Install windows 7 if I have a serial, but not the DVD?

[Deusdies]

Hi,

Kind of sucks that I registered here and that my first post is asking for help...

Anyway, a month ago I bought a laptop which came with Windows 7 Home Premium pre-installed. However, it had issues (for those who know about the issue, it's when "Not Responding" error constantly appears in all applications. Something to do with setting the drives to work in IDE or AHCI mode). So I put Windows XP on it, erasing the 7.

But then 2 days ago I got myself a desktop. It's relatively high end, but it's custom built. Did not come with an OS installed. So I put Ubuntu Linux on it. But I'd like to install the 7.

So can I do it somehow for free? I have the 7 Home Premium serial number on the sticker on the bottom of my laptop, but I don't have the DVDs. Is it somehow possible to download the DVDs of the internet, and then put my serial number in?

I know I could find it on the torrent websites, but I am not sure I want to do that. Would it be legal to download a copy of windows 7 from a torrent website, but then put my serial number during the installation?

Thanks for your help!

-Bo

 

[gregrocker]

Sorry, you can't use your laptop OEM sticker key to activate any other than the version that is locked to that laptop hardware. You are wasting an expensive Win7 license on that laptop by using retro XP on it, too.

Suggest you eventually buy an Upgrade version for your Desktop and use your XP as qualifier to Upgrade. XP doesn't even have to be installed, just have it on hand and not use it after installing Win7.

I would find an installer for Win7 and clean install to your laptop, which will activate using the key on the sticker. A clean install should overcome any problems that were likely due to the bloatware on your factory install. The drivers are all in the installer and delivered by Windows Updates. There are more drivers and apps on the Support Downloads page for your model laptop.

 

[Deusdies]

Greg,

Thanks for a swift reply! Well, the reason I downgraded is because Windows 7 was not behaving well on my laptop. It was really frustrating. I've encountered several people that had the same problem, but no one has come up with a solution.

But still, if what you said is correct, I'll definitely try it.

Also, I am a student - so I'm eligible for the $29.99 copy of Windows 7. Is that a full copy, or an upgrade? I'm thinking of creating a separate partition for Windows 7, as I don't want to reinstall all my programs again. I do have an external harddrive, but, again, I won't be able to transfer programs anyway.

 

[gregrocker]

I believe the student download is full version, but it doesn't matter because that XP qualifies you for Upgrade version whether the XP is installed or not.

So buy the Upgrade for your PC, then also use the installer to install Win7 back to your laptop to activate with the key on the license sticker.

You have to reinstall your programs whether you create a dual boot or not. They cannot run on the other OS. We also have a lot of problems with dual booting Ubuntu with Win7. You need to remove and then reinstall the GRUB bootloader to manage boot after Win7 install.

What are the exact issues on the laptop?

 

[Deusdies]

Greg,

But why would I purchase an upgrade, when purchasing a full version is cheaper for me?

Thanks,
Bo

 

[gregrocker]

No reason to purchase full version unless you get it cheaper, agreed.

I'm only saying if the student download you are referring to is different than the one I have heard is Full Version, but is only Upgrade, then it will still work for you.

What are the laptop issues?

 

[Deusdies]

Okay, I'm glad we cleared that up. The laptop issues are very strange. For a brief second or two, every now and then (but it's like during the whole day, at least once in 15 minutes, making it very annoying), whatever program it is that I am running stops responding. Again, it stops responding for about 1-3 seconds, but it's really annoying. It does not matter if it's Firefox, Explorer, Skype... they just stop. And it is nothing special that I am doing with those programs to cause them to stop responding; they just do.

I did extensive research and found many folks with the same issue. Apparently, the possible fix is switching from the AHCI mode to IDE in motherboard BIOS. I did that, but then Windows 7 fails to boot completely.

 

[richc46]

Okay, I'm glad we cleared that up. The laptop issues are very strange. For a brief second or two, every now and then (but it's like during the whole day, at least once in 15 minutes, making it very annoying), whatever program it is that I am running stops responding. Again, it stops responding for about 1-3 seconds, but it's really annoying. It does not matter if it's Firefox, Explorer, Skype... they just stop. And it is nothing special that I am doing with those programs to cause them to stop responding; they just do.

I did extensive research and found many folks with the same issue. Apparently, the possible fix is switching from the AHCI mode to IDE in motherboard BIOS. I did that, but then Windows 7 fails to boot completely.

Also, make sure all your memory is recognized. Go to task manager and check out your memory.

 

[Deusdies]

Will do that - thanks!

 

[richc46]

If memory is ok, Type in event viewer in search and look for errors around the time of the problem. Keep us informed.

 

[gregrocker]

Good suggestions to run the Windows Memory Diagnostic test and study repeat errors in Event Viewer.

You might want to reinstall using IDE controller setting since your research points to this solution.

Upon reinstall, use Internet Explorer to start then add programs one a time using restore points and with enough time in between that you fully check performance. Only add other browser(s) last.

 

[Deusdies]

I checked the event viewer before, found nothing of interest.

I have also reinstalled my SATA and IDE controllers, didn't help either.

 

[gregrocker]

At this point I would run a http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html?ltr=R