Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Lost operating system

Mar 26, 2017 1:14AM PDT

Product Name: Compaq Presario CQ5207SC
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 (64-bit)
---
I need help to install an operating system on my old desktop. It didn't run Windows 10 very good so I tried to degrade it back to Windows 7. Apparently it failed, and had also somehow deleted the Windows 10 operating system. So now I'm left with no installation disc (I lost it), and no operating system. Where can I get the OS, and how? Also, how can I boot the installation from CD or flash-drive? Tell me if you need serial number, product key etc.
Thanks in advance
-Anton

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
Re: OS
Mar 26, 2017 2:50AM PDT

You can download Windows 7 from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7 using your original license key. Choose between DVD or USB-stick to get the bootable medium.
Then boot from it, possibly after changing the boot sequence in the BIOS-setup.

You might need to download a few drivers from www.compaq.com if you lost the original driver disc. Install them after you installed Windows.

Post was last edited on March 26, 2017 2:53 AM PDT

- Collapse -
Answer
Windows 7
Mar 26, 2017 12:29PM PDT

Contact compaq and see if you can buy the factory restore media for that machine.