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    Reinstall windows 7, envy 15

    Discussion in 'HP' started by Devenox, Sep 7, 2011.

  1. Devenox

    Devenox Notebook Evangelist

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    Hii

    I want to swap my harddrive with a new SSD
    I`m creating recovery discs now, but before I used my external DVD writer, no DVD write\read device could be found (duh, since envy 15 doesnt have a dvd drive)
    I wonder when I remove the harddisk and install my crucial m4 ssd, how can I install windows without losing my windows key? I guess the USB standalone dvd drive will not work if windows is not installed? I could install with a USB stick but would have to reactivate the key with phone call and without HP software and drivers... so thats not the way i want to do it...

    any ideas/suggestions?
     
    Devenox, Sep 7, 2011
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  2. Szadzik

    Szadzik Notebook Evangelist

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    USB DVD Drive will work just fine without Windows. When booting up the first time press escape nd choose the USB DVD as boot device and it will boot fine.

    The key is at the bottom of your laptop (under the batery on mine) and you can enter it to activate. It will say it cannot be activated online and give you a telephone number for a country of your choice. You call, give them the installation number given on activation screen and htey give you activation code you put in. Done. I have done it many times.
     
    Szadzik, Sep 7, 2011
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  3. Devenox

    Devenox Notebook Evangelist

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    Thanks

    Even with recovery discs you will need phone activation?
    Do you have to install windows with recovery discs from scratch or just the quick setup when you bought the envy?
     
    Devenox, Sep 7, 2011
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  4. Devenox

    Devenox Notebook Evangelist

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    I'm recovering the system, but now it asks for disc #4??? I'm 100% there were only 3 DVDs when it finished the HP recovery thing (I wrote it down)
    What should I do know? I also put DVD1,2 3 but that's not what he want...
     
    Devenox, Sep 7, 2011
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