Re-installing OS on laptop - no DVD

Pants · 21 Feb 2010 at 14:43

Hi,

I'm thinking about re-intalling Windows 7 on my Acer lappy, but there was no OS DVD provided with the laptop.

Is there anywhere I can legally download a copy of Windows 7 Home Premium and then activate with the key on my laptop? Or will I need to contact Acer and no doubt get charged for the call and for a copy of a DVD to be sent?

Cheers.

thebigak · 21 Feb 2010 at 15:22

You can download an RTM copy through a torrent site and install it legally if you have a key. The OEM key on the laptop is all that is required for proof of ownership and the key will allow you to activate the OS on that laptop as many times as you like (as long as the hardware remains pretty much unchanged).

sychnant · 22 Feb 2010 at 03:07

Make sure you download the correct version of Windows that the laptop came with.Don't try and install a better version just because you can download it. Look at the Win key sticker under the laptop and if it say for instance Win Vista Home Basic, only download and install the same Win Vista Home Basic NOT vista Home Premium the same applies for any other OS..Win XP home or Professional and Win 7 Premium, ultimate etc.

Thebug · 22 Feb 2010 at 06:06

I had to do this after my hdd died, the disk you download should contain all versions but 32bit and 64bit are on seperate disks.

Also i had a problem where if i entered the product key during setup it would say it was invalid, but if i left it blank and put it in later on when in windows it would be fine..

Atari · 22 Feb 2010 at 13:32

Have you tried the recovery mode on your hard drive? There's a hidden partition installed from the factory which contains the recovery media, and as long as you haven't completely formatted your drive, it should still be there.

Depending on the model, you should be able to access it by repeatedly pressing Alt+F10 when you switch the unit on (during POST screen and before it hit's or attempts to hit Windows).