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Lost hard drive (with recovery partition) on Lenovo Ideapad Laptop (no CDs or CD rom)
Posted on 2014-02-17
I have a Lenovo Laptop (Idea Pad) that the hard failed and can not be read. I put a new hard drive in it but I am unsure how to go about reinstalling a legal copy of Win 7. The notebook has the official Microsoft Product Code on the bottom and I have access to a USB CD rom if I can get an OEM image and somehow enter my product code? Can someone tell me how this should be/ or can be accomplished.
Thanks
Thanks
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You can legally reinstall with the product key on the OEM sticker. Here is a page with a compiled list of downloads you can get legally. You may need to install a program for burning .iso images to disk. IMGBURN is a good one.
Also just remember that this will be only Windows 7 all of the Manufacturer software that was on it when you got it won't be included. So you will have to download all of your drivers from lenovo HERE. You will also have to download and reinstall any other software you want on there.
Good Luck HTH.
Also just remember that this will be only Windows 7 all of the Manufacturer software that was on it when you got it won't be included. So you will have to download all of your drivers from lenovo HERE. You will also have to download and reinstall any other software you want on there.
Good Luck HTH.
Legally I believe the only way to do it is to get a set of recovery cd's from the manufacturer. By legally I mean in accordance with Microsoft allowed usage policies as well as other laws that deal with digital distribution of software.
A grey area method would be what you have mentioned "find" a copy of OEM and use the key you have.
Obtaining a copy through the manufacturer should be pretty easy. If your notebook is new the recovery (and or recovery cd's) may even be covered under warranty.
If you find your device is out of warranty and you have no other choice than to find that OEM copy then I would suggest making sure you look for a copy that has not been tampered with. A succinct search on google should point you in the "right" direction.
A grey area method would be what you have mentioned "find" a copy of OEM and use the key you have.
Obtaining a copy through the manufacturer should be pretty easy. If your notebook is new the recovery (and or recovery cd's) may even be covered under warranty.
If you find your device is out of warranty and you have no other choice than to find that OEM copy then I would suggest making sure you look for a copy that has not been tampered with. A succinct search on google should point you in the "right" direction.
So during the install of one of these ISO images would I be prompted for the product Code as opposed to a license key?
Been a while since I actually installed windows..
Been a while since I actually installed windows..
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