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Re-installing Windows after wiping it completely

  • 17-03-2012 12:00am
    #1
    MungBean
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,915 ✭✭✭


    I installed Ubuntu to dual boot along side Windows 7 months ago, but it all went wrong and I ended up formatting the drive and installing Ubuntu as the sole operating system.

    I've been using that happy enough for months now but I need windows again and I dont want to pay for it. Can I download the iso somewhere and use the keys on the back of the laptop to authenticate it or would that not be a good idea ? Or would it not even work ?

    I'm planning on installing it through virtual box and just use it that way initially. I downloaded the windows 8 preview but am having no luck in getting it to run and from looking online a lot of people are also having trouble doing it and the few solutions I came across didnt work.

    I had windows 7 on virtualbox before but it was a trial version and I deleted it. The fact I may be able to use the product key on the back of the laptop never entered my head. Anyone know if it would work or know how to get windows 8 working ?


Comments

  • #2
    GreenWolfe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,731 ✭✭✭GreenWolfe


    I assume your laptop has an OEM license, so that Win 7 license is tied to the laptop motherboard. If you get discs for the Windows 7 version the laptop came with, and activate it using the laptop license number that should be OK. It would not be OK to use that OEM license in a VM, you'd have to buy a retail Windows 7 license for that purpose.

    Details for installing Windows 7 on your laptop (and not in a VM!), see here.


  • #3
    Capt'n Midnight
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 93,596 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    depending on what brand of computer it may have a recovery partiton
    this will kill off your ubuntu install though

    most live linux cd's will allow you to shrink the linux partition to leave room for windows , note you will have to reinstall grub after you install windows 7 because windows doens't play nice with anything other than older versions of windows

    you can download the windows 7 ISO , it's been posted here before


  • #4
    MungBean
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,915 ✭✭✭MungBean


    Capt'n Midnight wrote: »
    depending on what brand of computer it may have a recovery partiton
    this will kill off your ubuntu install though

    most live linux cd's will allow you to shrink the linux partition to leave room for windows , note you will have to reinstall grub after you install windows 7 because windows doens't play nice with anything other than older versions of windows

    you can download the windows 7 ISO , it's been posted here before

    I think thats what happened the first time, the grub thing or boot loader or whatever it is disappeared. So me not knowing what was going on just installed Ubuntu, cant recall any other partitions when I did it so either there was no one or I formatted it and merged it with he rest or something. I dont know I'm not that gifted when it comes to this kind of thing.

    So when I re-install windows again as a dual boot chances are I'll lose the grub again and I'll have to use the Ubuntu live cd to reinstall it ? And I'll have to create a partition/resize the linux one for the windows install before I do anything ?


  • #5
    MungBean
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,915 ✭✭✭MungBean


    EarthlyPangaea wrote: »
    I assume your laptop has an OEM license, so that Win 7 license is tied to the laptop motherboard. If you get discs for the Windows 7 version the laptop came with, and activate it using the laptop license number that should be OK. It would not be OK to use that OEM license in a VM, you'd have to buy a retail Windows 7 license for that purpose.

    Details for installing Windows 7 on your laptop (and not in a VM!), see here.

    Just out if interest why cant I use it in a VM ? And what would happen if I did ? They shut me down ?


  • #6
    GreenWolfe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,731 ✭✭✭GreenWolfe


    MungBean wrote: »
    Just out if interest why cant I use it in a VM ? And what would happen if I did ? They shut me down ?

    It's a violation of the OEM license, simple as.


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  • #7
    Capt'n Midnight
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 93,596 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    EarthlyPangaea wrote: »
    It's a violation of the OEM license, simple as.
    are you sure ?

    technically speaking it is still running on the same motherboard


    and it's not a second copy being installed on a different partition


  • #8
    GreenWolfe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,731 ✭✭✭GreenWolfe


    Capt'n Midnight wrote: »
    are you sure ?

    technically speaking it is still running on the same motherboard


    and it's not a second copy being installed on a different partition

    This is what I found on Microsoft's forums - http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/w7itprovirt/thread/f52444f1-08d4-4013-943e-930eb2d579f3
    You cannot create another copy of Windows 7 using OEM media. It is licensed only for the physical machine.

    Obviously the first sentence doesn't apply to this particular situation, but it says that the Dell OEM licence in question is licensed for physical machines only.


  • #9
    Torqay
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,835 ✭✭✭Torqay


    Speaking of MSN Technet, I believe you can still download the Windows 7 Enterprise 90-day Trial version there, all you need is a Windows Live/Hotmail ID.

    That will give you 3 month free Windows 7 for your VM. ;)


  • #10
    Capt'n Midnight
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 93,596 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    EarthlyPangaea wrote: »
    This is what I found on Microsoft's forums - http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/w7itprovirt/thread/f52444f1-08d4-4013-943e-930eb2d579f3

    Obviously the first sentence doesn't apply to this particular situation, but it says that the Dell OEM licence in question is licensed for physical machines only.

    I tend to regard stuff on social.technet with a pinch of salt. Especially when it comes to licensing. Unless you can confirm it's from a Microsoft employee authorised to speak by the lawyers it's just opinion.

    And yeah the OEM won't see the native BIOS in a VM (though wasn't someone working on this) and so won't authenticate as easily.


    What you are supposed to do is upgrade to Ultimate or Enterprise if you want Physical AND VM installs on the same OS on One machine.



    Don't forget you can also install 240 day trial version of Windows 2008 server, google windows 2008 workstation


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