How/Where to Get Windows 7 Home Premium for New Hard Drive on Old Computer

[FilthyHobbitses]

Okay, trying to get in contact with HP support is a nightmare and a half, so I'll post here and hopefully someone can help..

I recently got a replacement hard drive for my Pavilion dv6 laptop, which I got back in 2011. The current hard drive is presenting with an imminent failure error code, so I went ahead and got a new one. 

I am trying to get a hold of the proper Windows boot disc, which would be Windows Home Premium x64. I have the original product key, but when I've tried to enter it into the Windows site to download the proper version in order to set up a boot-USB for my new hard drive, it says:

"The product key you entered appears to be for software pre-installed by the device manufacturer. Please contact the device manufacturer for software recovery options."

Now, back in the day, my family was always able to contact HP support and receive boot discs and recovery discs as a courtesy. I don't know if HP still does that - as I can never get in touch with them. 

I just need a clear and succinct answer.. Am I going to have to buy a new product key? Or is there something HP can do for this? I'd like to know BEFORE I buy anything, as no one from HP would answer me before I purchased one of their replacement hard drives as to whether or not the hard drive would come with an OS pre-installed, and so I had to wait two weeks until I received it to find out that I had to wait even longer to fix my computer because the hard drive is 100% fresh.

If anyone could please advise, it would be so appreciated! Thank you.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

What is the full model number or product number of your notebook?

The product number can be found on the same label as the serial number.

HP no longer carries recovery disks for the dv6 notebook series, but there is a place that buys HP's recovery disk inventory when they decide to no longer sell them directly.

Enter the product number of your notebook in the box at the link below, and see if they sell a kit for your specific model number.

http://www.computersurgeons.com/

Note:  In order for the recovery disk set to work, the hard drive you bought has to be at least as large a storage capacity as the one you replaced it with.

If the computer surgeons don't have a recovery kit, there is one other option you can try, but see about the above first.

[FilthyHobbitses]

It appears that Computer Surgeons does not.

Would it not work to just buy a new Windows 7 Home Premium key and create a boot-USB?

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Try this first...

This site claims to have genuine, unadulterated W7 ISO files for download...

https://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technology-science/microsoft/67-microsoft-windows-iso-download-tool

Click on the link labeled Windows ISO Downloader.exe

You can use either the:

 Win 7 Home SP1 (Retail version, but the  OEM key on your PC's case should work with it)

 Win 7 Home SP1 COEM (This version would be for what HP would have used--System Builder)

You can either burn the ISO file to a DVD using your DVD burning program's burn ISO file setting, or use free ISO to USB utility such as Rufus.

https://rufus.akeo.ie/

[FilthyHobbitses]

It “claims” to but how do I know it’s a trustworthy site?

And even if I have the files, my issue is that I still need a product key for it because the key on my laptop’s case registers with Windows as something that’s already been used as if it were a one-time use only key.

Are you sure all of this will work? Have you successfully done this yourself?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Many forum members have used this site, and no one has reported any issues with any of the software.

I have personally downloaded the ISO files, and made installation disks in case I ever needed them, but I have not personally installed W7 from one of these files.  I have checked them against an original W7 ISO file from Microsoft (as to file size), and they are identical.  So, nothing has been added.

Unless someone used the product key on your notebook's case on another PC, it will work.

That key was never used to install Windows on your PC from the factory.

HP uses a volume license key image which can be used for hundreds of PC's at a whack.

They are required to put a Windows 7 key on the notebook to prove the PC had a license to use W7.

So...if no one used the key on your notebook to install W7 on another PC, it should work.

Otherwise you are free to buy W7 from someplace, but I suggest you make sure you get one in a sealed package.

W7 is going to be hard to find.  Microsoft quit selling it years ago, so you're going to have to look on eBay or somewhere.

[FilthyHobbitses]

Alright. I will try this when I get out of work.

I really appreciate that you’ve stuck around to help out and answer my questions so far. Thank you for that.

I will let you know how it goes.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Please do.

[FilthyHobbitses]

I've currently downloaded Rufus, as well as the Windows ISO Downloader.exe from heidoc... 

I'm honestly not sure what any of the setting options on Rufus mean or which ones I should select, or if it matters.

Have you used Rufus before? Would you be able to advise? 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Unfortunately, I've never used that utility before, so I don't know how it works.

You can use this alternative tool from Microsoft that I zipped up and attached below, but it is not always reliable.

I prefer to burn the ISO file to a DVD and use a simple program for that...

I like this free CD/DVD burning utility.  It has never let me down, and is very simple to use.  Download and install.

https://www.cdburnerxp.se/en/download

A main window will open and give you 6 options.  You want the Burn ISO Image menu.

Click on that, and a window will open.  Browse to where you saved the W10 ISO file.

On the right side of the window, there is a burn speed drop down list (to the right of where your DVD drive is listed).

Drop down on that menu, and select the slowest burn speed possible.  That ensures a nice strong burn of the file.

That is the only option you need to change.

Follow the on screen instructions to burn the DVD (which is to click on the Burn Disk button).