Creating a Windows 7 HP disc from a pre-installed setup

[daidman]

Hi there, I have two laptops - a new one with Win 7 HP 32bit and an old one with Win 7 HP 64 bit

The new one with Win 7 HP 32bit came with 4gb of ram which is a bit silly since 32bit Win 7 HP can only use 3gb of that, but from what I understand, the serial on the underside can also be used to activate the 64bit version, which would recognise all the ram

Now, even though I've paid for two Win 7 HP licenses, I don't actually have a Win 7 disc, only the factory reset discs (which I had to burn myself when I first turned on the computer - which is pretty shocking really!!!)

But I digress. Is there any way Win 7 HP 64bit on my new laptop WITHOUT paying for it (again) I know XP let you make custom (slipstreamed) XP discs from installations but I can't find a way to do it in Win 7

 

[jumanji]

Welcome to SevenForums.

Since your 32bit HP laptop is a brand new one, I would suggest that you contact HP and query whether they will be kind enough to send you a 64bit Recovery Disk for your model. If they oblige, there is nothing like that and your problem will be solved in one nice stroke. ( I have read atleast one post, where HP had done that.)

 

[alphanumeric]

No included install media is pretty much the norm these days. Likely your best bet is to obtain a Windows 7 64 bit DVD or ISO file and use the product code on the COA sticker to do a clean install. You can download ISO files from sites like Digital River. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post a link so I won't. Google should be able to find it for you anyway. If you can borrow one from a friend, even if it isn't the correct version, you can make a universal install disk out of it.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/85813-windows-7-universal-installation-disc-create.html?filter[3]=Installation and Setup
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html?filter[3]=Installation and Setup
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/174907-clean-install-factory-coa-activation-key.html?filter[3]=Installation and Setup

 

[jumanji]

Will not such a 64bit clean install (without HP's approval) void the warranty of the new machine is a point which the OP has to consider. If HP sends the 64bit recovery disks, well and good. If not they will indicate that it is not warranted. The OP may then decide what he wants to do.

( In my case Dell themselves sent me the 64bit OEM Reinstall Disk. So I have their explicit approval for a clean install and keep my warranty)

 

[alphanumeric]

I don't know, is the warranty on hardware or software or both? If you burned the recovery disk set for the original OS install you can always use that to put it back to a factory state. Assuming its not completely dead. If it is dead I don't think whats OS is installed really matters. As far as that goes what if you installed Linux, would that void the warranty? IMHO it s your PC, you should be allowed to install what ever OS you want or even upgrade the current OS if need be. Lots of people use anytime upgrade to ditch Starter and go to Home Premium or higher. Keep in mind its not my intension to argue the point, I'm just saying what if.
Its just my 2 cents.

 

[dreamer]

I clean installed my DELL laptop using COA sticker and it didn't void my warranty.

I dont know about other countries but here warranty includes hardware and software even if you have clean installed your laptop and used your legal COA activtion key.

The only thing is you loose the factory installed bloatware which companies don't allow you to re-install a second time unless you have made the recovery CD's or its included in the driver CD included in the box.

 

[MilesAhead]

The OEM restore disc may not work on the other machine. It may be keyed to the motherboard or some other series ID for the laptop model etc..

If you can get a Windows Seven 64 bit install DVD or CD you can install it on the machine with no product key for an evaluation period:

http://www.sevenforums.com/news/21692-how-use-windows-7-free-120-days-legally.html

 

[alphanumeric]

I wouldn't use the recovery disks from the old PC on the new PC simply because the drivers are likely different. You never know what kind of issues you'll have doing that. Its likely not legal to do it anyway, even if it is the same version of windows 7.

EDIT: jumanji even though you edited your other post some of us got an email notification with the original version.

 

[gregrocker]

Follow these steps to get a perfect clean reinstall of factory OEM: Reinstalling Windows 7

Here are the latest official ISO files with SP1:
Official ISO Downloads

Burn to DVD or write to flash stick using Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool

 

[jumanji]

I wouldn't use the recovery disks from the old PC on the new PC simply because the drivers are likely different. You never know what kind of issues you'll have doing that. Its likely not legal to do it anyway, even if it is the same version of windows 7.

EDIT: jumanji even though you edited your other post some of us got an email notification with the original version.

I still hold the view that the OP should contact HP first and take to other means only if if they are not of any help. (As I said I had read atleast one post where HP had sent a 64bit for a 32bit tablet on request. Upgrading Windows 7 Pro 32 bit to 64 bit " HP did provide me with a clean OEM restoration 64bit Windows 7 OEM for the laptop at no charge")

So I thought it will be inappropriate to suggest any other means at that point of time, deleted that post and rewrote it. It took sometime and by that time the cat was out of the bag, as I know now.

Provided OP's two machines are identical ((it could be, we do not know) but for the bit difference, there is a good chance that the 64bit recovery disk should succeed on his 32bit machine.

Even if not identical, there is absolutely no harm in trying it. If it is not successful, he can always restore it back with the 32bit restore disks, that he should make first before trying this. Am I missing anything?

IMO, there is no legality issue here, given that a clean 64bit install with COA key activation will succeed.

As far as I know the SLP batch key is the same for 32bit and 64bit. It does not make any distinction. There is only an outside chance that the OEM will have two or more SLP batch keys. ( One can search the net and get the SLP keys used by various OEMs. I refrain from referencing it.)

 

[gregrocker]

Why use Recovery disks which contain all of the HP bloatware which is the worst of any brand?

He can clean reinstall with the Win7 Installation DVD's I provided above and get a much superior install following the steps I gave him to clean reinstall factory OEM perfectly.

 

[alphanumeric]

Personally, I'd take a clean install over using the recovery disks any day. For some people though, the convenience of using the recovery disks wins out. You don't have to worry about missing drivers and maybe finding some hardware that doesn't work etc. A couple of mouse clicks and swap a DVD or two in and out and you are done. It is convenient for somebody that may not be that technically inclined or intimidated by maybe having to delete the old factory install etc.

 

[jumanji]

+1 for the above. Exactly my view point and I couldn't have put it any better.

 

[gregrocker]

Thanks for the reminder: Clean up factory bloatware

 

[MilesAhead]

Thanks for the reminder: Clean up factory bloatware

Also if it's HP it's guaranteed to have Norton on. Uninstall is not enough. You need to download the Norton removal tool and run it 3 or 4 times. Even then the system may try to load drivers that are no longer on the HD. At that point you may need to do CCleaner Registry Issues fix.

It takes longer to get rid of Norton than the rest of the bloat combined. PC-decrappifier won't do it. It just runs the uninstall.

https://www-secure.symantec.com/nor...&version=1&pvid=f-home&entsrc=redirect_pubweb

 

[daidman]

Thanks for the responses guys. I contacted HP but they said they don't stock the discs and would refer me to the company they get them from (so I could buy one). No thanks. I'm a bit disappointed by the lengths they'll make us go just so they can save a few pennies on a disc :-(

Anyway, rant over. Thanks a lot for posting the links to the ISO files!

I was considering downloading one off a torrent site but I'd always be worrying about whether it was full of trojans or whatever. Are these 100% legit? No chance of viruses or anything?

 

[gregrocker]

The link is to official Win7 ISO download. It was provided because you have a COA sticker for that version with Product Key which can be used to get the superior clean reinstall.

Follow the steps in Reinstalling Windows 7 to get a perfect reinstall of factory OEM. In particular put the wireless driver on stick or CD so you can get online quickly after install if it is not provided as most drivers will be by installer, to get newer drivers from optional Windows Update. Any drivers then missing in Device Manager can be found on the HP Support Downloads webpage for your model.