Is there a way to get Windows 7 Starter back on to my netbook?

[scokeev9]

I got my HP Mini 110 for christmas, which came with the Windows 7 Starter Edition. I recently tried uninstalling Ubuntu, and accidentally formatted the drive with my Windows 7 on it. Is there any way I can contact Microsoft, give them my computer information, i.e. Model#, etc., and get Windows 7 Starter again? Even if it was my own d.a. fault! lol
Really hoping I can get it back. Is there a way to restore the partition that I deleted with Ubuntu? I didn't back it up manually, but maybe there's an automatic backup of some sort??? And when I got my netbook, I didn't get a recovery disc or a key or anything of use. Please help.

 

[richc46]

Most computer mfg give you an option to restore to factory specs

Either
With a DVD that came with the computer

or

Tapping an f key during boot.

A little time with Google says that it might be f10

 

[scokeev9]

Most computer mfg give you an option to restore to factory specs

Either
With a DVD that came with the computer

or

Tapping an f key during boot.

If I didn't specify this before:
I don't have the Windows DVD, or any DVD, let alone a DVD drive! I completely reformatted my Main Drive (C:\) Which contained Win7. I need to know if there is any way to get my Windows 7 Starter Edition back, whether it is contacting Microsoft, or recovering the partition that was reformatted through Ubuntu.

 

[richc46]

The restore may not be on the C drive, but rather another drive, which is accessed by f10

 

[scokeev9]

I do have a recovery drive, which is on Drive D:\. It is not a bootable drive!!!!!!!!!!

 

[richc46]

If it contains the factory specs, it can be used. Turn on the computer, and qucikly and rapidly, many times hit f10

 

[Dwarf]

What is the full model number? See the following list:

HP Mini 110 PC series

 

[scokeev9]

If it contains the factory specs, it can be used. Turn on the computer, and qucikly and rapidly, many times hit f10

The computer's BIOS works, but I don't have the drive that contained Win7. What don't you understand?

 

[scokeev9]

It is an HP 110-1116NR.

 

[Dwarf]

This is the main support page for your netbook: HP Mini 110-1116NR PC - HP technical support (United Kingdom - English)

You might find this helpful: Repairing a Corrupted Installation Using HP Recovery Manager HP Mini 110-1116NR PC - HP technical support (United Kingdom - English)

 

[gregrocker]

You are trying to run Recovery. Read the Manual on the Support Downloads webpage for your model, trigger Recovery with the keys given. If it then won't run, it has been disabled by your other installs.

If you unhide Hidden and SYstem files at Control Panel>Folder Options>View and post back a screenshot of the folders in the REcovery Partition, we can help you navigate to the image file which can be mounted and run to reimage your factory installation. Use Snipping Tool in Start Menu to attach file with paper clip in reply box.

Otherwise locate or borrow a Win7 install DVD of any version, extract the ISO using ImgBurn, run the ei.cfg removal tool to unlock all versions, then burn to DVD or write to flash stick. Reinstall Starter with the key on the COA sticker on the computer.

 

[scokeev9]

The computer is working!!!! My Win7 OS has been deleted! I need to get it back!!!!!!!!! WHY DON"T YOU UNDERSTAND!!!

 

[scokeev9]

You are trying to run Recovery. Read the Manual on the Support Downloads webpage for your model, trigger Recovery with the keys given. If it then won't run, it has been disabled by your other installs.

If you unhide Hidden and SYstem files at Control Panel>Folder Options>View and post back a screenshot of the folders in the REcovery Partition, we can help you navigate to the image file which can be mounted and run to reimage your factory installation. Use Snipping Tool in Start Menu to attach file with paper clip in reply box.

Otherwise locate or borrow a Win7 install DVD of any version, extract the ISO using ImgBurn, run the ei.cfg removal tool to unlock all versions, then burn to DVD or write to flash stick. Reinstall Starter with the key on the COA sticker on the computer.

Thankyou! Finally someone knows what they're talking about. I just need to get the Microsoft Windows 7 DVD. Then that will work. Found the product key too. Thanks for the help!

 

[gregrocker]

Most computers have a Recovery Parttion which holds an image of the factory install, which you can run by tapping an F-key at bootup to reimage your HD with the factory install. If it has been disabled by your installs, the image file can be retrieved and mounted to run.

However, if you are good with the clean reinstall then go that route since it is a much cleaner install anyway.

The installer is mostly driver-complete, with newer arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates. Any drivers then missing can be found on the Support Downloads webpage for your model.

If you had your Recovery Disks (which can often be made from that partition) then you could extract favorite apps from them using this: http://www.sevenforums.com/installa...are-after-clean-win-7-install.html#post488270 It might even be worth ordering them from HP since they usually send them for only shipping charges.

 

[bobkn]

Thankyou! Finally someone knows what they're talking about. I just need to get the Microsoft Windows 7 DVD. Then that will work. Found the product key too. Thanks for the help!

Just out of curiosity, how are you going to handle the DVD? Your netbook has no built-in optical drive. (An external one may be OK, although I doubt that you can boot from it.) I'd suggest the bootable USB flash drive bit. (It has the beneficial side effect of being quicker than installing from the DVD as well.)

The quickest solution would be if your restore partition (hidden) still works. It's invoked by pressing the F11 key during startup:

Repairing a Corrupted Installation Using HP Recovery Manager HP Mini 110-1116NR PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

Note that Microsoft probably won't help you, if you contact them. They'll refer you to HP. All OEM Windows installations are supposed to be supported by the hardware builder. The link above includes information about ordering generic recovery disks.

I've seen links online to legitimate downloads of the WIn7 .iso online (such as at MyDigitalLife), but none of the links are for the Starter edition. I don't know whether the ei.cfg trick also covers Starter.

Good luck.

 

[gregrocker]

I just checked and fortunately Starter is included when you unlock all versions in Win7 installer using ei.cfg removal tool.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html

Here's another method if that fails, using Win2Flash: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srOoGhm-jcI

 

[scokeev9]

Otherwise locate or borrow a Win7 install DVD of any version, extract the ISO using ImgBurn, run the ei.cfg removal tool to unlock all versions, then burn to DVD or write to flash stick. Reinstall Starter with the key on the COA sticker on the computer.

@bobkn
As gregrocker said, I can write the ISO to a flash stick, which is what I'm going to do.

 

[bobkn]

Otherwise locate or borrow a Win7 install DVD of any version, extract the ISO using ImgBurn, run the ei.cfg removal tool to unlock all versions, then burn to DVD or write to flash stick. Reinstall Starter with the key on the COA sticker on the computer.

@bobkn
As gregrocker said, I can write the ISO to a flash stick, which is what I'm going to do.

I hope that you don't mean that literally. You need to extract the contents of the .iso (the freeware 7Zip can do that; I used the shareware MagicISO) to the flash drive.

Let us know how it works out. Sounds like you're on track.

 

[scokeev9]

Otherwise locate or borrow a Win7 install DVD of any version, extract the ISO using ImgBurn, run the ei.cfg removal tool to unlock all versions, then burn to DVD or write to flash stick. Reinstall Starter with the key on the COA sticker on the computer.

@bobkn
As gregrocker said, I can write the ISO to a flash stick, which is what I'm going to do.

I hope that you don't mean that literally. You need to extract the contents of the .iso (the freeware 7Zip can do that; I used the shareware MagicISO) to the flash drive.

Let us know how it works out. Sounds like you're on track.

I've tried just extracting w/ 7zip, using Windows XP, and it didn't show up as being bootable, so Gregrocker found a program that makes the flash stick bootable, and they use the term 'Write', so that's what I mean. Idk why it doesn't work right when I extract the ISO, but I have a solution, so thanks anyway. Still trying to find someone with a Windows 7 installation disc.

 

[theog]

Take a look here:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html?ltr=U
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/30470-make-bootable-iso-student-d-l.html