Solved Problem with reinstalling windows 7 starter on a netbook

[pkrplyr]

Hello,

I have a Toshiba NB 255 Netbook. I had decided to install another operating system (Linux) and now have come to the conclusion that I no longer want both windows and linux on my system. I want to go back to just using windows 7. Its windows 7 starter edition. I have literally tried other methods to do this for countless and pointless hours coming to the conclusion I would rather format my hard drive and reinstall windows.

Now here is the problem.

I have a netbook which does not come with a cd drive; nor do I have an external.

I have actually figured out how to make a boot module from a usb/flash drive.

The problem is I do not know how to or where to obtain an ISO for windows 7 starter edition.

I do have the serial key for windows 7 starter located on the bottom of my netbook.

Finally which really ticks me off is when I bought my netbook I have now come to realize that it did or DOES NOT HAVE A RECOVERY PARTITION.


Any advice on how I can reinstall windows 7 starter with hard drive formatting?

Thank You

P.S. my product key is OEM

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello pkrplyr, welcome to Seven Forums!



You can use any version of Windows 7 and the info in this tutorial at the link below to create an 'all versions' installer that can be used to install "Windows 7 starter" to the netbook and use your key to activate.

Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc - Create

USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create



The first best thing to do would be a wipe (secure erase) of the Hard Disk Drive, after you have made backups of anything you want to save, this will give you the best possible space to install Windows 7 to while removing all the old Linux code.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

 

[SIW2]

Hi pk,

If you know anyone with an install dvd - you can use that to do as BFK suggested above.

No recovery is odd - I was under the impression oem's have to provide a means of recovering the o/s as part of their license with MS.

Perhaps that doesn't apply to the tiny things like netbooks.

Anybody else got a netbook with no os recovery method?

 

[gregrocker]

Normally if the netbook it too small to comfortably include a Recov partition, the manufacturer will either provide disks with purchase or will ship them free if requested within a prescribed time limit. Otherwise they charge shipping.

Your best choice however is to wipe the HD to go completely clean with a clean install using the methods suggested earlier. This is a much better install as the bloatware and useless factory utilities don't weigh down Win7 so it can be as light as your netbook.

Here are some tips for a perfect install: http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/125874-re-install-windows-7-a.html#post1086729

 

[pkrplyr]

Update on reinstallation windows 7 for netbook

I realized I cant make a usb/flash without the iso. I could not find a windows 7 starter ISO so I read the how to make a universal disk. With my dismay I thought I could skip the editing ISO to make universal. The usb does work i just realized when i entered my product key it wouldnt take because it installed windows 7 premium.

So when I edit the ISO to make it universal will a screen pop up letting me choose which version of windows i want to install?

 

[gregrocker]

Yes, exactly. Just run this tool on the ISO and it will surgically remove ei.cfg from Sources and unlock all versions: Ei.cfg Removal Utility Lets You Use Any Product Key With Your Windows 7 Disc

Then write it back to flash stick. The method I find which works best to do this is Ultra ISO trial version: Open ISO on File tab, Write Disk Image on Bootable Tab, Format, Write.

Be sure to wipe the HD of all factory code using BFK's tutorial linked earlier.

 

[DocBrown]

Like this

 

[alphanumeric]

Just so you know, you don't have to edit the ISO file. If you want you can just delete the ei.cfg file in the sources folder on your thumbdrive. Then try your install again.

 

[pkrplyr]

Thank You guys. It took me about 4 hours but everything is working like a charm.

I had some confusion with the ISO extractor but I found that if I just deleted the ei.cfg file from the usb flash drive it worked.

Again Thank You and Happy Thanksgiving.

 

[DocBrown]

Congrats on learning something new & a successful installation

 

[Darryl Licht]

Glad you got it going! hang on to that USB! Its as good as gold! I love mine! multi version and both 32 and 64 bit installs available too! Its a nice toold, and installs are so fast compared to DVD!

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Thank You guys. It took me about 4 hours but everything is working like a charm.

I had some confusion with the ISO extractor but I found that if I just deleted the ei.cfg file from the usb flash drive it worked.

Again Thank You and Happy Thanksgiving.

Hello again, you're welcome and happy turkey-day; good to see you got it running and thanks for the update.

 

[pkrplyr]

Windows 7 now claiming to be counterfeit

About a month ago I fixed my laptop (netbook) through this tutorial. Now recently windows is saying I may be running a counterfeit version but the serial key I am using for windows 7 is the key I had and have since I purchased this netbook.

Could this have anything to do with the way windows was installed?

How can I fix this problem if the windows serial number is actually mine and not counterfeit?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello pkrplyr.


You will have better success starting a completely new thread, click here to do so and be very specific listing all the details of your situation.

About a month ago I fixed my laptop (netbook) through this tutorial. Now recently windows is saying I may be running a counterfeit version but the serial key I am using for windows 7 is the key I had and have since I purchased this netbook.

Could this have anything to do with the way windows was installed?

How can I fix this problem if the windows serial number is actually mine and not counterfeit?

 

[gregrocker]

About a month ago I fixed my laptop (netbook) through this tutorial. Now recently windows is saying I may be running a counterfeit version but the serial key I am using for windows 7 is the key I had and have since I purchased this netbook.

Could this have anything to do with the way windows was installed?

How can I fix this problem if the windows serial number is actually mine and not counterfeit?

Is it a retail key or the one which came pre-installed on the netbook located on the COA sticker on machine? Are you sure you installed the correct version?

Did it activate correctly at Computer>Properties? It may be that it never activated. What does the exact status say there now?

Try inserting the Product Key again at the activation link there, or run an Elevated Command Line and type slmgr -ipk followed by a space and the Product key. Then activate at Computer>Properties.

You'll get more advice if you post a new thread in Activation forum here.