How to replace crashed hard disk & re-install windows 7 using USB

See this tutorial: Clean Install Windows 7

In the above mentioned tutorial you can find for instance this information:

   Note

If you do not have a Windows 7 with SP1 installation DVD/USB, then you can download the latest official Windows 7 with SP1 ISO file here: Microsoft: Windows 7 Direct Download Links, and use Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool to create a bootable DVD or USB flash drive with the ISO to do the clean install with.

Kari

You need a valid Windows 7 product key for the edition you have (Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional or Ultimate). If your laptop came with a pre-installed Windows 7, you'll find the product key on a so called COA sticker on bottom of your laptop.

If your Windows 7 was bought separately instead of being pre-installed, you'll find your product key on the retail box or if you bought a downloadable version, on your receipt or the confirmation email.

See this tutorial if the laptop had a pre-installed Windows 7: Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

Kari

rbisawa said:

Hi All,

I am facing a serious problem with my laptop.

System Details
=============
Dell Inspiron N4010
OS: Windows 7 Home Basic (64-bit)

What has happened to the system:
============================
1. Laptop was working fine until the hard-disk crashed & now I am unable to boot the system.
2. Got to replace the hard-disk but I Do not have windows 7 installation disk/usb to install in on the fresh hard-disk. Also my CD-drive is not working so got to work using USB drives only.
3. Currently able to access the data on hard-disk using ubuntu bootable usb.
4. Planning to buy an external USB hard-drive to back up data before replacing the hard-disk.

Please help

Hi rbisawa,

You can install the retail version of windows on the system and can use the product key on the label on the system it should work absolutely fine.

Check this link for preparing USB key for your system:

USB Install

Also, visit this link for requesting discs for your system:

Request Backup Disks

Kindly update your system specs here by following this. Keep us posted with the results so we can advise you further.

rbisawa said:

Hi All,

Thanks for your quick replies. Just one query, the website "heidoc.net" does not contain the link to Windows 7 Home Basic which was the pre-installed OS on my laptop. Should I download Home Premium, if yes then will the product key work for Home Premium.

Thanks.

Hi rbisawa,

It might not work as product key on the label on the system would work with the Windows 7 Home Basic only.

Have you tried to request the disc using the link suggested by me. Also, you have 32 bit or a 64 bit version of windows installed on the system.

Keep us posted with the results so we can advise you further.

See this tutorial, Stage 1, to see how to make a Home Basic ISO image from downloaded Home Premium or Professional ISO image: Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc - Create

rbisawa said:

My laptop is not under warranty, so I think I wont be able to request for a recovery disk.

My system had win7-64 bit.

Is there no way of downloading a legal iso of win7 home basic which I can register using the product key which came along with the laptop?

Thanks

Hi rbisawa,

You should be able to request the disks from the link. However, if you face any issues then kindly send me the service tag for your system on a private message. I would check and let you know if I can arrange the disks to be sent out for you.

Keep us posted with the results so we can advise you further.