Making an iso file on a netbook

[qcom]

Hello everyone,

I have a toshiba NB-205 netbook with Windows 7 starter pre-installed (I have no windows 7 installation disc in other words).

I wanted to follow the instructions on this post over at gizmodo: <http://lifehacker.com/5438005/eicfg-removal-utility-lets-you-use-any-product-key-with-your-windows-7-disc>

But because I don't have an installation cd, it doesn't appear to be possible.

Would it be possible to make an iso file somehow (with some freeware software or something) and then put it on my friend's W7 desktop (which has a cd drive) so that I could use W7's default iso burner to put it onto a CD.

Then I would find the guide.



My main question would be if I could form an iso file from Windows 7 that was installed when I opened the netbook's box...

BTW, if this post needs to be moved, sorry.




Thanks all!

 

[Jonathan_King]

Hello, Welcome!

Sorry, there is no way to create an installation file derived from an existing OS. You will need to get a hold of a copy somewhere. Contact Microsoft, and they can send you a DVD for the cost of the shipping.

Hope this helps,
~Jonathan

 

[qcom]

Thanks a lot for the fast and thorough response!

That's fine, I kind of assumed there would be no way... Do you have a direct link to a page with their contact info? Will they really just send me a Windows 7 Starter disc just because I already own it on an existing OS? (for the cost of the shipping like you said).


What about this article though: <http://www.windowsvalley.com/blog/create-or-backup-system-image-on-windows-7/>

Or is that not available with Windows 7 Starter..

 

[Jonathan_King]

Sorry, I cannot find a link.

If your friend wants 7 on his machine, he can buy it easily. I know there are exceptions to this, but it is not common to get a product key without the installation files. He needs a product key, anyway...

~Jonathan

 

[Saltgrass]

If it is OEM you probably need to get it from Toshiba..

 

[qcom]

Well... I purchased the netbook and it came with a pre-installed version of Windows 7 Starter, do you know where I order it from Toshiba?

 

[Jonathan_King]

What are you trying to accomplish? You mentioned earlier you wanted to install it for a friend. Perhaps we can help you deal with the real issue.

 

[qcom]

No, I'm not trying to install it for a friend, let me start over:
You could read the full problem, or just help me with the question summed up below


Okay, I would really like to get W7 Pro for the cost of W7 Starter with this post at lifehacker: <http://lifehacker.com/5438005/eicfg-removal-utility-lets-you-use-any-product-key-with-your-windows-7-disc>

However, since I have a Toshiba NB-205 netbook which does not have DVD/CD drive, and since it came with W7 Starter PRE-INSTALLED, I do not have a W7 Starter installation disc (if one even exists ).

Now, if I could get one for the price of shipping from Microsoft or Toshiba, then I could follow through with the lifehacker guide USING MY FRIEND'S W7 Home Premium desktop (which comes with a DVD/CD drive).



Summed up Question: Where can I get a W7 Starter installation CD???
Thanks again for the help.

 

[Jonathan_King]

Okay, thanks for explaining. You are misunderstanding the article. The tips show you how to use one media to install any version of Windows 7. The product key is what determines what version it is.

Normally, you get a copy of 7 that can only install the Home Premium Version. But I want to be able to install HP, Pro, or Ultimate without buying a separate DVD. That is when the trick comes into play. Without the correct product key, the solution is worthless.

Sorry, you will need to buy a new copy of the correct version.

 

[qcom]

Thanks a lot for the help!

 

[Jonathan_King]

No problem. Sorry I couldn't give you better news!

 

[logicearth]

Sorry, there is no way to create an installation file derived from an existing OS. You will need to get a hold of a copy somewhere. Contact Microsoft, and they can send you a DVD for the cost of the shipping.

That is in fact, incorrect. You can do this by using Windows Automated Installation Kit. You first sysprep the installation, this removes all the system dependent information like users. Next you use imagex.exe to capture the installation and stuff it into a WIM file. Things are a lot more complicated when putting it on a DVD and getting it installing however. Otherwise if you can mount the extra HDD to another computer and image it that way.

 

[qcom]

I was pretty sure there was a way,

logicearth would you be able to elaborate a little more please?
Or is there a link you could direct me to.

Also, would this allow me to complete the guide at lifehacker?

 

[qcom]

Could I use this post at Toshiba: Recovery media - Toshiba Laptop Forums

And edit that to make it for Ultimate, or is that a completely different disc they're referring to?

 

[logicearth]

logicearth would you be able to elaborate a little more please?
Or is there a link you could direct me to.

There really isn't much material at the moment. However, it is a complicated setup meant for system administrators deploying Windows to multiple computers.