Digital River Win7 ISO servers taken down again

[gregrocker]

I heard about this just now in Clean Reinstall Windows 7 thread:

I had this great tutorial lined up for my install of a new SSD tomorrow using an ISO from the links provided but as of today the servers are being taken down! You are forced to use microsofts new downloads page which requires you to input your authetation code in before download. As mine is a OEM licence it won't let me and advises me to contact my vendor

As Jann from Heidoc reports in Windows 7 Direct Download Links as of now only English and Spanish are still up, links being replaced by a new MS Recovery Center that provides ISO's for a retail Product Key.

I'd also had heard from SIW2 who couldn't get it to take his retail key due to a Language error. I also had the same error on two of my retail Keys. The address we were using is Microsoft Software Recovery

But if it's not allowing Product Keys from COA stickers then it is another ridiculous attack on the ability of MS customers to get the best possible install of the OS they bought with their PC even after over a million consumers have done so following Clean Reinstall Windows 7. I honestly thought we were beyond this, but apparently not.

I'm going to wait a day before bringing this up to the MVP forums to see if anything changes.

 

[Layback Bear]

What I get as of now is this Greg.

Northern Ohio
Local Time: 21:24
2/3/2015


Windows 7 Direct Download Links

502 - Web server received an invalid response while acting as a gateway or proxy server.

There is a problem with the page you are looking for, and it cannot be displayed. When the Web server (while acting as a gateway or proxy) contacted the upstream content server, it received an invalid response from the content server.

 

[gregrocker]

Were you trying one of the remaining downloads, Jack?

I just heard this from another attempt:

Win7 Home Premium x64 SP1 English Official ISO download is still working, as reported in the Heidoc link which says English and Spanish are still up.

Im using chrome browser. Each time I used that link it got to around 1.9 gig downloaded before it failed. Unknown network error once and another time I thought it had downloaded but realised the file I recieved was only 2gig. the burner stated it wasnt a valid ISO file.
Should I be using some sort of download manager?

I suggested he try another browser, but it's possible the plug is already pulled.

I've messaged MVP friends at MS forums asking how they think we should proceed. To exclude OEM keys was likely decided by some bureaucratic functionary who has no idea how many millions of consumers have benefited by having the best install possible on a PC they bought in the store.

I am still appalled when I bring this up that some supposedly consumer-centered MVP's think that the Factory Install is all consumers are entitled to if they bought a store machine. These people literally are arguing "Why not the worst?" in the face of those who have spent years giving their customers the very best. Why should this be a never-ending struggle?

MS specifically puts a COA sticker on the PC so that consumers can liberate themselves from the OEM install and do one themselves. Without also providing an ISO this forces consumers to torrents loaded with warez and into the arms of pirates.

 

[Layback Bear]

I just used the link from your post.

As Jann from Heidoc reports in Windows 7 Direct Download Links as of now only English and Spanish are still up, links being replaced by a new MS Recovery Center that provides ISO's for a retail Product Key.

 

[derekimo]

I get this from Heidoc when trying to download the link you mentioned in your tutorial,



That's the Home Premium, The Ultimate is trying to download right now at about 700MB completed.

 

[gregrocker]

The Heidoc link? This is what I'm getting when opening it from Windows 7 Direct Download Links, Official Disk Images from Digital River:



We've been using these links for several years after a search to find the most stable source in a tracking thread which started when John allowed them here: http://www.sevenforums.com/vip/199586-windows-7-iso-downloads-rule.html#post1675994http://www.sevenforums.com/vip/199586-windows-7-iso-downloads-rule.html#post1678611

 

[derekimo]

No, I meant the home premium iso link you posted in your tutorial. I get the home page of Heidoc just fine.

 

[gregrocker]

That link Win7 Home Premium x64 SP1 English Official ISO download still gives me this:



which commences the Download. It's been reported to stall out on Chrome. I suggested another browser.

 

[derekimo]

That might be it then, it didn't even start for me just went straight to that page I showed above.

The ultimate just finished downloading though.

It'll be interesting to see where this is going.

 

[ThrashZone]

They don't have a vista iso do they I searched and didn't find one,
Vista forums was a bit weird on how to get it :/

 

[gregrocker]

This is the latest I have for Vista: Vista ISO - Download and Create Installation DVD or USB

 

[ThrashZone]

Yep that's the weird create one alright

 

[logicearth]

Btw, if you downloaded one version you have all of them, you do not need to download multiple copies. Just need e to remove that one file in the ISO.

 

[SIW2]

You can toggle ei.cfg ( little text file inside the iso ) with this: winisoutils - Windows ISO Disc Image Utilities

 

[derekimo]

Btw, if you downloaded one version you have all of them, you do not need to download multiple copies. Just need e to remove that one file in the ISO.

You can toggle ei.cfg ( little text file inside the iso ) with this: winisoutils - Windows ISO Disc Image Utilities

Not sure if you guys are referring to me or just in general, I was just testing the downloads, I already have an unlocked all in one version x86 and x64.

 

[logicearth]

Was being general.

 

[MBorrick]

I finally managed to d/l the X17-59887.iso file from digital river using the link in this thread, only diff was I used a wired connection.
Managed to create a bootable USB and booted from it. I cant test the install on this system tho, I'll have to wait until I receive the new drive. Fingers crossed.

 

[gregrocker]

Posted on MS internal communications channel this morning:

Apparently MS is taking down the Digital River servers where consumers can download Windows 7 ISO's for their licensed version to Clean Reinstall Factory OEM . My tutorial below has helped over 1.2 million consumers get the best possible install of the OS, which is eminently in MS best interests, compared to the worst possible (factory) install larded with bloatware and duplicate factory utilities that interfere with better versions built into the OS.

The problem is that the new Software Recovery Center at Microsoft Software Recovery only allows retail Product Keys, so those most in need of the media are shut out. This forces these consumers who bought PC's in a store to dodgy torrents for questionable downloads, since the OEM's will rarely provide Clean Recovery media in order to enforce their sponsors' bloatware.

If the COA sticker is required on factory OEM PC's so that consumers can liberate their copy of the OS to run it as they please, why are these Product Keys not being included as eligible for ISO downloads?

Further, MS needs to side with consumers on these buggy OEM factory installs and encourage the best possible Clean Install which we help achieve every time without a single complaint. I have asked at Summit and am hopeful Windows Ten Team will consider a Clean Reinstall Reset. This is giving the Consumers what they want.

I feel a great weight off since now (hopefully) the case is made to the same peers and execs who are trying so hard with Windows 10 to prove they are listening to consumers.

 

[SIW2]

Still not working.

 

[ThrashZone]

Anyway to transfer a bootable flash drives contents to another flash drive and keep it bootable :/
I made a boo-boo and put my laptops iso 32 bit home premium on a large flash drive
Unfortunately I deleted the original iso file

This bites because the iso is gone and was an upgrade key activation which won't work now the way Microsoft has the downloads setup

Might just have to buy another large flash drive owe well live and learn