HDD Died: Can can I reinstall OEM Windows 7?

[blogger007]

Hi folks,

Here's the problem as briefly as I can put it:

-My HP Pavilion DV5-2155DX laptop (Windows 7 Home Premium OA, 64 bit I think) has a dead hdd
-I ran all sorts of diagnostics, including SMART, and they all show it's the hdd
-I can boot into the laptop using Lubuntu on a USB key
-The HP laptop didn't come with a retail version of Windows 7 but an OEM version (so no dvd disc)

What I want to do:

-I want to reinstall Windows 7 and run it off an external hard drive OR just boot Windows 7 from a USB key (I don't want to install a new internal hard drive).
-I went to Microsoft's website and tried to download a Windows 7 ISO file, but couldn't because I have an OEM version

-So is there any way I can download/reinstall an OEM Windows 7 without purchasing a recovery disk from HP? Is it even possible to do that if I have an OEM Windows 7?

NOTE: Right now I'm using a Toshiba laptop to write this, not my HP one, but I can still get into my HP laptop via boot usb.

ANY help would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Golden]

Yes you can legitimately reinstall that OEM licence if you can find/borrow a Home Premium x64 ISO/disk.

Don't bother installing externally...it will run so slow to be unusable. Install to a new HDD or SSD.

 

[whs]

Installing on an external SSD on USB3 will yield good results. I have done that a few times. eSata will also work.

 

[blogger007]

Thanks for the information; it really helps. But I was wondering: if my original HP laptop had an OEM Windows 7 64bit, can I DOWNGRADE to the 32bit version or do I HAVE to reinstall the 64 bit one?

The reason I want a downgrade is because the 64bit is kind of heavy and sucks up the resources.

Thanks for your help.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi and welcome to SevenForums,
The machine should have a tag that has a SNID on it usually near or on the tag with the oem activation key from H-P could be in the battery compartment

That SNID you can search H-P's website and it will show what was originally installed on the machine

The key would most likely activate either 64 bit or 32 bit you'd have to ask H-P really or simply test it installing 32 bit
Which you can get a iso or torrent download if nobody you know has one
http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/383716-iso-image-2.html#post3163070

 

[blogger007]

Thanks for your help ThrashZone.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
No problem mate let us know how everything goes if you need further install assistance let us know

 

[torchwood]

laggy

64 bit shoudn't be laggy on that setup
Mines alot older got less Ram an older motherboard.
I suspect when you reinstall it'll be much faster, and if you get rid of HP bloatware and swop your AV to MS's own, even better.

Roy

 

[Ranger4]

If you really want to get this laptop working fast, install an internal SSD & then reinstall Windows x64 & you will be surprised how much faster it will be.

 

[AddRAM]