Lost your Windows discs? How to get replacement media, legally

Page 4 of 7 FirstFirst ... 23456 ... LastLast
  1.    #30

    This is not XP. Win7 is driver-complete in the installer and quickly updated via optional Windows Updates.

    You only need to provide drivers missing in Device Manager after install and several rounds of Updates.

    I would not change out drivers given by installer or optional Updates unless performance points to a specific driver. If they are not provided by Win7, there is likely a reason Win7 doesn't want them.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 8,375
    W7 Ultimate x64/W10 Pro x64/W11 Pro Triple Boot - Main PC W7 Remote PC Micro ATX W7 Pro x64/W11 Pro
       #31

    That depends more on the device itself. For any addons like your video card, sound, tuner cards, printers, etc. especially more recent models you then have to locate what isn't found in the Windows updates as far as the application updates as well as device drivers.

    The Windows updates will typically see the driver sets but not the application side like the AMD/ATI Catalyst or NVidia Desktop manager. The sound mixer app for a separate sound card would again be found at the manufacturer.

    As far as the larger amount of generic drivers found in 7 over XP take a look at how many years have passed inbetween those two versions as well as how many newer hardwares and devices are now found on the market. External self contained hard drives, usb devices like flash drives, cell phone SD cards acting like flash drives the same way the onboard or added in memory card on digital cameras work. The development of 7 included support for these newer technologies not in existance back in January 2001 when XP was first seen.

    One other item that will be a great help however with any clean install of Windows is going for the Secunia Personal Software Inspector which will prompt when any newer version or update for anything installed is found. Even after Windows has been on for time this has proven itself to be an asset. Free Computer Security - Personal Software Inspector (PSI) - Secunia

    Besides being a security tool that will also make sure the drivers that go on are the correct ones for what you may need to find once you have to go with a clean install of Windows.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 16,132
    7 X64
       #32

    LOL.

    Mr Bott is entitled to post what he wants on his blog - that is how he makes a living.

    In spite of what he says, you will notice that there are large numbers of posts all over the net from people who are in a pickle because they didn't have any recovery media.

    While they might be then able to get it by ordering from the oem - it is very inconvenient to say the least.

    It usually ( but not always ) costs a bit, too.

    Comet might argue it is better to give the customers the opportunity to have it on dvd - already made - before disaster strikes.

    Seems perfectly sensible and would save a lot of people a lot of hassle.

    The difficulty appears to be that they were allegedly, selling it.

    If that is the case, then Comet should have had a licensing agreement beforehand.

    If they were charging £14.99 - is that selling - or is it a handling and postage fee?



    You will recall the "free" upgrade to Windows 7 for those who purchased Vista machines.

    If I remember correctly - it was the small, specialist companies, like Mesh, who were actually supplying the upgrade media free.

    There were a number of reports of some oems charging as much as £30 for the supposedly free ugrade media - apparently with MS blessing.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 8,375
    W7 Ultimate x64/W10 Pro x64/W11 Pro Triple Boot - Main PC W7 Remote PC Micro ATX W7 Pro x64/W11 Pro
       #33

    Unfortunately that does happen since they can swallow the OEM prices they pay MS for as far as license keys for OEM made systems and absorb that in the retail price you pay out for a then new Vista machine with the Anytime Upgrade offer.

    The smart thing but not too often thought of by a new time pc user would be using the utility prepackaged or available at the manufacturer's support site for seeing a recvery disk made. That would mean having your own disaster recovery plan inplace from the start rather then waiting until disaster and then 'I can't reinstall since I don't have a disk! "

    If you buy Windows at the MS store and request the backup media you pay an additional $15US for that to have an installation disk onhand. But you are still going directly through the MS Store whereas Comet slipped up by not clearing things through MS first even having MS provided the branded media under an agreement.

    The small fee for any backup media is expected to cover shipping and other expenses like manufacturing. With other softwares you purchase by electronic download you would also pay an extra $15US for example to have the cd or dvd media included with the purchase. The original software company however has the media manufactured for them for this purpose while Comet apparently went out on their own and was found out.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 29
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 x64
       #34

    Hey thanks a lot. I purchased my Dell Notebook second hand and it didn't come with any support DVDs. Ordered them via the Dell link you provided and got them the next day absolutely free!
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 222
    Windows 10/Windows 7 (My Idea- Virtual PC)
       #35

    I Love Ed Bott, he is the one guy on ZDnet who I can trust with the advice he gives. I appreciate this link, I am going to try to get replacement disks for my clients. If I had a full library of installers I could just buy the licenses on an as-needed basis instead of buying them in bulk. When I have a workgroup of Dell systems I like to have the original Dell Disks for re-installing the OSs.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 302
    Windows 8 64bit Professional
       #36

    Also, I have DreamSpark Accounts, I have no problem uploading a copy of Windows for someone.


    I see nothing wrong with this, or in violation of my ToS with DS due to the OS requiring a key to activate. Anyways, PM me and i'll find a hosting site for ya.
      My Computer

  8.    #37

    Generous but not necessary as we've been providing these for years now via Windows 7 Direct Download Links.

    These are the official Win7 installer ISO's from MS supplier, for use with an existing Product Key to Clean Install Windows 7, get a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7,
    or run a Repair Install.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 12
    WIN7RC
       #38

    I just bought a handy net computer with a 10.1 screen.

    It does not have the msi file, that could be my error when removing stuff with ccleaner.
    I called M$ help several times but they just want to take control of the computer, If anything there are more problems.

    There is no drive for CD/DVD

    Night Hawk: I have Desert property in the Mojave Desert North of Edwards Air Force Base


    How do I get and install the msi file?
    Most updates like the SP1 fails.

    Neil
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 20,583
    Win-7-Pro64bit 7-H-Prem-64bit
       #39

    Hi,
    You can post which exact version of win-7 you need and we can post an iso with sp1 already on it.
    Language/ 7 home premium...../ 32 or 64 bit ?
    Links are only good for 24 hrs so don't go to far away
      My Computer


 
Page 4 of 7 FirstFirst ... 23456 ... 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 01:53.
Find Us