Looking for advice on reinstalling Windows 7 OEM version

[Sereby]

I was working for a company that issued a laptop to me. The laptop came with Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit (OEM version). I have since left the company, but they allowed me to purchase the laptop (with the OS installed) at a deep discount.

I have some questions regarding cleaning up the system:

- I have a valid product key, but I don't have the necessary installation media (the company won't release it to me for obvious reasons - and, giving them the laptop is not an option). I've read online that a commercial Windows 7 ISO will accept the OEM key. Is that true? If not, does anyone know where I could download a legal copy of an OEM version of Win7? The laptop is an Asus G75VW. Just to be super clear, I'm talking about totally legal installation media, and in case you need to read it again, my product key is also totally legal. I am not interested in piracy, nor am I attempting to circumvent any security whatsoever.

- Is it possible to reinstall Win7 without having to also reinstall my apps? I have dozens of them installed, and tweaked, so it would be pretty inconvenient to have to go through that again. I've heard of a "repair" installation, but I'm not familiar with the details. For the curious, why this is inconvenient: I run a freelance business (just started, zero capital for a new laptop), and rely upon the laptop 7 days a week - in fact, I haven't even rebooted it or logged out since I purchased it because my user account is connected to AD credentials that cannot be changed or recovered - well, that's what I've been told by the IS department at the company I used to work for.

- If the above question is a negative, does anyone have recommendations on the best way to reinstall Win7 with the least amount of fuss?

Thanks so much for any advice!

 

[Megahertz07]

- If you haven't done it yet, do a backup of your data on an external drive.

- Did the laptop came with Win 7 Ultimate installed or did IT installed on it?
- Is it a enterprise license?
- You said that you have the valid product key. Is it on a COA stick?
- Run MGADiag https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012. Copy the results and paste them here.

- Yes, a commercial Windows 7 ISO will accept the OEM key.
- If Win 7 came installed by Asus, you probably have a Factory Recover image partition. It will format the C: drive and install Win 7 as it came from factory.
- If it's an enterprise license, I really don't know what you need to re install.
- If it's a OEM license, the kind you purchase on stores, than all you need is the license key.
- If you don't have Windows 7 Ultimate but have any other installation disk, don't worry. All installation dvd disk has all brands (Home, HP, Pro and Ultimate). If you don't have any disk or ISO, Download the down loader Microsoft Windows and Office ISO Download Tool and use the downloader to download the Win 7 HP COEM iso. I will instruct how to use a Win 7 HP iso to install the Ultimate.

Now the installation:
- A repair installation will only repair windows. It won't do what you want as you will still have the user account connected to AD credentials. You will have to do a clean install and reinstall all programs, unless one of the enterprise gurus here can guide you to on how to disconnect from AD credentials.

Please run MGAdiag and post the results here.

 

[SIW2]

I've read online that a commercial Windows 7 ISO will accept the OEM key. Is that true?

Yes, if it is the COA key.

You can use any regular install media. e.g. if it is called Professional or Home Premium, it will also contain the Ultimate image, which you can access using eicfg_removal_utility.zip

winisoutils - Windows ISO Disc Image Utilities

Installation media via Microsoft Windows and Office ISO Download Tool

 

[torchwood]

Hi Sereby,

Not sure if its gonna be there, but AD is a server based Edition application and if your running W7 its an additional program try uninstalling it if its in programs & features.

Whatever you do follow Megahertz's advice CREATE a back-up, before you do anything.

Also try factory reset.


Roy
@SIW2
The Heidoc link to W7 is currently down, week+, they are trying to restore it.

 

[SIW2]

The Heidoc link to W7 is currently down, week+, they are trying to restore it.

New version 5.02 works ok for pro and home premium, many languages .

 

[Megahertz07]

Sereby, just came to my mind that, as you have a ultimate version, your HDD may be encrypted with Bitlocker. You MUST do a unlocked backup of your data on an external disk.

 

[Sereby]

Thank you very much for your replies! Megahertz07, here are the answers to your questions:

Did the laptop came with Win 7 Ultimate installed or did IT installed on it?

The laptop has two stickers on the bottom, one is for "Windows 7 Home Prem OA," and the other is for "Windows 7 Ult OEM Software." To me, that looks like an upgrade...? But, I don't know if that's something that the manufacturer installed or IT.

Is it a enterprise license?

I'm not sure how I could find out. The IT department at that company managed about 300 Windows laptops, so maybe. Does this affect anything? Will the Win 7 Ult product key not work with the standard ISOs is it's for an enterprise edition?

You said that you have the valid product key. Is it on a COA stick?

Yes, and there's a product key on each of the two stickers I mentioned above.

Sereby, just came to my mind that, as you have a ultimate version, your HDD may be encrypted with Bitlocker. You MUST do a unlocked backup of your data on an external disk.

According to the Control Panel, BitLocker is off. But, I'll back everything up anyway.

Run MGADiag https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012. Copy the results and paste them here.

Here are the results:

Diagnostic Report (1.9.0027.0):
-----------------------------------------
Windows Validation Data-->

Validation Code: 0
Cached Online Validation Code: 0x0
Windows Product Key: *****-*****-GVBBJ-Q9CG6-HC7B9
Windows Product Key Hash: mmnHTGc+fzsHvz7LWRq5wbqvYYE=
Windows Product ID: 00426-OEM-9154394-06670
Windows Product ID Type: 3
Windows License Type: OEM System Builder
Windows OS version: 6.1.7601.2.00010100.1.0.001
ID: {BADA9277-69C1-4DCA-98A8-6E0CE81EFFDC}(1)
Is Admin: Yes
TestCab: 0x0
LegitcheckControl ActiveX: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Product Name: Windows 7 Ultimate
Architecture: 0x00000009
Build lab: 7601.win7sp1_gdr.150715-0600
TTS Error:
Validation Diagnostic:
Resolution Status: N/A

Vista WgaER Data-->
ThreatID(s): N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002

Windows XP Notifications Data-->
Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
File Exists: No
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WgaTray.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WgaLogon.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002

OGA Notifications Data-->
Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGAExec.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGAAddin.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002

OGA Data-->
Office Status: 109 N/A
OGA Version: N/A, 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Office Diagnostics: 025D1FF3-364-80041010_025D1FF3-229-80041010_025D1FF3-230-1_025D1FF3-517-80040154_025D1FF3-237-80040154_025D1FF3-238-2_025D1FF3-244-80070002_025D1FF3-258-3

Browser Data-->
Proxy settings: N/A
User Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Win32)
Default Browser: C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
Download signed ActiveX controls: Prompt
Download unsigned ActiveX controls: Disabled
Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins: Allowed
Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe: Disabled
Allow scripting of Internet Explorer Webbrowser control: Disabled
Active scripting: Allowed
Script ActiveX controls marked as safe for scripting: Allowed

File Scan Data-->

Other data-->
Office Details: <GenuineResults><MachineData><UGUID>{BADA9277-69C1-4DCA-98A8-6E0CE81EFFDC}</UGUID><Version>1.9.0027.0</Version><OS>6.1.7601.2.00010100.1.0.001</OS><Architecture>x64</Architecture><PKey>*****-*****-*****-*****-HC7B9</PKey><PID>00426-OEM-9154394-06670</PID><PIDType>3</PIDType><SID>S-1-5-21-2148998198-4210722818-886860125</SID><SYSTEM><Manufacturer>ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC.</Manufacturer><Model>G75VW</Model></SYSTEM><BIOS><Manufacturer>American Megatrends Inc.</Manufacturer><Version>G75VW.207</Version><SMBIOSVersion major="2" minor="7"/><Date>20120406000000.000000+000</Date></BIOS><HWID>FE313F07018400FE</HWID><UserLCID>0409</UserLCID><SystemLCID>0409</SystemLCID><TimeZone>Eastern Standard Time(GMT-05:00)</TimeZone><iJoin>1</iJoin><SBID><stat>3</stat><msppid></msppid><name></name><model></model></SBID><OEM><OEMID>_ASUS_</OEMID><OEMTableID>Notebook</OEMTableID></OEM><GANotification/></MachineData><Software><Office><Result>109</Result><Products/><Applications/></Office></Software></GenuineResults>

Spsys.log Content: 0x80070002

Licensing Data-->
Software licensing service version: 6.1.7601.17514

Name: Windows(R) 7, Ultimate edition
Description: Windows Operating System - Windows(R) 7, OEM_COA_NSLP channel
Activation ID: cfb3e52c-d707-4861-af51-11b27ee6169c
Application ID: 55c92734-d682-4d71-983e-d6ec3f16059f
Extended PID: 00426-00182-543-906670-02-1033-7601.0000-2512012
Installation ID: 018415823056269356113535087130488514147312674430977495
Processor Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88338
Machine Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88339
Use License URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88341
Product Key Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88340
Partial Product Key: HC7B9
License Status: Licensed
Remaining Windows rearm count: 3
Trusted time: 6/13/2017 11:21:09 AM

Windows Activation Technologies-->
HrOffline: 0x00000000
HrOnline: 0x00000000
HealthStatus: 0x0000000000000000
Event Time Stamp: 4:20:2017 18:25
ActiveX: Registered, Version: 7.1.7600.16395
Admin Service: Registered, Version: 7.1.7600.16395
HealthStatus Bitmask Output:


HWID Data-->
HWID Hash Current: MgAAAAEAAQABAAEAAgACAAAAAgABAAEAHKJEqibOtCS0UhSBiqnElhZkFoOsaSAmlmM=

OEM Activation 1.0 Data-->
N/A

OEM Activation 2.0 Data-->
BIOS valid for OA 2.0: yes
Windows marker version: 0x20001
OEMID and OEMTableID Consistent: yes
BIOS Information:
ACPI Table Name OEMID Value OEMTableID Value
APIC _ASUS_ Notebook
FACP _ASUS_ Notebook
HPET _ASUS_ Notebook
MCFG _ASUS_ Notebook
ECDT _ASUS_ Notebook
SLIC _ASUS_ Notebook
SSDT PmRef Cpu0Ist
SSDT PmRef Cpu0Ist
DMAR INTEL SNB
BGRT _ASUS_ Notebook

 

[Sereby]

Hi Sereby,

Not sure if its gonna be there, but AD is a server based Edition application and if your running W7 its an additional program try uninstalling it if its in programs & features.

Whatever you do follow Megahertz's advice CREATE a back-up, before you do anything.

Also try factory reset.


Roy
@SIW2
The Heidoc link to W7 is currently down, week+, they are trying to restore it.

I took a look through the installed applications, but I couldn't find anything related to AD. Would it be listed under a different name?

 

[Megahertz07]

I would say that your Win 7 ultimate is a regular OEM license. Roy can confirm if it is.
If it is, you can do a clean install.
Do you have a Win 7 64 installation disk (any brand)?
If you don't, use the link to download the Win 7 HP COEM iso. Microsoft Windows and Office ISO Download Tool

For now, open disk management, expand all columns, and with the sniping tool take a snapshot. Post it here as an attachment.
Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image - Windows 7 Help Forums

Found this Link for the drivers ASUSTeK Computer Inc. -Support- Driver & Tools - G75VW


Fist thing is to update your BIOS

 

[torchwood]

Hi Sereby,
Looks like your good to Go, the clean install route, Factory reset would default to the original OS Home Premium.

Use the links provided AND instructions to get Ultimate by SIW2, and the current System Builder key ending HC7B9.
(i prefer downloading to a USB, never had a problem with MS's own bootable option dont forget to change the boot order!)
Windows USB/DVD Download Tool - Microsoft Store
Nice of your Ex-employer not to install a volume licence, its cost them a lot of money!!!
Dont forget to copy any of your own progs for a qucker install

Roy

NB
when you get to here from Custom install -- make sure you delete ALL currently showing partition and it looks like this, ALL unallocated

 

[Megahertz07]

Sereby,
Don't do a install right now. I still want to see your drive with the disk management.

 

[Sereby]

Megahertz07, here's the shot of the disk management screen:

 

[torchwood]

Hi Sereby,
that looks like the norm to me,
But let Mega confirm.

NB
when performing the clean install UNPLUG ALL external devices.


Roy

 

[Megahertz07]

I wanted to see if you still have the Asus factory Recover partition. You don't.

You have two options:
- Uninstall the AD credentials to make it work normally. You will have to find how to do it. I can't help you on it.
- Do a clean install. Clean Install Windows 7 - Windows 7 Help Forums

Making the Win 7 Ultimate installation disk.
You didn't answer if you have a Win 7 64 installation disk.
If you don't, download the Win 7 64 COEM Home Premium using the down loader. Se post #2

Use use Windows USB/DVD Download Tool - Microsoft Store or Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way to create a boot able Win 7 installation flash disk.

If the source installation iso or disk wasn't Win 7 ultimate:
On the Win 7 installation flash disk created above, rename \sources\ei.cfg to \sources\ei.cfg.orig
When you go to install, it will ask what brand of Win 7 you want to install.

Installation
- Backup all your data files.
- Download all drivers for your laptop - ASUSTeK Computer Inc. -Support- Driver & Tools - G75VW
Save them on an external disk.
- Download and run LicenseCrawler - http://www.klinzmann.name/licensecrawler_download.htm. It will search for the licenses you have on your installation. Save the results on an external disk. You can use those licenses to reinstall the software s.
- Detach ALL other drives.
- Boot from the Win 7 installation USB flash disk. Go to install - advanced - delete ALL partitions (see post#10) - create new - proceed.
- Once finished, install all drivers till device manager doesn't show any yellow alert.
- For the updates - MS releases SP2 for Windows 7 - Windows 7 Help Forums
- Reinstall the other software s.
- Restore the data files from backup.

 

[Sereby]

Thank you very much, Megahertz07 & torchwood! Mega, I apologize for missing that question about the installation disc. I don't have one, so I'll have to download according to the instructions in this thread. I'll check back in and update when I make progress.