I have a Dell Laptop that won't boot up anymore (BSOD), I have saved all the data on the drive and I want to re-install/repair windows but I do not have the original Dell Windows 7 DVD (and the recovery drive was nuked). I do have a copy of Windows 7 Ultimate on me and I was wondering if I could use that to do the re-install (and keep their valid Dell CD-Key)?
Is this possible?
Thanks,
Hello Shaitan00, welcome to Seven Forums!
You can definitely do a clean install to the PC and activate with the activation key on the COA sticker attached to the PC but it will have to be the exact same Windows version the PC shipped with, Windows 7 is version-specific; you may have to make a robo-call to MS to sort the batch-key though.
How to Activate Windows 7 by Phone
If you can't find an exact same version, you could use the info in this tutorial to create an "all versions" installer of any version Windows installer, to install using the same method I posted above.
Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc - Create
In addition to the options BFK listed, you can also order a set of recovery disks from Dell for your model. These are equivalent to the recovery partition and will restore the computer to factory default state (that means the OS, drivers and apps the machine came preinstalled with).
Why do you not even mention what version Win7 is on the laptop?
If it's Ultimate you can use the Win7 DVD as it is, activating with the key on the COA sticker on machine (sometimes under the battery on Dells).
If it's another Win7 version, put the DVD in drive, extract the ISO using ImgBurn, run this tool on ISO: Unlock any version eicfg removal tool
Then burn all-versions ISO to DVD to install your version with Product Key on COA sticker.
Amazing idea ... didn't know it worked that way ... I'll give it a try.
Thanks,
Tips for getting a perfect reinstall of factory OEM: Reinstalling Windows 7
Let us know how it goes.
How to use Dell Recovery, & how to order Recovery Disks.
Dell - Support
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