Hi,
You will need the windows 7 installation media (usually on dvd ) to do that.
You can use a borrowed instal;lation dvd to install the same Edition (e.g. Home Premium ) that came preinstalled.
The key off the sticker on the side of the machine is your product key.
You may need to ring the oem to activate.
Karen don't fear this. I have gotten nothing but excellent help from this site and reccommend it totally.
If you make a misake just post back and they will get it straightened out.
Tom
Here are tips to look over for clean reinstalling to overcome factory bloatware: re-install windows 7
Until you locate an Installer to do the reinstall, here are tips for cleaning up a bloatware install: HP laptop has used up all four primary partitions
When you are ready to proceed, start another thread in Install as you are tagging onto an old thread that may be passed over by those who can help you. You deserve maximum attention in your own thread for taking such initiative and we will be glad to help.
My son has an HP Probook 4520s notebook and wants me to reinstall Win 7 for him. He got a Win 7 64 bit disk and driver disk with it also. His laptop is 32 bit and when I try to put the new one in it says its not conpatable and to use the installation disk instead. HP says to use the one he got. It doesn't seem to like it though. What am I doing wrong?
Hi Richie:
Is this a Win7 Installation DVD? Try booting the DVD to do Custom clean install. Clean Install Windows 7
Back up your files and make the HP Recovery Disks first so you have a path back to factory condition. A secondary backup of a Win7 backup image can also be saved. Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup
There are 64 bit drivers for the Pro version which can likely be used for your version Win7 as well. HP probably only wants to mess with 64 bit on their (Pro) business computers since it initially was more of a challenge but now becoming ubiquitous. The drivers can be found here: HP ProBook 4520s Notebook PC*-* Download drivers and software - HP Business Support Center
However, the Win7 installer is mostly driver-complete, with newer arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates and by enabling auto driver loading here: Automatically get recommended drivers and updates for your hardware
Afterward any drivers missing in Device Manager can be found on the webpage linked above.
Additional tips for getting a purrfect install are in my previous post just above.
I did boot with the 7 disk that came with it. Thats where I got the message that it wasn't compatable and to use the restore disk. How do I come up with a restore disk? My HP desktop came with the opion to burn one this laptop didn't. All files have been backedup to external HD. Its not like I've never done this before but its not working this time. Thanks for your reply. Richard
Hi Richie -
Is this a Win7 Installation DVD? Put it in your Desktop drive, in Computer rightclick to Open it and make a screenshot of the files using Snipping Tool in Start Menu.
If it is an Installation DVD it should boot to either Repair or Install Win7. Are you getting the telltale "Press any key to boot DVD/CD?"
It should only error that its incompatible if a 64 bit installer attempts to run from 32 bit Win7.
Boot from CD - How to Boot your Computer from a Bootable CD or DVD - Boot to CD
Last edited by gregrocker; 28 Dec 2010 at 12:36.
Sorry but had to go to work. His laptop seems to be a 32 bit. And the disk that came with it seems to be 64bit. HP told me that the disk would give me an option for either one. BUT I kinda need to get it to work first.
Hey, I too thinking about trying to do a clean install also. I see you say you are a pro at them it is your specialty. I would really like to know how exactly I could with my computer. I have a Pavilion p6654y I bought from Best Buy. I do not have a windows 7 disk or anything like that. I was going to try and make my own installation disk using the tutorials I have seen in these forums. But I could not remember where exactly I saw the one I need. For one I am okay with computers. But I am no guru. I really do not know very much at all. I would say I know the basics if that. But I am trying to learn as much as possible. Anyway. Like I said I was thinking about trying a clean install. I do have an upgrade. I have upgraded my windows edition to the ultimate. But I would really like step by step instructions on how to do it. Like Karen where I just read what you said in her thread. I need clear instructions. I do want a clean install. But I do want to be able to have the programs to burn DVD's ISO files onto DVD's and CD's burning software. Also I have lightscribe so I will want that software also. But other than that I think I will be fine without the rest. Is there anyway to do this do you know? Any help would be greatly Appreciated.
Here is the link to a thread I have made to ask questions about my computer. Please reply here. So anyone else who wants to could read your expertise answers also. Thank you.
Questions about my PC
Look over these steps and feel free to ask any questions back: re-install windows 7
Look at the HP Support Downloads webpage for your exact model to see if it has the software you need. If not, you can actually extract favorite preinstalled software from the HP Recovery Disks using this method: https://www.sevenforums.com/installat...tml#post488270 But most important software should be on the Downloads page with the drivers.
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