Reinstalling software from Recovery Disks

[Shirley9]

I have a HP Desktop Pavilion p6210f with Windows 7 Home Premium.  My motherboard had to be replaced and when I got it back from the repair shop yesterday he had Windows 7 installed, but the HP software programs that came with my computer (Microsoft Works, Light-Scribe etc) were not installed on my computer.  I checked for Recovery Manager, but it was not listed in my programs.  How can I re-install my software without having to do a full factory restore?

Thank you

Shirley9

[wb2001]

Your original motherboard,  M2N78-LA (Violet) has been noted for problematic service. What I ponder is the real cause of your replacement, and the fact that the "service tech" installed a different Win7 OS into your machine.

1) What motherboard was installed? The same model ( M2N78-LA (Violet)  should have been used, see #4.

 If not the same, you have no options to ever recover your original programs. (see #5)

2) What was wrong with your original hard drive that warranted this action?

That being said, If the same model motherboard was installed:

If the Recovery partition on your hard drive is the original OS, then all you need to is perform a Recovery (in your words a full factory restore). I really wish you understood the difference between the words "Recovery" and Restore". I see this repeatedly, and neither are the same, and neither performs the same actions.

In true definition, Recovery may have options, depending on the manufacturer's install.

A) non-destructive Recovery re-installs the original OS, without removing anything else (ie pictures, docs, installed items).

B) destructive Recovery formats the hard drive (wipes it clean) and re-installs the OS. You lose added files.

In true definition, Restore is used to take the computer back in time to a specified date that your select. It tries to correct a problem with the operating systems by the rolling back of system files, registry keys, installed programs, etc., to a previous state in the event of malfunctioning or failure.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&defl=en&q=define:Restore+point&sa=X&ei=EX-LTfrKMKeJ0QGftfz-DQ&ved...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_Restore

Now, getting to back to your dilemma. It is painfully aware that your service tech:

3) Detected a problem with your original OS, and decided to install another Win7 OS.

or

4) Lacked the ability or expertise to perform the "tatoo" required to enable your original OS with the new motherboard.

or

5) install a different motherboard and not the (M2N78-LA (Violet) , so see #1.

[Shirley9]

Thank you for getting back to me.  I always run my Norton 360 to check for viruses, etc before I go on the computer each morning.  Two weeks ago I ran the scan and it found no problems, but a few hours later I could not get into any programs on my computer and the screen was turning blue.  I took it to the repair shop and a few days later he called and said he found 4 Trojan Horses on my computer.  A few days later he called and said he got rid of the Trojan Horses, but still couldn't get into my computer and that there was a bad chip in the motherboard.  He said he ordered a new one, but that they don't make my model anymore.  He put in a ASUS Windows 7 Ready M2N68-AM Plus.  He installed Microsoft Office and Roxio.  I had my files and documents backed up off line and when I installed them I can't open them.  It tells me that I have to use the program that created them which would be Microsoft Works which is no longer on my computer.  Is there anything I can do?  My computer is only a year and a half old.  I would like to have it the way it was when I bought it.

Shirley9

[wb2001]

As your tech has addressed the motherboard issue by replacing it with a different motherboard (not the same model), that is why he installed the different Win7. You will have to purchase "MS Works".

MS Works 9:http://www.microsoft.com/products/works/default.mspx

Your entitled to the OEM Win7 discs he used.  Otherwise, it's not legitimate. The discs now belong to you.

Read the authors post: http://forums.cnet.com/7723-19411_102-374252.html?tag=threadListing;forum-threads

Your entitled to the MS Office discs he used, unless it was a trial version.  Otherwise, it's not legitimate.

Also you should read this, and try to create new discs as a backup copy:

Creating the Recovery Disc Set in Windows 7

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01867124&cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en

[CherylG]

I have to disagree with the statement of being entitled to the copy of Windows 7 used by the tech to install. As long as he used the license key from the sticker on the PC to activate, it is legal and can be done using almost any Win 7 dvd.

Creating Recovery Disks is not going to work with no Recovery Manager on the system now amd most likely no recovery partition.They wouldn't work anyway with replacement motherboard. Best option is to look into Windows 7 's builtin Imaging in Control Panel, Backup and Restore.

[wb2001 · Accepted solution]

CherylG,

As much as I respect your opinion, I am only trying to protect Shirley9. The following is not to my liking, nor do I always agree with HP, MS, and published authors professing to know it all concerning MS.

The product code on the COA can only be used with an installation disk specifically made for that model by the computer manufacturer.

For Windows software that comes pre-installed by a large manufacturer,  (added: like HP), (also known as an Original Equipment Manufacturer or OEM) on a computer, the COA should be affixed to the body of the computer. The COA includes the 25-character product key, which may be required if a reinstallation is needed.

For Windows software that comes pre-installed by a small manufacturer (also known as a System Builder) on a computer, the COA is typically affixed to the body of the computer. The COA includes the 25-character product key, which may be required if a reinstallation is needed. Some System Builders include the Windows software with new computers but do not pre-install it. These computers should come with Pre-installed Windows COAs.

http://www.microsoft.com/howtotell/content.aspx?pg=coa

http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/en/genuinewindows7/thread/6d3434c1-e101-4f78-8b3d-b3f2ffd3f8b2

Your copy of Windows is locked to the PC on which you purchased it. You cannot transfer that license to another PC. You can upgrade any components or peripherals on your PC and keep your license intact. You can replace the motherboard with an identical model or an equivalent model from the OEM if it fails. However, if you personally replace or upgrade the motherboard, your OEM Windows license is null and void.

 http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/what-microsoft-wont-tell-you-about-windows-7-licensing/1514?pg=2

As with the royalty OEM versions, your copy of Windows is locked to the PC on which it is installed and cannot be transferred to a PC, nor can the motherboard be upgraded. Under the terms of its agreement with Microsoft, the OEM must use the Windows OEM Preinstallation Kit (OPK) to install Windows. When you first turn on the PC, you accept a license agreement with the OEM and with Microsoft. The OEM is required to provide support for your copy of Windows. 

 OEM licensing:  http://oem.microsoft.com/public/sblicense/2008_sb_licenses/fy08_sb_license_english.pdf

Q. Can a PC with an OEM Windows operating system have its motherboard upgraded and keep the same license? What if it was replaced because it was defective?

A. Generally, an end user can upgrade or replace all of the hardware components on a computer—except the motherboard—and still retain the license for the original Microsoft OEM operating system software. If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect, then a new computer has been created. Microsoft OEM operating system software cannot be transferred to the new computer, and the license of new operating system software is required. If the motherboard is replaced because it is defective, you do not need to acquire a new operating system license for the PC as long as the replacement motherboard is the same make/model or the same manufacturer's replacement/equivalent, as defined by the manufacturer's warranty.

The reason for this licensing rule primarily relates to the End User Software License Terms and the support of the software covered by that End User Software License Terms. The End User Software License Terms is a set of usage rights granted to the end user by the PC manufacturer and relates only to rights for that software as installed on that particular PC. The system builder is required to support the software on the original PC. Understanding that end users, over time, upgrade their PCs with different components, Microsoft needed to have one base component "left standing" that would still define the original PC. Since the motherboard contains the CPU and is the "heart and soul" of the PC, when the motherboard is replaced (for reasons other than defect) a new PC is essentially created. The original system builder did not manufacture this new PC, and therefore cannot be expected to support it.

http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/pages/licensing_faq.aspx

[CherylG]

I was assuming by the statement>>

 "He said he ordered a new one, but that they don't make my model anymore.He put in a ASUS Windows 7 Ready M2N68-AM Plus"

that HP sent another version of the motherboard,which would comply with MS's requirement>>

"If the motherboard is replaced because it is defective, you do not need to acquire a new operating system license for the PC as long as the replacement motherboard is the same make/model or the same manufacturer's replacement/equivalent, as defined by the manufacturer's warranty".

As for the argument of using a random Win 7 dvd and the license key from PC case, many members here have done it simply because they wanted a clean install without all of the bundled software.Some have done it because they had no Recovery Disk set. Even calling MS with explanation & for activation using their license key from PC stcker.