windows 7 installation files

Question

Hi all, My laptop running win 7 crashed the other day, I do have the install disk at home but I'm traveling for business and I really need to get it operational again. I purchased it through dell pre-installed and they keep telling me that they don't have the installation files for win 7. I went to the microsoft site and they state on the web page that since I went through dell and purchased it pre-installed I have to go through them to get the ISO file. So I'm between a rock and a hard place. Does anyone know a trusted site that I could download the files from and make a bootable USB? I installed a new hard drive and have my microsoft product key, all I need is the Win 7 install file. Thanks

Answer 1

Hi all, My laptop running win 7 crashed the other day, I do have the install disk at home but I'm traveling for business and I really need to get it operational again. I purchased it through dell pre-installed and they keep telling me that they don't have the installation files for win 7. I went to the microsoft site and they state on the web page that since I went through dell and purchased it pre-installed I have to go through them to get the ISO file. So I'm between a rock and a hard place. Does anyone know a trusted site that I could download the files from and make a bootable USB? I installed a new hard drive and have my microsoft product key, all I need is the Win 7 install file. Thanks

You have two options to install 7 on the new hard drive in your Dell.

You can borrow the exact same edition of Windows 7 Retail DVD and use your Product Key on the COA sticker to reinstall the operating system.

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Or you can use this for preinstalled OEM or Retail Licenses. This is on a first come, first served weekly basis.

Download the correct ISO file and make your own disk and use the Product Key that is on the COA Sticker. This is on a first come, first served weekly basis.

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

Download: Windows ISO Downloader.exe

And here are instructions on how to burn ISO images to disk:

http://www.snapfiles.com/get/ISORecorder.html

You change the Boot Order in the BIOS to be able to boot from your installation media:

How to Boot Your Computer From a Disc or USB Drive

How to access Boot Menu:

https://neosmart.net/wiki/boot-usb-drive/

Then do a clean install:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

The COA sticker is either on the underside of the Laptop or in the Battery Compartment.

With a Desktop it is either on the side, rear or top of the Computer Case.

Using the downloaded ISO file Method may require phone Activation.

It may require that you use phone Activation.

"How to Activate Windows 7 by Phone"

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18715-activate-windows-7-phone.html

The above method also will require you to go to your Computer Manufacturer's website > Support and Downloads Section > locate your Model Number and Operating System > then download and install the latest Drivers for it.

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Using the USB method in conjunction with the above Windows 7 download:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html

"How to Get and Use the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool"

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31541-windows-7-usb-dvd-download-tool.html

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And this is very good and easy to use:

Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way

Cheers.

Answer 2

Dell pcs can restore the default OS by tapping the F12 key on pc start up..Simply select to Restore the OS to Default settings...No other software or cd is needed,the menu in F12 gets you going...Don't forget,Microsoft/Windows default installation gets done with the Win 7 OS cd/1st boot priority in the BIOS.Also,with current Win 7 OS,iR.click my computer/properties/scroll to bottom of window,write down the Product key data,it should say: Windows is Active,this gets you Activation data if the reinstallation/Activation should fail..Also,in run type:  WinVer

Answer 3

Yes I extracted the iso file on to the usb using window 7 USB DVD download tool but it stated that the drive was not bootable so I copied the filesthat were extracted to my D drive and went through the manual method of making it bootable then copied the files back over to the USB. If it wasn't bootable why would I have received the option to install win 7 when the USB was plugged into the laptop? It seemed to boot just couldn't find the right files. Thanks for all your help and the links. Brian

Answer 4

Hi Bill, I tried using the Win 7 USB DVD download tool and it said it copied the files but had not made the USB bootable so I copied the files and formatted the USB to be bootable using the the command prompt method then copied the files back over. Inserted the USB drive into the laptop, powered it on, used F12 to select boot from USB and received Windows is loading. It loaded asked me to select language, time and currency and keyboard method, hit next. The Win 7 7 comes up w/ the Install now w/ arrow, I selected it. It displays, setup is starting then a load driver box appears and states: a required cd/dvd drive device is missing. If you have a cd, dvd or USB drive, please insert it now. Note if the windows installation media is in the cd/dvd you can safely remove it for this step. Below that are 3 options: browse, OK and cancel. I removed and reinserted the USB drive and received a load driver box stating: No device drivers were found. Make sure that the installation media contains the correct drivers, then click ok. I removed the USB drive and clicked ok. and received the load driver message as before. My microsoft sticker states that it's win 7 home prem oa and I downloaded the ios : 7601.24214.180801-1700.win7sp1_ldr_escrow_CLIENT_HOMEPREMIUM_x64FRE_en-us. Any ideas?

The USB has to be Bootable

I use RUFUS to make a bootable USB.

Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way

Cheers.

Answer 5

Hi Bill, I tried using the Win 7 USB DVD download tool and it said it copied the files but had not made the USB bootable so I copied the files and formatted the USB to be bootable using the the command prompt method then copied the files back over. Inserted the USB drive into the laptop, powered it on, used F12 to select boot from USB and received Windows is loading. It loaded asked me to select language, time and currency and keyboard method, hit next. The Win 7 7 comes up w/ the Install now w/ arrow, I selected it. It displays, setup is starting then a load driver box appears and states: a required cd/dvd drive device is missing. If you have a cd, dvd or USB drive, please insert it now. Note if the windows installation media is in the cd/dvd you can safely remove it for this step. Below that are 3 options: browse, OK and cancel. I removed and reinserted the USB drive and received a load driver box stating: No device drivers were found. Make sure that the installation media contains the correct drivers, then click ok. I removed the USB drive and clicked ok. and received the load driver message as before. My microsoft sticker states that it's win 7 home prem oa and I downloaded the ios : 7601.24214.180801-1700.win7sp1_ldr_escrow_CLIENT_HOMEPREMIUM_x64FRE_en-us. Any ideas?