Reinstalling Windows on laptop

Slinkie · 28 Nov 2010 at 19:04

Hi folks,

I have a laptop that currently has windows 7 home premuim preinstalled on it. It has started to act up a bit and I want to wipe it and start again.

I have an oem windows 7 disk that I used to install win 7 hp on my gaming pc so was wondering if I can install from this cd and use the serial number that is on the bottom of the laptop (the genuine windows install sticker)

Is there any way of finding out if this serial will work with my oem disk before I wipe the pc and then find it won't work?

Has anyone done this before?

Thanks

Matt

SiriusB · 28 Nov 2010 at 19:13

It is hard to say whether it will work or not. If it is a Dell or possibly a newer Toshiba, you will probably be out of luck. There is no test to see either. Unless of course you set up a Virtual Machine and start the install process. But then again, this wont take into account any kind of fiddling in the laptop's BIOS [Dell again]

marmalade · 28 Nov 2010 at 19:45

whats the make of laptop?
normally need a Windows 7 DVD with the makers cert in it to match the slic 2.1 in the bios

rush_syndrome · 28 Nov 2010 at 21:35

marmalade said:
whats the make of laptop?
normally need a Windows 7 DVD with the makers cert in it to match the slic 2.1 in the bios

Yep this gets my vote too as the software is an OEM build specifically licensed to the OEM.

You may be lucky you may not. Can I suggest you take an image of it using Acronis etc then at least you could restore it if it failed to accept the key?

Also there is an app out there which allows you to key change, I don't know what its called or if its legal, but if you have a legit key it may work.