Install windows 7 on a new HDD with just the old (dead) HDD's COA key?

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  1. Posts : 37
    Windows 7 Professional 64 bit
       #1

    Install windows 7 on a new HDD with just the old (dead) HDD's COA key?


    I have a Sony Vaio laptop (VPCSA35GG) which came pre-installed with a HDD running Windows 7 Professional 64 bit. It just crashed unexpectedly & I have no way of recovering anything from it. Its completely dead. And I dont have any recovery disks.

    Now I have bought a new HDD to replace the old one & want to install the same OS in it. I have only the COA key (which came with my laptop when I bought it) and a retail Windows installation CD. I dont have the disk that came with the laptop.

    Would this alone do? Will the COA key alone be able to activate Windows on my new HDD?

    I have very little knowledge about this, so any kind help from anyone would be highly appreciated. Kindly please provide me with some help..
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 17,322
    Win 10 Pro x64
       #2

    Welcome to the forum,

    You should have no problem doing that, using the COA key on a same version installer is fine, the key is what determines OEM or Retail. Is the retail disc a seven pro disc?

    The COA key you are talking about is the one on this sticker right?

    Install windows 7 on a new HDD with just the old (dead) HDD's COA key?-coa-stickers.gif

    Here's a tutorial for doing the install,

    Clean Install Windows 7
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 37
    Windows 7 Professional 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    derekimo said:
    Welcome to the forum,

    You should have no problem doing that, using the COA key on a same version installer is fine, the key is what determines OEM or Retail. Is the retail disc a seven pro disc?

    The COA key you are talking about is the one on this sticker right?

    Install windows 7 on a new HDD with just the old (dead) HDD's COA key?-coa-stickers.gif

    Here's a tutorial for doing the install,

    Clean Install Windows 7
    Thanks a ton! :)
    Yes the retail disk is a win7 pro 64 bit one.. the same version as my previous OS..
    yes, the one on the sticker..

    & thanks a ton for the tutorial too.. thank you so much!
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 17,322
    Win 10 Pro x64
       #4

    Yeah, you have everything you need then. You're welcome. :)
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 37
    Windows 7 Professional 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    derekimo said:
    Yeah, you have everything you need then. You're welcome. :)
    Sorry to bother you again..
    but i just got something in my mind.
    After installing Windows 7, what is the first thing I should do? Install all the drivers (in order) of my Sony Vaio or just install Windows Updates?
    Thanks in advance.. :)
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 17,322
    Win 10 Pro x64
       #6

    No bother. :)

    I would go with drivers, then updates, updates may take you a while to get caught up.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 12,012
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
       #7

    RebeccaValentin said:
    derekimo said:
    Yeah, you have everything you need then. You're welcome. :)
    Sorry to bother you again..
    but i just got something in my mind.
    After installing Windows 7, what is the first thing I should do? Install all the drivers (in order) of my Sony Vaio or just install Windows Updates?
    Thanks in advance.. :)
    Your Windows installation disc may supply all necessary drivers. It's kind of on a case by case basis.

    I'd do the basic install with the Windows disc and then evaluate. Look in Device Manager for any yellow exclamation marks. Check your hardware for any issues---display settings, text size, USB port functionality, printer, etc.

    If everything works to your satisfaction, I probably wouldn't install any other drivers. If not, consider the newest drivers for that particular functionality from your PC manufacturer's web site.

    The most important thing is to have an Internet connection, so I'd probably download the LAN/Ethernet/NIC driver for that before I began, even though it's usually installed by Windows during the initial installation.

    If you are going to install other drivers, install the INF driver first.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 37
    Windows 7 Professional 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #8

    derekimo said:
    No bother. :)

    I would go with drivers, then updates, updates may take you a while to get caught up.
    Thanks a ton again!!! :)
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 37
    Windows 7 Professional 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #9

    ignatzatsonic said:
    Your Windows installation disc may supply all necessary drivers. It's kind of on a case by case basis.

    I'd do the basic install with the Windows disc and then evaluate. Look in Device Manager for any yellow exclamation marks. Check your hardware for any issues---display settings, text size, USB port functionality, printer, etc.

    If everything works to your satisfaction, I probably wouldn't install any other drivers. If not, consider the newest drivers for that particular functionality from your PC manufacturer's web site.

    The most important thing is to have an Internet connection, so I'd probably download the LAN/Ethernet/NIC driver for that before I began, even though it's usually installed by Windows during the initial installation.

    If you are going to install other drivers, install the INF driver first.
    Is there any special procedure to actually get to know if any drivers are missing, apart from testing every functionality one by one?

    And thanks for the information :)
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 37
    Windows 7 Professional 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Sorry, I know this is something which is off topic. But got some doubts.. :)

    So these are the drivers from the Sony website ( I have a Sony Vaio S series laptop). When I finish installing Windows 7, I should just check for any missing drivers and install ONLY them? What if I miss something? (Im just a beginner and I have never tried anything like reinstalling Win before)
    And does the Windows disk usually contain every driver mentioned here?
    So if that is the case, then I should only go for driver updates?
    Thanks in advance.



      My Computer


 
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:34.
Find Us