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Resolved Question

windows 7 Oem, Product key, retail??

Jul 8, 2016 2:24AM PDT

Right, I'ma bit of a computer spazz but Iill try to explain, my hdd is kaput so I no longer have an os, my oem product key doesn'tenable me to download windows 7 from the microsoft website aas itIis invalid or out of use, I contacted samsung and they said the Iinstallation media is no longer available blah blah blah.
so what do I do I did a bit of reading and if I am understanding this correctly most physical copies that are for sale are oem which you are only able to install on one machine. So if my hdd or ssd dies again the os will see this as not the same machine so this copy will be invalid.
retail versions I am of the assumption can be uploaded to any machine but have to be unintelligiblefrom the last before the new, that ccan'tbe right can Iit?? How would it know. Is the only way to install an oem to your new machine by copying the hdd from your old to your new? Can I just select the os "FILE" AS MY NEW SSD FOR MY LAPTOP IS CONSIDERABLY SMALLER THA MY HDD ON MY PC.

Discussion is locked

Sladdin47 has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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Restore media
Jul 8, 2016 7:10AM PDT

Look in your manual and see if it shows a method to create restore media.

If there is give it a shot you have nothing to lose.

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system restore disk found
Jul 8, 2016 12:31PM PDT

I found a system restore disk in my loft the one that came with the laptop but seeing as my hdd is kaput will this do anything when i insert my new ssd??

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Do anything?.....yes
Jul 8, 2016 3:44PM PDT

Install your ssd and run the restore disc.

It should return the machine..software wise...to day 0ne.

You might want to make a copy of that disc and then tuck them away.

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??
Jul 9, 2016 7:15AM PDT

I have put the ssd into the laptop and tried running the installation media but it is saying don't have the correct drivers, I bought a samsung 120gb ssd. Have I gone about this wrong do I need to buy a data cable and connect that to a not her pc and run the disk that came with the ssd, or is the disk for cloning the old hdd?? If it's not the latter can I find these drivers anywhere

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That's an odd message.
Jul 9, 2016 8:20AM PDT

Here for hundreds of restores I have never got the message about correct drivers.

What do you mean you were "running the media"? Here for restore media I make sure my new HDD/SSD is blank, no partitions then boot the restore media.

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Finally.
Jul 10, 2016 2:53AM PDT

Right i got windows 7 installed along with my new ssd and after being slightly foolish.
Computer would not connect to the internet but would with my old knoppix disk so i tethered my phone to the laptop and ran internet through there to download relevant drivers which for someone of very limited knowledge was a stroke of genius.
any how thanks to everyone who helped out and or replied to the initial question.
Big Help.
where do i look for the best programs to run any ideas
only gonna be runnoing a basic setup on this laptop so
Internet browser ect..

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Programs
Jul 10, 2016 3:48AM PDT

Browser.....firefox.
Av......avast free.
Mail....firefox add on called 'simple mail'.

That should get you started.

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Answer
not eligible for oem
Jul 8, 2016 2:34AM PDT

your computer is no longer eligible to use oem other than the one that came with your system. You cannot copy oem from another computer. however, you may be able to get an oem disk, install it and use your old key.

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Answer
Re: OS
Jul 8, 2016 2:35AM PDT

If you can't restore the old OS, because you don't have installation media and forgot to make an image backup to restore, you buy a new one, take care of not losing it and make that image regularly so you don't have to go back to the beginning if something happens.

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system restore disk found
Jul 8, 2016 12:28PM PDT

I have been digging around my loft and have found a system restore disk that came with the laptop but seeing as the hdd is kaput, will this disk do anything when I put my new ssd in the laptop?? I am a computer spazz just trying to get my head round it and learn some stuff

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Answer
Sounds like you have a problem not easy to solve
Jul 8, 2016 4:27AM PDT

Legally, a purchased copy of the hologrammed version of Window 7 OEM is for builders whose intent is not to use the PC themselves. They build these for sale, give away, etc. That's according to the MS license. I'd say, technically, if you were in possession of a machine with an OEM license but had lost your media, you could buy an identical copy of Windows 7 OEM and use the product key from the original. A disk is a disk. In that case, you could use an OEM copy for repair purposes to that same hardware should the OS become corrupt. Since you mentioned Samsung, I suspect it came with their own software that included drivers specific to your machine. Thus, an OEM retail copy wouldn't be sufficient. These builders such as Samsung will use their own product ID codes that have some similarities to Windows volume licensed editions. Thus, that PID will be on multiple machines and tied to PCs of that specific hardware configuration rather than just some motherboard. If you've suffered such as a hard drive crash and can replace the drive but have no restore media, your only legal option is to purchase a full retail license version rather than an OEM. I'm not even certain that is possible to get these from MS but you might find them from third parties. These copies would need to be full retail versions that have had their PCs "retired". In these cases, the PID could still be used but you'd need to read carefully the MS requirements and hope that you weren't scammed when buying it. You'd still need to get drivers from Samsung. If they are no longer available, many will just say go with Linux.

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??
Jul 8, 2016 2:13PM PDT

90 % of what you said is alien to me! Like I said I'm a computer spazz but I'm trying to get to grips with it all I have found a system restore disk that came with the laptop but I have no hdd until I install my ssd will the disc do anything as there will be no partitions on the ssd?? If not is my only a option purchasinga full version of windows, I do have an old version of knoppix that I did run a couple of time but I'm not a massive fan of Linux really.ź

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No need to partition.
Jul 8, 2016 2:37PM PDT

Let the restore disc take care of it all.
Dafydd.

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Answer
About the "copy will be invalid."
Jul 8, 2016 9:17AM PDT

Thankfully that's not happening. The licenses are confusing and as there are many good web pages on it, let's get down to work.

Since there are no restore media from the maker you can use https://www.amazon.com/Windows-Premium-System-Builder-Packaging/dp/B00H09BB16 which is 100 bucks. Now you might be wrestling why you have to spend this if your PC came with W7. The answer is simply that we must make and test the restore media if it doesn't come with the PC. This infuriates most folk I know.

About the old OS on the old HDD. Since you write it is busted, then it's not a good source.

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Yes, the found restore disk is used
Jul 8, 2016 12:36PM PDT

The most common reason for a restore disk is when say the HDD fails or The OS is blown.

It's exactly what you need to use next after the new HDD or SSD is installed.

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Jul 8, 2016 2:17PM PDT

Much appreciated! I know this is a bit off topic now.