hard drive went out, need to install windows 7 on new HD without CD

[jason2374]

I have a laptop for each of my kids, they are both Toshiba Satellite with windows 7. The hard drive went out on one of the computers so i bought a new hard drive for it. Toshiba did not provide a CD for either of the computers for recovery or a new install. I have been looking through internet and forums for hours and i cannot find a way to just copy the windows 7 from one of the computers and make a disk i can use to boot the computer with the new hard disk, or is there a way to hook them up USB to USB. I have a valid activation key so im not tryng to do anything illegal, i just need to figure out how to get windows 7 onto the other computer. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Maguscreed]

You could try using a image creation software to make a perfect copy of the one disc. You would require an external drive for this though. This really only has a chance of working assuming they are the same make and model laptop to start with. Otherwise there isn't a whole lot of hope even that method would work.

 

[jason2374]

Thx for the fast reply i will give this a try

 

[theog]

   Information

We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.
& made the Startup Repair CD.
startup repair disc-create
​

Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?

How to use Toshiba Recovery.
How to use the Toshiba HDD Recovery Utility

You can order Toshiba Recovery disks from here:
https://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/support/jsp/serviceUnitVerification.jsp

 

[gregrocker]

If the make/models are the same you can try Acronis's premium cloning/imaging suite which comes free with any WD or Seagate HD in the mix, or free Macrium Reflect or Paragon 11 Backup.
WD Acronis free cloning app
Seagate Acronis cloning free util
Macrium - Image your system

You may have to boot the Repair CD to repair the boot sector to get it to start.
System Repair Disc - Create
Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times

However Win7 won't start on dramatically different hardware without removing all drivers, hardware ID's and Activation using Paragon Adaptive Restore CD. You'll know if this is the failure because it will likely stall at the Win7 boot animation.

Again if the hardware is similar you can try making the Recovery Disks which should have been made when you set up each machine, then boot the ones from the good machine to reimage the new HD.

If these fail, you can order the Recov Disks for the new HD using theog's link, or find any retail Win7 installation DVD to unlock all versions if necessary and Clean Reinstall following these steps: Reinstalling Windows 7