Install retail Win7 over OEM Win7

[Gixxer]

Hi all, I bought a new HP laptop and it was running over 80 processes when I first turned it on. I really want to wipe everything and start over.

I have an upgrade retail version of Win 7 home premium x64 that I had installed on my desktop last year. Can I use that particular DVD to clean install Windows over the OEM Windows that HP put on my new laptop and then use the OEM Windows serial sticker on the laptop to reactivate Windows? Will there be any problems?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello Gixxer, welcome to Seven Forums!


You will have to use the exact same version for the key that was installed to the lappy by the manufacturer to use the COA key with a 'new' install; have a look at this information below and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.


After you have copied out or made back-ups of the data you need to save to external media; if you can find an exact Windows version that the PC shipped with you can do a clean install using the activation key on the COA sticker attached to the PC though it may require a robo-call to MS to sort the OEM batch-key.

How to Activate Windows 7 by Phone


If you can't find an exact same version, you could use the info in this tutorial to create an "all versions" installer of any version Windows installer, to install using the same method I posted above.

Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc - Create


After you have made backups of everything you care to save, the best method is to do a complete wipe (secure erase) of the entire Hard Disk Drive first, it over-writes everything, all the old Windows code including all the old drivers/programs, giving you the best possible space to install Windows to.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

 

[gregrocker]

Here are tips for getting a perfect clean reinstall of a bloated factory OEM preinstall of which HP is among the worst: Reinstalling Windows 7.

 

[Gixxer]

Thanks for the quick replies. The HP laptop came with Windows 7 home premium x64 with all the usual HP bloatware and OS enhancements. I have the retail upgrade Windows 7 home premium x64 DVD. So I should not have any issues if I use that DVD to clean install over the OEM OS and then use the COA sticker to reactivate it? Does it void the warranty with HP?

Also the laptop does not have a DVD drive, so is there a way to get the install files from the DVD to a flash drive?

thanks

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Yes, have a look at this tutorial at the link below.



USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create

 

[gregrocker]

It does not void the warranty with HP, however if you have to send it in under warranty for repair they can require you to restore it to factory settings which is why you should make the Recovery Disks first, and consider keeping the Recovery partition which can normally still run from boot if needed after reinstall.

I also would not tell them that you reinstalled if you need tech support as they can insist you restore before they give you tech support. I just don't tell them I've clean reinstalled and still get the same bad service. You will get much better help here anyway.

The easiest method I've found to create the bootable USB installer is to install UltraISO trial version, on File tab open the DVD, on bootable tab Write Disk Image, Format, Write. Boot under USB or HD's on BIOS Boot Menu which on HP is normally ESC.

 

[theog]

How to make HP Recovery disks.
Recover Windows Vista Operating System Using HP Recovery - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

USB:
Creating a Recovery Disk on a USB Flash Disk HP Pavilion dv6700z CTO Entertainment Notebook PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

or
You can Order HP Recovery Disks from here:
Compaq Mini CQ10-500 PC series -  HP Notebook PCs - Order Recovery Discs for Windows 7, Vista, or XP - c00810334 - HP Business Support Center