Caution on buying Win7 off web

marsmimar said:

As usual, excellent information and very timely, Greg. When I bought my laptop from Dell, it had 7 Pro installed. No install or recovery disk was included, just a recovery partition. I was looking around online and found several Microsoft Certified (or Gold Certified) Partners selling 7 Pro OEM disks. Most of the companies I looked at have been in business for at least 10 years. Considering that these vendors are Certified Partners and are registered with Microsoft, is it safe (and legal) to purchase OEM software from them?

How much did they want for the simple install disk without a key?

You know that you don't need to buy the Pro key again since it came with the laptop, right? You own it for life and are fully entitled to reinstall with a clean-copy Win7 Pro installer if you choose, even though manufacturers may say they don't support it in order to enforce the bloatware which now makes up most of their profit margin.

The Product Key on COA will activate after a quick robocall to MS which sorts the actual key from batch key on sticker.

MS requires makers to provide an installation DVD upon demand, so you can also call Dell to inquire. This is separate from their decision to finally quit providing Install disks, so if they refuse you can make it an issue in a thread here which MS may well see.

We aren't able to link to ISO downlloads as it encourages piracy, only suggest you borrow or find an installer of your version. Any version ISO can also be unlocked to create an all-versions installer. If you do download an ISO be sure to rightclick scan it with your AV and check its HASH and comments to make sure nothing was added.

I must be lucky. I have a Intel Premier dealer a few blocks away and I get all my stuff from them. They have been there more years than I can count and wouldn't risk there reputation on tricks like that. As far as I know all Windows 7 system can make there own repair disc. My OEM W7 Home Premium 64 came built in.

I got three HP keys off ebay last Oct and all PCs are still working as they should, including all updates etc.

EDIT: Just to add i do have a legit copy of HP as well.

Layback is this what you are referring too?

System Repair Disc - Create

If so that won't do much good if you need to re-install Windows, all it allows is recovery options.

gregrocker said:

How much did they want for the simple install disk without a key?

You know that you don't need to buy the Pro key again since it came with the laptop, right? You own it for life and are fully entitled to reinstall with a clean-copy Win7 Pro installer if you choose, even though manufacturers may say they don't support it in order to enforce the bloatware which now makes up most of their profit margin.

The Product Key on COA will activate after a quick robocall to MS which sorts the actual key from batch key on sticker.

MS requires makers to provide an installation DVD upon demand, so you can also call Dell to inquire. This is separate from their decision to finally quit providing Install disks, so if they refuse you can make it an issue in a thread here which MS may well see.

We aren't able to link to ISO downlloads as it encourages piracy, only suggest you borrow or find an installer of your version. Any version ISO can also be unlocked to create an all-versions installer. If you do download an ISO be sure to rightclick scan it with your AV and check its HASH and comments to make sure nothing was added.

Thanks for the added info, Greg. When I bought my XP machine years ago Dell charged me about $20. for a plain install CD with no key. When I asked for the same thing for 7 Pro they said they no longer provided install disks for any price. Is there a MS website or KB article I could reference when I call Dell? Knowing how their support operates they'll just play dumb about having to provide a disk upon demand.

Give me more bloatware. I will even pay extra for it Caveat Emptor