Windows-7 installation questions

Some questions on installing W7:

1. How to get the product/license from my already pre-installed OS?
Answered
2. Where to get the DVD for W& PRO 64-bit
Un-Answered
3. If i do a fresh install will my existing recovery partition be lost?
Answered
4. Will the existing license allow new installation on the same hardware & validate?
Answered

5. Could someone confirm the following hash codes for

X64 DVD Image W7 PRO:
CRC32: 502C42C1
MD5: 7B7AF5FE3A01E9FD76DE4DACB45A796B
SHA-1: 50127304441A793EE51B3F501289F6599A559E9F


X32-DVD Image W7 PRO:
CRC32: 578725D1
MD5: D8F675AAEB48057452666B0CD686D7F5
SHA-1: 697FA06554502FB21D30275273B25747299C020D


6. Does deleting ei.cfg file makes the DVD as all version DVD?
7. How to Make new laptop Dual boot with XP-sp3 & W7 PRO-64-bit




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Will keep asking questions in this same thread.

Thanks,
Grr

This is general information, please do not take it as "gospel"

1. Your pre-installed Windows 7 will likely either be a pre-activated installation that employs BIOS modifications and specialized files if it's a machine from so-called "MS Royalty" manufacturers like Dell, HP, Toshiba, etc - OR - uses an input product key which is given on the sticker on your machine.

Now, my understanding is that all you have to do is reinstall the OS on royalty machines and it's activated during install. BUT don't take my word for it... I haven't thoroughly read and double- and triple-checked this impression like I would if I was going to do such a reinstall.

2. There are only 2 Windows 7 DVDs: 32-bit and 64-bit. There is a file on the DVD that tells the installer if the DVD is a specific edition or to allow installation of any edition. Now, where to get it? As far as I can tell, it's almost impossible to get a Win7 DVD unless the manufacturer offers ones or you buy a retail or OEM one from a store.

I'm not sure exactly why it became so hard to get an OS reinstall disk. 10 years ago when I did tech support for Dell, every system shipped with one. But that soon changed and people were expected to restore their machine to "as-shipped" condition by utilizing the hidden recovery partition.

3. That's an extremely good question. And I strongly suspect the answer is that it might be possible. But rest assured, there are plenty of power-users that have done it. I'm certain good instructions have been posted for both keeping and eliminating the recovery partition, but I hadn't done any research on this myself.

4. I think it depends upon the licensing model. The "roaylty" machines should be automatically activated or something to that effect. "Product Key" activations have so many on-line activations available (I think it's 4) before you have to do telephone actiavtion. Then there's the various corporate activation schemes like Volume Licensing.

I hope this helps more than it confuses or at the very least suggests some lines of research.

I will try to answer all one by one.

1. OEM systems comes with OS preinstalled and you can find the product key on a label or sticker on the back of your laptop. You can use this key anytime later on if something bad happens. Bear in mind that you cannot use this key on any other machine.
2. DVD for the Win 7 versions is difficult to get by unless you have MSDN access. You can try getting it from Digital river or use a trial version installer if available from MS. Once again, bear in mind , the version must be same as your original OS that came with new System.
3. If you do a fresh install, the recovery partition remains intact unless you do something with it. You can do the fresh install without touching that recovery partition.
4. You can install Win7 OS ,same original one as many times as you like on the same system but with no hardware changes.

:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Avinash

I will try to answer all one by one.

1. OEM systems comes with OS preinstalled and you can find the product key on a label or sticker on the back of your laptop. You can use this key anytime later on if something bad happens. Bear in mind that you cannot use this key on any other machine.
2. DVD for the Win 7 versions is difficult to get by unless you have MSDN access. You can try getting it from Digital river or use a trial version installer if available from MS. Once again, bear in mind , the version must be same as your original OS that came with new System.
3. If you do a fresh install, the recovery partition remains intact unless you do something with it. You can do the fresh install without touching that recovery partition.
4. You can install Win7 OS ,same original one as many times as you like on the same system but with no hardware changes.

:)

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5. Could someone confirm the following hash codes for

X64 DVD Image W7 PRO:
CRC32: 502C42C1
MD5: 7B7AF5FE3A01E9FD76DE4DACB45A796B
SHA-1: 50127304441A793EE51B3F501289F6599A559E9F


X32-DVD Image W7 PRO:
CRC32: 578725D1
MD5: D8F675AAEB48057452666B0CD686D7F5
SHA-1: 697FA06554502FB21D30275273B25747299C020D


6. Does deleting ei.cfg file makes the DVD as all version DVD?
7. How to Make new laptop Dual boot with XP-sp3 & W7 PRO-64-bit

---------- Post added at 07:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:18 PM ----------

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Grr

5. Could someone confirm the following hash codes for

X64 DVD Image W7 PRO:
CRC32: 502C42C1
MD5: 7B7AF5FE3A01E9FD76DE4DACB45A796B
SHA-1: 50127304441A793EE51B3F501289F6599A559E9F


X32-DVD Image W7 PRO:
CRC32: 578725D1
MD5: D8F675AAEB48057452666B0CD686D7F5
SHA-1: 697FA06554502FB21D30275273B25747299C020D


6. Does deleting ei.cfg file makes the DVD as all version DVD?
7. How to Make new laptop Dual boot with XP-sp3 & W7 PRO-64-bit

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After searching:

http://img4.immage.de/2905fedae073.gif MSDN:


Windows 7 Professional (x86) - DVD (English)

File Name: en_windows_7_professional_x86_dvd_x15-65804.iso
Date Posted (UTC): 8/6/2009 9:59:56 AM
SHA1: 697FA06554502FB21D30275273B25747299C020D
ISO/CRC: 578725D1


http://img4.immage.de/2905fedae073.gif MSDN:


Windows 7 Professional (x64) - DVD (English)

File Name: en_windows_7_professional_x64_dvd_x15-65805.iso
Date Posted (UTC): 8/6/2009 9:59:56 AM
SHA1: 50127304441A793EE51B3F501289F6599A559E9F
ISO/CRC: 502C42C1

:dance::dance:

The only 'supported' way to accomplish this is to always install the older OS i.e. Windows XP first.

That being said, it's still possible to accomplish this.

Take a look at the following tutorial. Please read the entire article first to get up to speed with the issues and then use Method Two to install XP.

Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP - Windows 7 Forums

Keep in mind, if you do something wrong, everything will be lost.

---------- Post added at 10:28 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:27 AM ----------

6. Does deleting ei.cfg file makes the DVD as all version DVD?

yes, it does, but you need to save it again as image file

---------- Post added at 10:38 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:28 AM ----------

Where to get the DVD for W& PRO 64-bit

I already answered it Grr. Only way to get it is through MSDN or digital river or if you can rely on some genuine untouched torrent from a reliable site.

As I know , you may ask me again to get the links, here are the links from digital river.

Code:

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Windows 7 x86 All Versions English

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-79643/Win7-P-Retail-en-us-x86.exe

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-79643/setup1.box

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-79643/setup2.box

________________________________________________________________

Windows 7 x64 All Versions English

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-79946/Win7-P-Retail-en-us-x64.exe

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-79946/setup1.box

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-79946/setup2.box

________________________________________________________________


Windows 7 x86 All Versions Spanish

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-79663/Win7-P-Retail-es-es-x86.exe

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-79663/setup1.box

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-79663/setup2.box

Windows 7 x86 All Versions Spanish

________________________________________________________________

Windows 7 x64 All Versions Spanish

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-79966/Win7-P-Retail-es-es-x64.exe

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-79966/setup1.box

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-79966/setup2.box

________________________________________________________________

Windows 7 x86 All Versions German

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-79647/Win7-P-Retail-de-de-x86.exe

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-79647/setup1.box

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-79647/setup2.box
________________________________________________________________

Windows 7 x64 All Versions German

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-79950/Win7-P-Retail-de-de-x64.exe

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-79950/setup1.box

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-79950/setup2.box

________________________________________________________________

Windows 7 x86 All Versions French

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-79646/Win7-P-Retail-fr-fr-x86.exe

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-79646/setup1.box

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-79646/setup2.box

________________________________________________________________

Windows 7 x64 All Versions French

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-79949/Win7-P-Retail-fr-fr-x64.exe

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-79949/setup1.box

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-79949/setup2.box

________________________________________________________________

Windows 7 x86 All Versions Korean

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-79668/Win7-P-Retail-ko-kr-x86.exe

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-79668/setup1.box

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-79668/setup2.box

________________________________________________________________

Windows 7 x64 All Versions Korean

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-79971/Win7-P-Retail-ko-kr-x64.exe

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-79971/setup1.box

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-79971/setup2.box

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---------- Post added at 10:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:38 AM ----------

Keep in mind, you need to create ISO from the three files listed on digital river. All the links are legit and you will need a valid and genuine Windows 7 key to use it.

I already downloaded both 32 & 64 bit from the link below.

Download Windows 7 ISO (Official 32-bit and 64-bit Direct Download Links) » My Digital Life

and the Hash code r the same as the one's from MSDN...


Now did u ever try the 2 methods in the link u provided? :spy:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Grr

I already downloaded both 32 & 64 bit from the link below.

Download Windows 7 ISO (Official 32-bit and 64-bit Direct Download Links) » My Digital Life

and the Hash code r the same as the one's from MSDN...


Now did u ever try the 2 methods in the link u provided? :spy:

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NO i didn't and perhaps wont. I can only tell it works but you should not attempt in on any working system. Its not for average user or below. If you are a advanced user, you should try otherwise not.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Avinash

NO i didn't and perhaps wont. I can only tell it works but you should not attempt in on any working system. Its not for average user or below. If you are a advanced user, you should try otherwise not.

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ok, agree I'm not an advanced user, so what should I do then? :noidea:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Grr

ok, agree I'm not an advanced user, so what should I do then? :noidea:

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if you are comfortable playing with your Master boot record and wont have a heart attack when your system gives you just a black DOS screen, if you did something wrong and you can get it back to flashy windows screen without getting a heart attack, you can try it. :dance:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Avinash

if you are comfortable playing with your Master boot record and wont have a heart attack when your system gives you just a black DOS screen, if you did something wrong and you can get it back to flashy windows screen without getting a heart attack, you can try it. :dance:

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i told u right, that i don't want to play around. just asking for the best (read safest) way to have both W7 & XP on this laptop..:pray2:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Avinash

The only 'supported' way to accomplish this is to always install the older OS i.e. Windows XP first.

That being said, it's still possible to accomplish this.

Take a look at the following tutorial. Please read the entire article first to get up to speed with the issues and then use Method Two to install XP.

Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP - Windows 7 Forums

Keep in mind, if you do something wrong, everything will be lost.

---

Very nice tutorial link there. Many thanks! :wave:

Probably won't ever try it, but it's good stuff to know.

the best way... u need to install XP first and then install Win7 on a different partition.

Another best way, use Windows XP in VMware player inside windows 7 and you can use both without doing anything with your partitions or master boot record.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Avinash

the best way... u need to install XP first and then install Win7 on a different partition..

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back 2 square one - How?:noidea:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Grr

i told u right, that i don't want to play around. just asking for the best (read safest) way to have both W7 & XP on this laptop..:pray2:

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Well, you can probably guess what I'm about to say.

Step 0 (before Step 1) is get a solid image backup of your laptop's HD. If it was my laptop, I'd do a partition image of the system partition and also do a drive image (to get a backup of all the partitions including the recovery partition).

Do this before you even think about anything else. The first thing I do when I get a new machine is create an "As-Shipped" image. That way, if I screw something up... no need to reinstall, activate and all that... just Restore and I get machine back just the way it was at the beginning.

Of course, it helps to make periodic images of when your machine is just right... so you don't have to start fresh and redo everything.

On that note, I also suggest keeping an install log where note all the system changes and app installations you do so you know:

• what you did
• when you did it
• how you did it
• and include links to reference articles and how--to's.

I learned this lesson the hard way before. For example:

"I remember reading how to install Nero without all the bloat-ware and disable that *@#$! Nero Scout crap... but where did I find those instructions?????" :noidea:

"Now, which codecs did I load and in what order to get all my apps to play nice together????" :noidea:

The list goes on and on and it can get really hairy when you're talking about BIOS and chipset updates and other low-level tinkering. An install log helps a lot and can be quite useful in troubleshooting down the road.

Good luck and happy adventuring... that done, you're ready to embark on whatever "Step 1" you choose. :dance:

P.S. Personally, I'm inclined to Avi's suggestion: virtualize XP. Since you've got W7 Pro, it includes a pre-licensed virtual copy of XP: XP Mode. MS is supporting it until 2014 when XP support ends. One nice feature is that you can "publish" any 32-bit app you install in XP Mode to your W7 desktop as a stand-alone app. I played with this only briefly during my short flirtation with Windows 7

My plan is to do a full-blown virtualization of XP when I get a W7 machine. I'm currently planning on going with VirtualBox but Avi's blog article about VMware Player has me considering that possibility since it's free too... at least for now... & probably is a direct response to the increasing popularity and power of VirtualBox.

As Jelson said, get a backup.

After you are done with backup, get a windows XP CD. boot your system with Windows CD and install windows XP on it. It will need a full format of your HDD. If you got just one partition, divide into two at-least. I normally go for 3 or 4 partitions.

Now install XP on C partition. After you are finished with XP, just install Windows 7 on any drive like D or E either by booting using your windows 7 DVD or by directly running the setup.exe from the DVD from inside Windows XP.

This is method one in the tutorial link I gave in my previous reply. Hope it doesnt bring you back to square one.:dance:

I haven't read the article provided by avi but i have dual booted xp and win 7. You can safely try it. In my case i have installed xp first and then win 7. I guess its the preferred method.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alpha

I haven't read the article provided by avi but i have dual booted xp and win 7. You can safely try it. In my case i have installed xp first and then win 7. I guess its the preferred method.

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yes it is the preferred method but grr wanted it the other way. :)