Fresh Installation of Windows 7 using ISO and OEM Key on Toshiba L450

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  1. Posts : 32
    Windows 7 64 bit
       #1

    Fresh Installation of Windows 7 using ISO and OEM Key on Toshiba L450


    Hi I bought a Toshiba with Windows 7 on it five years ago - I want to install an SSD now. Can I use the Belarc website to get the OEM Windows Key which came installed on the Toshiba, download the Windows USB download device, get the ISO from digital river, use to the OEM Windows key when booting up, then install Windows fresh on the SSD?
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  2. Posts : 1,670
    win 10
       #2

    Hi
    You should have a sticker on bottom of laptop for the key
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  3.    #3

    Everything needed is here to get and keep a perfect install: Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
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  4. Posts : 32
    Windows 7 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #4

    I don't think I have a sticker - perhaps they stopped putting them on computers at some point? I have used Belarc, and have a 25 digit code. Is there any chance this might be the right key? Belarc has a note at the bottom of the screen saying it might be a generic SLP batch key:

    'This may be the manufacturer's factory installed product key rather than yours'.

    Is there an element of doubt here though, 'it may be'? Is there any way of checking.
    If there is no sticker, then how else can you get the key?

    I have a Windows USB stick now, having put the ISO on it after using Windows USB Downloader and adding Bootsect. But this is useless without a useable key, I guess?

    Is it worth using the Toshiba back up disc instead, or will this cause alignment problems with the SSD?

    The contents of the Windows USB stick looks similar to the contents of the Toshiba Recovery disc - I will keep the latter to revert to factory settings if need be. I want the best option to make the SSD run at maximum speed.
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  5. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #5

    You can check the key with PID checker, if it shows the key as OEM SLP then it`s the mass factory key which you can`t use to do a clean install.

    Online PIDChecker

    You can always fix the alignment after using your Recovery Discs.
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  6. Posts : 6,330
    Multi-Boot W7_Pro_x64 W8.1_Pro_x64 W10_Pro_x64 +Linux_VMs +Chromium_VM
       #6

    Some laptops have the COA sticker inside the battery compartment.
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  7.    #7

    If this is Win7 was preinstalled at factory and has not been reinstalled with the Product key on COA sticker, then the SLP key cannot be used to activate a Clean Reinstall. I'd look again for the COA sticker because Toshiba would not have sold Win7 on that PC without it.

    Otherwise for reinstall you'll need to use Recovery disks and then afterward try to Clean Up Factory Bloatware to regain performance ruined by bloatware and especially the duplicate factory utilities that interfere with better versions built into Win7.

    Another option if you're happy with the install you have then you can clone or image it over. Most of us here recommend Macrium Imaging - Windows 7 Help Forums.

    You can ask for any specialized help in the tutorial's Comments section from its author who is expert on SSD's and imaging.
    Last edited by gregrocker; 29 Jan 2015 at 14:15.
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  8. Posts : 46
    windows 7 pro 32bit
       #8

    download MGAdiag tool and run.post your results. we can find what type of key you have.if your pc came with factory pre installed windows it will have oem slp,in that case you can use aomei partition assistance for os migration form hdd to ssd AOMEI Partition Manager Software: Partition Magic Alternative for Windows Desktop, Laptop, Workstation and Server
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  9. Posts : 32
    Windows 7 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #9

    That is really helpful - thank you. I will transfer to the clean install thread but for now, one thing
    I've come across a lot of comments on this alignment thing - eg
    How-to: copy HDD to SSD with correct 4k alignment | Hardware.Info United Kingdom

    Is this really worrying over nothing, if it has worked for you to use the recovery image.
    The HDD is 160, and new SSD is 128 -- I hear there are problems if the HDD is much bigger than the SSD.
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  10.    #10

    You can easily check SSD Alignment - Windows 7 Forums.

    In addition there are these SSD Tweaks and Optimizations in Windows 7.

    Another method for SSD - Install and transfer the Operating System

    The author can guide you from any of those tutorials.

    But do you know why there is no COA sticker as Toshiba cannot under their EULA with MS resell Win7 without having it on there somewhere. I'd contact them to inquire and let us know what they say. You want that option to take control of your Win7 from Toshiba which is why MS provides your own personal reinstall Product Key for only that PC.
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