Hello Rustydog,
Yes, that's correct. You will be able to activate the downloaded Windows as long as the downloaded ISO is also a 32-bit Windows 7 Home Premium version that your product key is for. It doesn't matter that it's more up to date than your old installation media. All that matters is the product key and what it's for.
I hope the clean install goes smoothly for you. :)
Everytime I get to step 9 and I am seeing "completing installation" my computer glitches, shows an error message or blue screen for a split second and then shuts down. I've tried installing multiple times, hard drive is brand new. What could the problem be??
Hello dirtylove, and welcome to Seven Forums. :)
Could be a number of things, but I would lean towards the hard drive. Have you tested doing a clean install with a different hard drive to rule that out?
What was the full error message?
The hard drives I had previously were not even being recognized, I assumed that they had just failed because they're old. The new one shows up, but just won't finish installing windows. The error message flashes too quickly to read before my computer just shuts down. When I turn it back on it tries to go to windows start up services, but then I get an error message that says there was a problem installing windows and I need to restart my computer to finish. Happens every time.
What happens when you restart the computer to allow the installation to continue without booting from the installed media?
If it doesn't continue, then boot from your installation media to run a clean (not "clean all") command in a command prompt at boot to wipe the drive to be unallocated space, create a new primary partition on the HDD, then try installing Windows again to see how it goes.
If it still crashes on you, then double check all your hardware making sure that all cards and RAM is seated properly, and all cables are connected securely. It wouldn't hurt to test your RAM to see if it a stick may be bad, but it will take a long time to finish.
Hi.
Great tutorial...but I have a problem...
When I get to where I'm supposed to select a drive where windows 7 is installed, one shows up...it's 7.5GB(with 4GB free) and marked as system.
When I select it, it says I cant install to a drive connected via usb.
What could be the problem?
I am using an HP envy 6 sleekbook.
Hello kemz, and welcome to Seven Forums.
Looking at the specs for that laptop, it show it comes with a 500 GB 5400 rpm hard drive.
Did you have any issues with your hard drive?
For now, you might see if this may help as well.
Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
Hey Brink!
nice tutorial you've got here!
i just have 1 little question and that is:
At the moment i run 64bit Windows 7 Home Premium edition and the site you've provided does not have the same version in dutch.
So i can i download a higher version like the professional or even ultimate and use my old product-id key to keep my originality? or do i have to install the exact same version i have now?
if i do then where can i get a legitimate 64bit Windows 7 Home Premium edition in Dutch?
Note: I want to keep my OS legitimate so i want to use the same product-ID key if possible.
Hello Muzo, and welcome to Seven Forums.
Unfortunately, no. The ISO will need to be for the same edition that your product key is for.
I suppose other than doing a factory recovery instead, you could order replacement installation media from the computer manufacturer.
This may work, download the Windows 7 Professional x64 SP1 U in Dutch and create a universal installer from it. Use the Stage One method.
Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc - Create
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