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    LEGAL Windows 7 Download Links (Just like Vista before!!!)

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by timtravel42, Oct 23, 2009.

  1. ajc07977

    ajc07977 Notebook Enthusiast

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    - - - -

    Hi - I am at day 29 of the 30 day trial period. So far very pleased - and that is coming from a generally happy Xp Pro user. I am not looking to purchase W7 HP for as long as possible, so:

    How do you do this 're-arm' thing to get 120 days ??

    Thankyou
     
  2. deeastman

    deeastman Notebook Deity

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    Open the Start Menu and type cmd in the search box to display a shortcut to the Command Line utility. Right-click this shortcut and choose "Run as administrator." Handle the UAC prompt.
    In the command line window, type: slmgr /rearm
    Then tap ENTER and wait for the "Command completed successfully" dialog.
     
  3. PwAg

    PwAg Newbie

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  4. hankaaron57

    hankaaron57 Go BIG or go HOME

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    Okay, so my computer came with W7 Home Premium installed on it, and I talked to Tech Support weeks ago to send me the Ultimate Disk since I was on XP Pro before on my XPS, and that's the logical step.

    Anyways, I get the disk, but no product key for it. The key on the sticker on the bottom of the laptop is for Home Premium, not W7 Ultimate. I get in the live chat today and ask what I can do, and the rep tells me that Dell does not do upgrade disks, so I will have to do a clean install. I ask, 'how will I activate w7 ultimate if I don't have the key for it?' And he says, 'if you boot from the CD, the installation will register your copy of W7 Ultimate with Microsoft online, because the key is embedded in the CD's image'.

    Can anyone verify this? Or is this the lack of sleep for 30 hours finally catching up to me..
     
  5. NiteWalker

    NiteWalker Notebook Evangelist

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    That's how I got my Win7 HP64 disc. It's legit. Perfect timing too, since when I get my dm3t I can do a clean install on a WD5000BEVT I have put aside for it. With HP's you only get "recovery" discs (either by paying extra or burning your own. Since I would only have an upgrade disc before this I'd have to jump through some hoops to get Win7 on a fresh drive.

    Thanks for posting, I'm sure a lot of people will find this much easier than trying to build an iso.

    edit:
    Win7 Ultimate is a dead link. So if someone wants ultimate just download any version and use the tool mentioned earlier to make it Win7 version selectable.
     
  6. f4ding

    f4ding Laptop Owner

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    Isn't that's the typical OEM discs? It's embedded, you install it on a specific machine it's created with, no key needed.
     
  7. hankaaron57

    hankaaron57 Go BIG or go HOME

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    Thank you fading. Wanted to make sure the Dell rep wasn't blowing smoke up my .
     
  8. smoses799

    smoses799 Notebook Consultant

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    post #254
    okie, tell me if i have this right. This is what i have done thus far:
    1. I downloaded the iso
    2. I used the eicfg_removal utility
    3. I downloaded microsofts window 7 usb/dvd download tool

    This is the rest of my plan once my new laptop arrives and i buy a ssd drive:

    1. use the download tool to burn the iso to a zip drive or dvd
    2. use the dvd/zip drive to download on the ssd drive (that i will buy and put into my 2nd hd bay)
    3. use authentic ms code for win7 that should be on the bottom of my laptop
    4. swap the ssd into drive bay 1 and origional hd into bay 2
    5. restart laptop, it should load a clean win 7
    6. download and load all misc drivers i need.
    7. wipe origional hard drive in bay 2 and use as storage drive

    am i missing anything?
     
  9. timtravel42

    timtravel42 Notebook Virtuoso

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    People have reported that the iso downloads are slow - I just tested and the 3 files were getting download speeds of 300kbps and the iso was getting 100kbps, so this cancels out the time saved not making the disc yourself

    Plus, some people are weary of using 3rd party software on a windows disc...

    You can also do a very simple in place upgrade with the exe
     
  10. NiteWalker

    NiteWalker Notebook Evangelist

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    I didn't have this problem when I downloaded Win 7 HP64 a few days ago nor am I right now. See pic.
     
  11. timtravel42

    timtravel42 Notebook Virtuoso

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    what download speed are you getting on the 3 files?

    -maybe its just my connection, in which case, ill add the iso links to the guide over the weekend
     
  12. johnriba

    johnriba Notebook Enthusiast

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    I can't seem to download the Setup 1 file for Home Premium 64bit. It downloads 6KB's and stops. I tried using DownThemAll and it shows that the total download is 3GB, but it also stops after 5.4KB.
     
  13. timtravel42

    timtravel42 Notebook Virtuoso

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    the 64 bit setup1.box file downloads fine for me:

    [​IMG]

    try checking your internet connection - or it may have just been a temporary glitch on their server, so try again
     
  14. kindbuds2k

    kindbuds2k Newbie

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  15. PwAg

    PwAg Newbie

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    I recently downloaded Win7 Professional 64bit ISO from corresponding link @ 2.5 MB/s.
     
  16. DesiTechie

    DesiTechie Newbie

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    I created a bootable USB with 32 bit Windows 7 and did fresh installation of Windows 7 ultimate. Thanks OP for those simple step by step instructions.

    When I tried to activcate, I got a message like this -
    ---------------------------
    Invalid product key
    ---------------------------
    The product key you have entered will not work with this edition of Windows 7.

    You must either run Windows 7 Setup or enter a Windows 7 Ultimate product key.
    ---------------------------
    OK
    ---------------------------


    I have a product key from my HP upgrade which is Windows 7 Home premium edition.
    I didn't install it on the new HP laptop but on an older Toshiba laptop running Windows Vista Home Premium.


    Does it mean that my product key will work only with Windows 7 Home Premium?

    or
    does it mean that I can use it only on my HP laptop?

    Anyone faced similar issue?

    Thanks.
     
  17. coolguy

    coolguy Notebook Prophet

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    Home premium product key won't work with Ultimate. Is Microsoft that stupid?
     
  18. DesiTechie

    DesiTechie Newbie

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    Okay got it now. I thought the whole idea behind this trick of removing ei.cfg is just to have one CD which can install all the version.
    I still can activcate only the version for which I have the key.

    I misunderstood it.
     
  19. NiteWalker

    NiteWalker Notebook Evangelist

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    Ok, I was bored so I just ran the eicfg removal tool on another Win 7 HP64 iso downloaded form the digital river site and it worked perfectly. Took less than a second to run the tool, then I burned the iso and after setup started it asked me which version of windows I wanted to install.

    Sounds good to me.

    edit:
    Interesting. I don't have the option for Starter edition. It doesn't show up on a vista machine or on my win 7 laptop. No big deal, just an observation.
     
  20. timtravel42

    timtravel42 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Thanks for the info guys - ill put up an iso guide over the weekend
     
  21. Daskid

    Daskid Notebook Consultant

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    I just purchased Win7 for $29.99 and was wondering if I can use the images on this thread instead of the link that the email provided me and just use the provided key in the email?
     
  22. NiteWalker

    NiteWalker Notebook Evangelist

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    Probably. Just make sure to download the same version as the key you got.
     
  23. Abyss Impact

    Abyss Impact Notebook Geek

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    nevermind....
     
  24. Daskid

    Daskid Notebook Consultant

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    Sweet it works! Thanks Nite!
     
  25. Abyss Impact

    Abyss Impact Notebook Geek

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    I did everything in the instruction. Where is the ISO folder after it's 100% complete?
     
  26. deeastman

    deeastman Notebook Deity

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    If you created the ISO using this command:
    oscdimg.exe -bC:\expandedSetup\boot\etfsboot.com -u2 -h -m -lWIN_EN_DVD C:\expandedSetup\ C:\Win7.iso

    then the ISO is located in the root directory of C:\ and of course named Win7.iso
     
  27. hendra

    hendra Notebook Virtuoso

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    I don't have the CD key. After 120 days, can I reformat, reinstall, rearm and get another 120 days to try?
     
  28. NiteWalker

    NiteWalker Notebook Evangelist

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    Yep. It was mentioned somewhere (can't remember) that for frequent re-installers it's a work around to have Win7 for free.

    Not worth it IMHO though. You get the naggings from windows to activate it and reformatting and reinstalling every 4 months would annoy me to no end. Not worth saving the $120. Just my opinion though.
     
  29. jprochnow

    jprochnow Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm downloading as im typing this. I already have windows 7 premium installed from the manufacture but it has all the extra bloatware. So im going to reinstall with this. I just use my code on the bottom of the laptop to activate it, right?
     
  30. newsposter

    newsposter Notebook Virtuoso

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    But come March 31st, 'rearming' won't even work. Your machine will reboot every two hours.
     
  31. timtravel42

    timtravel42 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Yes

    Yes, or you can use the activation backup software in step 2 of this guide:
    http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=432564

    That is only for the RC - the RTM version can be reinstalled and rearmed indefinitely
     
  32. timtravel42

    timtravel42 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Ok guys, I finally updated the guide with the information for the direct ISO downloads
     
  33. jprochnow

    jprochnow Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well I tried installing and it worked perfectly. But for some reason I couldnt get the bluetooth to work. So now I did the system recovery to factory and now am deleting everything I dont want.
     
  34. NiteWalker

    NiteWalker Notebook Evangelist

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    You probably just needed to update your bluetooth driver. BT worked just fine on my system after installing Win 7 HP64; no driver installation needed.

    edit:
    Figured this part out. Starter doesn't come in 64 bit. That's why it doesn't show up when I install with my 64 bit master disc.
     
  35. jprochnow

    jprochnow Notebook Enthusiast

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    Im going to have to look into this further. I installed the driver and the patch for the driver. I have a sony vaio vgn-fw510f. But it didnt show up in my device list. Im going to post something on the sony forum.
     
  36. Abyss Impact

    Abyss Impact Notebook Geek

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    I downloaded everything but I can't get administrator to run the .exe

    help! How do I get reset the administrator password?
     
  37. deeastman

    deeastman Notebook Deity

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    Edit: What is the exact error message you are getting. Don't paraphrase.

    You have two choices:
    1. You can go through the steps to correct your issues by throughly re-reading the instructions in the first post. You are obviously having access problems which should be easy to resolve but you may want to go with step 2 below.

    2. The OP has now included direct download links for the ISO files at the bottom of the first post. That might be your best approach. No issues to resolve. Just download, burn the ISO image to DVD or create a USB flash drive install and you are ready to rock and roll.
     
  38. Abyss Impact

    Abyss Impact Notebook Geek

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    Do I have to extract the WinRAR before I burn it? Also, what DVD should I use? Will 4.7GB work?
     
  39. deeastman

    deeastman Notebook Deity

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    ????? I am not even going to ask where that question came from :confused:

    I will assume that you have an ISO file that you would like to use to create a DVD. I am sure you have some sort of DVD burning software but lets not even go there as it sounds like you have never done this before.

    Download the following free software to make your DVD. You really can't get much easier than this.

    http://download.cnet.com/Active-ISO-Burner/3000-2646_4-10602452.html

    1. Insert a blank DVD (I would use a quality DVD+R, 4.7GB) into your optical drive, close any messages that might open.

    2. Open the Active-ISO-Burner software. Browse to the ISO file so it is displayed in the top window of the software.

    3. Click 'Burn' on the bottom right.

    That is it, your DVD is complete and ready to use.
     
  40. Abyss Impact

    Abyss Impact Notebook Geek

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    [​IMG]

    Is that the iso file?
     
  41. deeastman

    deeastman Notebook Deity

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    Yes, you don't have your files extensions shown in view mode. If for some reason the software doesn't recognize it as an ISO I will tell you how to enable the files extension view.
     
  42. Abyss Impact

    Abyss Impact Notebook Geek

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    Okay thanks.
     
  43. deeastman

    deeastman Notebook Deity

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    I suggest you show your file extensions anyway as you will need to know this information at some time for other problems or issues you will be asking about.

    Please perform the following:

    Click Start>Computer>Tools>Folder Options>View then Uncheck 'Hide extensions for known file types' then click on OK.

    It is actually good to do this on any computer as you should always know what type of file you are working with.
     
  44. Abyss Impact

    Abyss Impact Notebook Geek

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    Okay I burned it to a DVD, but how do I make it boot? I can't seem to get it to boot when it's in my DVD drive.
     
  45. deeastman

    deeastman Notebook Deity

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    1. Did you burn the ISO file with Active-ISO-Burner as I suggested?

    2. What happens when you have the disk in the DVD drive and try to boot?
     
  46. Abyss Impact

    Abyss Impact Notebook Geek

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    Nothing happens when I try to put it into my desktop computer. I tried it on my laptop and it works, but not the desk top. I'm using Windows XP on both, so I don't know whats the problem. :confused:
     
  47. Drjones

    Drjones Notebook Consultant

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    Did you set your computer to boot from CD/DVD in the BIOS?
     
  48. Abyss Impact

    Abyss Impact Notebook Geek

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    Yeah, just doesn't work.
     
  49. Drjones

    Drjones Notebook Consultant

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    How many CD/DVD drives do you have and which ones did you set to boot first? Be sure you don't get confused. I have an old desktop I don't use much and it was a little headache getting it to boot because I kept sticking the boot disk in the wrong drive. :rolleyes:

    Assuming that is not the issue, then you didn't properly create a bootable disk.

    I'd suggest you use this utility, it worked perfectly for me to create a USB stick but will also create a bootable DVD.

    http://download.cnet.com/Windows-7-USB-DVD-Download-Tool/3000-18513_4-10972600.html?tag=mncol
     
  50. deeastman

    deeastman Notebook Deity

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    Well, you didn't answer my question if you used Active-Iso-Burner to create the disk but since the disk works on your laptop, the disk was created correctly (that is why I asked you the question). If you want help you need to answer the questions asked, there is a reason behind the question.

    Since the disk was created correctly and boots with your laptop, your original questions have been answered and you have successfully created a Windows 7 Install disk.

    The operating system on your laptop or desktop is of no consequence since you are not using it when you are booting from the newly created DVD.

    As to why the disk doesn't work on your desktop, that should be asked in a new thread since it has nothing with downloading or creating a windows 7 install disk.

    If you choose to create a new thread, please give enough information to assist others to help. The desktop model number would help.
     
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