Retail and OEM License DVD differences

[Joe7]

Hi all,
I'm recovering a notebook HD that return strange input/output errors. It is possible that a destructive low level rebuild of whole disk will be needed (just using something like old "dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sda".... Yes from a linux based live CD).
Anyway data stored on the disk are no more accessible.... also recovery partition seems corrupted.

So, let's say that I will be able to repair in some way that disk, but all data partitions and so on will be deleted.
I will have a clean notebook and its back stick with MS OEM (Samsung) product key related to Home Premium version (Italian language).

I think it is also possible to find a genuine DVD (also on the net thanks to old digital river isos).
Let's say that I find for example a Win7 Ultimate ISO, and I delete its ei.cfg file and then recreate a universal "64bit" ISO.

My question is:
Will I be able to install Win 7 Home Premium on that notebook after inserting my Prod. Key (OEM licensed)? But above all I will pass activation product procedure without any errors?

I mean, since I read OEM and Retail Win7 DVD have no difference I'd like to ask there for a confirm.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/85813-windows-7-universal-installation-disc-create.html

In addition, Microsoft has eliminated the differences between the retail and OEM install discs with Windows 7, so this disc can be used to reinstall Win7 on PC’s where the owner has lost, or is unable to find, the OEM restore discs.

And lastly, is all this procedure to re-install and reactivate Win7 legal or not?

Thanks in advance!

 

[whs]

The OEM key is useless. It is a mass activation key that is present on many PCs of that manufacturer. You have to use the key that is on the COA sticker on the bottom of your laptop. That is the only key unique to your PC.

 

[gregrocker]

Of course it's legal. It's your property you can reinstall any way you want. Can Ford tell you it's illegal to overhaul your car engine? Over 1.5 million consumers have followed Clean Reinstall Windows 7 without a single complaint. It is one of the largest tech publications on the web.

It discusses in Step 1 how to find safe reinstall media. It also shows how to rescue your files and anything else needed to be backed up so its isn't forgotten. Then it includes everything needed to get and keep a perfect install. You'll have a perfect install just as long as you stick with those tools and methods given.

Test your hard drive first with its maker's HD Diagnostic followed by a full Disk Check to know for sure its condition.

 

[Joe7]

Thanks for your confirm!
Of course I was referring to COA Product Key on the bottom of the notebook. and not the one used by manufactured to pre-activate this machine OEM system.

As regard hard drive integrity, I'm still copying data to an external HD but there are many errors on the scree (expecially input/output errors).
Th HD model is (as reported by "smartctl -a"):
-----------------------------------------------
Model Family: SAMSUNG SpinPoint M7E (AFT)
Device Model: SAMSUNG HM321HI
Serial Number: S26VJ1ZZ329917
LU WWN Device Id: 5 0024e9 003302085
Firmware Version: 2AJ10001
---------------------------

Samsung support is related just to SSD drives and that HD is about five years old...
So what tool would you suggest?
Perhaps "SeaTools"?

 

[alphanumeric]

This trick can be used to convert any version of Windows 7 to a universal install disk, http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/85813-windows-7-universal-installation-disc-create.html If you get stuck with the wrong version DVD/ISO.
Also, http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html

 

[ignatzatsonic]

As regard hard drive integrity, I'm still copying data to an external HD but there are many errors on the scree (expecially input/output errors).


So what tool would you suggest?
Perhaps "SeaTools"?

Seatools should work. As far as I know, it is compatible with any HD brand.

 

[gregrocker]

What is the brand of your hard drive. Look on the drive itself or enter BIOS setup at boot to google the listing under hard drive which is often a Serial or Model Number.

Otherwise as stated Seatools will work for any brand, but to diagnose and not to repair other brands like WD.

 

[Joe7]

As reported on my last post, disk specs seems to be:

Th HD model is (as reported by "smartctl -a"):

Model Family: SAMSUNG SpinPoint M7E (AFT)
Device Model: SAMSUNG HM321HI
Serial Number: S26VJ1ZZ329917
LU WWN Device Id: 5 0024e9 003302085
Firmware Version: 2AJ10001

I tried also to plug out and re-plug in the disk... If I well remember it is a Samsung HDD, as confirmed by smartctl output.
Notebook model is Samsung NP-R530.

have you already seen those infos I've posted?
Which tool would you suggest for that disk model?

 

[gregrocker]

Yes, I see it now. Go ahead with SeaTools for DOS and Windows - How to Use - Windows 7 Help Forums http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/313457-seatools-dos-windows-how-use.html

 

[Joe7]

Thank you!

An other question about OEM license and related Product Key on COA sticky:
if notebook HDD will result to be broken after all tests and procedures to repair it, I could consider to replace it with a new one (perhaps a 128/256 GB SSD).
But... after installing Win7 (Home-Premium version of course) on that new disk, will my product key still be working at activation procedure?

Thanks a lot again for all your answers!

 

[alphanumeric]

Yes, your product key will still work if you swap out your hard drive. The first time you try to activate with the code on the COA sticker it may not activate online. Don't panic, that's normal. Just do the phone activation and you will be good to go. It's happened to me a couple of times when using the OEM key on a COA sticker. Once I've told the person on the phone why I had to use that code they gave me the code to type in to finish the phone activation.

 

[Joe7]

Ok, It's a good news, since Samsung support told me that a disk replacement would end in invalidating OEM license, and in case I should buy a brand new Retail license... Sounded really strange! wasn't it?

 

[whs]

Ok, It's a good news, since Samsung support told me that a disk replacement would end in invalidating OEM license, and in case I should buy a brand new Retail license... Sounded really strange! wasn't it?

There is really no need to buy a new license as long as you have the key from your COA sticker. That's the one that belongs to your PC and you can install with it as often as you like.

 

[alphanumeric]

Replacing the hard drive can break the factory OEM activation. You need custom OEM install media to restore that functionality. That may be what they were hinting at? But, that's what the COA sticker is there for. It's a backup way of activating your system again. Once you do the phone activation it will be every bit as legal as it was before the hard drive died. It will just activate online instead of against the BIOS code.

 

[Joe7]

Perfect!
May be Samsung support referred to factory BIOS based OEM activation.
Anyway, since COA sticker PK has no troubles even if HD is replaced, I don't care about factory pre-activated key.

Thanks a lot!