to make a standard MS install CD/DVD from these specialist disks?

    Does anyone know how I can get a standard MS install CD/DVD from somewhere? Why doesn't MS allow you to download them from the site?

    I have a valid licence key, I just want to use it!

    Thank you very much in advance for any help.
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  3. Bill2
    Posts : 5,056
    Windows 7 x64 pro/ Windows 7 x86 Pro/ XP SP3 x86
       New #2

    1) Restore disks like HP's are customized with OEM info, drivers and various propreitary software (bloatware). Thats why they span 2-3 dvds. Problem is, a tool like 7lite or 7customizer would ask for an install.wim, which in this case would be split across multiple dvds and would need to be aggregated into a single, working .wim file for anybody to do anything meaningful with it. Its a very iffy process and very tedious with no guarantee of success. Take a look at this thread if this topic interests you.

    Accessing HP Recovery Disc Files: solved

    2) You can borrow a win7 dvd from a friend or download one from the web (dont ask where!), then install the same version that your machine came preinstalled with and phone-activate using the COA sticker key at the bottom of your computer. Here are a couple of how to's.

    Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc - Create

    Activate Windows 7 by Phone

    The reason MS doesnt allow easily available downloads is to thwart piracy, IMO. Also when you purchase genuine windows (other than the OEM computers), you invariably get a disk or .iso file with it.
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  4. theog
    Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       New #3

    If want a standard MS DVD, that you would need buy, or find a mate with one.

    Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP
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  6. Ztruker
    Posts : 6,285
    Windows 10 Pro X64
       New #4

    Why do you need a customizable install DVD? You can shrink the existing partition Windows 7 is installed on then create new partitions from the free space and install other OSes, like XP, or various versions of Linux (with care of course).

    Even better, install Oracle (used to be Sun) VirtualBox then install anything you want, from DOS 6.3, XP, Vista or another copy of Windows 7, to the latest and greatest Linux release as virtual guests.

    I have Win 98 Se, Windows XP Pro, Ubuntu Linux and Linux Mint all available as guests under Oracle VB.

    Using a customized restore disk to do a custom install-oraclevb.jpg
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  7. gregrocker
    Posts : 50,642
       New #5

    Borrow or find a Win7 install DVD, extract the ISO using ImgBurn then google ei.cfg removal tool to unlock all versions if necessary.

    Extract favorite apps from HP Recov disks using this: https://www.sevenforums.com/installat...tml#post488270

    Get any drivers the installer or optional Updates don't supply from HP Support Downloads webpage for your model.

    There are many reasons to have a Win7 installer to Repair, clean reinstall for much better performance.
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