Craigslist PC - win 7 - but no install disk

Hi folks,
Quick question:
I'm looking to buy a used PC but it doesn't come with any OS disks. Should I steer clear?
Thanks

Welcome to the Seven Forums.

Sadly, a lot of new computers do not come with an OS installation disc - so there might not be one to pass along to you with the sale. You can ask the seller if they will send you the info requested in this post: Windows Genuine and Activation Issue Posting Instructions - then we might be able to tell you a bit about the computer.

If the operating system is using a legit OEM license, then you can download a disc from the link in this tutorial: Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc - Create

Wow! Many thanks for that great information. I'll report back.

You need to find out from the seller if he has the 25 character "Product Key" that comes with every legit copy of Windows. Also ask the seller if he made "recovery disks" (not the same as an installation disk) if this is a PC manufactured by a major supplier like Dell, Acer, or HP.

If you have that product key, you can make your own installation disc and install and activate from it.

If you don't have that key, you may be limited to just doing a "restore" or "recovery" if that capability is still available on the PC. That is different from a "clean install" and would only restore the PC to the configuration it was in when it left the manufacturer. A restore or recovery requires a set of recovery disks (typically made by the first owner) or access to a hidden partition on the hard drive, placed there at the time of manufacture.

The Product Key is what you pay the money for when you buy a valid Windows installation disc. The disc itself can be legally downloaded at no charge.

If the PC is from a major brand like HP, Lenovo, or Dell, the Product Key should be on a sticker somewhere. It's in this format: xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx.

If the PC is home-built, you have to hope the builder wrote the key down and can pass it along to you.

Great info there, ignatzatsonic. Many thanks!

Once you know you have the Product Key, you can always do a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 - Windows 7 Help Forums. The installation media is provided in Step 1.

Thanks for that bit of info, Greg.

I'm looking forward to using Win 7 because if I have any problems this forum is a gold mine of support. Thanks!

AddRAM,
Thanks for the additional information.
OK, that is a very cool image(s) you posted!

OK, I've got the PC. Woohoo!

There is no COA sticker anywhere. It fires up just fine. (I've just made a "Repair Disc Windows 7 64-bit")
Looks like I'm good to go.

Here's the MGADiag report:

Code:

Diagnostic Report (1.9.0027.0):
-----------------------------------------
Windows Validation Data-->

Validation Code: 0
Cached Online Validation Code: N/A, hr = 0xc004f012
Windows Product Key: *****-*****-2VJC9-XBBR8-HVTHH
Windows Product Key Hash: k/l/EMDQdwK9OvdCkPtHG1YdosE=
Windows Product ID: 00392-918-5000002-85224
Windows Product ID Type: 1
Windows License Type: KMS Client
Windows OS version: 6.1.7600.2.00010100.0.0.004
ID: {9492D7D9-CC75-4A97-BB08-33FFCB331C33}(1)
Is Admin: Yes
TestCab: 0x0
LegitcheckControl ActiveX: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Product Name: Windows 7 Enterprise
Architecture: 0x00000009
Build lab: 7600.win7_rtm.090713-1255
TTS Error: 
Validation Diagnostic: 
Resolution Status: N/A

Vista WgaER Data-->
ThreatID(s): N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002

Windows XP Notifications Data-->
Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
File Exists: No
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WgaTray.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WgaLogon.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002

OGA Notifications Data-->
Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGAExec.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGAAddin.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002

OGA Data-->
Office Status: 109 N/A
OGA Version: N/A, 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Office Diagnostics: 025D1FF3-364-80041010_025D1FF3-229-80041010_025D1FF3-230-1_025D1FF3-517-80040154_025D1FF3-237-80040154_025D1FF3-238-2_025D1FF3-244-80070002_025D1FF3-258-3

Browser Data-->
Proxy settings: 
User Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Win32)
Default Browser: C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
Download signed ActiveX controls: Prompt
Download unsigned ActiveX controls: Disabled
Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins: Allowed
Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe: Disabled
Allow scripting of Internet Explorer Webbrowser control: Disabled
Active scripting: Allowed
Script ActiveX controls marked as safe for scripting: Allowed

File Scan Data-->
File Mismatch: C:\Windows\system32\wat\watadminsvc.exe[Hr = 0x80070003]
File Mismatch: C:\Windows\system32\wat\npwatweb.dll[Hr = 0x80070003]
File Mismatch: C:\Windows\system32\wat\watux.exe[Hr = 0x80070003]
File Mismatch: C:\Windows\system32\wat\watweb.dll[Hr = 0x80070003]

Other data-->
Office Details: <GenuineResults><MachineData><UGUID>{9492D7D9-CC75-4A97-BB08-33FFCB331C33}</UGUID><Version>1.9.0027.0</Version><OS>6.1.7600.2.00010100.0.0.004</OS><Architecture>x64</Architecture><PKey>*****-*****-*****-*****-HVTHH</PKey><PID>00392-918-5000002-85224</PID><PIDType>1</PIDType><SID>S-1-5-21-126481843-4036998642-518973331</SID><SYSTEM><Manufacturer>Dell Inc.                </Manufacturer><Model>OptiPlex GX620               </Model></SYSTEM><BIOS><Manufacturer>Dell Inc.                </Manufacturer><Version>A11</Version><SMBIOSVersion major="2" minor="3"/><Date>20061130000000.000000+000</Date></BIOS><HWID>38B83607018400EC</HWID><UserLCID>0409</UserLCID><SystemLCID>0409</SystemLCID><TimeZone>Eastern Standard Time(GMT-05:00)</TimeZone><iJoin>0</iJoin><SBID><stat>3</stat><msppid></msppid><name></name><model></model></SBID><OEM/><GANotification/></MachineData><Software><Office><Result>109</Result><Products/><Applications/></Office></Software></GenuineResults>  

Spsys.log Content: 0x80070002

Licensing Data-->
Software licensing service version: 6.1.7600.16385

Name: Windows(R) 7, Enterprise edition
Description: Windows Operating System - Windows(R) 7, VOLUME_KMSCLIENT channel
Activation ID: ae2ee509-1b34-41c0-acb7-6d4650168915
Application ID: 55c92734-d682-4d71-983e-d6ec3f16059f
Extended PID: 00392-00170-918-500000-03-1033-7600.0000-0672014
Installation ID: 000952921113865635029706317764975230731514111176970644
Partial Product Key: HVTHH
License Status: Initial grace period
Time remaining: 43200 minute(s) (30 day(s))
Remaining Windows rearm count: 3
Trusted time: 3/8/2014 3:07:57 PM
Please use slmgr.vbs /ato to activate and update KMS client information in order to update values.

Windows Activation Technologies-->
HrOffline: 0x00000000
HrOnline: N/A
HealthStatus: 0x0000000000000000
Event Time Stamp: N/A
ActiveX: Not Registered - 0x80040154
Admin Service: Not Registered - 0x80040154
HealthStatus Bitmask Output:


HWID Data-->
HWID Hash Current: MAAAAAEABAABAAIAAAAAAAAAAQABAAEAnJ+eBgxSgv5I5Kp2ABu8m2QURJ0cKOw7

OEM Activation 1.0 Data-->
N/A

OEM Activation 2.0 Data-->
BIOS valid for OA 2.0: yes, but no SLIC table
Windows marker version: N/A
OEMID and OEMTableID Consistent: N/A
BIOS Information: 
  ACPI Table Name    OEMID Value    OEMTableID Value
  APIC            DELL          GX620  
  FACP            DELL          GX620  
  HPET            DELL          GX620  
  BOOT            DELL          GX620  
  SSDT            DELL        st_ex
  ASF!            DELL          GX620  
  MCFG            DELL          GX620