OEM visible on Disk Management but not on Computer window. Why?

[Beaumont]

Hello everybody,
Just got a Samsung Chronos 7. It came with 4 partitions...or at least that's what it seemed to me. I had the usual 100Mb System one along with the OEM 23,78GB. I wanted to change the Windows version so I boldly booted from the Windows 7 disk I was interested in. At one point, the system asked me where I wanted to install it. I left the two afore mentioned partitions alone, just in case.
I know I should whip myself for not doing any back-up thinking that by leaving those partitions alone, I could fall back on my feet if anything went wrong.
The fact is that I did reinstall Windows all right but lost all my drivers and basically all the programs that came with this laptop. I don't know if they were worth anything
Now my confusion is that I can still see the two partitions when I go to "computer management". But they don't appear in the Computer window. How is it so? Do you think there is a way to "reach" the OEM partition and restore the system? Or does it work with the dedicated Samsung recovery system that I simply and stupidly squashed?
Many thanks in advance for your kind help!

 

[theog]

I wanted to change the Windows version

No install files needed.
Only the Upgrade key is need.
Anytime upgrade only adds-on the Programs & Features from version to version.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/95744-windows-anytime-upgrade-how.html

   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?



You can order Microsoft official OEM Recovery disks from your OEM manufacturer's website.

 

[DavidE]

Hello everybody,
Just got a Samsung Chronos 7. It came with 4 partitions...or at least that's what it seemed to me. I had the usual 100Mb System one along with the OEM 23,78GB. I wanted to change the Windows version so I boldly booted from the Windows 7 disk I was interested in. At one point, the system asked me where I wanted to install it. I left the two afore mentioned partitions alone, just in case.
I know I should whip myself for not doing any back-up thinking that by leaving those partitions alone, I could fall back on my feet if anything went wrong.
The fact is that I did reinstall Windows all right but lost all my drivers and basically all the programs that came with this laptop. I don't know if they were worth anything
Now my confusion is that I can still see the two partitions when I go to "computer management". But they don't appear in the Computer window. How is it so? Do you think there is a way to "reach" the OEM partition and restore the system? Or does it work with the dedicated Samsung recovery system that I simply and stupidly squashed?
Many thanks in advance for your kind help!

You can try tapping the F4 key when booting up to see if you can use the Samsung Recovery partition to restore to the "Out of the box" PC state.
It may or may not work after you did the reinstall.
The F4 key is used for a Samsung Chronos 7 in this manual I found:
Series 7 Chronos - SUPPORT | SAMSUNG

If that doesn't work, and you didn't create the Recovery Disc set, you can try to order the recovery set as theog suggested.

Also, if you have a readable COA sticker you can use this tutorial to do a Clean reinstall.
It has everything needed, including where to download (and use) a genuine Win 7 ISO for the version you are licensed for.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html

If you can boot Windows now, it would also help if you post a screen shot of Disk Management.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/274797-disk-management-post-screen-capture-image.html

 

[LMiller7]

Windows Explorer only shows partitions that can be accesses by having a drive letter. As the OEM partition does not have a drive letter it will not be shown. Even if you did give it a drive letter it's contents would not be accessible. You need to use the documented recovery procedure.