Failed HD - Lost restore partition. What are my options?

[society misfit]

The hard drive in my GF’s laptop pooched. Lost everything including the restore partition of Win 7. Contacted the manufacture about replacement discs but they are giving me grief about it being out of warranty – the laptop is 5+ years old. Just do not want to deal with them anymore. Outside purchasing another version of Windows, what are my options? I do have a legit OEM Win 7 key

 

[GokAy]

Clean install the OS - http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164

Step 1, discusses how to get installation media.

 

[society misfit]

Thank you for the reply. Perhaps I should have mentioned that I tried the MS Software Recovery. After entering in my Key – they state the software is Preinstalled OEM and that I should contact the manufacture. Have not tried any of the other procedures on that tutorial, I have my suspicions they will not work as well.

I have a retail version of Win 7 Home Premium Upgrade and an OEM Win 7 Pro – both of which have been upgraded to Win 10. Also tried a fresh install of Win 10 Home hoping it would accept the laptops Product Key but that did not work either (you never know until you try!!).

I’m guessing my options are either nagging the manufacture for a recovery disc or buying another licence from MS, which TBH is not worth the money given the age of the laptop (it’s a cheapie!). Or install Linux.

 

[GokAy]

Yes, OEM doesn't work with Software Recovery. But you can download with your retail key no problem there.

So:
- Download with your retail key
- Use ei.cfg removal tool, link in tutorial (to change the installer to OEM version on the problem laptop)
- clean install and use your OEM key when asked

Note: I see it is retail upgrade, just try it - hopefully it will work

 

[society misfit]

I did not think it would work with a retail upgrade but will give it a try.

Thanks again for your help (BTW…cute kitty. She, or he, looks exactly like mine)

 

[GokAy]

She Not a kitty anymore though, 3 years old now.

There are other methods of acquiring the installer (any Windows 7 installer will work, you can change to any other version with ei.cfg removal tool), for example bug the friends