Still Stuck sorting Windows 7, HP Recovery Disk needed?

HooCanTellMee

Hi folks,
This is a follow up to previous post, where I was trying to find out if it was "legal" to try to re-install Windows 7 on a PC.
I bought an SG3 120uk Compaq, second hand, as a replacement for my ancient PC.
It has a Windows 7 License sticker with product code, all seems above board! Unfortunately the seller removed the hard drive, probably to protect his data, leaving me with a sticker, but no OS! I thought this would be simple, get in touch with HP and ask nicely for recovery disks. However, HP appear to have stopped supplying recovery disks and pointed me to a company that sells them. It now appears I am expected to pay nearly as much for the recovery disk as I would for a new Windows 7 Installation disk! Is this the only way to go, or can someone give me a better option?

m5rcc

I would personally get an image of the appropriate Windows 7 version you have (be it Ultimate, Professional, Home, etc), install without the key (you do have that option) and once fully installed, change the product key to the one you have through activation or a product key changer.

TakeThis

HooCanTellMee wrote: »

Hi folks,
This is a follow up to previous post, where I was trying to find out if it was "legal" to try to re-install Windows 7 on a PC.
I bought an SG3 120uk Compaq, second hand, as a replacement for my ancient PC.
It has a Windows 7 License sticker with product code, all seems above board! Unfortunately the seller removed the hard drive, probably to protect his data, leaving me with a sticker, but no OS! I thought this would be simple, get in touch with HP and ask nicely for recovery disks. However, HP appear to have stopped supplying recovery disks and pointed me to a company that sells them. It now appears I am expected to pay nearly as much for the recovery disk as I would for a new Windows 7 Installation disk! Is this the only way to go, or can someone give me a better option?

I'm sure that I already told you what you needed to do. Perhaps you can go back to your original thread and follow the instructions.

HooCanTellMee

Yes, TakeThis,
You did and I followed your instructions up until I got to HP website. Downloading an image would take forever, we are in a scottish village and the broadband speed is nothing to write home about. Would take hours to complete, tying up the broadband from the rest of the household. I was just amazed that I was expected to pay for the recovery disks, and that they are not from HP themselves, just a company that they recommend. For the difference in price I might as well get a new copy of Windows 7, can get student discount. Seems that Microsoft are getting paid twice for the OS on one machine.
Must admit I am tempted to just ditch Windows and go with Linux, only wanted to run my Adobe Photoshop, not fund Microsoft! Please note I am really grateful for your help, have not just ignored your advice.

Thanks M5rrc,
I think you are suggesting downloading, as I have pointed out, it would take HOURS, so many thanks but I think maybe it is time to give up and go Linux. I am just not willing to pay for Windows 7, when the machine already has the license code.

THANKING YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP, BUT THIS IS NOT WORTH WASTING ANY MORE TIME ON, SO PLEASE GO HELP SOMEONE ELSE AND WE WILL LEAVE THIS HERE.

TakeThis

HooCanTellMee wrote: »

Yes, TakeThis,
You did and I followed your instructions up until I got to HP website. Downloading an image would take forever, we are in a scottish village and the broadband speed is nothing to write home about. Would take hours to complete, tying up the broadband from the rest of the household. I was just amazed that I was expected to pay for the recovery disks, and that they are not from HP themselves, just a company that they recommend. For the difference in price I might as well get a new copy of Windows 7, can get student discount. Seems that Microsoft are getting paid twice for the OS on one machine.
Must admit I am tempted to just ditch Windows and go with Linux, only wanted to run my Adobe Photoshop, not fund Microsoft! Please note I am really grateful for your help, have not just ignored your advice.

Thanks M5rrc,
I think you are suggesting downloading, as I have pointed out, it would take HOURS, so many thanks but I think maybe it is time to give up and go Linux. I am just not willing to pay for Windows 7, when the machine already has the license code.

THANKING YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP, BUT THIS IS NOT WORTH WASTING ANY MORE TIME ON, SO PLEASE GO HELP SOMEONE ELSE AND WE WILL LEAVE THIS HERE.

It is not polite to post in capitals. It has the effect of shouting at everyone who has tried to help you.
You have the option of starting the download before you go to bed at night and leaving it running throughout the day if everyone is at work.

Otherwise you can use the Opera Browser with it's built-in Download Manager to begin the download and choose to stop it when others wish to use the Internet and 'Resume' when it is free(bedtime for instance).

Alternatively, you can get a friendly colleague to download and burn it to disc for you.

It can all be achieved without drama.

m5rcc

TakeThis wrote: »

It is not polite to post in capitals. It has the effect of shouting at everyone who has tried to help you.
You have the option of starting the download before you go to bed at night and leaving it running throughout the day if everyone is at work.

Otherwise you can use the Opera Browser with it's built-in Download Manager to begin the download and choose to stop it when others wish to use the Internet and 'Resume' when it is free(bedtime for instance).

Alternatively, you can get a friendly colleague to download and burn it to disc for you.

It can all be achieved without drama.

Absolutely